Gods Against Machines
- February 26, 2024
- Cubiscape
"Gods Against Machines" is a roguelite strategy game where players protect their world from destructive machines. Every run is unique with procedurally generated maps and a variety of spells and blessings. Players defend huge crystals, summon buildings for defense, and cast epic spells to rain down destruction on enemy machines. The goal is to save the world from pollution and destruction.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and enjoyable premise, reminiscent of the creativity seen in the 90s gaming era.
- There is a good mix of roguelike and strategy elements, providing depth and replayability with various spells and builds to experiment with.
- The developer is responsive and regularly updates the game, improving balance and adding new content, which enhances the overall experience.
- The game can feel unbalanced, with many players finding that the basic spell is often the most effective, rendering other spells less useful.
- Some players have reported issues with pacing, as runs can take a long time to complete, and the gameplay can become repetitive.
- The lack of a compelling story and the presence of anti-magic mechanics can lead to frustrating moments where players feel locked out of their abilities.
- gameplay12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been described as straightforward and reminiscent of "Vampire Survivors," appealing to some while leaving others uninterested in its loop. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of mechanics and upgrades, though some find the upgrades lack depth and excitement. Overall, while the core gameplay is functional and enjoyable, there are notable criticisms regarding its simplicity and certain mechanics that detract from the experience.
“Spend 1-2 hours in the demo, this will introduce you to 95% of mechanics and features.”
“It is a fairly straightforward and simple game; you either like the gameplay loop or you don't.”
“Excellent job at slowly building layers of upgrades and some mechanics so as not to be overwhelming and not too many.”
“I didn't play for long, but it was long enough to tell I did not want to participate in that gameplay loop.”
“Yep, in my opinion, the core gameplay mechanics are more like Vampire Survivors than a strategy game.”
“Between obvious AI art, a stock GUI scheme (the same one Fractured Online uses), very indistinct art direction, seemingly unsophisticated gameplay, and 'right click for unit info' straight up not working, I fully expected a gaming equivalent of a supermarket hot dog.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as simple yet stylish, reminiscent of units from games like Supreme Commander, but some users feel they lack detail and variety, with maps appearing flat and empty. While performance is praised, there is a strong desire for improved visuals and more content to enhance the overall experience.
“Man, you have so much potential here; make this with good graphics and some more content and it would explode on Steam.”
“I'd love a detailed map, good visuals, and more content as well as much more variety in the approaches and differences in the playstyles between gods.”
“The graphics are simple but stylish, with the robot enemies looking similar to the units in Supreme Commander or Planetary Annihilation.”
“It's fairly indie and simple, and the visuals are just okay. The map is a bit too flat and empty, but it's rather big.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, revolving around a conflict between humans attempting to colonize a fantasy planet and a god tasked with defending it. Players seeking a deep narrative may be disappointed, as the focus leans more towards gameplay mechanics reminiscent of mini-missions in real-time strategy games. Additionally, the upgrade system is criticized for being unbalanced, offering few points for extensive upgrades.
“The plot is next to non-existent; as far as I know, it's about humans building an interstellar army trying to colonize a fantasy-themed planet, and you are a god protecting the fantasy planet and trying to defeat the human terraformer army.”
“So don't look for much (or any) story in this game.”
“Another negative aspect is that the upgrades are many and with many points that can be distributed, while on the other hand, the upgrade points that are obtained are very few. For someone who likes to unlock as much as possible, it is something that leaves me quite disappointed, among one mission and another.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its extensive variety of spells and blessings, allowing players to experiment with different builds across multiple runs, potentially exceeding 100 hours of gameplay. However, some users feel that the repetitive nature of the gameplay diminishes this aspect, leading to a lack of motivation to replay the same levels. Overall, while there is potential for replayability, it may not appeal to everyone.
“The fun of the game is more about trying out all kinds of different builds, as there are 60+ spells and 60+ blessings, while you can only have 5 to 7 spells and 10 or so blessings in one run. That's actually a lot of replayability; I'd imagine easily 100+ hours.”
“All in all, if you take this game as a semi-action roguelite that plays somewhat like a slower-paced Vampire Survivors in a skin that looks like an RTS, it's quite fun and can have a lot of replayability.”
“I don't feel like there's much replayability; I have no reason to play 100 levels again with constant clicking and basically no breaks.”
“The fun of the game is more about trying out all kinds of different builds, as there are 60+ spells and 60+ blessings, while you can only have 5 to 7 spells and 10 or so blessings in one run. That's actually a lot of replayability, but not to the level of Vampire Survivors or Slay the Spire. Still, I'd imagine easily 100+ hours.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the absurdity of "kamikaze alligators," which provide a source of consistent laughter as players watch these comically determined creatures charge at enemy bases with chaotic intent. This blend of unexpected antics and whimsical scenarios contributes significantly to the game's comedic appeal.
“One thing in this game has made me laugh more than any other: 'kamikaze alligators.' Watching those little guys waddle at the enemy base at mach 5, with the sole intent to ruin the machines' backyard barbecue, has had me giggling more than a few times.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch! The quirky characters and their ridiculous antics always put a smile on my face.”
“I can't get enough of the witty dialogue and hilarious situations. It's like the game knows exactly how to tickle my funny bone!”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding experiences vary among players, with some finding it a consistent element throughout their sessions while others do not encounter it as frequently.
“The grinding feels endless and often tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which really drains the fun out of the game.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and feels like a chore.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is considered somewhat generic but still enjoyable, complementing the overall experience. Players appreciate the strong performance of the graphics and commend the developers for their responsiveness.
“The music is a little generic but good, and the performance for the graphics is great. The developers are very responsive.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its strong graphical performance, and the developers are noted for their responsiveness to user feedback, although the music is considered somewhat generic.
“The performance for the graphics is great, and the developers are very responsive.”
“The optimization of the game allows for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers continuously improve the game's performance with regular updates.”