Platforms
- PlayStation 4Sep 30, 20146.1playscore5.118 Critics7.4787 Players
- PlayStation 3Sep 30, 20146.6playscore4.83 Critics7.4156 Players
- PS VitaSep 30, 20146.6playscore5.46 Critics7.6219 Players
23 critic reviews · 1 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- Natural Doctrine’s combat system is ingenious, but it’s obstructed by its complexity, while the remaining aspects of the release just about fulfil their roles to the point of adequacy. Although the game’s intricacies will instantly cut itself out of most of the market, it’s certainly a fantastic strategy title in its own right, which will challenge even the most adept players. This is a must buy for genre fans, then – and a cautionary tale for newcomers.
Ben Tarrant · Nov 07, 2014 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - After a few hours I got the hang of Natural Doctrine’s systems and felt confident enough to take on each new challenge, but you’ll have to dig through a few layers of rock before you hit Natural Doctrine’s gold. This strategy game will test your battle prowess as well are your tolerance for saccharin Japanese storytelling. Natural Doctrine isn’t noteworthy outside of it’s combat, if you feel like strategy games have grown stale, Kadokawa Games’ curious take on the genre is an interesting change of pace.
Ben Reeves · Oct 23, 2014 Reviewed on PS4 - It's still one of my favorite games this year, but the flaws keep me from recommending it to everyone; this is a game for those who love the genre, and want an old-school tactical RPG challenge.
Blake Peterson · Oct 21, 2014 Reviewed onRead full review - Natural Doctrine was never going to bring hardcore strategy to the masses. The developer knew exactly who they were targeting with their debut title and, for those players, the game will prove a worthwhile experience. For those who aren’t too hot on their strategy role playing games, however, Natural Doctrine is a risk, yet one still worth taking if you’re looking for something testing and out-of-the-norm.
Jim Hargreaves · Oct 17, 2014 Reviewed on PS4, VitaRead full review - Natural Doctrine tries to be an unforgiving and brutal tactical RPG that punishes you for the tiniest mistake, and it most certainly does that. But it also punishes you for things outside your control, leading to frustrating, messy battles. ...And with annoying characters, a dumb story, and outdated graphics, there’s not much that makes playing Natural Doctrine worth the stress.
Jake Magee · Oct 16, 2014 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - Natural Doctrine isn't atrocious, but it does have a lot of issues. It's as frequently enjoyable as it is repugnant, an experience that will often blindside you with cheap deaths that reek of artificial difficulty. Some will enjoy it, sure. But it's a hard sell to all but the most staunch and patient SRPG fans. And even then it will undoubtedly test those players' resolve.
Kyle MacGregor · Oct 06, 2014 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - NAtURAL DOCtRINE is a refreshing take on the SRPG genre, it uses an unique battle system which is a joy to master.The game is challenging but not too hard if you're willing to learn. The story could use more depth and the framedrops are a bit annoying but easy to forgive. The online multiplayer is a great way to extend gameplay and works very well.
magmar126 · Oct 04, 2014 Reviewed on VitaRead full review - Natural Doctrine is far from a ‘bad game’, it has great ideas but it seems to be struggling as it virtually always sticks you in compact situations where strategy goes out the window and luck plays a far too important role. The maps tend to funnel your party into corridors where ninety percent of the time the only outcome is death meaning many will find themselves constantly restarting. Even with the various difficulty options Natural Doctrine can be a chore to get through, and the story, albeit interesting, is nothing that furthers the genre.
Anthony DeCicco · Oct 03, 2014 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - Natural Doctrine will frustrate you. It will pound you into the ground and then beat you again for hitting the ground too fast. There is an audience for it. The hardcore strategy players will find more than a challenge here, and patience is a must if you plan to play this game. I would even warn regular strategy players about going into Natural Doctrine.
Drew Leachman · Sep 30, 2014 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - If you enjoy mindless hours of grinding with no clear goal or instruction, and if you enjoy hour long battles on the “easiest” difficulty setting where you still feel underleveled no matter how much you grind, then this game could be right up your alley. The system is there to try and be a good game, but it is given no chance to shine and no clear direction on what to do, leaving you with a mess of missed opportunities and frustration.
Cameron Teague · Sep 29, 2014 Reviewed on PS4, VitaRead full review
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Community Reviews
- Rated on PS3
About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
Natural Doctrine puts players in a fictional world that revolves around a substance known as Pluton. Adventurers plunder Pluton from dangerous underground caverns, but there are evil and dangerous beasts, monsters, and more standing in between them and their loot. As evil follows these explorers to the surface, it's up to them to protect the city of Feste from destruction.
Developer: Kadokawa Games