Category: Turn-Based

Who likes real time anyway?

MENACE [Full cinematic trailer]

When Overhype Studios released the demo for Menace, they also dropped a small teaser that showed off the brutality of their created world—in part. Well, fret no more, the full length trailer is here, and it’s awesome (as expected). Sadly, it isn’t that much longer than the teaser, but it adds context to what we saw earlier. 

Two noticeable things here. The sludge that grabs a dead (or wounded) marine around the one-minute mark looks really nasty and terrifying. I foresee grotesque body-horror in the future! Also, note to self, avoid everything slimy and bubbling. Then the second thing comes at about one and a half minute in—and it’s a damn Terminator machine, directly manifested from my “future wars” nightmares. Wow! Talk about the unexpected, and it looks like what the title of the game indicates: Menacing! Check out the cool trailer after the jump.

Continue reading “MENACE [Full cinematic trailer]” →

UnderRail 2: Infusion [Lands on Steam]

UnderRail 2: Infusion finally gets a Steam page, which I assume means a release is imminent. With imminent, I mean, five to ten years. Because if it’s something the developer, Stygian Software, are not known for: It’s speed. Jokes aside, the game is looking great. Just check out that juicy trailer (is that ragdoll effects?), and the GIFs presented on the store page. The crafting system looks like something else, both visually and mechanically. I know I’m going to spend a lot of time on that, tweaking my gun until perfect killing potential is achieved. 

What I noticed is that the title got “2” now. I might be behind on the lore here, but I thought Infusion was going to be a spin-off, and not a true sequel. This is new information to me. A sequel comes with somewhat bigger expectations, but I don’t doubt that Stygian is up to the task! Release date is set to “to be announced”, so probably a while out. Yet, it certainly feels closer than before!

Shadow of the Road – Demo Impressions

The demon fears the samurai, like most other living things that are allergic to katana strikes aimed at the gut. Shadow of the Road is another unexpectedly fun RPG demo with turn-based gameplay, set in an intriguing medieval Japanese setting—local mythology and demons included. The only thing that had me confused was how the turn order worked, as it constantly shifted around during play. But I think I got the hang of it (somewhat) nearing the end of the demo.

Continue reading “Shadow of the Road – Demo Impressions” →

NORSE: Oath of Blood – Demo Impressions

NORSE: Oath of Blood I have followed for a while, so this demo didn’t take me by surprise like Of Ash and Steel. However, the demo by itself is a surprise in how entertaining it felt, especially going by the atmosphere, writing, and the satisfying turn-based combat. A prerequisite is that you must like Vikings, as the setting is supposed to be as authentic as possible to them, according to the developers. No monsters, dragons, or zombies this time around, yet murderous slavers, and lunatic forest hermits can be unsettling enough!

Continue reading “NORSE: Oath of Blood – Demo Impressions” →

Menace – Demo Impressions

Finally, the Menace demo has arrived for us to download and play like the tactics starved maniacs that we are! So, how is it? I would say it’s okay, showing potential for the future. However, the high boardgame feel of it really surprised me. It’s a game that is a lot more abstracted in combat simulation, LOS (line of sight), and damage than I was expecting—especially compared to their last title; Battle Brothers.

For example, “overwatch” has been dumped in favor of faster gameplay, forcing you to move forward instead of turtling behind defenses to ambush the enemy. Fair, I guess, but it also means that the defensive safe playstyle that I like is out the window. And it feels a tad ridiculous that my special forces unit when having action-points left after a move, say up to a building, can’t defend themselves. 

Continue reading “Menace – Demo Impressions” →