Ironclad Tactics
- September 17, 2013
- Zachtronics
A clever reworking of the card-based strategy game formula, which could stand to be just a little more rewarding.
Get on SteamIronclad Tactics is a card-based tactics game set during the American Civil War. Players command ironclad warships and soldiers, using cards to deploy units, execute special abilities, and give orders. The game features a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, with a focus on strategic decision-making and fast-paced combat.
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Playstation 4
Windows
Android
Linux
Mobile Platform
PlayStation
Tablet
Reviews
- Ironclad Tactics offers a unique blend of real-time and turn-based strategy, making it engaging and fun.
- The game features beautiful steampunk graphics and a charming story told through comic strips.
- There is a good amount of content available, including expansions and a new game plus mode, providing replayability.
- The real-time mechanics can be frustrating, as the timer often limits strategic thinking and decision-making.
- The game can feel overly reliant on luck due to random card draws, which can lead to frustrating losses.
- The initial campaign is relatively short, and some players may find the difficulty spikes to be unbalanced.
- story204 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story is presented through visually appealing comic strips, adding a charming steampunk aesthetic to the game. While some players found the narrative engaging and well-crafted, others criticized it for being mediocre and lacking depth, with a frustrating reliance on random chance affecting gameplay. Overall, the story serves its purpose but could benefit from more development and coherence, especially in character arcs and mission briefings.
“The story is fantastic, and neat as it's told in a comic book style.”
“The campaign is beautifully illustrated and offers all sorts of diverse missions, and even includes boss fights.”
“The story missions are linked through nicely made comics, reinforcing the feeling that overall this game has been carefully crafted.”
“The first issue is the story.”
“While this is an alright game, it's pretty standard and the storyline could use some work.”
“The plot and characters are nothing but annoyances and the mechanics aren't balanced.”
- gameplay102 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Ironclad Tactics is a mixed bag, featuring a unique blend of turn-based strategy and collectible card game mechanics that some players find addictive and engaging, while others criticize it for being overly reliant on card draw randomness and a restrictive timer that diminishes strategic depth. Many appreciate the solid mechanics, beautiful visuals, and the challenge of deck-building, but some feel that the gameplay can become tedious and unbalanced, particularly in single-player mode. Overall, it offers a compelling experience for fans of the genre, though it may not satisfy everyone due to its pacing and design choices.
“This game was simply put a very solid game - solid mechanics, solid story, solid graphics.”
“At the end of the day, Ironclad Tactics is a unique CCG, it has great gameplay, and a great feel as well as a ton of content.”
“The gameplay is addictive and the art style is appealing.”
“Having slot machine mechanics and calling it tactics is just not my idea of fun.”
“Single player gameplay and card unlocks are tied to a tedious story and grueling challenges that never left me feeling like I was actually learning anything about how to play.”
“The gameplay feels very random with who wins each fight based on what cards they get at the start.”
- graphics48 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and appealing comic book style, effectively creating a coherent steampunk atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the well-drawn artwork and solid visual presentation, which enhance the storytelling and overall gameplay experience. While some mention that the graphics are not groundbreaking, they still contribute positively to the game's charm and aesthetic appeal.
“The story is told via well-drawn comic strips, and the steampunk graphics look great.”
“++ Very nice graphics create a coherent steampunk atmosphere.”
“Fun comic-style graphics illustrate a neat little story.”
“Poor graphics, easy to learn but tactic options are extremely limited; ideal for kids.”
“First impressions: graphical style is solid, albeit, not amazing, but - good.”
“The visuals of the game are quite striking, but the overall graphics do not stand out.”
- music18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising Evan le ny's orchestral soundtrack for its fitting style and quality. While some reviewers noted that the music does not particularly stand out, others found it to be top-notch and even expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack. Overall, the score complements the game's vibrant art style and enhances the overall experience.
“Evan Le Ny returns to do the soundtrack, which once again fits the style well.”
“It's a pretty solid choice, with a vibrant, unique art style, a really great American-orchestral soundtrack, and quite a lot of post-main-story fun.”
“Also, the music is top notch to the point where I want to buy the soundtrack to this game.”
“-+music is fitting enough, but does not really stand out.”
“Credits and musical score at the end were rocking.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, often feeling more like a visual novel than an interactive experience. The slow-paced tutorials and repetitive challenges detract from the enjoyment, leading to a sense of boredom rather than skill development. While the gameplay concept is intriguing, it ultimately devolves into a frustrating waiting game reliant on luck.
“It's more 'visual novel' than gameplay; what little gameplay there is is quite boring and tedious.”
“I got bored during the very slow, tedious tutorial...”
“Single player gameplay and card unlocks are tied to a tedious story and grueling challenges that never left me feeling like I was actually learning anything about how to play.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is driven by the opportunity to build unique decks and explore various synergies, which many players find engaging. However, some users feel that the game's pacing can detract from the experience, and there are concerns about its overall depth, with a few noting it can be easily completed. Despite these criticisms, the game is praised for its polish and the presence of numerous challenges that enhance replay value.
“Extremely polished with excellent replay value!”
“Very engaging and fun; lots of challenges so plenty of replay value.”
“I want to build cool decks with interesting synergies and test them out - that's where most of this game's replayability comes from.”
“I want to build cool decks with interesting synergies and test them out - that's where most of this game's replayability comes from - but the fact that I have to play at the game's pace rather than my own spoils the fun.”
“However, it can be easily beaten and is a bit lacking in replayability.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its engaging steampunk atmosphere, enhanced by impressive graphics and whimsical comic-book style cut scenes. Players appreciate the unique design of coal-powered automatons and the humorous equipment options, although some find the gameplay mechanics to be occasionally slow and clunky. Overall, the atmosphere is described as fun and coherent, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“Very nice graphics create a coherent steampunk atmosphere.”
“The comic-book style cut scenes between scenarios add to the fun atmosphere.”
“I like the quasi-steampunk atmosphere and the comically proportioned coal-powered automatons that you can equip with a variety of interesting and sometimes hilarious equipment, like rifles, cannons, trumpets, and even a cat.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of monetization, featuring no microtransactions and allowing players to unlock cards solely through gameplay. This approach enhances the overall experience, making it a standout title in the collectible card game genre.
“It's a solid CCG, and with not even a hint of monetization, that's fantastic as well.”
“No microtransactions!!!”
“There are no microtransactions and cards are only unlocked by playing the game.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a unique blend of humor through its comic strip cutscenes and the whimsical design of coal-powered automatons equipped with amusing items like trumpets and cats. Players often find themselves in hilariously chaotic situations during cooperative gameplay, especially when miscommunications lead to unexpected and funny outcomes. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that enhances the game's quirky steampunk atmosphere.
“This game is very unique, starting off with nice comic strip funny cutscenes, and has gameplay that's a mix of TCG and real-time 4-row card play!”
“Additionally, the story can be played in online co-op as the players fight together and have to coordinate their strategy. Good communication seems pretty much required to succeed without making stupid mistakes - well, these mistakes still happen on voice communication and can be hilarious, such as when one player decides to give a speed boost to a unit from the second player who decided that it should strategically hold position.”
“I like the quasi-steampunk atmosphere and the comically proportioned coal-powered automatons that you can equip with a variety of interesting and sometimes hilarious equipment, like rifles, cannons, trumpets, and even a cat.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a deep and heartwarming story that resonates with players, evoking a sense of warmth and connection.
“The story is fairly deep and quite heartwarming.”
