Massive Chalice Reviews
Massive Chalice really has a unique and interesting premise and even with the lackluster combat it's a lot of fun to play. The management of bloodlines and Keeps, the necessity to keep breeding different types of units to keep your army balanced, and a wide array of power-ups you can research make each playthrough feel different.
Between the far-reaching scale, the slick and intuitive combat, and the fun of raising heroes through the years, MASSIVE CHALICE brings a whole lot to the table. While each piece may not be strong enough to stand in its genre alone, the combination and way that each plays into the other creates a phenomenally fun experience.
Massive Chalice is the sort of video game that I would love to see Kickstarter users focus on more in the coming years, a title that does not rely only on nostalgia in order to get access to development funds and also stays the course during the creation process, with no hiccups from the studio in charge.
Basically, the game asks a lot of you, and demands that you pay close attention to every decision you make. While that makes for a steep learning curve, requiring deep thought is hardly the worst sin a strategy game can commit. Slyly funny, satisfyingly deep and yet slick and simple to play, Massive Chalice is a huge return to form for a studio that is overdue a comeback.
A strategic experiment in eugenics that could benefit from more attention to the fine details
Double Fine's Massive Chalice takes XCOM's DNA in a fresh direction, but doesn't exceed it.
Massive Chalice is an interesting twist on the genre, though it does sort of feel like more could have been done to differentiate it. The game's style is good, and the basic structure is engaging and challenging. Combat could be a little more tactical, but overall it's a solid game that provides a great outlet for any turn-based craving you might have.
Massive Chalice is the best turn-based strategy title of 2015 so far, and its unique simulation aspects make it especially intriguing. This isn't going to be thought of as a title that can contend with XCOM on the back of its combat alone, but managing each hero's genetic traits adds another level of depth to an already deep genre.
Taken as a whole, Massive Chalice is basically tactical strategy "lite." It is easy to pick up and play, and there are enough varied elements to keep veterans of the genre interested, but it doesn't break any new ground. If it were a $60 game, Massive Chalice wouldn't hold up, but as a $20 game, it fits the bill nicely. This isn't a title that is going to compete head-to-head with the next XCOM, but it is a good way to pass the time while you wait for XCOM 2.
Between the bloodlines, research, and combat, Massive Chalice tosses a ton to micromanage, and it can feel overwhelming. But it all builds up to a spectacular ending that makes it worthwhile and satisfying.
Massive Chalice's generational loop makes for a strong core, and elements like the hybrid classes lend it some much-needed depth. However, it doesn't do a great job of tracking the history of your heroes, and it's ultimately lacking in elements like diverse character art and base classes. Still, there's the foundation for a phenomenal strategy game here if Double Fine is willing to build on it. As it is, though, it makes for a diverting few hours, and a welcome change of pace from XCOM.
A strategy role-player that is filled with clever ideas and inspires great empathy with your characters, even if the battle system is a few steps behind XCOM.
An isometric tactical fantasy that marries XCOM's strategy with Game of Thrones' epic death-toll.
There are many good things within Massive Chalice, but they're frustratingly kept at arm's length from me.
I really tried to like this game, i couldn't do it. I lost track of how many arrows my hunters fired into nothingness, while having the enemy at an arm's length. Thank god they were not nearsighted. I ran out of heroes many times because i could not generate any offspring via marriage or conquest. The combat system is far too simplistic, having to reveal enemies hidden in fog-of-war and moving characters in the grid system. Luckily, Double Fine's humor is always present in the interactions we have with the chalice and the different genetic traits of our heroes. Far from top tier games like Xcom or Final Fantasy Tactics, which is far far superior, and came out in 1997.
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As turn based strategy games go Massive Chalice has some nice innovations that make it well worth playing if you are a fan of the genre. With a distinctive art style and an interesting combination of story driven multiple choice decisions and roguelike mechanics there is nothing else really like it out there. The lack of multiplayer is a real shame though and the game loses a point because of that. But the games positives far outweigh its few negatives and considering Massive Chalices budget price it is a hard game not to recommend to both strategy and Double Fine fans alike.
Massive Chalice can create hilarious moments of eugenics disasters, but other elements leave a lot to be desired.
I felt like middle management making the same position appointments that a computer could make more quickly and all I got for my click click clicking was combat with bigger numbers on the same handful of stages. There is some payoff with the bloodline idea at the end, but it is not worth the rote meat grinder to get there.
Massive Chalice is about time, about heroes, and most importantly, it's about taking that deep breath before the strike.