Baroque is set in a post-apocalyptic world where an experiment led by a being called Archangel to understand the Absolute God caused devastating climate change, with surviving humans becoming physically twisted by manifestations of guilt. The protagonist is guided by Archangel through the Neuro Tower to find the Absolute God and fix the world. The game features first person dungeon-crawling through randomly-generated floors of the Neuro Tower, with deaths in the dungeon advancing the narrative.
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Most people probably don’t realize that every item is a weapon that can be thrown at the enemy. Instead of dropping items when overburdened, get familiar with chucking swords and pieces of cloth at the grotesques. I might not have beaten the game without doing this.
we are truly fucking blessed that there is a translation of this
One of the most engrossing atmospheres of the era, somewhere between David Lynch and Silent Hill.
Mechanically simple, but engaging, although I don't know how you'd fully beat it without a guide (there's some esoteric conditions). It doesn't really matter though, I just wanted to spend more time in this world.
I'm sorry Baroque fans, style over substance is a real issue with this game.
Now that I caught your attention, I'll go on over why I think this game is poorly made. So I guess I'll have to start with the good part of the game to see if we are on the same page with that, the art style/aesthetic seems to be what most people like about this game and I totally agree! This game rules visually it has what people call "Soul", so don't worry Baroque Soul Squad I'm on your side, but that's pretty much all this game has to offer.
Now let's get down to business, First of all, I hate the gameplay loop. It's honestly not terrible at first but then you realize that it's the very same gameplay loop for the entire game, walking through the exact same room, and same corridors for over 20+ floors in a row and relying on RNG to get enough item to survive, it's not fun! And what irritates me the most in this game is that the goal is not just to get to a set amount of floors to get the ending, no, no, no... You have to do some "invisible" trigger quest to activate the ending or else it wouldn't be fun right? Well without a guide it's literally impossible to guess what you have to do, It's all too cryptic and to me, a game that ends up being pretty much impossible to beat without a guide cannot be considered good and if it's a secret ending why not but the main ending of the game hidden in small stupid precise events is just... frustrating.
And while I'm here I guess I'll trash the story as well, it's just nonsensical babbling, I do agree that the idea is cool but the game doesn't explain anything to you, they just expect you to understand this mash of information that just means nothing! I keep seeing people writing on and on about it but it's just theories and speculations, most of them are just people reading vague Japanese bits of info translated into English and made-up theories, I'm glad they are having fun but as a game story it just means nothing.
Now let's get down to business, First of all, I hate the gameplay loop. It's honestly not terrible at first but then you realize that it's the very same gameplay loop for the entire game, walking through the exact same room, and same corridors for over 20+ floors in a row and relying on RNG to get enough item to survive, it's not fun! And what irritates me the most in this game is that the goal is not just to get to a set amount of floors to get the ending, no, no, no... You have to do some "invisible" trigger quest to activate the ending or else it wouldn't be fun right? Well without a guide it's literally impossible to guess what you have to do, It's all too cryptic and to me, a game that ends up being pretty much impossible to beat without a guide cannot be considered good and if it's a secret ending why not but the main ending of the game hidden in small stupid precise events is just... frustrating.
And while I'm here I guess I'll trash the story as well, it's just nonsensical babbling, I do agree that the idea is cool but the game doesn't explain anything to you, they just expect you to understand this mash of information that just means nothing! I keep seeing people writing on and on about it but it's just theories and speculations, most of them are just people reading vague Japanese bits of info translated into English and made-up theories, I'm glad they are having fun but as a game story it just means nothing.
So yeah I do understand why people love the uniqueness and charm of the game but I don't understand why people rate it 5/5 as if it was the greatest thing they've ever played, I wonder if most of them even finished it, no offense.
probably one of the most unique games i've ever played. such an odd yet addicting dungeon crawler; gameplay, art, narrative, and sound design wise. feels like being dragged through a rusty, decaying nightmare.
I wish I could enjoy older dungeon crawlers, but the gameplay isn't for me.
Easily some of the best aesthetic I've ever seen in a game, period. You could study this game at a university and it's a shame we don't already.
Easily some of the best aesthetic I've ever seen in a game, period. You could study this game at a university and it's a shame we don't already.