Trials of Fire (2021)

There are some rough spots with the UI, a bit of repetition with some overworld aspects, but nitpicks aside Trials of Fire was actually highly enjoyable both as a strategy game, and a deck builder. The fact the game has some strong Heroes of Might and Magic vibes going on is icing on the cake. The problem comes through that a single play (~2-4 hours) is about all it takes to get most out of the game. After that players likely won't be back.

Overall, if Whatboy games spends even a modicum of effort refining presentation, retooling the progression, and (I hope someday) adding in a player generated campaign system, Trials of Fire could be a true legend for the gaming genre. My only issues with it are minor and intransigent, and having gotten past that initial grind I look forward to many hours spent searching through its landscapes and battling its fantastical foes.

Trials of Fire perfectly balances the quest for survival with the desire to explore and discover the game world. The generic wastelands of Ashen are filled with all sorts of treasures, mysteries and enemies, so there's always something to do. The combat will quickly grab you and you won't want to stop. It's just a shame the slightly confusing initial orientation to the whole system of controls, upgrades and fights will take a while due to the poor beginner tutorial. The map may be visually weak compared to the battlefield environment, but it offers so much that you won't know what to do next.

Ultimately, it's not surprising to see Trials of Fire emerge out of Early Access as a strong deckbuilding contender. That time spent listening to player feedback was used wisely, and balancing, tone, and innovation have all been tweaked with a deft hand. While some of its elements shine more brightly than others, and the more involved nature of the game means it's a tougher sell for players looking to rapid-fire their way through its learning curve and combinations, Trials of Fire leaves Early Access as yet another strong, captivating deckbuilding game that borrows from tabletop roleplaying games and roguelites to carve out a name for itself.

Push past the convoluted mechanics and daunting start of Trials of Fire to be greeted by a deep and engaging deck-building rogue-like that's meticulously designed, generous with content, and rewarding to play.