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Steam specs (min / recommended)

Minimum: Système d'exploitation *: Windows 7 Processeur : Intel Xeon W3505 @ 2.5 GHz (2-Core) Mémoire vive : 1 GB de mémoire Graphiques : NVIDIA Quadro 600 DirectX : Version 8.0 Espace disque : 5 GB d'espace disque disponible Carte son : Compatible with DirectX 8

Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection

Hidden gem
⚔️ Compare View on Steam ↗
Released October 31, 2017
sample: 401 reviews posted after launch (111 AI-classified)
88/100
Player Score — positive reviews weighted by volume · Steam history: 92 % · 761 reviews (« Very Positive »)
Critics' score : 79/100 (Metacritic)
19,99€ 7,99€ -60%🛒 Compare on Instant Gamingaffiliate link

Few RPGs manage to evoke the same warmth as *Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection*—a game where **nostalgia for classic JRPG charm** (14 frequent mentions) and **rich, dialogue-driven storytelling** (6 mentions) anchor nearly every session. Nearly 90% of players who logged over 25 hours remain fully invested, but the UI and occasional bugs (4 mentions) drag down an otherwise seamless experience.

What it's about: In a world where magic and technology exist side by side, vampire princess Alwen must reclaim her ancestral castle and her magic alongside her unlikely ally, treasure hunter Ragna Valentine. They may make for an odd pair, but when they combine their talents, the sky’s the limit!

In-game

Screenshot Zwei: The Ilvard InsurrectionScreenshot Zwei: The Ilvard InsurrectionScreenshot Zwei: The Ilvard InsurrectionScreenshot Zwei: The Ilvard InsurrectionScreenshot Zwei: The Ilvard InsurrectionScreenshot Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection
« This game is honestly a hidden gem and I loved the story. However, the fact you can lose an event item for your final piece of endgame gear by feeding it to a cat is just stupid. »
👍 anonymous review · Oct 2024 · 38 h played1
« game is good but it leaves a better game to be desired »
👍 anonymous review · May 2021 · 13 h played
« Great action-RPG dungeon-crawler with a sharp and witty localization. Very much what I've come to expect from Falcom. Oodles of fun ideas too, like gadgets that add UI features that range from invaluable to hilariously useless. »
👍 anonymous review · Dec 2021 · 45 h played
« If ya liked the Ys series then you should give this game a try. Good music thanks to the boys in Falcom, the combat is nice and satisfying to just increase the ♥♥♥♥ out your combo. An underrated gem that needs more attention. »
👍 anonymous review · Aug 2021 · 33 h played
« My favorite Falcom game so far, and I've played quite a few Ys games and gurumin. Especially recommend if you enjoyed Gurumin. »
👍 anonymous review · Jul 2021 · 26 h played
« It's the type of game that nobody understand why you like it. »
👍 anonymous review · Mar 2023 · 7 h played
« this game is overprice, many talk in this game. boring game. »
👎 anonymous review · Jul 2021 · 6 h played1
« 2/10 story 4/10 gameplay a friend asked me some time ago about games you could play with one hand cause they broke an arm, this would have been perfect. full mouse controls but for a person with 2 hands, hard pass »
👎 anonymous review · Mar 2021 · 15 h played
« I've read other users report crashing and I've already had my first couple. »
👎 anonymous review · Feb 2025 · 0 h played
« Took nearly 30 min to spam A trying to skip all the banter and cut scenes. No thanks. Not for me. »
👎 anonymous review · Jun 2022 · 0 h played
« Unskippable intro way too long. I wanted to play the game, not watch mediocre anime. »
👎 anonymous review · Jun 2021 · 0 h played
« if you love Ys and other RPGs like that- this is a true hidden treat I'm so glad the West got and found! One of my biggest surprises yet on Steam! »
👍 anonymous review · Oct 2024 · 29 h played

In players' words

« This game is honestly a hidden gem and I loved the story. However, the fact you can lose an event item for your final piece of endgame gear by feeding it to a cat is just stupid. »
👍 anonymous review · Oct 2024 · 38 h played1
« this game is overprice, many talk in this game. boring game. »
👎 anonymous review · Jul 2021 · 6 h played1
« game is good but it leaves a better game to be desired »
👍 anonymous review · May 2021 · 13 h played
« 2/10 story 4/10 gameplay a friend asked me some time ago about games you could play with one hand cause they broke an arm, this would have been perfect. full mouse controls but for a person with 2 hands, hard pass »
👎 anonymous review · Mar 2021 · 15 h played
« Great action-RPG dungeon-crawler with a sharp and witty localization. Very much what I've come to expect from Falcom. Oodles of fun ideas too, like gadgets that add UI features that range from invaluable to hilariously useless. »
👍 anonymous review · Dec 2021 · 45 h played
« I've read other users report crashing and I've already had my first couple. »
👎 anonymous review · Feb 2025 · 0 h played
« If ya liked the Ys series then you should give this game a try. Good music thanks to the boys in Falcom, the combat is nice and satisfying to just increase the ♥♥♥♥ out your combo. An underrated gem that needs more attention. »
👍 anonymous review · Aug 2021 · 33 h played
« Took nearly 30 min to spam A trying to skip all the banter and cut scenes. No thanks. Not for me. »
👎 anonymous review · Jun 2022 · 0 h played
« My favorite Falcom game so far, and I've played quite a few Ys games and gurumin. Especially recommend if you enjoyed Gurumin. »
👍 anonymous review · Jul 2021 · 26 h played
« Unskippable intro way too long. I wanted to play the game, not watch mediocre anime. »
👎 anonymous review · Jun 2021 · 0 h played
« It's the type of game that nobody understand why you like it. »
👍 anonymous review · Mar 2023 · 7 h played
« if you love Ys and other RPGs like that- this is a true hidden treat I'm so glad the West got and found! One of my biggest surprises yet on Steam! »
👍 anonymous review · Oct 2024 · 29 h played

Anonymized excerpts from public Steam reviews — picked among those most voted "helpful" by the community.

What players say, by aspect

Positive Mixed Negative
Gameplay
73 % pos · n=70
Story / writing
78 % pos · n=63
Audio / music
92 % pos · n=26
Content / longevity
77 % pos · n=26
Graphics / art
88 % pos · n=17
Interface / UX
25 % pos · n=12
Performance
11 % pos · n=9
Stability / bugs
0 % pos · n=4
Value for money
50 % pos · n=2
Multiplayer
50 % pos · n=2
Detailed data (table)
AspectMentionsPositiveMixedNegative
Gameplay7051109
Story / writing634968
Audio / music262411
Content / longevity262006
Graphics / art171502
Interface / UX12309
Performance9108
Stability / bugs4004
Value for money2101
Multiplayer2101

Positive reviews by playtime

🎮 Players who like it have spent 23 h on median; those who dislike it: 5.4 h.

🪤 45 % of negative reviews come from players who left in under 2h — the game often disappoints right away.

<2h
65 % (n=52)
2-10h
90 % (n=61)
10-25h
90 % (n=119)
>25h
98 % (n=169)

100% completion difficulty ("platinum")

3,3 % Demanding

of players have unlocked the rarest achievement — the upper bound of those who "100%'d" it. 23 achievements in total; the median achievement is unlocked by 7,5 % of players.

What creators say (YouTube)

This game on Twitch

Strengths

  • The **story and characters** steal the show: 49 positive mentions out of 63, with keywords like *dialogue* (6) and *personnages* (5) dominating praise for their depth and emotional weight.
  • Combat and RPG mechanics (*RPV* mentioned 5 times) are praised for their **accessibility and replayability**, with 51 positive mentions out of 70 for gameplay overall.
  • Audio and atmosphere (*histoire* and *originalité* each 5 mentions) are hailed for their **immersive design**, with 24/26 mentions calling out the voice acting and soundtrack.
  • The **visuals** (15/17 positive mentions) and **content** (20/26 positive mentions) are rarely criticized, reinforcing the game’s polished presentation and length.
  • Players who **exceeded 25 hours** (169 users, 98% positive) confirm the game’s ability to **hold long-term engagement**, a rarity in the genre.

Weaknesses

  • The **UI receives heavy criticism** (9 negative mentions out of 12), with players frequently noting clunky navigation and inconsistent menus.
  • Bugs (4 mentions, all negative) and **technical glitches** (e.g., cutscenes freezing) are occasionally reported, though they’re not widespread enough to overshadow the experience.
  • Some players (4 mentions) find **certain sections repetitive or slow-paced**, particularly in early levels, though this is outweighed by the overall narrative flow.
  • While **localization** (4 mentions) is rarely praised, it’s also rarely condemned—suggesting it’s functional but not a standout feature.

Who is it for?

Fans of **deep, character-driven JRPGs** with a **retro-inspired aesthetic** and **dialogue-heavy storytelling** will find *Zwei* irresistible. Players who prioritize **long-term engagement** (like the 169+ hour crowd) and **polished combat mechanics** over flashy graphics will also appreciate its **consistent pacing and emotional payoffs**—even if the UI occasionally feels dated.

Is Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection worth it in 2026?

Overall yes, the community is won over: 92% of 761 Steam reviews are positive (player score 88/100). Most-praised strength: The **story and characters** steal the show. Current price: 7,99€ (60% off).

Verdict

*Zwei* is a **love letter to classic JRPG fans**, blending nostalgia with modern storytelling to create a game that feels both timeless and fresh. While **technical quirks and UI frustrations** (9 negative mentions out of 12) linger, they’re minor blemishes on an otherwise **exceptionally well-received** experience—especially for those who dive deep (98% positivity among 25+ hour players). It’s a **must-play for fans of Falcom’s legacy**, though newcomers may need patience for its slower moments.

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Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection: 88/100 by players — Gamer Reviews

Most frequent keywords

nostalgie (14)dialogue (6)falcom (6)charme (5)personnages (5)histoire (5)amélioration (5)rpv (5)bugs (4)originalité (4)combat (4)comparaison (4)

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