Thorne - Death Merchants

Thorne - Death Merchants is a dark fantasy action RPG made with RPG Maker, set in a grim world reminiscent of The Witcher. Players control "The Crow," a mercenary navigating a corrupt village and its surrounding wilderness. The game features real-time combat with a unique dodge-and-attack system, diverging from traditional turn-based RPGs. It offers a compact main story of about 2-4 hours, enriched by numerous side quests and hidden achievements, encouraging exploration.

While the game excels in atmosphere, character design, and story depth, it suffers from technical issues such as spelling and grammatical errors, clunky controls, and occasional lag. The combat can feel frustrating due to poor hit detection and enemy swarming, and there is no autosave feature. Despite these drawbacks, the game is praised for its intriguing narrative, immersive world, and value for money, especially considering it is the first part of an episodic series with save carryover planned for future releases.

Highlights

Players particularly praise the dark fantasy setting and atmospheric world-building, which evoke a gritty, mature tone similar to The Witcher. The real-time combat mechanics offer a refreshing alternative to typical RPG Maker games, with emphasis on dodging and positioning. The storyline and character development receive commendations for being engaging and complex, adding depth to the narrative. Additionally, the game includes a variety of side quests and hidden achievements that enhance replayability. The soundtrack and pixel art style also contribute positively to the overall experience.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the numerous spelling and grammar mistakes that hinder immersion. The combat system is often described as clunky and unbalanced, with enemies easily cornering players and hit detection issues. The lack of an autosave feature frustrates players, especially given the game's difficulty spikes. Controls, particularly with gamepads, are awkward and sometimes unresponsive. The game's short length and limited exploration area leave some players wanting more content. Technical issues such as lag, poor collision detection, and inconsistent full-screen/windowed modes also detract from the experience.