Battle Brothers

I got this game on Steam Early Access. Now that it's officially released and the devs have stopped creating new content, I'll give my thoughts. Battle Brothers is a unique game where every character you hire could become your new hero, or just more fodder for battle. Almost everything in the game is procedurally generated, from the map to the character backstories and the missions. After a few hours of play you'll start to see the stitches holding everything together, but it's still a fun experience. The option to choose whether or not you're able to save your game manually is great; it adds a level of realism and a sort of hardcore-mode that makes every decision count. The graphics are pretty to look at and the battle system is very enjoyable (turn-based, hex-tiles, with some nice strategic elements). Missions are typically of the "kill those guys" or "escort this guy" variety, but the Renown and Ambition systems work well to keep you moving forward. The most disappointing part of this game is that is feels sort of unfinished. There are tons of little stand-alone buildings near towns that do nothing, there is no interaction with peasants or caravans on the roads. I thought the devs would add these things in since it seemed like such an obvious feature, but it never happened. Of course this doesn't ruin the game by any stretch, but it does knock it down from a 5-star rating. Overall Battle Brothers really is a great, fun game that's easy to pick up but hard to master. If not for the feeling of emptiness from the vacant buildings and non-responsive NPCs, I would give this game five stars. As it stands, it's a solid 4/5.

This game is a turn-based tactical strategy that plays something like a fantasy board-game version of X-Com. I really want to like it, and in many ways I do. It has flashes of brilliance, a great setting, and the freedom to make your own story. However, there are design decisions that seem to exist solely to make your experience needlessly tedious. Graphics/Sound: Hand-drawn art is nice, although this was likely due to having a low budget. However your characters look like Weebles. Blood-thirsty, head-chopping Weebles... The musical score is suitably epic. Game play: Finding the right strategy to destroy your enemies is very satisfying. However, be prepared to lose your characters, a lot. And while the game prepares you for this, it feels more like dumb luck and lazy difficulty than the fault of any poor strategy. I will also point out that the "beginner" difficulty is not really suited to beginners, and will likely result in numerous restarts while you struggle to figure out what's going on. Some people enjoy obtuse game design, and while it can be satisfying to figure it out, it can also be very frustrating. A beginner difficulty should truly be for beginners. Problems: My biggest gripe with the game are several design decisions that create frustration and tedium. The difficulty settings are poorly described. There is no tutorial whatsoever, and the game sorely needs one (queue the chorus of bros telling me to "git gud"). I had to learn it from YouTube videos. Overland travel is painfully slow, and the accelerate time setting constantly resets itself whenever you do anything. It takes forever to level up your characters, which is frustrating when they die so easily. In conclusion, this is a flawed game that is not without merits. If you are not easily frustrated, and don't mind digging through the internet to learn how to play it properly, like turn-based strategy, and like a dark-fantasy settings akin to fantasy warhammer, then this game might be for you.

As other reviewers, I bit the bullet while Battle Brothers was still in Early Access on Steam. In between then and the release, I sank a couple of hundred hours of my preciously limited free time into it. I hope that gives an idea of how intricate and well crafted this game was even prior to release polish. You roam the strategic map, usually in search of the next contract to let you pay and feed your men for another day or two. Later on, as your purse fills out, you may start to seek out special locations out in the wilderness to raid for unique loot, or establish a visiting route seeking that uniquely qualifying brother to fill a specific role in your band, or bounce between best shops looking for highest quality gear... all the while making certain that the name of your mercenary band gains increasing recognition. Trade is certainly possible and, in fact, able to make the early game that much easier. Just do keep in mind that you are leading a band of mercenaries, not peddlers :) The RPG elements are quite strong in the multitude of random encounters you will trigger. A great majority of them will take under consideration either the background or personality traits of your brothers. A bowyer with sufficient material on hand can, for instance, create a bow vastly superior to most available in stores. An aging mercenary can teach a younger brother some of his skills... or your superstitious brother can bring doom and gloom into the minds of your band in barely fifteen words. The events are numerous and very varied, and bring a lot of life to the characters they feature. However, even the personality traits are really just an element of the true core of the game - the tactical combat. This part is extremely intricate and well developed, and sooner or later you will have to learn all the elements that play part in combat.. at least if you plan on playing above Easy difficulty. If you enjoy turn-based tactical games, do yourself a favor and buy Battle Brothers.

and lung, and then he lost a foot. But he holds my Standard high. Had this since early access on Steam - Dev's have put a hella'va lot of hours into this and scrolling through all the fanbase feedback. Con: I would love to see more character customisation a la JA2 (But I want everything to be more like JA2 so...). Can be tough to like if you expect everyone to live. Pro's: Some will die - get over that quickly. Absolute gem of a game, strategy, turn based RPG squad combat. Orcs, Feudal houses and the undead and you're stuck in the middle as a gang of mercenaries taking contracts. Start off with a few farm hands or a deserter or two (They at least know how to hold a sword) and by the time your name is heralded throughout the land you'll have knights and kings begging to be in your company. If you like any sort of squad based, level up your team combat action then this is a winner. Lovely little game, well worth the money and they even have tutorial videos etc. Just also been patched recently and is one of the more stable games I own. I've got Shadowrun, I loved Xcom (New and Old, I've now got Xenonauts) and loved JA2 - this scratches that itch although doesn't completely remove it.