Blocks!: Hammer of the Scots
- July 20, 2020
- Avalon Digital
Get on Steam"Blocks!: Hammer of the Scots" is a strategy game where players can experience the rebellions of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in 13th and 14th century Scotland. Choose to play as the English or Scottish forces, with the goal of controlling important noble lords or gaining their allegiance in the struggle for freedom. The game offers a main campaign, additional scenario, and a grand campaign scenario for varied gameplay.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is a beautifully rendered implementation of a beloved board game, capturing its themes and strategic depth.
- The digital version automates many processes, allowing for quicker gameplay while maintaining the complexity of the original board game.
- There is potential for improvement, and the game can serve as a useful tool for learning mechanics in solo mode.
- The AI is severely lacking, making the game too easy and not providing a challenging experience for players.
- Numerous bugs and glitches hinder gameplay, including issues with rules implementation and game freezes during critical phases.
- The tutorial is insufficient, leaving new players without the necessary guidance to understand the game's mechanics.
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including persistent glitches and unresponsive mechanics, such as faulty levies and misleading gameplay prompts. Many users express frustration over the lack of AI improvements and overall bugginess, labeling it as an "unplayably buggy scam." While the availability on Steam is appreciated, the game's stability remains a major concern.
“An unplayably buggy scam.”
“All in all...great to see this available on Steam, but really buggy and the AI needs a major overhaul.”
“They have not improved the AI, and have left this game, alongside Caesar and Richard, buggy.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay offers a solid foundation for learning mechanics, particularly in solo mode, where players can effectively isolate and manage enemy units. While the rules require some refinement due to its early access status, there are no major issues that disrupt the experience, making it relatively easy to achieve victory once the mechanics are understood.
“Gameplay: rules need some polish as of early access, but should be easy fixes and there were no game-breakers.”
“Once you understand the mechanics of isolating and reducing the enemy blocks and either preventing retreat or herding the units so you can systematically reduce them, winning is relatively easy.”
“Nice attempt, and still useful to learn some game mechanics in solo mode, as it is.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics have been criticized for lacking depth and dynamism, leading to a perception that they may not fully realize their potential. Overall, the visuals seem to fall short of expectations, leaving players wanting more.
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its reasonable length and high replayability, combining simplicity in learning with a depth of tactical options that keeps players engaged.
“Has a reasonable length, lots of replayability, and is simple to learn yet offers a lot of decisive tactics and depth.”
