Review of Thronefall (Early Access): A Unique Throne Game

Strategy games have grown increasingly complex as time has passed. Some entwine intricate elements through intersecting mechanics, rich backstory, and magical combinations. Others, regrettably, end up bloating the game to the point of becoming a mess of confusion and complexity. Thronefall enters the arena as a third choice – a simple journey emphasizing strategic gameplay and captivating cycle.

In Thronefall, you assume the role of a young monarch who carefully constructs their empire over time, all the while vanquishing foes and safeguarding their lands. The central focus of Thronefall is the equilibrium between day and night phases within each level. Throughout the day, you are constructing different defensive structures, strengthening existing items, or managing your troops. Earning gold is necessary to build and upgrade structures, and can only be done by successfully completing a night.

It is important to plan ahead for several rounds to ensure you are earning the maximum number of coins, as the amount earned depends on the structures you have put together. The initial stages of Early Access typically provide an abundance of coins, even if you do not strategically plan your buildings and enhancements. I felt empowered by the fact that I could try different things and explore all the possibilities that were open to me. The later stages, however, turn highly systematic.

While you strategize the daytime part of the loop, keep in mind the different icons that signal enemy locations for nighttime battles. This was particularly fantastic as I was able to strengthen different defenses in specific areas of the map, construct a structure that recruits multiple armed characters to my team, and make sure that all my bases are protected. Nevertheless, as the rounds progress, the daunting rise of adversaries and expanded spawn points became a standout feature. Initially, I was worried that this game would be too basic, especially considering the level of difficulty. After being completely overwhelmed by the enemies a few rounds earlier, I quickly changed my concerns in favor of that idea.

If the daytime aspect of Thronefall is seen as the calm planning section, then the nighttime aspect can be viewed as the hectic and rapidly-changing portion of Thronefall. While expanding your territory, you have the ability to control different kinds of armed units that you can command to move to specific locations on the map. Each class has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the game effectively presents them in a clear manner. Despite having a plan, there are occasions when the influx of enemies is overwhelming and you must rethink your strategy upon reaching the Game Over screen. Fortunately, you continue to gain experience even when you lose. These points of experience increase your level and unlock different perks that can be used in future attempts. Scores are available for every level, along with more difficult challenges for players seeking a greater challenge in the game.

Some Small Openings Early in the Morning

The visuals of the game enhance the minimalist nature of the game – with each character on the map appearing like small figurines in combat with a micro-chibi aesthetic. In terms of audio, the night battle and daytime preparation themes are friendly but become monotonous over time.

While Thronefall is easy for beginners to pick up as a tower defense-style strategy game, the choices for accessibility features are quite scarce. There is a switch in the settings for bigger text, but it didn’t actually get much bigger in my opinion. This was especially noticeable because all the fonts were designed in a style that sometimes made it hard to read (on both PC and Steam Deck). As the game is currently in Early Access, I hope that the team will take the opportunity to expand the features in order to improve the overall experience for players of this enjoyable game.

Disintegration

Video Game: Thronefall

Game developer: Grizzly Games

Access: Personal Computer

Assessed on PC and Steam Deck.

Advantages:

A game with a user-friendly strategy.

A good equilibrium between challenging and too hard.

Bright colors used to differentiate between characters and landscape.

Downsides:

-Tiny text size on both Steam Deck & computer

Concluding Remarks

Thronefall is an immersive tower defense game that encourages players to enhance their strategy by incorporating precision and base-building mechanics. Despite being in Early Access, the game has a strong foundation that is only expected to get better. I am excited for the ongoing success of Grizzly Games, as they have more perks, challenges, and levels planned.