Armello Reviews
Matches take a long time to complete - sometimes upwards of an hour and, for that reason, are best played against human competitors, where one's cruelty and wisdom takes on sharper significance. That said, the AI in the single-player game is able, and for players worried about entering games via Steam matchmaking, with all the attendant risk of having a human competitor who drifts away from their keyboard half an hour in, the single-player portion provides useful on-going training grounds.
Armello makes a great first impression, but it has a bad habit of making you feel like you're playing alone.
Board gaming come to life, with none of the missing pieces.
It's taken three years to get here, but the long journey hasn't dulled Armello's blades. From the deep tactics of its living board game gameplay to the sheer charm of its world-building and character designs, it's a turn-based quest filled with back-stabbing, political power plays and rampaging monsters that's different each and every time you play. It's at its absolute best when played in multiplayer, that human factor making for an even more predictable battle for the corrupted throne. You'd be doing yourself a disservice not to add this anthropomorphic tale to your wish list.
I enjoyed my time with Armello, as did the friends I played it with. While it doesn't quite compete with some of the compelling tabletop games I have played over the past couple of years—and it's marred by some confusing design choices that stand to stifle some of its more unique features—if you and a group of friends enjoy tabletop games but struggle to find the time to meet up and play them, then you'll likely find Armello worthy of your time.
The only major things that hold Armello back are things that either can be fixed or are purely subjective. Personally I feel the random element is a little too on the nose, but like all good board games, there are going to be those who really dig that particular feature. Armello's a fantastic example of a gateway board game and also a great way to spend an hour or two with friends who may not be able to get around a table.
Playing is both a joy and infuriating, depending on your back stabbing/stabbed ratio. In either case, I found myself wanting to go back for more.
Armello is a beautifully crafted strategic videogame inspired by old school board games you can usually play with friends around a table in the same room. Grab a pad and test yourself and your friends online at the game of the Lion's throne or challenge the CPU to crown the new king of Armello.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Being digitized has been the enabling factor for Armello. In reality this would be a boring stat-checking and constant dice rolling experience, but the PS4 takes all the slack, doing the math and dice-rolling for you, allowing you to just enjoy the show. This makes the heavy rule book seem more palatable while you enjoy the rich and engaging lore. It's a well-balanced and good-looking experience that shows originality is still possible in a format that's centuries old.
Armello is a game with some deeply complex but very rewarding mechanics. If you like board games, or want to take your first step into the genre, Armello is one of the best options currently.
Despite being a bit abstruse at times, Armello is excellent at maintaining your interest and offers plenty of guidance to improve your playing technique. Overall, this is a remarkable digital board game that combines an engaging lore with likeable scenarios and fascinating mechanics.
League of Geeks has crafted a fascinating world within its board game Armello, making it a unique and difficult quest that fans of both video games and tabletops will enjoy.
Armello oozes charm, and its myriad gameplay systems keep you busy for hours, but it relies too much on luck to keep things interesting.
Armello is a solidly-constructed and enjoyable turn-based title that offers a unique setting and plenty of depth.
Mixing a unique setting with classic strategic and board game elements, Armello is easy to recommend.
[L]et me say it as plainly as possible: Armello is perhaps the most detailed and well-designed entry in [digital board games] that I've ever played, and you should probably stop reading and buy it right now.
Armello brings a set of strategy and RPG elements to the Nintendo Switch and while it does not feature a very compelling plot, it offers an interesting mix of gameplay mechanics, along with very attractive views to look at and a good level of challenge. Its tutorials and rules do feel excessive though and its local multiplayer could use some work but overall, Armello is a fun package that can be enjoyed by many players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Armello is a game that has a promising concept and a top-shelf presentation but falls far short of its potential. Despite its adept systems the game often proves a slow, monotonous affair that suffers from balancing issues. Tabletop enthusiasts and strategy game fans may glean some joy from this game. However, your time would still be better spent playing a myriad of other games that offer more entertainment than Armello.
Overall, Armello has a level of polish and depth that is rare for an indie title, and especially for a studio's debut. It's truly another feather in the cap for the Australian gaming industry. We can only hope that sooner, rather than later, the powers that be will finally take note of this.