Halls of Sorcery

Full Disclosure: I was a beta reader for this game and provided feedback. I had also informed the author during the beta phase that any AI generated content would not be accepted by HG. That said, this game was apparently submitted with AI content anyway despite this reminder. HG initially approved it for publishing and released it, but later withdrew it from sale after some reports of AI content. Unknown to many, Halls of Sorcery wasn't the first game with AI content which was submitted to HG.

From this point, I will try to review the content of this game without getting further into AI matters unless I feel it is relevant.

As someone who had beta read this game and also purchased/played the full release before it was pulled, I can give some opinions. The writing was slightly rough in some places but still easy to follow. The game is short, but branches quite significantly, and also provides plenty of cool secrets for players willing to venture from the beaten track. Otherwise, in terms of a single playthrough, it is short, being largely a training session, a single mission and then a final confrontation with the big bad.

There was a pretty easy to use stat system, although with the game's length, there were also not too many chances to test stats. Still, to get the best ending with everyone alive, you would have to obtain a certain critical item.

The game had a lot of (AI generated) images during development, which I personally liked (don't kill me please) before I spotted some signs of AI generation and went on to inform the writer of AI matters. There were some character portraits in the final release which I also liked, although I don't know if these were AI generated and to what extent.

Anyway, I am just writing my thoughts as someone who had played the game and noticed the AI content after a bit. I am personally trying to maintain a no AI content policy when it comes to my own games.