Brigador: Up-Armored Edition

Kinda, but it's very good and full of character and style. It's also fun to play too so thats good. Soundtrack alone makes this at least 4/5 stars by default but I really like synthwave so that's a no-brainer for me. The gameplay is tactical and difficult, but only to the extent you want it to be. Want to just roll the map with cluster chemical launchers for kicks? Sure. Want to meticulously play hide-and-seek with your tiny power suit with tiny weapons? Also sure. Look I don't normally write reviews on here but I want this game to be more popular so here's 5 stars because it's definitely worth it.

To start, this is one of those games that are simple yet hard to master. With that you start off with a simple yet well put tutorial/story mode that is recommended to be played through. Some of the ways you can play is >Heavy Hitting Assault Mechs >Slow Rolling Tanks >Fast Moving light vehicles >Hover Vehicles that can make you feel like an F-Zero Pilot but with guns >Glorified Armored suits that make you slightly stronger than the average conscript Each of these come with their respective difficulties, depending on what pilot you decide to choose & what freelancer operation you pick. The maps feel well thought out, and by that extent the AI seems to compliment as such. They patrol the streets as they should & move to inspect noises, run away from you if you're slaughtering their friends and will call for back up if they are equipped as such. The negative I'd give it, is the lack of modifiers for pilots to spruce up game play, but is more of a nitpick after you've expericed the game's loop for a dozen or so hours. TL:DR if you like 2D shooters with some tactical elements through in, I'd pick this up.

This is what it says on the tin, a mech game where you go around blowing up small sandbox maps with objectives, enemies, and a some light context for why a 75 ton warmachine turned the local gas station into a fireball. Gameplay is solid, sound is fantastic, and it has enough variety to satisfy even those who usually aren't. My one complaint is that because this is an isometric game the guns accuracy is a little peculiar and doesn't always hit exactly where I'd want them to. They have a firing arc that is visualised but because of the 2D nature it can be come a little hypothetical at times. You can solve this with skill, but even when I got the hang of it I still found it a bit annoying. The options are a little barren in the menues, but console can tweak pretty much any graphical option you can think of. The game has a linear story campaign that's a little barren. If you find it too barren, if you find yourself a little bored; remember to switch to Freelance mode. You ride a vehicle of your choosing with the loadout of your choosing with the pilot of your choosing, and this is where the game really shines. If you're not intimidated by having options you'll probably be very satisfied with what you're getting out of the pricetag.

Brigador is a shooter that makes you admire destruction in a way you never thought you would. There are multiple vehicles to use, with their own pros and cons, and the campaign will help you figure out what you like. As a disclaimer, you will want to change the movement controls to something else. The default is very floaty, and is more designed for a controller for the Agrav vehicles. If you can get past the tank controls, everything quickly clicks and you'll understand the strategies needed to accomplish your objectivel. Tl;Dr AQUIRE BRIGADOR

Holy hell this game is awesome. Just don't go into it expecting a basic twin stick shooter. It's not a mindless twin stick shooter, it's a tactical game. For that reason the first thing you should do is change the controls to the tank scheme, there's directional damage so screen absolute means you're training yourself to walk backwards as enemies nail your weak spot. Also not ever vehicle has a turret that rotates full 360 degrees. Tank controls may take a bit to get used to, but it's for the better. All vehicles have bright headlights, it's easy to tell what direction you're facing even when things get hairy. Now that's out of the way, HOLY S***. Brigador is an amazing game that's made with just pure care and love and it shows. Everything from the smallest pile of rubble to the tallest meanest mech is incredibly detailed, a lot of dark colour schemes off set by jarring neon lights or even just the glowing shells from your auto cannon, shredding buildings to pieces as everything explodes and gets destroyed. Combine that with an awesome synth-wave soundtrack and you have a recipe for a very comforting stress ball of a game. Brigador perfectly straddles the fine line of hardcore tactical tank fighting and just fun dumb satisfying shoot bang. It's glorious. Honest there isn't much to say here. When the only negative thing anyone can say is "I don't like the controls" it's both a real tragedy (They missed out on a real gem) and speaks to the quality of the rest of the game. Everything is made with love, and it's still getting free updates. I love it.