Genre: games • computers • role playing •Platform: Pc •
Developer: Iron Tower Studios • http://www.irontowerstudio.com/
Status:

The Age of Decadence is an isometric, turn-based, single-player 3D role-playing game set in a low magic, post-apocalyptic fantasy world, inspired by the fall of the Roman Empire. The game features a detailed skill-based character system, non-linear gameplay, multiple skill-based ways to handle quests, choices & consequences, and extensive dialogue trees.

Highlights:

7 distinctive gameplay styles: from knight, serving a Noble House to grifter, preying on greed and gullibility.

23 skills, ranging from Dagger and Critical Strike to Disguise and Persuasion to Crafting and Lore.

Action Point-based combat system, featuring a flexible set of standard attacks, special attacks such as whirlwind and impale, and aimed attacks at different body parts.

8 weapon types: daggers, swords, axes, hammers, spears, bows, crossbows, throwing weapons, each with individual traits.

Non-combat quests resolutions and a well-developed diplomatic path ( “The best weapon against an enemy is another enemy.” )

Over 100 quests, taking you to 22 locations: towns, outposts, archeological digs, sealed places of Power, underground facilities, and temples.

Each situation has multiple ways of handling it, based on your skills, reputation, and connections. Each way has consequences that will affect someone or something.

Extensive dialogues trees, written with role-playing in mind. You can use many skills in dialogues, take actions like stealing or sneak-attacking, and play your character with personality as you see fit.

An interesting world with rich history and unclear future that your actions can shape into seven very different game endings.

Detailed crafting and alchemy systems: melt items and create new ones, balance your sword, play with Greek fire, increase your poison’s potency, use corrosive acid on locks, and experiment with black powder.

Hundreds of items, ranging from weapons & armor to scrolls, tools, flasks, and pre-war relics.

3D world created with Torque Game Engine, featuring detailed locations and almost 200 unique animations.

General web opinion:

People seem to describe it as “Fallout but in the roman empire”

Content noted:

• The age of decadence interview ( Wednesday, October 24, 2007 )
• Age of Decadence interview ( Wednesday, September 05, 2007 )
• Age of decadence preview(s) ( Monday, February 05, 2007 )

Why I am interested:

The game quotes Glen Cook on the starting page! Is that not enough?
I am tiring of the FPS-style action RPGs, they start to all feel the same after a while. I am considering replaying the Baldur’s Gate series and Neverwinter Nights 1. And enjoying depths of peril and a few other indie RPGs - so this is right up my alley at the moment:
Its a return to an older style of gaming, using text more, non linear - but with modern cleverness and edginess in it.

A lot of the things they say in reviews, interviews and the forum make sense to me. They make some opinionated choice and I might not always agree with them, but I am willing to follow the developers where these lead, and give it a try, because, well, they have obviously strong ideas about it. And strong ideas are worth paying attention to, as they can lead to great games.