Sword of Atlas
Sword of Atlas combines fast-paced, real-time strategy with grid-based combat in this inventive addition to the tactical roleplaying game genre.
Taking inspiration from genre giants such as Final Fantasy and Fire Emblem, Sword of Atlas puts you in charge of an eccentric cast of characters as they struggle against the might of an evil empire and dark magics.
The RPG experience has been truncated, allowing you to enjoy the story, growth, and skill progression you expect from any RPG in a shorter timeline. The fate of your party is in your hands, as a frenetic, tactical combat system intersects with a character-driven story in this one-of-a-kind tactical roleplaying game.
Story-Driven Gameplay
Having received a mysterious, talking sword, the protagonist is thrust straight into a world of action and consequence.
Build your party as you travel through the floating isles of Atlas, picking up a steadfast warrior, esoteric mage, anxious archer, and gregarious bard, each with their own unique set of skills. As you travel, learn more about each character and their stories, while also unraveling the mysteries of this shattered world and the sword you carry.
Classic RPG Mechanics
Sword of Atlas features iconic RPG mechanics including an Active Time Battle system, where each party member has their own real-time action meter. Master the rhythm of your party to defeat the foes along your path.
Traverse the world and strategize combat utilizing a grid-based environment. Find cover-tiles, utilize Fountains of Healing, avoid traps, and use the environment to your advantage against hordes of enemies!
Strategic Combat
Each companion brings with them a suite of unique skills. Employ a bard’s healing melody, a mage’s dark invocations or a hunter’s piercing arrows. Unlock new abilities as you progress, proving to your enemies that you are not to be trifled with.
8 Unique Levels
Explore ruined villages, snowy battlefields, flying airships, and more across eight unique levels, each tied to a companion’s story. Learn more about your story, while mastering each zone’s distinct battlefield.
About FAFO Studio
FAFO Studio is made up of University of Utah EAE graduate students of Game Design. Sword of Atlas is a culmination of two semesters of work brought together into a two hour playable experience. We hope that you’ll enjoy this project as much as we’ve enjoyed its development!
We would additionally like to thank students from Berklee College of Music for their incredible contributions to this project.
Steam User 39
Full disclosure: I'm a developer on the game, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I just want to say that given my experience with free student games, I believe that the 2-4 hour experience offered by this game is noteworthy. You may find bugs here or there (we've worked tirelessly to eradicate them and the work continues!), but overall, this free game is a great way to spend an afternoon and take in a touching story full of unique characters and fun combat (turn the ATB mode to active instead of wait for a more challenging and stressful experience!) And those maps sure do look fantastic, am I right???
Steam User 10
Amazing content! Truly engaging in every single aspect, starting from the game systems and combat, and ending with art, environments and narrative. Each level is unique and real-time grid based strategy is a great new spin on TRPG genre. At the end, it felt like a heartwarming story worth the playthrough, so go check it out all you RPG lovers!
Steam User 7
I have only just started playing the first few levels and I instantly fell in love. If you are a player of any tactics/fire emblem-esque game then this is a good one for you. The characters are are intriguing and I love the combat system. The environment with the pixel sprites is sooooo delightful. Seriously recommend, and I get wait to play more!
Steam User 5
Fun, surprisingly in-depth little game. Worth playing - one playthrough on the default difficulty took me ~2 hours. I'm a pleb and didn't play with the real time aspect and played it as a psuedo turn based combat instead. Unique art style (the mix of 2/3D) that I wasn't sold on at first, but it does fit together once you hop in and play it. There are occasional bugs, but it sounds like many (if not all reported) will be resolved down the line.
Steam User 4
I would recommend it. One of the better student projects I have played. It's free so no reason not to try it if you like tactics RPGs. The environment artist(s) in particular did a standout job.
+Art style, environments, portraits
+Music, fully voiced
+Unique combo of Tactical battles with Active or Wait ATB system
+Adventure
+Variety of skills and maps
+Free
-Bugs/clunky with missing text, unresponsive menus at times
-Voice/microphone quality is low
-Character/enemy sprite models very pixelated/ low quality
-Can't choose party members for battles
-Battle menu is awkward but also not really used
-Unclear goal/direction on some maps
-Movement squares are not always clear
-No choices on level up
-Short, ~1-2 hours; rushed story
Steam User 1
It's a cute real time strategy battler on a grid system, which is a little unique. Sweet graphics for a free offering! There's no downside to tinkering around with this one for a bit.
Steam User 1
Love the merging of ATB with grid tactics. I've also really enjoyed looking at the battlefields that I've encountered so far. For a free game, this is well worth a play!