A large army doesn’t guarantee your victory. Brute force and all the will in the world will not outsmart tactical nuance. Battles are finished by the warriors on the field but won by the generals controlling every move. This is the premise of Guards. It’s a deceptively addictive game that’ll trick you with its simple approach, colourful graphics, and jovial music.
Developed by Battlecruiser Games and published by Drageus Games, this a short but tough turn-based strategy title. You control a small band of heroes, comprising unique styles. You must overcome waves of enemies as you journey across the land, aiming to annihilate the gargantuan overlord.
Guards will eat up all your spare time.
Guards was released on PC five years ago, but yet I’ve not heard of it until now. When I loaded in, I had low expectations of what I’d experience. I intended to give it a short go to get an idea before playing it later. Before I knew it, hours had flown by and it had eaten all my spare time. From the first battle it had me hooked, and even the inevitable taste of defeat wasn’t enough to put me off.
The game is set in a fantasy land that has some oddly named places; The Forest of Gloom, Troll Land, The Mists of Dead and more. The aim is to win each fight and eventually arrive at Spirit Rift, the home of the Chieftain. Here you must use everything you have learned to overcome his waves of minions and kill him. This is no easy task, and unless you are prepared, death is guaranteed.
A simple premise, but it’s confusing to begin with.
I couldn’t believe how simple it was to play once you got to grips with it. You open with a small amount of trial and error, learning the fundamentals and familiarising yourself with your enemies. Once you are comfortable with what is required, you’ll plan each fight to the finest of details, getting the most out of each hero.
Each battle uses a strict formation of three fighters on the front line, and one shielded at the rear. A turn will not begin until one hero is moved. Whether you are sending them back to recovery or swapping them along the front line, you must make the right call. This simple idea makes Guards so challenging and enjoyable. You must move your fighters constantly, placing them where they can utilise their skills. Some have ranged attacks, some close-quarter melee, and one can heal.
Alongside the standard abilities, each has a special attack that can turn the tide of war in your favour. Whether you shoot a booming grenade, stun your foes, lace them with poison, or shoot a barrage of arrows, there is something for every occasion. You may also use items from your inventory at the start of each round. You can boost strength, use guardians to protect you, increase your health or defence, or carry runes that will bring you back to life. Using the right equipment at the right time is paramount and you will find the correct ones that match your style.
Guards is all about heroes, upgrades, missions, and perks.
Once you understand what you are doing, your focus will be on who you pick, their upgrades, and which perk to select. Eight heroes are at your disposal, you’ll select; a Peasant, Sorcerer, Archer, Witcher, Knight, Rifleman, Assassin, and Amazonian. They all have strengths and weaknesses, and your selection will be based on your approach and who you favour. Upgrades make all the difference and add a further layer to your tactics. You’ll earn mithril during each playthrough, the further you progress the more you earn. The stronger your team becomes, the easier the game becomes, so upgrades are an easy decision.
The missions give you an alternative focus from the main quest and reward you with items and mithril. They are not overly complex but were enjoyable to attempt, nonetheless. Then there are the perks which add extra inventory slots, an increase in magical power, and additional guardians. Each of these elements keeps you thinking and allows you to play how you wish. It was wonderful that such a basic concept had such depth to it.
A dated appearance, but it still works well.
When this was released in 2016 I would have said the graphics were dated. Five years on, and they are looking their age. A simple art style and a bird’s-eye perspective allow you to focus on the action that takes place. The game board comprises three paths with your team one end and the enemy the other. It’s easy to follow, and well-marked out grids distinguished the zones for every action. Each attack has smooth animation, and each enemy has a unique look, so it’s easy to plan.
Every battle was matched with an upbeat and aggressive song. The style was familiar and sounded like most RPGs and tactics games I’ve played in the past. The developers also used a classic selection of sound effects. Using tried and tested audio didn’t disappoint, but I would have liked something original. Guards sadly suffers from some issues. If you play for a while the music will cut out, and you’ll be met with silence. It was odd, ruined the atmosphere, but was also an intermittent fault. It doesn’t ruin the game, but it’s noticeable and annoying when it happens.
So much replay value.
It’s always pleasant when the controls are easy to pick up. Having been on PC I worried it would be clunky, but this never materialised. It’s smooth, simple to understand, and you’ll not struggle to play. The clean-cut UI certainly helped and using menus or items was a piece of cake.
Guards is ridiculously addictive. In fact, I want to stop writing and start playing again. With three difficulties to select, a survival mode to beat, a tough achievement list to unlock, and any combination of heroes to pick. This keeps you coming back for more! However, completionists are in for a tough time as only the most hardcore of gamers will defeat “hell” difficulty.
Guards gets the balance just right.
I can’t help but love how well balanced it is. Grinding through the early levels makes the Chieftain battle all the much easier. Yet, ramp up the difficulty and you’re back to square one. You never get too far ahead of yourself, and this keeps the gameplay challenging throughout. I adored it and recommend you buy it here! Eight heroes, waves of enemies, and one Chieftain. Select your team and take them down!
