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Oaken is a game that sticks to a well-trodden path. However, its wonderful aesthetics and cruel gameplay offer something for newcomers and veterans alike. On top of this, its fantasy theme captures your attention from the off.
This rogue-lite adventure title was developed by Laki Studios and published by Red Art Games. Moreover, it has many fine tactical elements and a range of heroes to pick from. Accordingly, no playthrough is the same, and this keeps you playing.
Can you be the hero in Oaken?
I love a tale of danger and salvation. Thankfully, Oaken delivers both. However, its simple story leaves a lot to the imagination. Furthermore, its chapter-based progression system helps you to cope with the action. Then you must consider the variety of heroes on offer, and you realise that there is plenty of depth.
The residents of the Great Oak all listen to the Oak Spirits’ song. However, mysteriously, the singing stops. When this happens, a catastrophic chain of events unfolds. Consequently, the Oak Sprites are in danger and a hero must help them. By commanding an army of faithful warriors, each hero must undertake a dangerous journey to heal the Great Oak and save the day.
A comfortable collaboration of genres.
Though the core elements aren’t original, I liked the collaboration of genres. Oaken successfully combines deck-building mechanics with turn-based combat. Additionally, there is the wonderfully secretive branching map to explore. Each node that you visit hides a mysterious event. Whether you are fighting, collecting goods, or undertaking a chance encounter, they must all be completed before moving on.
The prime aspect of the action focuses on hex-based combat. Here, you must think strategically, as your hero has limited action points to complete an array of tasks. You may wish to move yourself or other units or attack, request reinforcements from your deck of cards, or use special abilities.
Alongside this, you must consider the environment, the strength and health of your opponent, and your placement. Furthermore, your units can complement one another to enhance either your attack or defence statistics. Accordingly, there is plenty to consider if you wish to be successful.
Challenging gameplay.
Though Oaken offers a comprehensive upgrade system, the action is still uncomfortably tough. The volume of battles and the vicious nature of each boss encounter will push you beyond your limits. However, in typical rogue-lite fashion, every failure makes you stronger. As such, you must take the rough with the smooth as you learn new skills, test unique cards, and try different tactics.
What is likely to disappoint is the lack of originality! Though the theme and characters are captivating, it felt like I had played this before. Now, there is nothing wrong with a well-trodden game. However, I’d have liked Oaken to try something new. Had there been a unique twist, it would have helped to alleviate the sense of grind.
Oaken looks fantastic.
The top-down hexagonal-grid combat was great to look at. Furthermore, the rich colour palette and clean art style didn’t disappoint. The heinous monsters are juxtaposed with a softer and more delicate hero army. Subsequently, there is a distinct feeling of good vs. evil. Moreover, the animation was basic but enjoyable, nonetheless.
The audio complements the visuals. The stunning soundtrack was great to listen to and the sound effects are loud and interesting. Additionally, the atmospheric music helps to create a sense of energy and drama. In short, Oaken is aesthetically pleasing and a rare indie treat.
Accessible controls.
The stunning UI and comprehensive tutorial ensure that amateur gamers can pick this up easily. However, mastering every fundamental will challenge the most talented of gamers. Yet, it is this idea that keeps you coming back for more. On top of this, Oaken can be enjoyed casually.
It is this sense of casual gaming and depth that makes this so moreish. Yes, I was disappointed by the lack of originality, but each element was well executed. Consequently, if you love this genre, you’ll enjoy battling through the brutality.
Oaken is great, but it doesn’t break the mould.
Oaken is a nice game with a stunning aesthetic. Furthermore, the story is interesting, and I liked the deck-building and the unique heroes. However, its lack of originality means that it doesn’t break the mould. Consequently, this will disappoint some of you. What’s more, the brutal gameplay can be tough to swallow. Yet, I enjoyed my time with it and I recommend that you buy it here! Will the Great Oak and its people perish? Select a hero, gather your troops, and save the day.
