Oaken (Nintendo Switch)

Opening Act: 2/10

The game intro has a tutorial mode with several stages to teach the player the game. The intro, as with the rest of the game strikes the player with the unique and cool art style of the game’s character art, and also shows the users the core gameplay mechanic of the strategy board.

Gameplay Loop: 3/10

Oaken is a combination of a 3 step gameplay loop primarily… 1) path choice on a world map 2) Battle mode with variable objectives on a hexagonally directional map that involves positioning and attacking with units, and 3) Cards from your deck allow for spells or to “drop” more units on the map

While some may grow to love this gameplay loop, I gave the gameplay loop a low score because I didn’t find it engaging. While core mechanics have promise, the story is not engaging from the start, and various upgrade mechanics and other complex elements are introduced right from the start, and the game immediately feels that it’s more about managing menus and currency of various sorts and less about gameplay. Again it feels like a mobile / PC game with odd controls and for me just didn’t offer the experience I was looking for. Although it does have some virtues.

Hand and Eye Strain: 9/10

This strategy and deckbuilding hybrid doesn’t require intense eye or hand strain. But controls are awkward on switch, and it seems more or less designed for a mouse.

Story: N/A

Because of my abandonment of the gameplay, can’t speak to the story.

Sound: 6/10

The sound for the game I experienced seemed appropriate for the gameplay, but didn’t seem to be a differentiating factor for the game.

Overall Experience: 4/10 = You may like it better than me

If you like the deck builder games fused with a strategy/tactical battle map, this might be a cool game to try! It can be a relatively inexpensive game if acquired digitally, but seems to lack gameplay polish that would make it stand out across the multiple genres that it touches. Generally even though the gameplay mechanics have "promise" they don't work together. Overall it's a great experiment, and this game may actually hit home for some players who might end up loving it, so if you disagree with this partial review then go try Oaken!

1. The game doesn’t function
5. You may like it better than me
6. Recommended (Worth the time)
7. Highly Recommended (Fun)
8. Must-play (Fun plus unique)
9. Game-changing for the genre/Legendary/Enshrined
10. It feels like the 1st play through of A favorite game…