Last Days of Tascaria

Last Days of Tascaria is a fantasy roguelike RPG set in a side-scrolling 2D world, where players navigate through procedurally generated challenges and battles. Developed by Baltica Games, the game combines classic RPG elements with roguelike mechanics, offering a mix of exploration, combat, and character progression in a richly detailed fantasy setting.

Last Days of Tascaria: A Roguelike RPG of Strategy and Consequence

Introduction: A Fantasy World on the Brink

Last Days of Tascaria (2019) is a roguelike RPG that thrusts players into a dying fantasy realm where an evil sorceress has unleashed an undead horde. Developed by Baltica Games, this title blends real-time-with-pause combat, deep tactical decision-making, and a branching narrative with six distinct endings. While it may not have achieved mainstream acclaim, its unique mechanics and emphasis on player agency make it a fascinating case study in indie RPG design.

Development History & Context

Baltica Games, a small indie studio, crafted Last Days of Tascaria over a 1.5-year early access period before its full release in October 2019. The game emerged during a golden age of roguelikes and tactical RPGs, competing with titles like Darkest Dungeon and Battle Brothers. Its development was marked by iterative patches that refined combat, expanded lore, and introduced new mechanics, such as the Karma system and environmental hazards.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The game’s premise is straightforward: a sorceress, Chalishae, has resurrected a lich king, and players must rally factions to stop her. However, the narrative’s strength lies in its reactivity—player choices influence faction alliances, unlocking different quests and endings. Themes of morality, survival, and sacrifice permeate the experience, reinforced by the Karma system, which forces players to expend limited “good” tokens, ensuring no perfect playthrough.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Combat: Real-Time with Pause

The game’s standout feature is its real-time-with-pause combat, allowing players to issue orders mid-battle. Key mechanics include:
– Morale System: Killing enough enemies causes others to flee.
– Positioning: Flanking grants damage bonuses, while shields block frontal attacks.
– Elemental Combos: Combining effects (e.g., freezing soaked enemies) adds strategic depth.
– Armour Types: Enemies resist certain attacks, requiring adaptive tactics.

Progression & Permadeath

Permadeath looms large—losing all heroes ends the run, but recruiting new ones keeps the journey alive. Procedurally generated regions and unlockable heroes/abilities ensure replayability, though some players criticized the lack of meaningful character growth (e.g., level-ups feeling underwhelming).

Karma & Environmental Hazards

The Karma system replaces randomness with predetermined tokens, ensuring consequences for every decision. Environmental dangers (lava, falling rocks) further complicate battles, rewarding creative use of terrain.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Tascaria’s world is rendered in 2D side-scrolling visuals, evoking classic RPGs. While the art style is functional, it lacks the polish of contemporaries. The soundtrack, though atmospheric, is often described as generic. However, the game’s strength lies in its systemic depth—factions, quests, and hazards create a living world where choices matter.

Reception & Legacy

Last Days of Tascaria received a “Mostly Positive” reception on Steam (75% approval from 20 reviews), praised for its tactical combat and replayability. Critics, however, noted its steep learning curve and occasional tedium. The game’s legacy is modest but notable—it stands as a testament to indie innovation in the roguelike RPG space, influencing later titles with its real-time-with-pause mechanics and reactive storytelling.

Conclusion: A Flawed but Ambitious Gem

Last Days of Tascaria is a game of contradictions: its combat is deep but sometimes sluggish, its world reactive but visually unremarkable. Yet, its emphasis on player agency and tactical depth makes it a compelling experience for fans of hardcore RPGs. While it may not have redefined the genre, it remains a cult favorite—a testament to the creativity of indie developers pushing boundaries in a crowded market.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10 – A niche but rewarding tactical RPG with innovative mechanics and meaningful choices.