WARMACHINE: Tactics - Digital Deluxe Edition

Welcome to the Iron Kingdom!  Originating from the hobbyist’s strategy board–based game, Privateer Press presents, Warmachine: Tactics. WM: Tactics is a fixed-unit turn-based strategy game in development for the PC. A convenient alternative for players to conquer and destroy armies without having to buy models and spend the time painting each individual figurine and still have a lot of fun.

The player embodies what is called a Warcaster, an overpowered brute, or magic user with plenty of abilities that can either heighten the attributes and morale of the army it leads, or curse or demoralize all of its enemies at once.  There are many varieties of Warcasters that the player will eventually be able to choose from in addition to many different styles and skills unique to the individual’s chosen Horde and/or Faction. As more Warcasters are developed and released into WM: Tactics the field of battle becomes much less redundant and the players will have more to anticipate when facing against a certain Faction. As of now, each faction appears to have only one Warcaster, making it fairly simple to counter if you are knowledgeable about the Iron Kingdom.

Each horde will have at least 2 mech-like golems; these appear similar to the Titans in Titanfall except they are unmanned units that are under constant telepathic control by the Warcaster. These mech-golems, or Warjacks, are gigantic, burly, armored hunks of steam and magically powered metal that come equipped with large weapons and cannons to smash or obliterate the average soldier in a single swing or shot. Each one is equipped with plenty of health and their armor is rarely affected by anything that isn’t a fellow mech. Therefore, more often than not, players generally want to destroy their opponent’s Warjacks early on to get the edge over the opposition. Each individual unit will provide special benefits and buffs to their teammates when utilized correctly, and the synergy of your army will play a big role in your faction’s success or demise.

The single player campaign unfortunately doesn’t give players the option to choose from different factions.  This questionable decision leaves room for sequels and something more for the players to look-forward to in future releases. The single player beta begins in the streets of some Euro-esque town in the dead of night. Players are given a handful of gunmen, 2 mechs, and a Warcaster. Without any dialogue or cut-scene animation, they are thrown into the field of battle (in this case a street) to fend for themselves. Although it may be quite simple to figure out what needs to be done in order to progress, the lack of dialogue and story-line leaves much to be desired. In multiplayer the game gives players the option of hosting a private game on your LAN line, or joining the Warmachine server and playing a game with a random opponent. Before each battle commences, each player is given the option of choosing their faction.

Players will have four options to choose from when deciding your faction. There is The Cygnar; who harness the power of lightning and are often represented by the color blue. The Protectorate of Menoth; utilizing fire and religious fanaticism, they represent themselves with fire. The Khador; brutal and barbaric, they are the authority on incredible strength and resilience in battle. Lastly, you have the Cryx; an army made up mostly by warriors that have once perished on the battlefield. Each one of these fractions have specific styles that tailor to their unique characteristics.

No matter which unique faction players choose; they will be given twenty something units to control including the Warcaster, at least 2 Warjacks and a group of warriors and/or monsters that originate from the selected region. After choosing the desired actions of each unit, the player’s turn will end. This can take quite some time, and depending on the competency of the opponent; an hour can go by with only 3 or 4 turns completed.

Although Warmachine: Tactics is still in its earlier stages of beta, the game itself is going down a path to greatness. As of now the game is still lacking a great story-line for its single player campaign (or any story-line at all for that matter), as well as more graphics options, fluid game mechanics, and a generally more appealing user-interface. It is quite obvious that the game is still in the process of massive development, and it is very exciting to see where the developers decide to take the game when it is nearly finished. The world will always be in need of more fixed-unit, turn-based strategy games similar to those of Final Fantasy Tactics and the Fire Emblem series. If Privateer Press plans to make Warmachine: Tactics to be a great success they have a lot of work ahead of them. Look forward to writing more reviews for WM: Tactics as the game’s development progresses towards the official launch date.

Raymon Kass, NoobFeed