Loki

Loki: Heroes of Mythology is an isometric action RPG that attempts to blend hack-and-slash gameplay with mythological themes from Norse, Greek, Egyptian, and Aztec cultures. Players choose one of four characters, each with distinct skill trees tied to different gods, and progress through small, tile-based zones separated by loading screens. Combat is challenging and often punishing, with many players noting clunky controls, frequent deaths, and a steep difficulty curve, especially early on. The game offers a respawn system that mitigates loss but can lead to repetitive grinding.

Graphically, Loki is dated even for its 2007 release, with blocky terrain and limited visual polish, though enemy animations and effects receive some praise. The storyline and mythology are considered interesting but lack depth and engaging presentation. Technical issues, including bugs, crashes on teleportation, and clunky UI, detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, some players find the game addictive and enjoyable, particularly when purchased at a significant discount. Multiplayer is limited to LAN, and overall, the game is viewed as a mediocre Diablo clone with moments of fun but lacking refinement.

Highlights

Players appreciate the game's mythology-inspired setting spanning four distinct cultures, offering varied campaigns and unique characters. The combat animations and spell effects, especially for the Egyptian mage, receive positive remarks. The large variety of weapons and armor with different rarity levels adds depth reminiscent of Diablo. The ability to choose monster respawn settings allows flexible pacing. Some find the boss fights satisfying, and the soundtrack, notably in the Egyptian world, enhances atmosphere. The game supports multiple playthroughs with different characters, providing moderate replayability.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on clunky and unpolished controls, especially the point-and-click movement and awkward pathfinding that frustrate combat. The game balance is poor, with early areas being overly difficult and enemies leveling with the player, often outpacing character progression. The graphics and UI are dated and blocky, with limited customization and inconvenient inventory management. Frequent bugs and crashes, including game-breaking summons and teleportation issues, mar the experience. The story and voice acting are bland, and the repetitive level design with many loading screens leads to monotony. Multiplayer is restricted to LAN with limited functionality. Overall, the game lacks polish and depth compared to genre leaders.