Trials of Fire Reviews
Trials of Fire is a complex but seductive deck-building strategy game about sculpting the perfect RPG team.
Trials of Fire's list of features may read like a videogame word salad, but the resulting combination makes for a fine RPG feast.
Trials of Fire is a masterful combination of several genres that manages to establish its own identity early on and build on it throughout.
Trials of Fire is uniquely entertaining, and it's an absolute joy to play because every run is challenging, and every fight is a blast to play thanks to the intricacies and strategies you can develop. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anybody who's looking for a roguelike that's less action and more strategy, and especially so if you love a good TTRPG.
Ultimately, it's not surprising to see Trials of Fire emerge out of Early Access as a strong deckbuilding contender. That time spent listening to player feedback was used wisely, and balancing, tone, and innovation have all been tweaked with a deft hand. While some of its elements shine more brightly than others, and the more involved nature of the game means it's a tougher sell for players looking to rapid-fire their way through its learning curve and combinations, Trials of Fire leaves Early Access as yet another strong, captivating deckbuilding game that borrows from tabletop roleplaying games and roguelites to carve out a name for itself.
Trials of Fire is an amazing blend of RPG, turn-based, and roguelike mechanics that manages to be both deep and accessible at the same time. With a great storybook presentation, tons of different options to customize the experience, and the multitude of builds made possible by the great deck-building system, even those with a passing interest in roguelike and role-playing games will find plenty to like in the game.
Trials of Fire is a fantastic deck-building game. It is enhanced by also acting like a rouguelike for endless replayability, and it crafts a rich world around its characters. Trials of Fire only disappoints on one front: that the story it actually tells seems more like a teaser than an epic. While I can't complain in that it is priced like a single episode in a longer saga, I am left wanting for the rest of the saga. Maybe that's altogether not the worst thing...
Push past the convoluted mechanics and daunting start of Trials of Fire to be greeted by a deep and engaging deck-building rogue-like that's meticulously designed, generous with content, and rewarding to play.
Overall, if Whatboy games spends even a modicum of effort refining presentation, retooling the progression, and (I hope someday) adding in a player generated campaign system, Trials of Fire could be a true legend for the gaming genre. My only issues with it are minor and intransigent, and having gotten past that initial grind I look forward to many hours spent searching through its landscapes and battling its fantastical foes.
Trials of Fire is a great game for beginners or veteran of deck building games. The variety of challenges, characters, and cards to choose from allows you to use your brain and strategize while also having fun and completing the challenges.
A really lovely twist on sandbox RPGs that draws inspiration from choose your own adventure novels right through to Slay the Spire. Definitely for those itching to get off the dice and make your own luck.
There are some rough spots with the UI, a bit of repetition with some overworld aspects, but nitpicks aside Trials of Fire was actually highly enjoyable both as a strategy game, and a deck builder. The fact the game has some strong Heroes of Might and Magic vibes going on is icing on the cake. The problem comes through that a single play (~2-4 hours) is about all it takes to get most out of the game. After that players likely won't be back.
Trials of Fire perfectly balances the quest for survival with the desire to explore and discover the game world. The generic wastelands of Ashen are filled with all sorts of treasures, mysteries and enemies, so there's always something to do. The combat will quickly grab you and you won't want to stop. It's just a shame the slightly confusing initial orientation to the whole system of controls, upgrades and fights will take a while due to the poor beginner tutorial. The map may be visually weak compared to the battlefield environment, but it offers so much that you won't know what to do next.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Trials of Fire just has so much to offer. Addicting combat, awesome art style, old-school charm, near endless amounts of replayability, and just tons of unique options. Couple that with the option to tailor your experience to your own time limits, and there’s very little not to love. Honestly, as I said before, my sole criticism of this game is that it presents the narrative in an okay-ish format. But it’s easily forgiven with the sheer amount of everything else available.