Age of Decadence - Retrospective Review

RetrospectiveGaming looks back at Age of Decadence:

The Age Of Decadence Review

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I definitely have to replay this game again. So thanks for reminding me.

I still need to play it for the first time.

I played through the demo several times, but never got around to the full game for some reason.

I'll be giving this one a third-time romp-through at some point. What an awesome game!!

250h, so many replays…

What really hooked me, was a double XP mod, which enabled me to try a lot of weird/hybrid builds and explore the game thoroughly.

When will the "enhanced edition" come out ?

Originally Posted by DR490N
When will the "enhanced edition" come out ?

Did they ever announce an enhanced edition? All I recall was the last update saying it's finished no more updates. The focus now is finishing the development of Colony-ship.

I see the quality of RPG in that game, and I believe it is well made but I bounced off of it. I'm losing interest in overly dark themes (unpopular opinion: not a fan of the second D:OS) - but mostly I don't like getting hit in the head constantly by a game for choosing the wrong roleplaying option.

*Options: 1. Try This. 2. Try That.
*Tries one
*Game: Well that was stupid and now you're fucked

I don't like handholding nor lack of skill checks, and even failing them mind you - some favs include Gothic games, Arcanum, Fallout 1 and NV. Rimworld as an example of "punishing" gameplay I like.

I suppose it works well enough for replayability but rarely replay RPGs.

One of the reasons Disco Elysium was a drag as well.

Originally Posted by Couchpotato
Did they ever announce an enhanced edition?

How to start a rumor :-)

But I'd buy it.

Originally Posted by DR490N
When will the "enhanced edition" come out ?

@Beamdog

Originally Posted by MAHak
@Beamdog

Heh heh… that might start a riot over at the Codex. AoD is sacred to some of them.

I was an early backer of this game. I tried very much to like it but the combat system was just too much for me. It was all around min-maxing and got sick of being forced to do things I don't want to.

For the fun of it, I reloaded my last save-game, dating from 2017 and I was stuck in another of those typical battles with near impossible odd, alone against 5 guys with similar or better stats than mine.

I also haven't picked up this despite enjoying the demo. The game does seem to push you in focusing only 1-2 skill for whole game which doesn't sound very appealing to me.

It's designed for replayability with a lot of C&C. Unlike most RPGs which allow you to be a jack-of-all-trades to some degree, you really have to stick to your class strengths here or you'll gimp your character. I can understand why some people wouldn't like that.

Originally Posted by JDR13
It's designed for replayability with a lot of C&C. Unlike most RPGs which allow you to be a jack-of-all-trades to some degree, you really have to stick to your class strengths here or you'll gimp your character. I can understand why some people wouldn't like that.

C&C?

But yeah, the game gives very little freedom in how to level up your character. I like to "roleplay" my character and I find maxed character to be unbelievable and ridiculous. I'm sad I couldn't get to like this game because the story and setting are pretty interesting and original, I just don't like the way we are forced to play it.

Originally Posted by vanedor
C&C?

But yeah, the game gives very little freedom in how to level up your character. I like to "roleplay" my character and I find maxed character to be unbelievable and ridiculous. I'm sad I couldn't get to like this game because the story and setting are pretty interesting and original, I just don't like the way we are forced to play it.

Choice and consequence.

You aren't forced to do anything. Like I said, you just can't be a jack-of-all-trades in this game, and some people can't handle that. I don't see how it prevents you from roleplaying. You just need to focus on a smaller variety of skills.

Originally Posted by purpleblob
I also haven't picked up this despite enjoying the demo. The game does seem to push you in focusing only 1-2 skill for whole game which doesn't sound very appealing to me.

It's not, I agree. You get enough points to raise 6-8 skills, more if you're thorough and/or have high INT (bonus xp). Here are some player-submitted builds with over 100 kills:

http://images.akamai.steamuserconten…72C023EB61C0E/

Str 7, Dex 8, Con 6, Per 8, Int 7, Cha 5, bodycount 155
Hammer 8, Dodge 10, Critical Strike 6, Lore 8, Persuasion 8, Crafting 6, Streetwise 5, etc.

http://images.akamai.steamuserconten…5523B8EE33473/

Str 5, Dex 9, Con 5, Per 8, Int 6, Cha 7, bodycount 109
Dagger 9, Dodge 9, Critical Strike 7, Alchemy 6, Streetwise 6, Impersonate 5, etc

http://images.akamai.steamuserconten…21966511D6E61/

Str 8, Dex 8, Con 6, Per 8, Int 7, Cha 4, bodycount 328
Axe 9, Critical Strike 7, Crafting 10, Lore 8, Persuasion 6, Sneak 6

Originally Posted by vanedor
C&C?

Choices & Consequences.

I like to "roleplay" my character and I find maxed character to be unbelievable and ridiculous.

I agree. At the same time I find masters of all trades who excel at everything equally unbelievable and ridiculous.

I'm sad I couldn't get to like this game because the story and setting are pretty interesting and original, I just don't like the way we are forced to play it.

If you ever decide to give it another shot, let me know (PM or post on Steam forums or here) and I will gladly walk you through the chargen and the first few fights.

Originally Posted by VDweller
It's not, I agree. You get enough points to raise 6-8 skills, more if you're thorough and/or have high INT (bonus xp). Here are some player-submitted builds with over 100 kills:

http://images.akamai.steamuserconten…72C023EB61C0E/

Str 7, Dex 8, Con 6, Per 8, Int 7, Cha 5, bodycount 155
Hammer 8, Dodge 10, Critical Strike 6, Lore 8, Persuasion 8, Crafting 6, Streetwise 5, etc.

http://images.akamai.steamuserconten…5523B8EE33473/

Str 5, Dex 9, Con 5, Per 8, Int 6, Cha 7, bodycount 109
Dagger 9, Dodge 9, Critical Strike 7, Alchemy 6, Streetwise 6, Impersonate 5, etc

http://images.akamai.steamuserconten…21966511D6E61/

Str 8, Dex 8, Con 6, Per 8, Int 7, Cha 4, bodycount 328
Axe 9, Critical Strike 7, Crafting 10, Lore 8, Persuasion 6, Sneak 6

You agree to what?

I'm assuming the stats you have posted are for end game (100 kill doesn't really tell me how early/late game it is - also, what if I decide to go with talky character? Would I have enough skill points as well?)? How easy is it for people who are playing for the first time to raise 6-8 skills? And when should the player start branching out skills beyond 1-2 without the big risk of running into a game over?

Bought this on sale…tried many times to like it….but it is very unforgiving in the start, hell I died how many times almost right after making a character.

Hence the increased skill points mod, to give yourself more breathing room :
https://steamcommunity.com/app/23007…6539613544495/

(I think that's the one I installed)