Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Review

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Review

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of Souls-like games and action RPGs that attempt to deliver a challenging yet rewarding experience. With that said, let me tell you about my encounter with Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn.


As a long-time fan of the Souls series, I’ve spent countless hours exploring intricately designed worlds, mastering complex combat mechanics, and overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. So when I heard about “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn” being marketed as a “Souls-lite” game by developer A44 Games, I was intrigued yet skeptical.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve played my fair share of budget titles. And let me tell you, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is one such game. Now, before you get the wrong idea, I don’t want to dismiss it outright as a bad game. But it does wear its budget status on its sleeve.

Flintlock’s Worldbuilding is Paid Off With Amazing Vistas and Locations

In the realm of “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn,” the game truly shines through its intricate world design and engaging gameplay mechanics. This captivating game presents a unique blend of Flintlock fantasy and Mesopotamian mythology, resulting in a mesmerizing universe where Napoleonic-era weaponry carries equal power as deities and arcane magic. Consequently, the Coalition forces are potent enough to repel waves of the undead, although they struggle to reclaim the city of Dawn. The gameplay reflects this dynamic, allowing players to wield an extensive arsenal of weapons and magical abilities at their protagonist, Nor Vanek’s, disposal.

In the captivating world of “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn,” every detail, from its rich lore to breathtaking vistas and distinct locations, contributes to its distinctive fantasy setting. This game’s unique charm, seldom found in video games, is evident in the design of malevolent deity Uru as well as the valiant Knights of Three Peaks. Players find enjoyment not only in understanding Nor Vanek’s faith towards gods (with her divine companion Enki) but also in discovering why gunpowder is despised by the Knights of Three Peaks. The game offers opportunities for players to assume leadership within a bandit camp, subduing them through brute strength and gunpowder, or even confront a God face-to-face and shoot them down. Numerous small instances like these highlight the game’s exceptional world-building, providing players with immersive experiences.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Combat Is Best in Moment-to-Moment Gameplay

In the game “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn,” the combat isn’t overly intricate, but it involves managing several components. Players can initiate melee fights with axes and shoot interrupter or quick-shot enemies with their primary firearm. They also have access to longer-range secondary firearms. In addition, players can dodge, parry, or disengage using a three-part jump system. The absence of a standard Soulslike stamina system allows for more fluid movement during combat, but players will still need to get up close to defeat enemies. Enki has the ability to attack enemies, impose curses to build a Poise meter, and interrupt enemies or break their armor. After a while, players can employ potent spells called Witherings, which deal significant damage (often accompanied by other effects).

In “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn,” the skill tree and equipment advancement system enhance the gaming experience significantly. The Skill Tree is structured into three primary branches representing Enki’s magic, firearms, and weapons. As players progress near the end of one branch, they unlock powerful abilities that can alter the game’s dynamics. To boost Nor’s power further, players can upgrade weapons for enhanced damage or don armor with unique traits that complement specific “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn” playstyles. Nevertheless, the game could benefit from more depth across all aspects to fully realize these builds’ potential.

In the game’s inventory, Enki and Nor have an unusual, Photoshop-like aura; after playing for a while, we found ourselves needing to be careful not to turn Nor around to check our equipment or stare at the inventory screen directly, as it strained our already weak eyesight.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Review

In the realm of Soulslike games and action RPGs, striking a balance between numerous viable build options and in-depth customization is crucial. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn takes a more moderate approach on this matter. Builds don’t entirely miss their mark in the game but lack the depth some players might desire. The motivation to experiment with different builds is minimal, and after choosing one, there are limited opportunities for adjustments. While the game’s strong core mechanics partially offset these shortcomings, players who highly value build creation may feel disappointed.

In terms of its lighter features akin to “Souls-lite,” the game “Flintlock” excels. The establishment of camps gives the adventure an authentic feel, while lodestones are strategically placed and manageable for each segment. Camps and lodestones serve similar functions as “Dark Souls'” bonfires. The level of difficulty in boss battles and even common enemies is noticeable on Normal mode but never unbearable. Occasionally, it’s advisable to venture out, gain experience points, and return.

Flintlock’s Difficulty Options and Builds Highlight Lack of Depth

The Siege of Dawn” serves as the game’s equivalent to Souls or Runes from other similar titles. However, the developers have added an extra layer by granting combat bonuses that increase the amount of reputation earned based on players’ performance. Additionally, this experience can be tailored to various skill levels with its selection of difficulty options: Easy, Normal, and Possessed. For those seeking a classic Soulslike challenge, “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn” provides an authentic and demanding gaming experience.

Players will be informed through the choosing level screen that opting for the easiest setting prevents them from earning accomplishments.

The Siege of Dawn” appears rich and vast from a distance, but upon closer inspection, the depth is lacking. The story and exploration are not as substantial as they seem. While it’s nice to appreciate the game’s visuals and locations, the rewards for exploring are minimal. For instance, there are only a few Enki feathers, Revenants, Bandit Leaders, Hamlets, and Shrines of Inaya to find. Completing these tasks takes little time, making exploration feel more like checking items off a list rather than an engaging experience. Despite the need to finish as much content as possible to face the game’s toughest challenges, it ultimately feels like just going through the motions.

As a long-time gamer with a limited budget, I can’t express how excited I am about Microsoft’s latest offering, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. Not only is it a day one addition to Xbox Game Pass, but also, those of us who choose to buy it are fortunate enough to do so at an affordable price of $39.99. This is a significant reduction from the standard price of $69.99 for new releases. Personally, I’ve always found myself in a dilemma when deciding on purchasing a new game, weighing up the entertainment value against my financial situation. With this approach, Microsoft has made it easier for budget-conscious gamers like me to indulge in the latest titles without feeling guilty or strained. Bravo, Microsoft!

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Story Falls Short of Its Potential

The tale unfortunately follows a familiar pattern. Following the introduction, Nor and Enki are compelled to embark on a journey where they confront and overcome the deities. This loop repeats: gamers initiate at one spot, make a detour, and eventually return to that starting point. The narrative unfolds with commonly used twists as major shocks, while the tension created in sequences fails to deliver when control is returned to players.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Review

The Siege of Dawn” boasts an impressive overall concept but falls short in delivering on the finer details. While the grandeur of the world is captivating, the content and execution leave much to be desired. Despite these shortcomings, some players might not mind due to the game’s affordability and engaging big picture. However, each person’s experience may differ, and it’s unfortunate that the potential for a more immersive game hasn’t been fully realized.

In the end, “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn” is an excellent choice for fans of Soulslike and action RPG games, especially since it’s available right away on Xbox Game Pass. Although some might find the game’s shallow storyline and lack of depth disappointing, the intricate world-building and enjoyable combat experience based on Flintlock fantasy make up for it.

As a long-time fan of strategy games and historical fiction, I was thrilled to get my hands on “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn.” Having grown up playing classic RTS titles, I have developed a deep appreciation for the intricacies of warfare tactics and world-building. Receiving an advance copy of this game through Game Rant felt like a gift from the heavens!

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2024-07-17 15:04