Review: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (Steam)

by Jim Smale · September 6, 2016

The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is a tabletop adventure come to life! This fantasy solo RPG combines unique, simultaneous turn-based combat with a journey that changes based on each figurine you take into Firetop Mountain.

Pros:

Great graphics, The attention to detail on the figures and the level themselves is next level.
Graphic options: Resolution and graphic quality.
Atmosphere is oozing here, The reason for that is that you never know what is around the corner or through the door. The level builds up as you enter the area or room. Its a brilliant mechanic.
Four characters each with unique stats and abilities.
Dyslexic friendly text option.
Text options are text size and line spacing.
Opening combat tutorial.
Based on the popular game books Fighting Fantasy, More popular a few years back but still held in the highest regard.
Simple single mouse click control.
The whole game plays out where you read text, Then you click one of the given options. Text is presented on small scraps of paper. They can be minimized so you can survey the land.
Steam achievements.
Steam trading cards.
Fantastic art. You can even click the image to turn the colour on or off.
Earn souls by killing enemies.
Bag: This is your inventory and holds things like provisions and keys etc.
Combat is played out on a tiled arena. Think chess with weapons. You get a jist of where enemies will move so you can plan attacks. It sounds more complicated than it is.
Bench: Here is where you can rest and gain back health and acts as a respawn point.
Dice: Used in events most commonly clashing. Clashing is where you attack at the same time as an enemy. Highest dice roll wins.
Levels/areas can be a huge space. It all depends on your movement and or actions. Basically every play through can be different.
Resurrection stones: You start with 3 and act as lives.Use one upon death to resurrect at the last bench used. Once all gone its game over.
Presentation is of a high standard.The graphics are lush, The UI is non intrusive and minimal.
Camera in combat can be toggled.In roaming you can drag the map around with the mouse.
Music is good but the sound effects add nothing but atmosphere from screams to boxes opening, master stroke.

Cons:

Minimal graphic options.
Some may not like playing a game like this on the big screen.
Dice rolling animation looks a bit awkward especially as dice go through each other.
No way to retreat or back track.
Game will sometimes force you a particular way.
Difficulty spikes in combat at times.
Slight learning curve for the combat.
It can feel like save points are too far apart.
No randomness to events. For example opening boxes would be great if it had a random element to it.