Massive Chalice

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Massive Chalice
File:Massive chalice.png
Developer(s)Double Fine Productions
Publisher(s)Double Fine Productions
Director(s)Brad Muir
Producer(s)Anthony Vaughn
Designer(s)Brad Muir
Programmer(s)Chad Dawson
Writer(s)
  • Max Folkman
  • Nick Folkman
Composer(s)
Platform(s)
ReleaseJune 1, 2015
Genre(s)Real-time strategy, turn-based tactics
Mode(s)Single-player

Massive Chalice is a turn-based tactics video game for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux and Xbox One by Double Fine Productions, which was funded through Kickstarter.[1] The project leader of the game was Brad Muir,[2] who was previously the project leader of Iron Brigade.[3]

Gameplay

In Massive Chalice, the player takes the role of an immortal ruler defending their kingdom, called "the nation", from invasion by an evil force known as the Cadence, whose very touch is deadly to most humans and who leave magical corruption in their wake. They are aided by the titular Massive Chalice, a magical artifact whose two personalities advise the player. The Chalice can banish the Cadence, but will take 300 years to build up the magical energy to do so. The game switches between two modes: Strategy, in which the player makes long-term decisions and watches the years roll by, and Tactical, in which the player commands teams of heroes in turn-based battles against Cadence forces. In Strategy mode, the player decides which tasks the Chalice will spend its small amount of spare energy on, while also dealing with problems that arise in the kingdom's population. While the player waits for long-term projects to complete, the Cadence will regularly attack. Usually they attack multiple parts of the kingdom at once, but as the Chalice can only send a team of heroes to one location at a time, the player must decide which battle to fight to keep Cadence corruption from destroying the land. Heroes initially belong to one of three classes: Caberjacks, melee warriors who wield battering-ram like "cabers"; Hunters, who use giant crossbows to attack from a distance; and Alchemists, who use bladed Throwers to hurl flasks of explosives or attack close up. Children of a noble house learn their regent parent's class, but if the regent's partner is from another class, they train in one of two variant "hybrid" classes. As heroes age, their statistics change; for example young heroes are faster but not as strong or smart as others, while very old heroes may be slower and weaker but much wiser. Heroes may also develop new personality traits depending on their experiences in battle. If a distinguished hero dies on the battlefield, their personal weapon may become a Relic, a magical artefact that is then passed down to younger members of their house.

Development

The game was originally expected to be released in September 2014 until the game was delayed.[1] The beta version of the game, for people who backed the game at a high enough pledge level to get beta access, was released on October 21, 2014.[4] It was released on Steam Early Access on November 11, 2014.[5] It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One on June 1, 2015.[6]

Reception

Massive Chalice received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[20][21] Destructoid gave the game a six, calling nation management "simple and sterile" while writing, "Massive Chalice is both beautiful and approachable, somewhat rare qualities in the genre...By mid-game, what was novel and enticing becomes a slog". Game Informer called the title "rough around the edges, but hard to put down", criticizing its graphics, lack of attention to detail, user interface, and lackluster score, while praising its compelling gameplay. Eurogamer recommending the game, writing, " your enjoyment of Massive Chalice will depend largely on your willingness to meet its bigger ideas halfway. Most notably, you need to accept that it's more about making the best of a flawed hand than building a perfect system", noting that the experience was tough and called the title "a huge return to form" for Double Fine. IGN criticized the game's inability to give the player's decisions weight, saying, "As much as I enjoyed its aggressive brand of tactical combat and interesting enemy types, there are too many unpredictable variables outside your control, and too much happening to too many quickly aging, mortal characters for this tactical game to feel like decisions matter". PC Gamer criticized the poor AI and called the combat "well-executed but insubstantial", while noting that the bloodlines concept was by far Massive Chalice's greatest feature. GameSpot similarly praised the game's eugenics experiments, combat, lighthearted tone, while criticizing its art style and heroes for lacking personality and its inability to express important information to the player. Shacknews lamented the steep learning curve, lack of a cover system, and amount of factors left to chance, while lauding the bloodline system, tactical gameplay, and ending. Despite the mixed reception, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Massive Chalice for "Outstanding Achievement in Game Design" during the 19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[22]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Double Fine asks crowd to lift 'Massive Chalice' game". USA Today. 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  2. ↑ "Double Fine is ready to Kickstart your Life! Again!". The International House of Mojo. 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  3. ↑ "Massive Chalice is Double Fine's next Kickstarter project". IGN. 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  4. ↑ "Massive Chalice Premium Backer Beta Is Out Now". The International House of Mojo. 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
  5. ↑ "Since We've Been Down". The International House of Mojo. 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
  6. ↑ Makedonski, Brett. "Hey, you: Go download Massive Chalice for free on Xbox One". Destructoid. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Massive Chalice for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Massive Chalice for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Massive Chalice Reviews". OpenCritic. 8 June 2015.
  10. ↑ Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (1 June 2015). "Massive Chalice review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  11. ↑ Stapleton, Dan (8 June 2015). "Massive Chalice Review". IGN. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  12. ↑ Saas, Don (8 June 2015). "Massive Chalice Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  13. ↑ Hansen, Steven (8 June 2015). "Review: Massive Chalice". Destructoid. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  14. ↑ Reeves, Ben (1 June 2015). "Massive Chalice Review - A Glass Half Full". Game Informer. Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  15. ↑ Whitehead, Dan (2 June 2015). "Massive Chalice review". Eurogamer. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  16. ↑ Skrebels, Joe (4 June 2015). "Massive Chalice review". GamesRadar. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  17. ↑ Bailey, Kat (4 June 2015). "Massive Chalice Review: A Chalice Half Full". USgamer. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  18. ↑ Wong, Steven (3 June 2015). "Massive Chalice Review: My Cup Runneth Over". Shacknews. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  19. ↑ Whittaker, Matt (2 June 2015). "Review: Massive Chalice". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  20. ↑ "Massive Chalice". Metacritic.
  21. ↑ "Massive Chalice". Metacritic.
  22. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Massive Chalice". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 29 November 2023.

External links

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