Pendragon Critic Reviews

However flawed your party members may be – and they are flawed – they carry on to Camlann because they share a belief in Arthur. They believe in each other, and believe in something better for Britain. It’s hope that moves the game forward, and mechanically speaking, it’s morale that keeps your pieces on the board, and resolve that lets them rely on each other and enact their unique abilities. Pendragon is built on balancing tensions that would break a lesser game to pieces, but instead creates something new and worthwhile in that space.

I’ve played Pendragon dozens of times. I’ve unlocked most of the characters (I still can’t see to get Branwen the archer to trust me) and I know there are stories I haven’t pursued to their conclusions (Excalibur is out there, and I will find it). So rather than a traditional RPG or strategy game, Pendragon plays like an impressionistic take on a classic Nintendo formula. You’ll tell your own stories and if you play them right, the dream of Camelot will live on.

Tactical movement as conversation and combat is intriguing, and inkle has masterfully incorporated this innovation into a truly wonderful blend of narrative and tactics.

Even though Pendragon’s short roguelike format doesn’t allow for sprawling sagas, as all stories are quite abridged and simplistic, this game is absolutely engrossing, and there is enough excellent content to last you for several years.

Pendragon wants to help you tell a story of the last days of King Arthur, and how much that idea appeals to you is exactly how much you'll like it. Not every story works, but not every story has to.

Whether you know the stories of Arthur & the fall of Camelot or not, this game allows you to build your own Arthurian legends step by step. Pendragon is a near-seamless blend of procedurally generated narrative and a strategy game that could have carried itself alone. Combined, they make one of the most unique games of 2020 and while it’s not without its flaws, it’s a game I highly recommend you try.

Quotation forthcoming.

Once acquainted with its nuances, Pendragon becomes a relaxing Arthurian-themed chess game with a beautiful soundtrack that I recommend to anyone who is interested in an experimental fusion of storytelling and tactics.

After 80 Days and Heavens' Vault, Inkle shows again its talent with Pendragon, a narrative experiment set in the Arthurian legend.

An accessible strategy game tied to a powerful, dynamic story generator.

Pendragon utilizes the Arthurian Legend as a backdrop to bring forth an intriguing coalescence of chess-like tactics and interactive fiction. Challenging yet accessible and addictive.

Pendragon’s storytelling is compelling and deep, the videogame behind the procedural plot is solid and fun. Unfortunately, although the graphic is well-executed, it lacks aesthetic courage, and the game is sometimes more anonymous than it deserves.

Pendragon excels in mixing procedural storytelling with a roguelike structure and the fascinating story of the last days of King Arthur, but it gets a little repetitive in some combat moments.

You'll want to see each and every one of Pendragon's journeys through, even knowing that its survivors are set to live miserably ever after.

Pendragon is a great introduction to the strategy genre and is easy to pick up and play without the fear of being overwhelmed by menus and options. Multiple characters, dialogue options and areas ensure no two playthroughs will be the same.

If you’ve ever enjoyed Inkle’s games in the past, I think you’ll find something to like about Pendragon. Its flat art style, delightful music, and surprising tactical depth mix well to spin a tale that you’ll remember long after you put it down. However if you’re looking for your next tactical challenge, this won’t be fore you. Pendragon is definitely more about the journey, and oh what a journey it is.

A mournful journey into the shattered realm of King Arthur with various stories to uncover. But you’re certainly not going to find a deep strategic experience in this war-torn Britain.

Pendragon merges narrative and roguelike in a wise way, letting the player create their story with decisions on battle. However, the narrative part is much fulfilled than the strategy part.

Pendragon is a fascinating experiment in trying to marry procedural storytelling to a roguelike structure. It does so with mixed success. With smart writing at the forefront, it delivers a rich and evocative world steeped in fantastical adventure. But when its more mundane systems intrude, you find that reality is a little more prosaic.

Dull, expressionless character art and contrived strategy combat make for a bad impression right off the bat. I can respect what Pendragon tries to accomplish, but for a game that heavily relies on its procedural story telling and replayability, there is barely enough content here to justify a third run. The writing truly shines in the final battle between Arthur and Mordred, but the dialogue during the main chunk of the game is too interchangeable and devoid of personality to be engaging. Ironically, the attempt to tell a different story every time makes every playthrough feel the same.