Battle Brothers

Battle Brothers is a solid, exhilarating experience that might turn away some due to its difficulty, but attract others because of its challenge.

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"Battle Brothers" is a turn-based tactical RPG set in a gritty, medieval fantasy world. As the leader of a mercenary company, you must manage your crew, take on contracts, and engage in strategic battles in a procedurally generated open world campaign. The game offers a Supporter Edition, which includes a digital art and lore book and a legendary item with a unique background story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 25,074 reviews

gameplay1,026 positive mentions

grinding502 negative mentions

gameplay
3,203 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Battle Brothers" is characterized by its deep tactical combat and strategic management of a mercenary company, blending elements from games like "Mount & Blade" and "XCOM." Players face a steep learning curve due to complex mechanics and a punishing difficulty level, which can lead to frustration, especially with the reliance on RNG. However, many find the gameplay rewarding and addictive once they master the systems, with a strong emphasis on decision-making, character progression, and emergent storytelling through the challenges faced in a gritty medieval world.
- “Very engaging action/tactical RPG about managing a mercenary company, where losing is fun, and stories around your band of warriors form naturally through gameplay.”
- “The gameplay revolves around strategic combat, resource management, and making critical decisions that affect your team's survival and success.”
- “Battle brothers excels in delivering intense tactical combat, challenging economic management, and intricate war band building mechanics.”
- “Yeah, the game has 99 things the developer did right, but this one thing makes the game a chore to play, and that's why I can't recommend it to anybody who hates stupid rigged RNG mechanics like me.”
- “While 'Battle Brothers' has a lot of potential with its compelling concept and world design, the excessive difficulty and repetitive gameplay overshadow these strengths.”
- “The core gameplay is repetitive and unsatisfying.”
story
2,990 mentions
13 % positive mentions
79 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Battle Brothers" is largely characterized by its procedural generation, which allows players to create their own narratives through the experiences of their mercenary company. While the game lacks a traditional overarching plot, it offers rich character backstories and emergent storytelling through random events and quests, leading to unique and personal stories for each playthrough. However, many players note that the missions can become repetitive and grindy, with limited quest variety, which detracts from the overall narrative engagement.
- “What I love about this game is that you start with a blank sheet and the story of your recruits will write itself along the numerous encounters you will face.”
- “The game's depth lies in its complex interactions and the consequences of player choices, with the story evolving based on the strategic decisions made throughout the campaign.”
- “You can play this game like a game, or like a story generator, when you care deeply for your squad and what happens to them while you adventure forth.”
- “The missions lack variety and quickly become repetitive, making progression feel like a tedious grind.”
- “There is no plot whatsoever, so it's up to you to make your own story.”
- “Unfortunately, due to the procedural nature, the story and world are so shallow that it doesn't grip you.”
graphics
1,962 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Battle Brothers" have received mixed reviews, with many players initially put off by the simplistic, minimalistic art style that features torso-only character models. However, as players engage with the game, they often find that the graphics grow on them, appreciating the unique charm and functionality that effectively conveys gameplay information. While the visuals may not match the fidelity of modern AAA titles, they complement the game's deep mechanics and immersive atmosphere, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of tactical RPGs.
- “The game's atmosphere and art style are commendable, creating a setting that is both immersive and appealing.”
- “The graphics, while simple, are excellent and paired with the fantastic audio it paints a visceral image of violence and grit no other title can match.”
- “Despite its modest visuals, Battle Brothers shines when it comes to gameplay depth.”
- “The low-res graphics really hurt especially in the early game where all your units look alike, there's no good way to differentiate who's a tank vs. dps vs. cannon fodder except by changing the name of your units, but the names don't pop up in every view.”
- “The graphics are pretty terrible, but hiding under that is an excellent game!”
- “The graphics may look simple, but the game is very gritty.”
replayability
1,090 mentions
53 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, with many players noting its procedural generation of maps, diverse starting scenarios, and a rich modding community that enhances the experience. Users frequently mention the near-infinite replay value due to various character builds, dynamic events, and the ability to customize gameplay, making each playthrough unique. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and the lack of mod support, the overall consensus is that the game offers countless hours of engaging and varied gameplay.
- “You get endless replayability and a wonderful modding community; including 2 great overhaul mods (legends and reforged).”
- “The countless scenarios, origins for the company, and styles of play make this game highly replayable.”
- “This incredible game, despite playing for hours, the different events I encountered in every playthrough prove the level of replayability.”
- “The replayability of the game is quite lacking due to the lack of depth.”
- “Game becomes repetitive after a while with no replay value, with modding the community could develop it into a game with much better replayability.”
- “I recommend that game, the only drawback is the replayability, the campaign is pretty much the same..once i'll finish it i don't think i'll come back to that game again.”
music
968 mentions
60 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. While some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over extended play, the majority found it immersive and fitting for the game's medieval fantasy setting. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and replayability.
- “Not only is it one of the greatest turn-based tactics games ever made, it also has a killer soundtrack and near endless replay value due to its sandbox nature and thanks to how easy it is to mod.”
- “The music is great at setting the atmosphere and keeping you engaged.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and drags you into the beautifully designed atmospheric medieval world and lets you create your own story with your brothers.”
- “Shallow game, boring world, tedious progression, poor graphics and music.”
- “The music is pathetic, the graphics are so two-dimensional and uninteresting that it's insulting, and the missions are repetitive (literally the same text).”
- “I found the game a bit repetitive and this wasn’t helped by the lack of music and sound variety.”
grinding
512 mentions
1 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game where progress often feels like a slog through similar missions and battles. While some appreciate the challenge and depth that grinding can bring, others criticize it for being overly reliant on RNG and lacking meaningful progression, leading to frustration and burnout. Overall, the game is described as a grindy experience that may appeal to dedicated fans of the genre but can deter casual players due to its demanding nature.
- “Easy to play in the background, management mechanics aren't tedious but you feel steady progress each mission/battle.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The missions lack variety and quickly become repetitive, making progression feel like a tedious grind.”
- “Getting anywhere in the game requires endless grinding, frequent save-scumming or metagaming your heart out.”
- “Whatever enjoyment the game offers is outweighed by the long, tedious stretches of grinding broken up by frustrating RNG.”
atmosphere
328 mentions
70 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and gritty medieval aesthetic, enhanced by detailed pixel art, evocative sound design, and a compelling soundtrack. Players appreciate the dark, atmospheric setting that effectively conveys the harsh realities of mercenary life, creating a captivating environment that draws them into the gameplay. Overall, the combination of art, music, and writing contributes to a uniquely engaging and atmospheric experience that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “The atmosphere is incredible; I once fought a hunting pack of werewolves in the middle of a forest during the night with fog, and the music made it even more chilling.”
- “The gorgeous art design and a very fitting soundtrack paint a gritty atmosphere befitting a medieval low-fantasy setting perfectly well.”
- “The atmosphere, the dark gritty medieval fantasy setting, the artwork, the role playing, the lore, and of course the combat is simply superb.”
- “- art style that clashes heavily with the grim, serious atmosphere that they're trying to create.”
- “Just to give a comparison regarding its aesthetics and atmosphere: Pillars of Eternity tries to achieve immersion through sheer walls of text, narrating to the gamer of a world he doesn't actually get to see or live in.”
- “There's parts of it that I do like, the concept of building your mercenary company, atmosphere, writing, but lack of quest variety and the unbelievable amount of RNG in everything you do is too much for me.”
humor
256 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Battle Brothers" is characterized by a blend of dark, gritty comedy and absurdity, often highlighting the tragicomic fates of mercenaries in a brutal fantasy world. Players appreciate the witty writing and clever dialogue that infuse gallows humor into the gameplay, making even the most challenging moments entertaining. While some find the humor to be crude or juvenile, many agree that it adds a unique charm and depth to the game's narrative and events, enhancing the overall experience.
- “This indie gem combines tactical combat with a management sim, where every decision you make can (and will) lead to the hilarious demise of your entire band.”
- “The writing is deft at weaving in just enough regular gallows humor and mundane horror to gradually dull the player into the same sense of sardonic nihilism as their captain stand-in.”
- “The atmosphere of Battle Brothers is dark and gritty, but with a perfect measure of dry, tongue-in-cheek humor to break up the sadness.”
- “It's really too bad I was kind of enjoying it, but if you're an adult, it just isn't going to be fun for long wading through all the obscene tales of screwing dead horses, etc. Not funny.”
- “It's just not funny.”
- “Not funny ha ha, but funny ah ha.”
emotional
126 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players expressing feelings of heartbreak and attachment to their characters, often leading to tears during moments of loss. The challenging gameplay, particularly in ironman mode, heightens the emotional stakes, making victories feel rewarding yet losses devastating. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke deep emotional responses, akin to the experiences found in narrative-driven titles.
- “Battle Brothers takes you on an emotional journey as you build up your band of mercenaries and complete contracts to earn glory, fame, and of course, gold.”
- “I cried as I watched my company, many with broken knees and one even had a fractured skull and a missing ear, fight to the death against pursuing bandits.”
- “Watching your best friends and favorite soldiers die because of a misstep or a lucky goblin arrow is heart-wrenching and in a nutshell, everything I love about this game.”
stability
74 mentions
27 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
73 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay. While some users have experienced a relatively smooth experience, others have faced significant issues, particularly with freezing and unresponsive gameplay. Overall, the game shows potential for improvement, but many players recommend waiting for further updates to address the current stability concerns.
- “Great little indie game, ticks all the right boxes for me. It has an overarching structure with a lot of randomness built in and has turn-based combat, allowing you to think through your battle strategy and sip your coffee. I personally like the artwork, and the overall game is quite polished. The sound effects are also nice; it's never not satisfying connecting a sword strike. It's bug-free as far as I know, not encountered one in almost 100 hours.”
- “It is entirely bug-free, or at least so close to it that I am unable to find any bugs which may remain.”
- “Game is very stable and bug-free.”
- “S when the game throws me an error after battle that freezes the game where I have to force close it and I try to reload and get constant freezing of the game then it is indeed something with the in-game code and not my anti-virus (Norton).”
- “If you play where you cannot save (ironman), and this game glitches for some reason... you just lost your entire campaign.”
- “Unplayably buggy.”
character development
74 mentions
30 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and customization options, allowing players to experiment with various builds and strategies. However, some reviews note that the character development can feel limited or simplistic at times, with a lack of strong narrative or lore to support it. Overall, while the game offers a rich experience in managing and developing characters, opinions vary on the depth and impact of that development within the gameplay.
- “The combat system is incredibly subtle, as is character development, and there are multiple ways to develop your band of mercenaries as they make their way through this deadly world.”
- “Overall, character development is in-depth, and learning what works and what doesn't will take a lot of experimenting for the new player.”
- “Without Battle Brothers, I would never have gone through this significant character development, and I would most imperatively never have met the love of my life.”
- “With all the potential for character development and leveling up, it doesn't matter because everybody dies!”
- “Another issue some may find with the game is that there is scarcely any character development, other than the RPG mechanics of skilling up stats and obtaining abilities.”
- “Well, I consider that last part, the character development, the worst part of the game.”
optimization
63 mentions
19 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report a smooth and stable experience with few technical issues, others encounter significant performance problems such as stuttering, lag, and audio glitches. Despite ongoing patches aimed at improving these issues, some users still find the optimization lacking, particularly in terms of character performance and quality of life features. The game is generally polished but could benefit from further enhancements to address the reported performance inconsistencies.
- “The game runs smoothly with few technical issues reported, providing a stable and reliable gaming experience.”
- “Game seems really polished and runs smoothly.”
- “A few performance bugs even running on a high power machine, but they are patching almost daily at the moment, so expect it to settle down quickly.”
- “In a few words, it's medieval XCOM but without time-consuming cinematics and poor optimization.”
- “Actual real criticism: the stuttering while leaving towns on Ironman gets really old really fast.”
- “Maybe instead of creating new DLCs, the company should fix the stuttering and freeze save issues that hundreds of players have!”
monetization
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
70 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game features microtransactions and in-game purchases, which some players view as excessive or poorly implemented. While a portion of the community appreciates the developers' commitment to the game's quality and ongoing support, others criticize the introduction of cash grabs and forced advertisements, suggesting a decline in the game's integrity over time. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some players feeling misled by the monetization strategies.
- “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
- “No in-game purchases.”
- “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
- “Forced advertisements in-game for their other products.”
- “Used to be a great game, but just like any great game, the developer promptly drove the IP into the ground with poorly thought out cash grabs and core changes...”
- “This game was a cash grab with a ridiculous support bundle that is not worth it and the support for this game was made out to be more than it was.”