Waiting For The Raven

An amazing game based on an amazing idea so relevant to nowadays - you have to make an influence on the world around without the ability to leave your house. To be more precise, your room. Normally I say ideas aren't worth much but this case is unique. In this game you must use whatever means necessary - purchase properties, hire agents, employ spies, send assassins - to take over the city. And all of that happens in a medieval setting, where your only communication tool is sending (and waiting for) ravens.
Pros:
- Unique idea. Relevant to our days.
- Very good storytelling. Not just the storytelling itself, but also how it is presented.
- Amazing voice acting. Although, sometimes it isn't present. But where it is, it's great.
Suggestion to improve:
- Make the UI more intuitive.
- Improve the learning curve to help new players get on board easily. The game isn't difficult to grasp, but it is overwhelming a bit in the beginning.
- Improve the graphics. It's not really difficult given the fact that the game has just one location :)

Mechanically complex in the tradition of grand strategy games, but perhaps too convoluted in the gameplay user experience for the faint of heart.
Political intrigue, machinations, being the secret power pulling the strings of influence… what could be more thrilling? Grand strategy games form a special subset of the strategy genre, using your skills to play with the fate of nations. Although Waiting For The Raven is a worthy effort in the grand strategy tradition, some of its game design flaws make it suffer in comparison to hallmark games in the subgenre.
Game Universe
When the game starts for the first time, the only faction unlocked is Oracles of the Night, although it appears that there may be two other factions to choose from eventually. The Oracles of Night have recently had their organization routed, and your character Juliana’s task is to rebuild the network and take power in the city of Glassden.
However, despite the fact that you are playing as a specific character, I would say the characters and the story aren’t really a focus of the game. Juliana is a named character rather than an avatar for the player, but her motivations as spymaster aren’t really clear. In fact, there’s almost an overwhelming number of characters considering that most of them aren’t particularly memorable or important in the story. The fact that the player doesn’t really get to know most of the characters makes the stakes not feel very high, which is very strange to say for a grand strategy game.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The game’s mechanics are complex but fun - IF you can figure them out. For a game that is so complex mechanically, the gameplay experience is hindered by the overall game design not being particularly intuitive and sometimes failing to provide adequate instructions on how to play. The “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m going to try this and see what happens” approach is the opposite of strategy gameplay expectations and can be unfulfilling at times in terms of enjoyment.
The progression tree covers the main categories of options available in terms of gameplay: Business, Espionage, Manipulation, and Aggression. There’s also a fifth area in the progression tree called Cult Practices that I haven’t really delved into thus far. On the map, you can recruit agents and other characters into your network. Each character has different stats like Charming, Intelligent, Stealthy, etc. You purchase and manage properties in the city to earn money and progression points, gather rumors, and make connections to spend furthering objectives. Assassination is a whole thing in and of itself. The entry, method, skills of the participants, and access to required items all factor into your approach and chances of success against the target’s defenses and also earn different stat increases. Even if your plot is successful, there’s also decisions to be made in how to handle the body or bodies. Sloppy disposal of the corpses can increase your risk of being caught by the constabulary.
While the majority of the gameplay actions take place at the map table in your manor room, there’s also areas to explore in the room using point-and-click style mechanics. Not all of the letters you receive are straightforward to read, so sometimes you have to decrypt the message to forward the main story or open up sidequests. I had to take photos on my phone in order to perform some of these decryptions because otherwise flipping back and forth between different in-game menus became very confusing. On the rare occasions you leave the room, there are text-based scenes that take place.
Art Style and Graphics
Sometimes the overall aesthetic is right on point flavor-wise. For example, one of the main fonts used is very medieval in style. However, there are some places where the designers have chosen to mix fonts between the medieval font and a very modern font, and this jarring juxtaposition pulls the player out of the experience. The painted portraits and room decor convey the medieval ambience but are not aesthetically brilliant or standout in any way. The text boxes also have a bizarre design that makes them appear glitchy, although it's unknown if it's supposed to look that way or not since they all have it.
Audio
Similar to the art and graphics, the musical tracks are pleasing but not particularly noteworthy or memorable. It is interesting though that you can change the music’s intensity by selecting different clothes in the wardrobe. The expositional cutscene at the beginning and letters from faction leaders are voiced, but other characters’ letters and the dialogue of intermediary cutscenes are not. There are some occasional sound quality issues, but not enough to really detract from the gameplay experience.
Replay Value
Waiting For The Raven seems to be missing some of the characteristics that tend to make grand strategy games highly replayable. Playing as a named character in a story rather than having more player choice in motivations and playstyle is a limiting factor. While slightly different approaches can be taken to solving the story objectives, the game isn’t truly open-ended compared to the subgenre’s top games.
For some players, achievements can create replay value. Waiting For The Raven has 22 total achievements, and from their phrasing, it’s obvious that some are missable by virtue of requiring different choices. I’m not clear, however, if any of the achievements are unmissable or from the content that is locked on the first playthrough. Depending on that, the game could potentially gain or lose replay value.
Verdict
I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of the possibilities offered by the game’s mechanics, but my interest is piqued enough that I plan to sink more time into untangling this tale. However, while Waiting For The Raven is a worthy effort in the grand strategy tradition, I feel I can’t wholeheartedly recommend this game be purchased at full price ($14.99 at the time of review) rather than a discount without first making purchasers aware that not all of the challenge is from the strategy gameplay as opposed to game design flaws.
Visit SaveorQuit.com for detailed game reviews, posted daily!

The graphics, screenshot and the trailer didn't make me have interest with this game, although the premise of the game make me a little curious. In the end I was glad that my curiosity won me over. This game is more interesting and more complex than I had imagined for.
in short this game is small scale CRUSADER KINGS 2, but instead of nations or the world, you only control a city ... and you are a CULT who tried to control the whole city with any means necessary
You will try to control the whole city, building by building, and characters by characters. Each person has their own stats and identity ... to able to kill, abduct, bribe, threaten, blackmailed, or criminalized them, you need to identify them first like a detective. And one people will lead to another people.
And not only that, you also has a very interesting story mode, where you need to decipher coded message and solving puzzles. And the mechanic is very interesting, made me addicted to this game.
Don't let the graphic fooled you ... this game has greater value than that ... and yeah, the price helps too

Information
Waiting for The Raven is a Strategy game, developed and published by MuscleBird, which was released in August 2020. The Game is still in Early Access.
Gameplay
Have you always wanted to lead an empire and act out of the shadows? In Waiting For The Raven this is now possible.
At the beginning of your adventure you have a total of three characters to choose from, but two of them can only be unlocked gradually as the story progresses. But now back to the game. The story takes place in a medieval / fantasy world full of consistent decisions where you have to make. You act from a house, or rather from a room, where you cannot leave. This scenario makes the game special, because I didn't know it before and it is unique. A table serves as an organization desk, where you can integrate a card and distribute your tasks. There are also new places with a? marked as we already know from other games. In the course of history, the map will reveal new places that invite you to explore. Next to it is a book that serves as a tutorial and enables you to read various things. A raven serves you as an informant, he distributes letters for your clients or brings you some of them. The narrator of the story / letters has done a good job so far and brings it across believably. Your tasks in the game include different aspects, for example you are buying real estate, hiring agents and spies, and teaching them how to shadow people. You can also recruit assassins to carry out contract killings or to take cities. In your adventure you will decipher letters, solve one or the other puzzle and secrets.
Pro
+ Dark/Fantasy setting
+ good mechanics in which the story is told and presented
+ acceptable graphics...
+ fitting music
+ Strategy game with brains
+ good Interface and Tutorial
+ Narrator brings the story across believably
+ Achievements
Kontra
- currently only full screen option available
- so far only English language available
- ..which in turn looks a bit out of date
Fazit
Waiting For The Raven is so far a strategy game of the better kind, what I've played for a long time and makes you want more. I'm excited to see what will follow.
PS: First of all, thank you to the developer who provided us with this key for the group and here can you can find more good reviews from others and me
Information/Review Deutsch
Waiting for The Raven ist ein Strategiespiel, das von MuscleBird entwickelt und veröffentlicht wurde im August 2020 Das Spiel befindet sich noch im Early Access Phase.
Gameplay
Du wolltest schon immer ein Imperium führen und im verborgenen aus den Schatten heraus agieren ? In Waiting For The Raven ist dir dies nun möglich.
Zu Beginn deines Abenteuers stehen dir insgesamt drei Charaktere zur Auswahl, allerdings lassen sich zwei davon erst mit voranschreiten der Geschichte nach und nach freispielen. Zurück aber nun zum Spiel. Die Geschichte spielt in einer Mittelalterlichen/Fantasy Welt voller konsequenter Entscheidungen wo du fällen musst. Du agierst aus einem Haus heraus, besser gesagt aus einem Zimmerraum, wo du nicht verlassen kannst. Dieses Szenario macht das Spiel ja schon mal besonders, da ich dies bisher noch nicht so kannte und es einzigartig ist. Als Organisationspult dient dir ein Tisch, wo dir eine Karte zum integrieren dient und du deine Aufgaben verteilst. Auf dieser sind auch neue Orte mit einem ? gekennzeichnet wie wir es auch schon aus anderen Spielen kennen. Die Karte wird im lauf der Geschichte neue Orte freilegen, die zum erkunden einladen. Daneben liegt ein Buch, wo dir als Tutorial dient und dir verschiedene Dinge zum nachlesen ermöglicht. Als Informant, dient dir ein Rabe, dieser verteilt Briefe an für deine Clienten oder bringt dir auch welche von diesen. Der Erzähler der Geschichte/Briefe macht bisher einen guten Job und bringt diese auch glaubhaft rüber. Zu deinen Aufgaben im Spiel gehören verschiedene Aspekte, als Beispiel nutzt du Spione um Leute zu beschatten, kaufst Immobilien, schickst Attentäter um Städte einzunehmen oder auch Auftragsmorde in Auftrag zu geben. Desweiteren löst du das ein oder andere Rätsel/Geheimnis und entschlüsselst Briefe und machst diese lesbar.
Pro
+ Dark / Fantasy Szenario
+ gute Mechanik, in der die Geschichte erzählt und präsentiert wird
+ passende Musik
+ Strategiespiel mit Verstand
+ gute Oberfläche und Tutorial
+ Erzähler bringt die Geschichte glaubwürdig rüber
+ Errungenschaften
Kontra
- Derzeit nur Vollbildoption verfügbar
- Bisher nur englische Sprache verfügbar
- Grafik sieht veraltet aus
Fazit
Waiting for The Raven ist bislang ein Strategiespiel der besseren Art, das ich so schon lange nicht mehr gespielt habe und das Lust auf mehr macht. Ich bin gespannt, was folgen wird.
PS: Zunächst einmal vielen Dank an den Entwickler, der uns diesen Schlüssel für die Gruppe zur Verfügung gestellt hat. Hier findest du weitere gute Bewertungen von anderen und mir unter

Wow! I was really surprised by this game. At first I thought it'd be kinda ♥♥♥♥♥♥ or half baked, but its actually a nice little political-esc secret organization game with some nice puzzles. There are definitely some shallow or annoying bits like trying to figure out which business a random encounter occurred at but overall its solid. I they cleaned it up a little and kept working on it this could be a truly spectacular game. Right now its certainly worth your time. It has a good mix of interpersonal character stuff, business management, and more, though a few of the systems like the tech tree seem unnecessary or handled poorly, but regardless this game was really awesome to play with!

Like this Review? Follow The Cpt Froggy Club Curator Page for plenty more!
Upon starting a new game you’ll have to choose your Faction. This is made easy for you at the first time of playing as there is only one Faction available to you out of three factions. You will have to unlock the other two Factions before being able to play as them. The three Factions are Constabulary (solve your first cryptogram to unlock), Cult of Flesh (help Lady Fayette to unlock) and the one only currently available to choose from is Oracles of the Night, a well renowned espionage organisation. The Oracles of the Night are a powerful and secret order which trades in information and espionage.
After deciding to choose Oracles of the Night faction (unless you’ve already unlocked the other two factions) a window will open giving you some information on the Faction and its history. It will also detail the games Objectives and Rewards for the current Faction selected. The objective as the Oracles of the Night is to take control of at least Fifty percent of the city Glassden to win the game.
You begin in a small room lit with candles, looking around you see a wardrobe, bed and a desk with a map and book placed upon them. A Raven delivers a letter through the open window, it’s from a Mr. K. The letter explains you (Juliana) have been picked to re-establish operations in the city of Glassden. Do well and you’ll elevate yourself in the order but as you are inexperienced, you’ll need guidance so Mr. K. will help you for the time being. Your first job is to recruit new agents so that you can delegate the agents around the city to complete tasks.
The city is enveloped in a Fog of War, your starting point is indicated on the right of the map as a purple building, this is your Manor. It’s from here where you’ll send your agents out into the city to do your bidding. Through the Fog of War some building tops appear along with some question marks which are scattered across the map. In order to reveal what lies beneath the Fog of War you’ll first have to send an agent to Scout the place. Sending your agents to Scout a location will allow your agents discover, observe, follow and mingle with the people in that location.
Some properties are empty and you can buy these properties as you expand through the city. Other locations can’t be brought such as the market, graveyard and port (public locations). Buying a location costs some gold, so you’ll have to start bringing in some cash to help fund your mission. Turning an empty building into a Tavern will help get you started and who knows what you might hear from loose lips from the drunks. You can also take over property through bribery, arson or the elimination of owners. Owning buildings will allow you to earn Rumours and Progression points. You can use these points to perform actions each turn such as Scouting, Ambush and gather Information etcetera. Gathering enough rumours will allow you to compile them into facts.
Use stealth, espionage, plot and ambush your enemies as you gain information and expand through the city. Each new property you gain will automatically have an agent assigned to that building. You can upgrade the buildings like the Tavern, you are able to host events which draws punters in. However, you will have to learn new skills from the Progression Tree before you can make use of them. There are Five categories in the Progression Tree, these are Business, Espionage, Manipulation, Aggression and Cult Practises. As you progress through the game, you’ll gain quests along with your main objectives to complete.
In the options you will find settings for Quality (Fastest, Fast, Simple, Good, Beautiful and Fantastic), Resolution, Anti-Aliasing, Texture Quality, Anisotropic, Shadow Cascades, Sound and Music Volume Sliders, Bloom, Window, Mouse Sensitivity, Invert Mouse, Tutorial Screens (Reset Tutorial), Key Bindings and Reset Game Progress.
Positives
+ Nice graphics
+ Good music
+ Steam cloud
+ Has achievements
Negatives
- Crashed a couple times
- No cards currently
Plot, ambush, use espionage and stealth, anything which will help you rebuild your Faction as your agents spread across the city of Glassden in Waiting for the Raven.
7/10
Key provided by developer/publisher for review purposes via THE CPT FROGGY CLUB!
Any opinions expressed are entirely my own!
For more reviews, great game giveaways and much more.
Come join us @ www.Zeepond.Com and The Cpt Froggy Club Steam Group

The game still needs more polishing. The first spymater session is enough satisfying and the storytelling is quite reliable. There are a bunch of spark ideas during the first session gameplay including some right in time visual effect, some good cypher solving games and some well hidden bonus. The problems of first session could only be some buggy UI display and the strategy management part. I spent like 5 to 6 hours to totally break through the first session and to find out how naive the management part actually is. Beside the 10000 gold bonus and some other hidden bonus, I can just use some wine barrels, a 10 stealthy big boy and a 10 charming miss to burn all the houses to the ground without any real punishment. And the game is just like lying down there suffering from my giant gold ♥♥♥♥-play. I mean, you guys did a lot of great work in designing the dialogues and storytelling and visual effects and different strategy dealing with different situations. But why the actual management part is so disappointing. The balance of some punishment events and the credit bonuses is totally a mess. That's not cool at all.
And I spent like 1 to 2 hours to try the second and third session. Well, what could I say. I think the true management part of the game is hidden in these two parts. Musclebird has combine the story and basic gameplay more compactly. But I could not play through because the increasing amounts of different credits are just too little. I can't find a good feeling of feedback after arranging all the agents and press the sand clock button. I admit that I may be impatient and I may be too cursory. But I just can't accept that the game tries to increase the difficulty by lacking the increase of these credits which could not fit in with the pace of the game (in my experience). Then why bother develop such good foundation of a source management system.
Anyway, I still appreciate the artworks and some good ideas of small games like the negotiation part and mediation stuff. Keep up the good work.