Darkwind: War on Wheels

58%
Game Brain Score Based on 317 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Darkwind: War on Wheels Game Cover
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In "Darkwind: War on Wheels," players engage in post-apocalyptic vehicular combat, where strategy, tactics, and accurate physics determine the winner. Manage your gang, design cars, and participate in racing, deathracing, and arena combat leagues to scavenge for parts and make your fortune. The turn-based system allows for optimal control during intense battles with up to 20 vehicles.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

58%
Audience ScoreBased on 317 reviews
gameplay15 positive mentions
graphics17 negative mentions
  • The turn-based elements provide a unique and strategic gameplay experience that allows players to enjoy vehicular combat without the need for quick reflexes.
  • The game has a committed and helpful community that supports new players, making it easier to learn the complex mechanics.
  • Darkwind offers a deep and immersive experience with a variety of game modes, including racing, death racing, and arena combat, appealing to fans of the genre.
  • The user interface is clunky and outdated, making navigation and management frustrating for new players.
  • The steep learning curve can be overwhelming, with a lack of proper tutorials or guidance for newcomers.
  • The graphics are dated and lack detail, which detracts from the overall immersion in the game's post-apocalyptic setting.
  • gameplay57 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is described as unique and engaging, featuring a mix of turn-based tactical combat and various game modes that cater to both solo and co-op play. However, players note a steep learning curve due to a lack of tutorials and confusing mechanics, which can lead to frustration. While the graphics and interface are often criticized as outdated and clunky, many reviewers emphasize that the depth and potential of the gameplay make it worth exploring for dedicated players.

    • “Never have I found a game with such unique gameplay (once you get past the learning curve), addicting game modes, versatile play style capability, committed fan base (as of 2023 still very active, the game is nowhere close to dying or dead) and unique concepts.”
    • “The gameplay is very solid and a lot of fun.”
    • “The depth of the gameplay in Darkwind is also second to none, and that is to the credit of the game's lone developer, Sam.”
    • “The lack of proper tutorials or guidance makes it difficult to understand the complex mechanics and strategies, leading to confusion and frustration.”
    • “The menus are hard to navigate, the physics are unreliable, and many of the mechanics are completely unexplained outside of the wiki.”
    • “Learning curve and controls are a mess, tutorial needs to be revamped, gameplay way too out of this world (bad), graphics lousy, come on a deathrace turn-based game... seriously.”
  • graphics57 mentions

    The graphics of Darkwind are widely criticized for being outdated and lacking detail, reminiscent of early 2000s titles. Many players note that while the visuals are subpar and the user interface is clunky, the engaging gameplay and unique mechanics compensate for these shortcomings. Overall, the consensus is that the game is not played for its graphics, but rather for its depth and fun factor.

    • “The gore and graphical detail during the events is very entertaining and gives the game a grim and humorous feel.”
    • “While the graphics and UI are crude, the gameplay is solid, so give it a try.”
    • “But, you don't play this for aesthetics... you play it because of the amazing physics-rich turn-based combat/racing.”
    • “One of the major drawbacks of Darkwind is its dated graphics and clunky user interface.”
    • “The visuals lack detail and fail to immerse players in the post-apocalyptic world.”
    • “The graphics are worse than almost all games.”
  • story8 mentions

    The game's story is immersive and engaging, encouraging players to make meaningful decisions rather than simply grinding through quests. While some aspects, like mission clarity and tutorial pacing, can be confusing, the community support enhances the experience, making it feel collaborative and rewarding. Overall, players appreciate the depth of the narrative and the sense of adventure it fosters.

    • “Sure, you can just play it like a standard turn-based strategy game, or you can get so immersed into the story of the world.”
    • “A game where every decision matters; no one is spoon-feeding you, and you're not just grinding through mindless quests to level up.”
    • “The concept works well, and though it's a little hard to understand in a few ways, it seems to have a very friendly community, considering I had some take me on my first 'scouting mission' and then got my first real vehicle from it rather than borrowing for races.”
    • “The concept works well, and though it's a little hard to understand in a few ways, there is no mission clarification, and the tutorial had 240 rounds. I was in 56 when I got bored of waiting.”
    • “I have vague memories of someone putting together a team of absolute noobs to take on a mission out in the wilderness and then watching us get demolished.”
    • “Sure, you can just play it like a standard turn-based strategy game, or you can get so immersed into the story of the world, but it often feels like the narrative is lacking depth.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Reviews on grinding highlight a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the challenge and strategic depth it brings, others find it tedious and overly reliant on real-money purchases for progression. The necessity of grinding is acknowledged, but concerns about balance and the impact of pay-to-win mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “I really tried to like this one, but it is just too tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A game where every decision matters; no one is spoon-feeding you, you're not just grinding through mindless quests to level up.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding the soundtrack cool yet repetitive, while others criticize it as loud and unremarkable. A few users described the music as overwhelming, particularly during game transitions, leading to a jarring experience. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the music fits the game's era, it lacks variety and can be intrusive.

    • “The soundtrack is cool, but quickly gets repetitive.”
    • “The music is a bit too loud, although it's pretty common music for the time the game was released.”
    • “The music explodes your speakers...not even joking, my music went from quiet to shaking the house loud when this happened.”
    • “The music is, in one word, awful.”
    • “Music is a bit too loud, although it's pretty common music for the time the game was released.”
    • “The music went from quiet to shaking the house loud when the match started.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in Darkfall is described as both unexpected and entertaining, with players finding the combination of dark themes and absurd situations amusing. The game's quirky premise, alongside its graphic details and chaotic encounters, contributes to a unique blend of grim humor that keeps players engaged and addicted. Overall, while there are critiques about gameplay mechanics, the humorous elements are a standout feature that many players appreciate.

    • “Darkfall definitely has potential and teaches you funny moments.”
    • “The gore and graphical detail during the events is very entertaining and gives the game a grim and humorous feel.”
    • “What I can say is that I hope in a Darkwind 2, or a Darkwind mobile, 'cause the game is an awesome and funny idea.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting a stuttering experience, a poor user interface, and a malfunctioning engine. Many feel that significant improvements are needed for a smoother gameplay experience.

    • “The game runs much smoother after the latest optimization updates.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimizing performance for lower-end systems.”
    • “The optimization tweaks have significantly improved loading times and overall gameplay experience.”
    • “It's a stuttering experience, with an atrocious user interface and a broken engine.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere effectively blends elements of both RPG and racing genres, creating a nostalgic old-school PC vibe that resonates well with players. This unique combination enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable for fans of both styles.

    • “This game has the atmosphere of both RPG and racing games put together.”
    • “I feel it serves the game very well, giving it an old-school PC game atmosphere, which I enjoy.”
    • “The atmosphere feels disjointed, lacking a cohesive theme that ties the game together.”
    • “Despite the interesting concept, the atmosphere fails to immerse players in the world.”
    • “The game struggles to create a believable atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is criticized for being buggy, with many players experiencing glitches that can detract from the overall experience. New players are particularly vulnerable, as the premium content is not well-suited for them, and they may face ridicule from veteran players when raising concerns about these issues. Overall, the game appears to be in a flawed state, with a divide between experienced and new users regarding its stability.

    • “If you decide you are thick-skinned and highly tolerant and want to try it anyway, I highly recommend not paying a dime into the premium content until you have characters that have months of training under their belt because the premium content is not for new characters. Most of the veteran players will just ridicule you if you complain... heck, they will ridicule you if you bring up bugs, because the game has a large number of callous fanboys that think it's perfect in its currently buggy (but apparently very exploitable by experienced players) condition.”
    • “Some glitches.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the lack of enjoyable exploration and the need to engage in repetitive, time-consuming activities like signing up for races. Overall, the monetization approach detracts from the gaming experience.

    • “The game is terrible; it's a cash grab. Don't even bother. You can't just go out and have fun exploring, etc. You have to sign up for a race, then wait forever just to die in 4 minutes and then do it again. It's dumb.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players highlight that the game offers a profound emotional experience, often described as an emotional rollercoaster that can be both rewarding and draining in terms of time and resources.

    • “Give it a chance and it'll reward you with an emotional rollercoaster that will leave a lasting impact.”
    • “The story unfolds in such a way that it tugs at your heartstrings and makes you truly feel for the characters.”
    • “Every decision you make resonates emotionally, creating a deep connection to the narrative and its outcomes.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

30hMedian play time
44hAverage play time
3-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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