Guards
- August 19, 2016
- Battlecruiser Games
- 5h median play time
An accessible game to those unfamiliar with tactical RPGs, Guards has enough to satisfy newcomers, but its reliance on grinding as well as its limited gameplay system might persuade veterans to look for something deeper.
Get on Steam"Guards" is a single-player fantasy turn-based strategy game with good graphics and grinding elements. Command a team of 4 heroes with unique abilities and battle techniques, using an original turn-based system. With a variety of skills, magical items, and game tactics, players must plan their moves to defeat enemies and bosses across multiple levels. Additional difficulty levels provide a challenge for experienced strategists.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features an interesting core mechanic that requires strategic thinking and planning with hero positioning.
- It's a fun and casual game that can provide several hours of entertainment, especially for fans of turn-based strategy.
- The graphics and music create a pleasant atmosphere, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
- The gameplay becomes repetitive and grindy, with limited enemy and level variation leading to a lack of long-term engagement.
- There are significant balance issues, making it frustrating at times, especially when luck plays a large role in progression.
- The user interface is poorly designed, leading to misclicks and confusion during gameplay.
- gameplay30 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique turn-based mechanic centered around swapping heroes, which introduces strategic choices but can lead to frustration due to a poorly designed interface. While the mechanics are simple and accessible, they may feel limited and repetitive, especially for veteran players seeking deeper engagement. Overall, the game offers an entertaining experience with a relaxed atmosphere, though it may not satisfy those looking for more complex gameplay.
“The gameplay is very strange; it is a turn-based 'tower' defense, but turns will only progress if you swap your unit's positions.”
“This game is awesome, with nice tactical gameplay, relaxed music, and a good concept.”
“The mechanic of having to swap two heroes to move was a novel idea and made for some tough choices at times.”
“There are 7 possible actions each turn (6 different swaps + inventory), but the interface is not designed around this, so it's easy to choose the wrong action (swapping the wrong heroes) and it feels like wasted effort to do the core gameplay.”
“In terms of gameplay, there is so much more that could have been done - equipping different weaponry or spells - there are a few bonus items that can help, but there are so few options about when you can use them that it makes no difference.”
“While the game interested me, the game mechanics would be very suitable for smartphones and tablets, but its reliance on grinding as well as its limited gameplay system might persuade veterans to look for something deeper.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players finding them bland and uninspiring, while others appreciate their simplicity and cuteness. Although there are mentions of graphical glitches and low resolution, many users note that the visuals are pleasant and contribute to an enjoyable atmosphere. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they are deemed adequate for the game's strategic gameplay.
“The graphics may well be simple, but I find it cute and original.”
“Great overall design, great lightweight graphics make the game pleasant looking and give the feel of a quality product.”
“Simple, pleasant graphics, which make your eyes happy.”
“The only negative thing I can currently say about the game is that the graphics are rather bland.”
“It's a turn-based version of Plants vs. Zombies with fewer and shorter lanes along with simplified and fairly uninspiring graphics.”
“Overall, I didn't find the game very fun; I was not happy with the obvious mobile elements, and the artwork is stylized but of very low resolution and quality.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the game is heavily grind-focused, with many players finding the repetitive nature of grinding tedious and frustrating, particularly due to long loading times and a lack of satisfying upgrades. While some appreciate the accessibility and fun aspects of grinding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, especially for those seeking deeper strategic gameplay. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game can be enjoyable, it is best approached with caution regarding its grind-heavy mechanics.
“Repetition and grinding.”
“For so much grinding, there is not even a cloud save.”
“An accessible game to those unfamiliar with tactical RPGs, but its reliance on grinding as well as its limited gameplay system might persuade veterans to look for something deeper.”
- music13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and ability to create a relaxing atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with lovely and unobtrusive tracks. However, some players note a lack of variety, which can lead to the music becoming repetitive after extended play. Despite this, the soundtrack is often described as fitting for both tactical gameplay and epic battles, contributing positively to the game's ambiance.
“The soundtrack is also a plus; it always puts me in a fighting mood.”
“Music in the game is beautiful and unobtrusive.”
“Pretty good artwork, great music, and simple but strategic gameplay.”
“The music begins to pall after 7-8 runs.”
“There is not enough variety in the music.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- story6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and coherence, with many users noting that it feels more like a series of simple quests rather than a cohesive narrative. While some appreciate the moral of perseverance, the overall consensus is that the game lacks a substantial plot, making it more suitable for casual mobile play rather than a PC experience.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“The story is very 'plot: what plot?'”
“It does not really have a story element though.”
“There is absolutely no story.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as a warm and immersive blend of fantasy fairy tales and strategic adventure, appealing to players seeking emotional engagement rather than purely high-end graphics. It offers a relaxing environment that encourages thoughtful gameplay, making it accessible for newcomers while enhancing the overall experience.
“Imagine a game that brings the atmospheric fantasy fairy tales and strategy adventure to the modern gaming platform.”
“If you aren't a brainless graphics fan who only cares about visuals, and instead seek good emotions, a warm atmosphere, and a challenge for your strategic and tactical skills, this game will help you have a great time.”
“It helps you dive into the game by being the ideal bridge between the player and this masterful atmosphere.”
“It helps you dive into the game by being an ideal bridge between the player and this masterful atmosphere.”
“[Accessible gameplay system for newcomers, relaxing atmosphere to plan moves].”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, particularly for Linux users who may need to rely on the buggy Proton compatibility layer. Players report experiencing graphical glitches, flickering, and occasional crashes, indicating a lack of reliable performance.
“Apparently their programmer isn't working on the game anymore, so it looks like Linux users will have to force Proton, which is still buggy, or not buy.”
“Sometimes it loads, but I get weird graphical glitches and flickering. Sometimes it crashes my desktop too.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky design and lighthearted indie charm, which contrasts with the increasing difficulty as players progress. While initially appearing easy, the game cleverly challenges players to adapt and strategize, reminiscent of chess but with a humorous twist through its limited characters and unique abilities.
“Funny design.”
“This is a funny indie game. At first, you think it's so easy to play, and you want the levels to be more challenging. However, you quickly realize that without upgrading your troops, you will never complete the higher levels. It's like chess, but you only have four chessmen with unique abilities.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a strong sense of disappointment regarding the emotional value of the game, feeling that the price does not justify the experience and leaves them feeling scammed.
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Despite having low system requirements, the game suffers from notable performance issues, indicating that optimization could be significantly improved.
“Low system requirements, yet it still has performance issues.”
“Despite having low system requirements, the game suffers from significant performance problems.”
“The game is supposed to run on low-end systems, but I still experience frequent lag and stuttering.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, rating it 4 out of 5, thanks to the introduction of two new difficulty levels and the option to experience the game with different heroes in subsequent playthroughs. This variety encourages players to revisit the game for fresh challenges and experiences.
“Replayability (4/5) - The game offers two new difficulty levels after the first playthrough, allowing for a fresh challenge.”
“Replayability is enhanced by the option to start a new playthrough with different heroes, providing a unique experience each time.”
“The variety of choices and paths in the game encourages multiple playthroughs, making it highly replayable.”
