Hand of Fate

The main pros of the game

• Unique Concept: Players appreciate the innovative blend of deck-building mechanics with action RPG elements, likening it to a tabletop RPG experience with an engaging narrative.
• Atmospheric Presentation: The game's art style, voice acting (especially the Dealer), and soundtrack receive high praise for creating an immersive experience.
• Replayability: Many users enjoy the infinite replayability due to the random nature of card draws and encounters, which keeps each run feeling fresh and unique.
• Challenging Gameplay: The game is noted for its strategic depth, requiring players to balance luck and skill, which can be rewarding when mastered.
• Engaging Encounters: The encounters and mini-games associated with cards are generally seen as fun and interesting, adding variety to gameplay.

The main cons of the game

• Combat Issues: The combat system is frequently described as clunky, with poor camera controls and frustrating mechanics that can lead to player deaths due to unresponsive controls or being stun-locked.
• RNG Dependence: Many players feel that the heavy reliance on RNG (random number generation) can lead to frustrating experiences, where runs can be derailed by bad luck.
• Difficulty Spikes: Several reviews mention abrupt increases in difficulty, particularly with certain bosses, which can detract from the overall enjoyment and lead to frustration.
• Grindiness: Some users find that the game can become tedious towards the end, especially when pursuing all unlocks and achievements.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Improved Combat Mechanics: Players express a desire for more fluid and responsive combat mechanics, as well as better camera controls to enhance the action RPG experience.
• More Diverse Mini-Games: Some reviewers note that the limited variety of mini-games (like the Chance Cards) can feel repetitive and would benefit from additional mechanics to keep gameplay fresh.
• Balanced Difficulty: Users suggest that better balancing of encounter difficulties and more consistent progression mechanics would improve the overall experience.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Many players recommend trying the sequel, Hand of Fate 2, which is said to have addressed several issues present in the first game, particularly in terms of quality of life and gameplay mechanics.

Summary

• Overall, while Hand of Fate has a strong foundation and offers a unique gaming experience, it is hampered by combat issues, RNG frustrations, and some design flaws that could be improved in future iterations.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025