Trench Tales

Trench Tales is an ambitious early access third-person shooter set in a grim, alternate WWI/WWII-inspired world. Developed solo, the game impresses with its atmospheric art direction, detailed character models, and a unique blend of souls-like mechanics and exploration shooter gameplay. Players collect "ashes" from enemies to gain boons and cosmetics, adding depth to combat and progression. The world design is gritty and immersive, with destructible environments and a haunting ambiance that captivates many players. However, the game remains very much a work in progress with frequent bugs, placeholder assets, and performance issues reported across various hardware. Controls and UI can feel janky, and the map layout sometimes confuses players. Despite these rough edges, the developer's active communication, frequent updates, and clear passion have earned player goodwill and anticipation for a polished full release. Overall, Trench Tales offers a promising foundation that many recommend supporting for its potential rather than current completeness.

Players appreciate the game's atmosphere, combat mechanics, and aesthetic but caution that it is not yet a finished product and best suited for those willing to embrace early access challenges.

Highlights

Players consistently praise Trench Tales' atmospheric and immersive world design, highlighting the gritty WWI-inspired aesthetic and detailed character models. The combat mechanics receive positive remarks for being fun and engaging, with fluid animations and a unique souls-like ashes system that adds strategic depth. The game's art direction, including lighting and sound design, is noted as exceptional for an early access title. Many appreciate the developer's dedication through frequent updates and responsiveness, fostering optimism for the game's future. Exploration and weapon customization are also frequently mentioned as strong points that enhance gameplay variety and player engagement.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's unpolished state, with numerous bugs, glitches, and placeholder assets detracting from the experience. Performance issues such as low frame rates and crashes are reported even on high-end PCs. Players find the controls and UI clunky or confusing, with some frustration over mechanics like healing and map navigation. The world layout can feel disjointed or overly complex, leading to player confusion. Additionally, audio inconsistencies and repetitive enemy dialogue were noted. Many emphasize that the game currently lacks clear direction and polish, recommending patience until further development addresses these issues.