8-Bit Armies
| 8-Bit Armies | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Petroglyph Games[1] |
| Publisher(s) | Petroglyph Games |
| Composer(s) | Frank Klepacki[1] |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows[1] |
| Release date(s) | 22 April 2016[1] |
| Genre(s) | Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
8-Bit Armies is a simplistic real-time strategy video game developed by Petroglyph Games, which was released on 22 April 2016 for Microsoft Windows. The game is noted for its unique graphic style combined with the gameplay of classic strategy games like Command & Conquer.
Gameplay
8-Bit Armies is a real time strategy game designed to mirror the look and gameplay of classic RTS games. It features a singleplayer campaign and a multiplayer mode in which players battle each other or the AI in the cooperative game mode. The game takes a very simplistic approach in its gameplay and graphical elements. The graphic features a blocky 8-bit retro-art voxel style with partially destructible terrain. Gameplay is very similar to the classic Command & Conquer franchise, many of the original developers of which work for Petroglyph Games. The player starts with a headquarter building which he uses to expand his base so he can build various military units to fight his opponents. Resources are gathered via oil trucks and refineries. Units and buildings are built via a clickable menu on the right side of the screen. The game is situated in a contemporary scenario featuring generic tank, artillery or rocket units. At the release of the game, only one faction was playable, but Petroglyph Games announced to release more factions later on.[2][3][4][1]
On 28 August 2016 Petroglyph Games released 2 free DLCs for the game: one for the 2nd faction called 'Guardian' and one for a new campaign which includes the new faction.[5]
In the same month Petroglyph Games also released a spin-off to the original games, called 8-Bit Hordes. It uses the same engine as 8-Bit Armies but features a fantasy-themed scenario. Like 8-Bit armies it is a homage to old strategy games of the 90s like Warcraft 2. The game also features cross game multiplayer battles with 8-Bit Armies players, allowing them to play against each other with all factions from both games.[6]
Release and Reception
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8-Bit Armies was released digitally on 22 April 2016 on Steam as well GOG.com.[1] The reception of the game was mixed to positive. Reviewers acknowledged the game as a homage to the classic Command & Conquer franchise, with a similar simplistic gameplay approach and a classic retro graphic style. The classic RTS gameplay has been praised as the core strength of the game. Some reviews criticised the lack of variety: only one faction is playable, the campaign features no distinctive story line and the gameplay may feel repetitive. The soundtrack, which has been composed by former Command & Conquer composer Frank Klepacki, has been noted positively. As conclusion, reviews described the game as a nostalgic flashback which falls short in variety and long-time motivation. [4][3][2][7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "8-Bit Armies FAQ". 8bitarmies.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- 1 2 "PCGamer review". pcgamer.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- 1 2 3 "PCGames review". pcgames.de (in German). Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- 1 2 3 "Gamewatcher review". gamewatcher.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- ↑ "GameStar news for 2nd faction". gamestar.de (in German). Retrieved 2016-08-13.
- ↑ "GameStar test for 8-Bit Hordes". gamestar.de (in German). Retrieved 2016-09-08.
- 1 2 "4Players review". 4player.de (in German). Retrieved 2016-05-11.