by in
There is a small but growing subgenre of games that blur the lines between real-time strategy and RPG mechanics. Think about They are billions, Diplomacy is Not an Option or Spellforce 3. Darfall, which develops the studio SquareNite, confidently enters this arena, offering a combination of fortress building, hero management, and horde survival mechanics that come to the fore when the sun goes down and the enemies start attacking.
You play as a hero destined to defend the continent of Aganor from waves of natural and supernatural threats. Starting with just a few stones, wood, and iron, you'll build your fortress, strengthen it, and explore the world by gathering resources and artifacts. Your hero progresses through missions, unlocking new powers, allies, and buildings as the game progresses. This structure rewards long-term planning and exploration, although the pace slows down a bit at the beginning and end of the campaign.
From humble beginnings to merciless nights
You take on the role of a chosen hero destined to save a land on the brink of ruin. Initial threats come in the form of wild beasts and orcs, but as the campaign progresses, the nights become more deadly with constant attacks from skeletons and demons. A key element of the game is the progression of your hero, which carries over between missions. Starting as a wizard, you unlock new hero classes, buildings, and resources over time, creating a sense of long-term progression.
The campaign structure allows you to get attached to your choices, but the story rarely evokes a deeper emotional connection. It follows the usual fantasy clichés through a narrative in black and white frames, which leaves a lukewarm impression. SquareNite admits that this (cliché) was the intention, but the result seems incomplete. Unlike Warcraft III, where the supporting characters also had weight, identity is lacking here. Still, the world of Aganor holds potential and it is worth hoping for a richer narrative in future expansions.
Survival mode – the real core of the game
While the campaign provides structure, the survival mode is the real star of the game. You travel to ruined cities, rebuild and defend them over increasingly demanding nights. Between rounds, you choose your hero traits, create a construction plan, and balance economic development with defense.
The mission map in this mode is visually beautiful, and it's a shame that the rest of the game doesn't share the same aesthetic sensibility. The depth of customization and freedom of tactical approach make this mode extremely playable. The level editor further extends the game's lifespan by allowing the community to create fresh and unique content. Using the editor is very simple and fun.
Tactical depth and economy
The resource system is surprisingly well-developed. It is reminiscent of Year series. You have to process raw materials like wood and stone into planks and bricks, which creates a multi-layered economic system. You can schedule the production of materials, allocate labor, and adjust the speed of the game. That's worth its weight in gold when your base becomes a construction site before dark.
Every decision has weight. Should you secure a new area by placing lamps, send the hero on a dangerous mission for rare resources, or strengthen existing defenses? Once your hero is fully equipped and the economy stable, the game settles into a satisfying routine of expansion and resistance. However, the beginning can seem slower, while the end can be repetitive. However, for this type of game, it is somewhat understandable, a city cannot be built overnight. It takes a long time to become self-sustaining and functional without the presence of a hero. It is important to note that the hero increases the efficiency of workers in the city by an incredible 50%. Whether it's because of his inspiring aura or because when he's in town he oppresses his subjects, I'll leave it to you to decide. This means that during the night when the hero is nearby and defending the city from enemies, you get basic resources (wood, food and ores) much faster than during the day when the hero is busy searching for additional resources such as blue stones that cannot be obtained by normal production within the city.
Functionality over aesthetics
Visually, Darfall clearly shows that it is an independent production. Its simple, sharply modeled 3D style, while streamlined and functional, doesn't leave a striking aesthetic impression. However, the clarity of units and buildings makes everything clear and easy to manage. This is very important, because a game is visually superior for nothing if it is not transparent and therefore playable (eg Civilization 7). However, compared to titles such as They are billions, he lacks visual charisma.
The game works well for the most part thanks to its simpler design, but during massive battles or when using a large number of light sources, performance can drop. The graphics settings are limited, so users don't have many options for optimization. I hope to see improvements and additional features in this work in the future.
Sound and atmosphere
The sound effects of weapons, environments, and music are at a satisfactory level. The music follows the transitions between day and night quite well, increasing the tension when necessary. However, the voice acting during the campaign does not leave a strong impression. Whether the problem is in the script or the performance, it is difficult to say, but the result remains unconvincing.
Still, there is potential. With a better narrative, more expressive acting, and animated scenes, Darfall could build a stronger emotional connection.
Final verdict
Darfall is a competent mix of RTS and RPG mechanics. It doesn't redefine the genre, but it deserves to stand alongside games like Thronefall or Spellforce 3. Despite the weaker story and simple visual style, the gameplay provides real satisfaction, especially in the survival mode that offers depth, choice and challenge.
If you like games with fortifications and elaborate strategies where the day brings preparations and the night tests everything you've built, Darfall could easily become your new discovery. Try the demo version which is free on the Steam gaming platform especially if you are already attracted to similar titles.
Evaluation squarenight's Darfalla je 6+
