Heads Will Roll
" Hardcore survival RPG with deep stat management and branching story but frustrating RNG combat "
Heads Will Roll Review
Heads Will Roll is a challenging medieval-themed RPG visual novel blending stat management, turn-based combat, and branching storylines. Players assume the role of a drafted peasant soldier during the Hundred Years War, navigating brutal battles, limited resources, and complex relationships. The game emphasizes survival through strategic preparation, equipment management, and character builds, but features a punishing RNG-based combat system that often frustrates players.
While the story and characters provide engaging narrative choices and replayability, many players note the game feels unfinished with abrupt endings, occasional bugs, and typos. The developer is praised for responsiveness and ongoing updates, aiming to balance difficulty and improve quality. Despite its rough edges, the game offers a unique, gritty experience with historical accuracy, appealing to fans of tough RPGs and text adventures. However, save-scumming is commonly used to overcome the steep difficulty and RNG frustrations. Overall, it is a niche but rewarding title with room for improvement.
Highlights
Players praise the game's deep gameplay mechanics, including stat management, character builds, and strategic combat preparation. The combat system, while difficult, is considered engaging once mastered.
The story and branching choices create meaningful consequences, enhancing replayability. The medieval setting and historically grounded gear and armor add authenticity. The art style and music receive positive mentions for fitting the tone.
The developer's active community engagement and willingness to improve the game are also appreciated, showing promise for future expansions and refinements.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's heavy reliance on RNG, making combat feel unfair and frustrating, especially with frequent misses despite high hit chances. Many players resort to save-scumming to progress.
The combat can be overly long and repetitive, with limited tactical depth beyond stats and gear. The fatigue system and enemy shield spam add to the tedium.
The game feels unfinished with abrupt endings, lack of content, and some bugs. Typos, inconsistent tone, and juvenile dialogue detract from immersion. The UI and inventory management are sometimes clunky.
Some players dislike the optional "waifu" romance elements and desire more in-game explanations of mechanics and formulas.
Pros
- • Deep stat management and character build system enhances gameplay strategy.
- • Engaging branching story with meaningful player choices and consequences.
- • Historically grounded medieval setting with authentic gear and armor.
- • Challenging but rewarding combat system once mechanics are understood.
- • Active and responsive developer addressing community feedback.
- • Good replayability due to multiple story paths and builds.
- • Art style and music effectively set the game’s gritty tone.
Cons
- • Combat heavily reliant on frustrating RNG, causing frequent misses.
- • Save-scumming often necessary to overcome punishing difficulty spikes.
- • Combat encounters can be overly long and repetitive with shield spam.
- • Game feels unfinished with abrupt endings and limited content.
- • Typos and inconsistent, sometimes juvenile dialogue break immersion.
- • UI and inventory management are unintuitive and cumbersome.
- • Fatigue and stamina mechanics sometimes poorly balanced and tedious.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Heads Will Roll released?
Heads Will Roll was released on September 4, 2021.
Who developed Heads Will Roll?
Heads Will Roll was developed by 1917 Studios.
Is Heads Will Roll available on Mac?
Yes, Heads Will Roll is available on Mac.
Is Heads Will Roll available on Linux?
Yes, Heads Will Roll is available on Linux.
Where can I buy Heads Will Roll?
You can buy Heads Will Roll on Steam.
Game Details
Hardcore survival RPG with non-linear story that lets you taste the life of a medieval soldier.