Heavenworld
" Innovative open-world RPG with dynamic AI and map editor but poor optimization and UI "
Heavenworld Review
Heavenworld is a sandbox zombie survival game with deep customization, AI-driven factions, and a unique map editor. Players can tailor gameplay settings, join or create factions, and engage in base building, looting, and combat. The game features dynamic AI survivors who roam, scavenge, and interact, adding life to the world. The AI game master orchestrates events, making each playthrough unique.
However, the game suffers from optimization issues, occasional bugs, and a clunky UI that hampers ease of play. Combat mechanics, especially melee, feel awkward and repetitive. The official maps are limited, and some gameplay elements lack depth, such as resource gathering and NPC management. The developers have abandoned the game, leaving many features underdeveloped. Despite this, the game offers a solid foundation with a lot of potential, especially for players who enjoy sandbox survival and customization.
Highlights
Players praise Heavenworld's extensive customization options, including adjustable difficulty, factions, and AI behaviors. The dynamic AI survivors and factions create an immersive, living world with autonomous base building and faction warfare. The map editor allows for creative content creation, extending replayability. Combat, particularly ranged, is considered decent, and the game's art style, while simple, fits the post-apocalyptic theme. The AI game master adds unpredictable events, enhancing gameplay variety. The game is noted for its ambitious scope and unique blend of survival and RPG elements.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include poor optimization leading to frequent frame rate drops and lag, especially with many AI entities. The UI is clunky and unintuitive, lacking quality-of-life features like drag-and-drop inventory management. Combat, especially melee, is awkward and lacks polish. The world feels empty at times, with limited map variety and repetitive gameplay loops. Bugs such as save loading issues and AI pathfinding problems detract from the experience. The game is considered unfinished and abandoned by developers, with sparse updates and missing multiplayer support. Many players recommend purchasing only on sale due to these shortcomings.
Pros
- • Extensive customization allows tailoring game difficulty and settings to player preference.
- • Dynamic AI survivors and factions create an immersive, living world environment.
- • Map editor enables creative map building and extends game replayability.
- • AI game master orchestrates unpredictable events enhancing gameplay variety.
- • Decent ranged combat mechanics provide engaging action sequences.
- • Robust faction system with autonomous base building and faction warfare.
- • Ability to join or create factions adds depth to gameplay strategies.
Cons
- • Poor optimization causes frequent frame rate drops and game lag.
- • Clunky and unintuitive UI hinders smooth gameplay and inventory management.
- • Melee combat is awkward, janky, and lacks depth or polish.
- • Limited official maps reduce long-term replay value.
- • AI pathfinding issues and NPC management bugs frustrate players.
- • Game is abandoned by developers with no recent updates or fixes.
- • Save system bugs cause loss of progress and performance issues.
Rating Criteria
Heavenworld is an open world adventure game mixing role playing, survival and management with NPC survivors. Each game is unique and managed by a game master who influences events. A powerful map editor is also available.