First Strike
- May 30, 2017
- Blindflug Studios AG
- 37h median play time
Get on Steam"First Strike" is a mobile-friendly strategy game that simulates nuclear warfare between nations. Players must carefully manage resources and technology to achieve global dominance, while avoiding retaliation and environmental catastrophe. With a variety of customizable options and a sleek, intuitive interface, it offers a tense and thought-provoking exploration of modern military conflicts.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Windows
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The game offers a fun and engaging experience with strategic gameplay centered around nuclear warfare.
- Graphics and audio are well-received, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The game is easy to learn but offers depth, making it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore players.
- Recent updates have introduced significant bugs, including loss of player progress and unresponsive controls.
- The PC version lacks content compared to the mobile version, making it feel like a lesser experience.
- Multiplayer features are either poorly implemented or absent, limiting replayability and competitive play.
- gameplay47 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the PC version is generally well-refined and offers more control compared to its mobile counterpart, though it lacks content and features found in the mobile version, leading to a somewhat stale experience. While the mechanics are easy to grasp and the strategic elements can be engaging, players have noted issues with bugs, unclear tutorials, and a lack of depth, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these drawbacks, many find the gameplay enjoyable and addictive, with potential for improvement through future updates.
“The gameplay feels well refined on PC, and I often feel much more in control of what's going on compared to the mobile version, thanks to the mouse controls and the level of precision I find myself gaining from that in interacting with the UI and game world.”
“The game time depends on you and the gameplay. Enemy AI has been improved; it's difficult to finish the game because the AI will also keep attacking you, and you have to keep expanding after the enemy destroys your zone. You have to think and move fast.”
“It's got a lot of deep strategy beneath the simplistic surface mechanics, and I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth and then some after just two hours.”
“The gameplay is a bit stale and there are some issues that detract from it.”
“Tutorial's vague, during gameplay unclear when/where/what to focus on, constant beeping sound effect is seriously annoying.”
“The mechanics are just so dull and the controls frustratingly clunky.”
- graphics21 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the improved visuals and sleek art style that enhance the gameplay experience, while others have noted issues such as glitchiness following a recent update. Overall, many users appreciate the aesthetic upgrades and find the graphics enjoyable, though some feel they are not groundbreaking.
“Awesome gameplay and stunning simple graphics.”
“The graphics have been improved, feel smoother, and the UI style has changed, which is good.”
“The art style is sleek—almost like a board game—and gives a perfect feel with the UI as well.”
“I did set all my graphic settings to the lowest setting available.”
“This game isn't hard, and its visuals are not super impressive.”
“After a recent update, the visuals are very glitchy.”
- stability14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent bugs causing crashes, freezes, and unresponsive interfaces that hinder gameplay progression. Many users report that objectives do not track properly, achievements fail to register, and various menus exhibit erratic behavior, making the overall experience frustrating and unreliable. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, with numerous game-breaking bugs still needing resolution.
“Very buggy, objectives often don't track which makes it impossible to progress.”
“It crashes often and freezes.”
“Now when I try to play it, it freezes after 3-5 minutes and doesn't unfreeze, so I must exit with Alt + F4.”
- music14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players enjoying the soundtracks and finding them pleasing, though some note that the music can become repetitive over time. While the soundtracks enhance the gameplay experience, there are suggestions for smoother transitions and more variety. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's stronger aspects, despite some minor criticisms regarding menu sounds and repetitiveness.
“I like those soundtracks anyway <3 never get bored in this game.”
“The game has its strongest points in its soundtracks, strategic thinking, and improvisation.”
“+nice set of soundtracks”
“Cons: repetitive music, very simple tech tree.”
“The game can get repetitive at times, which is why I recommend listening to music or a podcast while playing.”
“You don't hear a crying woman and the music doesn't slow down as millions die on Samuel Barber's 'Adagio for Strings' playing in the background like you do in 'Defcon'.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered decent, with several users highlighting the potential for multiplayer to significantly enhance it. The presence of multiple achievements and playable nations also contributes positively, although some feel it lacks depth compared to AAA titles.
“For £9, it's worth the price and does have a decent level of replayability.”
“This game would be perfect for multiplayer, plus it would add so much to its replayability.”
“The amount of achievements and playable nations adds plenty of replay value.”
“This gives the game little replay value.”
“Not a AAA title; however, there is fun to be had with enough depth to make it replayable.”
“I know it's hard, but please do, it'll increase the replayability a hundred times fold.”
- story6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a lack of a compelling story, with some players feeling that the game primarily focuses on defeating opponents rather than providing a narrative experience. While there is a hint of a backstory related to superpowers, it seems insufficient to engage players fully.
“I feel there's no story in here. You only have to beat your opponents with your nuclear rockets, or you can search for the story behind all of those superpowers.”
“No story.”
“Story?”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a key feature, with players finding it both funny and engaging, particularly in its satirical take on nuclear war and war crimes. The gameplay combines elements of frustration and humor, often leading to hilarious scenarios, such as unexpected missile launches and absurd strategic decisions. Overall, the game successfully delivers a comedic experience while exploring themes of destruction and power.
“It's a perfect mix of captivating, frustrating, and humorous gameplay.”
“Hilarious game, it satisfies even the smallest dreams of world domination and being considered a superpower like Kim Jong-un.”
“Really funny little game.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is described as a mix of exciting developments and destruction, with some players appreciating its fun and immersive qualities. While one game evokes a depressing, bunker-like ambiance reminiscent of the 1983 film *Wargames*, another offers a more uplifting, space-oriented perspective, showcasing a contrast in thematic atmospheres.
“Love the strategies that can be used in this game, combined with the entire atmosphere of exciting developments and destruction key to the theme.”
“A very fun and atmospheric game!”
“Both generally draw inspiration from that old 1983 movie, [i]Wargames[/i]; the former more so: [i]Defcon[/i] gave us an underground, bunker-like, depressing atmosphere.”
“Both generally draw inspiration from that old 1983 movie, 'Wargames'; the former more so: 'Defcon' gave us an underground, bunker-like, depressing atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere in this game feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to engage players.”
“While the gameplay has potential, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to immerse you in the experience.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive, often requiring significant time investment to unlock rewards and achievements. While some enjoy the challenge of hardcore mode, many express that the late-game grinding can become tedious and boring.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding... well after you beat all your opponents, you will get rewards such as new playable countries and rockets. Not too much... after you can already play with 8 countries, you can play hardcore mode, which is good for completing all achievements.”
“Not a fan - gets grindy, to the point of boredom in late game, even for easy games.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The mobile version utilizes a freemium model with ad-supported content, requiring a low monthly subscription to remove ads and unlock all content, while the PC version offers a one-time purchase without ads but lacks some content. Players are left with limited options, as the mobile version does not allow for a one-time ad removal payment, making it difficult to recommend either version based solely on monetization.
“The mobile version employs a freemium model of ad-supported content by default, with a low-priced monthly subscription to remove ads. This subscription also unlocks all content by default, instead of having to grind for every available superpower to unlock the newer ones. There is no option to pay once to remove ads and naturally progress through the game like you do on the PC version; you either pay monthly or don't pay at all.”
“The PC version at least has the benefit of not having any ads at all and is a simple one-time purchase. However, as previously mentioned, it lacks a lot of the content found in the mobile version, making it hard to recommend when discussing content exclusively.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game is largely negative, with users expressing a lack of attachment or desire to retain it in their library.
