Renown: Medieval Mayhem and the Quest for Optimization

A world where castles are built, friendships are betrayed, and graphics are stuck in 2012

Launch Day Larry

Welcome to the medieval chaos of “Renown,” a game that promises to let you live out your chivalric fantasies while simultaneously testing your patience with its early access quirks. If you’ve ever wanted to wield a sword like a knight and then get ganked by a player named “xXx_DragonSlayer_xXx,” this might just be the game for you.

Gameplay: Swinging Swords and Dodging Bugs

In “Renown,” the gameplay is a delightful mix of skill-based melee combat and survival elements that will have Dark Souls veterans feeling right at home. The combat system, reminiscent of “Mordhau” and “Rust,” offers a significant skill gap with its realistic directional attacks. This means that while you might start off flailing like a medieval toddler, with practice, you could become the next Lancelot of the server.

However, the game is still in its early stages, and it shows. The assets can feel clunky, and the third-person view is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Plus, the lack of essential features like enemy-targeting and anti-ganking mechanics means new players might find themselves repeatedly respawning, only to be immediately sent back to the afterlife by more experienced players.

Despite these issues, the game has a solid core. The building mechanics, while complex, allow for some impressive castle construction, and the voice chat feature adds a layer of strategy and camaraderie. Just be prepared for some quality of life issues, like NPCs spawning in your face and a tutorial that insists on reappearing like an unwanted houseguest.

Graphics: A Blast from the Past

If “Renown” were a time traveler, it would have landed somewhere in 2012 and decided to stay there. The graphics, while occasionally impressive in terms of landscapes and grass, often feel outdated, reminiscent of mid-2000s mobile games. This is particularly disappointing given the game’s lengthy development period.

Performance issues abound, with lag and FPS drops being frequent companions on your medieval journey. The animations, too, need some serious attention, as characters occasionally flash colors like they’re auditioning for a role in a disco-themed RPG. The user interface is another area that could use a makeover, with its cluttered design and microsized fonts making navigation a chore.

Despite these graphical shortcomings, there’s a glimmer of hope. The game runs smoothly on some systems, and there’s potential for improvement as development continues. Let’s just hope the developers have a time machine to bring those graphics up to modern standards.

Story: Crafting Your Own Medieval Saga

In “Renown,” the story takes a backseat to the player-driven chaos that unfolds in its medieval world. This is a game where the narrative is less about a structured plot and more about the personal tales of victory, defeat, and betrayal that players create through their interactions.

The humor and camaraderie that arise from these shared experiences are central to the storytelling experience. Whether you’re building a hut only to have it destroyed by another player or engaging in a grand melee, the game offers a dynamic and engaging environment where chaos reigns supreme.

While the story is minimal and secondary to the gameplay, it provides a rich medieval setting that allows players to craft their own narratives. Just don’t expect a historically accurate or deeply structured storyline—this is a game that embraces chaos and imperfection.

Final Verdict

“Renown” is a game with a lot of potential, but it’s still very much a work in progress. The gameplay offers a fresh take on medieval combat, and the player-driven narrative provides endless possibilities for emergent storytelling. However, the graphics and performance issues are significant drawbacks that need addressing.

For those willing to overlook its early access quirks, “Renown” offers a fun and engaging medieval experience. With continued development and updates, it could become a standout title in the survival genre. Until then, it’s a game best approached with patience and a sense of humor.

Score: 6.5/10