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Besiege

With a fun concept, superb creation tools, and finely crafted puzzles, Besiege is a construction game to savour.
Besiege Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
stability, grinding
95% User Score Based on 24,978 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5CloudMac OSPlaystation 4Xbox OneNVIDIA GeForce NOWWindowsPlayStation
Besiege Game Cover

About

Besiege is a multiplayer simulation game with warfare and historical themes. It was developed by Spiderling Studios and was released on February 17, 2020. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Besiege" is a physics-based medieval siege warfare simulation game. Construct and control trebuchets, ballistas, and other war machines to destroy fortresses, conquer kingdoms, and complete various objectives. With a range of materials and design options, players can build and test their engineering skills in this creative and destructive sandbox.

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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 24,978 reviews
gameplay491 positive mentions
stability127 negative mentions

  • The game features a robust physics engine that allows for creative experimentation and problem-solving, making it engaging for players who enjoy mechanical creativity.
  • The charming minimalist art style and calming audio create a visually appealing and immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game offers exceptional replayability through user-generated content, extensive customization options, and a sandbox mode that encourages creativity.
  • Many players find the steep learning curve and lack of comprehensive tutorials frustrating, especially for those unfamiliar with mechanical concepts.
  • The game suffers from performance issues and bugs, particularly when building complex structures, which can lead to a frustrating experience.
  • The grinding aspect of the game is criticized for being tedious and repetitive, often turning enjoyable gameplay into a chore.
  • gameplay
    1,353 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Besiege" is centered around a robust physics engine that allows players to construct a wide variety of mechanical contraptions, from simple machines to complex siege engines, using an intuitive building system. Players are encouraged to experiment and solve challenges creatively, with each mission presenting unique obstacles that require inventive solutions. While the game offers a sandbox experience rich in possibilities, some users note a steep learning curve and a lack of comprehensive tutorials, which can make initial gameplay frustrating for those unfamiliar with mechanical concepts. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics, visual appeal, and the satisfaction derived from successfully executing intricate designs.

    • “The mechanics give you everything you need to create anything from simple machines to massive, complex flying contraptions.”
    • “It offers a sandbox-style experience that encourages experimentation and problem-solving, making it an engaging choice for those who enjoy mechanical creativity.”
    • “The physics engine ensures that every success and failure feels earned, and the sheer variety of possible designs gives the gameplay remarkable depth and flexibility.”
    • “The mechanics are so frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay is hilarious.”
    • “The gameplay is worth gold.”
  • graphics
    1,201 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Besiege" are widely praised for their unique and charming aesthetic, characterized by a minimalist, low-poly art style that complements the game's mechanical focus and medieval theme. Many players appreciate the beautiful visuals and attention to detail, noting that the graphics enhance the overall experience, despite some mentioning performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's art style is considered both visually appealing and fitting for its creative gameplay, making it a standout feature for many players.

    • “A beautifully simplistic yet very detailed art style that fits the game so incredibly well, accompanied by very chill atmospheric audio to make for a very calming time.”
    • “Visually, Besiege embraces a minimalist yet charming art style that complements its mechanical focus.”
    • “The graphics and aesthetics of Besiege are simple yet charming, creating a visually pleasing environment that complements the gameplay perfectly.”
    • “Unfortunately, they either have 2008 Minecraft blocky graphics (*gag*) or a steep and long learning curve (*shudder*).”
    • “The graphics are ok but will give lag for the people with not a good PC.”
    • “The graphics are simplistic but smooth and the atmosphere of the game is very relaxing.”
  • story
    673 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is largely absent, with many users noting that it lacks a traditional narrative or character development. Instead, it focuses on a series of missions that challenge players to creatively build machines to achieve specific objectives, such as destroying structures or completing tasks. While some players appreciate the sandbox mode for its freedom and creativity, they express a desire for more structured content and missions to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The missions are really fun and stimulate creativity and problem-solving abilities.”
    • “The story mode is about 60 challenges long and takes a great amount of critical thinking to complete.”
    • “The campaign serves as a great 'challenge mode' to test your creativity with various missions and objectives, and the simplistic, medieval art style is just gorgeous.”
    • “✅ this game has no story”
    • “It doesn't have a story, characters, or goal system besides building a machine to solve a map challenge.”
    • “While the open-ended nature of the game allows for unlimited creativity, some players may miss the sense of progression and achievement that comes with a more defined storyline.”
  • humor
    520 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Besiege" is a standout feature, with players frequently laughing at the chaotic and unpredictable outcomes of their engineering creations. The game's physics engine leads to hilarious failures and absurd contraptions, making even the most catastrophic mishaps entertaining. Whether through the whimsical animations of characters or the absurdity of self-destructing machines, the game offers a delightful blend of creativity and comedy that keeps players engaged and amused.

    • “The creativity the game encourages is incredible—you can turn a simple siege machine into a weaponized work of art, or just watch it collapse in hilarious ways.”
    • “The physics engine is satisfying and unforgiving, making every success feel earned and every failure hilarious.”
    • “It's about the journey – the journey of trial and error, of ridiculous experimentation, and of laughing until your sides hurt as your creations spectacularly self-destruct.”
    • “Actually nice game, but for me it's too difficult and therefore not funny.”
  • replayability
    206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, largely due to its user-generated content, extensive customization options, and sandbox mode, allowing players to experiment and create unique contraptions. Many reviews highlight the infinite replay value stemming from the game's mechanics and the variety of ways to approach challenges, making it engaging for both casual and dedicated players. While some users note that the current content may feel limited, the overall consensus is that the game's potential for creativity and community involvement ensures a high level of replayability.

    • “The workshop lets you browse and download these creations, which adds huge replay value.”
    • “Playing with friends, testing ideas, competing, or just messing around with insane contraptions makes the game endlessly replayable and full of surprises.”
    • “The game also features a strong modding community, multiplayer support, and extensive customization options, further extending its replayability.”
    • “However, its limited content may make it less appealing to some players looking for more replay value.”
    • “The main replay value of this game comes from your own creativity and how much effort you are willing to pour into a creation.”
    • “Each level's replay value is limited to the number of different parts that are in the game, and each level can be repetitive to play no matter what you are using as your machine or what parts you are using.”
  • music
    184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and creativity during gameplay. Many players appreciate the ambient soundtrack, which complements the game's visual style, although some note that it can be repetitive or too quiet at times. Overall, the music contributes positively to the experience, making it enjoyable for players who seek a relaxing environment while engaging in creative building and destruction.

    • “The music sets a calm yet medieval-chaotic mood, and the visual style is minimalistic but clear and charming.”
    • “The art style and the music are gorgeous, and the limits that you can reach in engineering without mods is phenomenal.”
    • “The ambient music is serene and fits the game perfectly, and in general, this game has so much potential.”
    • “However, the music is a little boring and is quiet.”
    • “I personally think sitting and building stuff for each and every level is a tad boring with a kind of boring soundtrack to go with it.”
    • “The music in Besiege is incredibly quiet at times and just there to provide a little background to the death, destruction, and sheep maiming that’s going on.”
  • optimization
    174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game receives mixed feedback from users. While many players report that it runs smoothly on a variety of systems, including low-end machines, there are significant performance issues when building complex structures, leading to frame rate drops even on high-end PCs. Overall, while some improvements have been noted, many users feel that further optimization is necessary, particularly for larger creations.

    • “This is a fun building game that can run on a non-gaming laptop and is surprisingly optimized for being a physics sandbox.”
    • “The performance is great because of this, and the advanced building letting you scale parts makes everything even better.”
    • “Even without a dedicated graphics card and huge machines, the game runs smoothly and the creative possibilities are endless!”
    • “The game has been optimized some, although as you build bigger machines things can get very slow.”
    • “However, due to the horrendous optimization, the game runs at unplayable frames with machines that aren't even particularly large.”
    • “The only downside is the physics haven't been optimized.”
  • stability
    149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting frequent bugs and glitches, particularly related to physics and multiplayer features. While some players find the glitches amusing and part of the fun, others experience significant issues like freezing and crashes. Overall, despite being in early access, many reviews highlight that the game runs well on various systems, with only minor bugs that do not severely impact gameplay.

    • “The game is incredibly stable and runs great.”
    • “Very polished, nearly bug free experience and beautiful style.”
    • “All in all, the game looks great, runs great, has hardly any bugs (nothing game breaking that I have encountered yet)... so what are you waiting for?”
    • “This game is insanely buggy; you could do the objective and it still won't pass you.”
    • “Sometimes while playing, the game just freezes mid-build.”
    • “The overall gameplay is okay, but there are some bugs and glitches in the level editor that are quite annoying.”
  • grinding
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and frustrating, often requiring players to invest significant time and effort without rewarding gameplay. Many reviewers express that the building mechanics are cumbersome and repetitive, leading to a sense of chore rather than enjoyment, with some suggesting that players might need "a second life" to endure the grinding involved. While there are moments of fun, the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being a slog, particularly in later levels where challenges become more about persistence than skill.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Later, building things of necessity turns into a hugely tedious, tiring, grinding slog fest that just sucks the fun out of the game, to the point that the challenge becomes more of a nearly insurmountable chore.”
    • “Building in this game seems to be more tedious than fun.”
    • “I cannot stress enough how quickly building things wears you down; it's so slow and tedious.”
  • atmosphere
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful and simplistic art style, which complements the calming and immersive audio, creating a relaxing experience. Players appreciate the peaceful medieval settings, enhanced by engaging soundscapes that stimulate creativity, despite the chaotic destruction that can occur. Overall, the game is noted for its unique and captivating atmosphere, making it a standout feature among its gameplay elements.

    • “A beautifully simplistic yet very detailed art style that fits the game so incredibly well, accompanied by very chill atmospheric audio to make for a very calming time.”
    • “For as silly of a game as it is, it has some of the most beautiful atmospheres I have seen in any game, specifically in the frost level and in the barren level sandbox.”
    • “The music and atmosphere are also very good, as well as the art style, and I must recommend this game to anyone who likes creative or physics-based games.”
    • “Atmosphere: peaceful medieval villages, sheep, castles… and then your insane invention rolls in and turns it all to ashes.”
    • “It has too much buoyancy and carries me out of the atmosphere into space where the balloon freezes and shatters, dropping my creation to the cold, heartless ground where its payload explodes, killing a random farmer, destroying his house, and scattering the remains to the farthest corners of the world.”
    • “On top of that, it has those nice, clear, bloomy, blurry, comic graphics that give the game, with its medieval atmosphere, a modern touch.”
  • emotional
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its well-developed characters and engaging narrative that fosters a sense of creativity and nostalgia. Many reviewers describe feelings of joy, laughter, and even tears, as they navigate the game's whimsical yet chaotic mechanics, which evoke a childlike sense of wonder and imagination. The blend of wholesome fun and humorous destruction creates a unique emotional experience, making players feel both accomplished and entertained.

    • “The well-developed characters and their emotional journeys add depth to the narrative, making me feel deeply connected to the game's universe.”
    • “10/10 would cry again.”
    • “I cried.”
  • monetization
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases, viewing it as a consumer-friendly approach. However, others criticize the game as a potential cash grab, feeling misled by its advertising and perceiving it as incomplete. Overall, while some players commend the lack of monetization schemes, concerns about the game's development and marketing strategy persist.

    • “Besiege scratches an engineering itch that no other game does, all without in-app purchases and extra fluff.”
    • “This game also doesn't have microtransactions yet.”
    • “Appreciate the devs for keeping it real with no BS and no microtransactions.”
    • “Horribly incomplete and just a quick cash grab, in my opinion.”
    • “This is no longer early release; it is a cash grab.”
    • “I knew that early access games are usually cash grabs, and I thus lost faith in indie devs.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While the game's graphics are praised for their charming, cartoon-like style and vibrant environments, there is no specific mention of character development in the provided text. Therefore, it appears that character development may not be a focal point in this game.

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11h Median play time
79h Average play time
5h Main story
24h Completionist
5-50h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 72 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Besiege is a simulation game with warfare and historical themes.

Besiege is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 5 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 24 hours to finish. On average players spend around 79 hours playing Besiege.

Besiege was released on February 17, 2020.

Besiege was developed by Spiderling Studios.

Besiege has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Besiege is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Scrap Mechanic, Trailmakers, TerraTech, Instruments of Destruction, Space Engineers and others.