Tom's Gaming Blog

2022 will be a good year for everyone that enjoy turn-based tactical games with simulated systems – if we all get to live through it, considering the volatile state of the world. I’m not sure about the odds, but having two very promising TB-games coming out the same year must be minuscule, yet, here we are with Project Haven closing in on release. PH will have a narrative driven campaign set in a near-future cyberpunk world, and unsurprising to none – this world is filled with hostile gangs that needs to be taken out, and you are up for the task.

Songs of Conquest is a something to keep an eye on if you like the classic Heroes of Might & Magic games. While I have played, and enjoyed these games in the past, especially the third one in the series, I’m not a HoMM evangelic. Though, I see the value of these strategic, and tactical turn-based games, and what it has done for PC-gaming at large.

This title caught my eye the other day, and perhaps it wouldn’t have if the remake of the original Half-Life wasn’t as good as it was. I’m of course talking about Black Mesa, which in my personal opinion was a fantastic re-imagining, and throwback to the classic game. So what is Operation: Black Mesa, then? Well, it’s a remake of the expansions Blue Shift and Opposing Force that were released for Half-Life back in the day as additional content expanding on the lore.

Urban Strife is another title to look forward to in 2022. It’s a turn-based tactical game set in a zombie apocalypse, inspired by such games as Jagged Alliance. It’s being made by White Pond Games, located in Romania. Unlike many other games I’m looking forward to, I have actually played this one since they had a demo running during Steam Next Fest. So this is not just hopeful faith based on previews, it’s surprisingly good, with maybe some minor questionable writing. For an example – the town you are in is called Urban. To me, that just comes off as weird considering the title of the game. Urban Strife implies hardship in a general city environment, not actually having difficulties in a city named Urban. It’s a bit confusing, but as I said, it’s a minor thing, and it could even be a placeholder for all I know.

Been following Tank Squad by DeGenerals SA for a couple of weeks, and it’s a continuous experience of getting impressed by their dev-logs. These guys seem pretty damn serious with creating a realistic, and immersive WW2 tank-simulator. What makes this title interesting, beyond what is presented, is their former game on Steam – Tank Mechanic Simulator. I think you know where I’m going with this. Having a tank-simulator with experienced game devs when it comes to repair, and general tank mechanics can’t be a bad thing.