Allegiance

About

Allegiance is a multiplayer real-time strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Microsoft Game Studios and was released on September 29, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

Allegiance is a multiplayer space combat sim originally developed by Microsoft that offers the action of ship-to-ship combat. From small, agile scouts to massive destroyers, you not only fly but also man the turrets. With real-time strategy components such as fully upgradeable tech and massive multiplayer capability, Allegiance stands at the forefront of online interstellar combat.

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 154 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

graphics4 negative mentions

Microsoft Allegiance is a unique blend of real-time strategy and space combat, offering deep gameplay that rewards teamwork and strategy.
The game has a dedicated community that continues to support and enhance it, making it a living classic even after many years since its release.
Players appreciate the steep learning curve as it leads to a rewarding experience, with many roles and playstyles available for both pilots and commanders.

The graphics and user interface are outdated, which can be off-putting for new players and may hinder the overall experience.
The game has a very small player base, making it difficult to find matches outside of peak times, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
New players often face hostility from veterans, making it challenging to learn the game and integrate into the community.

graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
70%
17%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its nearly 20-year history, with many users noting that they are not up to modern standards. Despite this, some players appreciate the unique graphical style and enhancements, arguing that the gameplay mechanics and strategic depth compensate for the visual shortcomings. Overall, while the graphics may deter some, many agree that the game's engaging mechanics and cooperative gameplay make it worth experiencing.
- “The team play, the graphics, the flight simulation are all top notch.”
- “It has been enhanced with modern day graphics and a dedicated group of players always showing up on the weekends and occasionally during the week.”
- “Despite the age of the game, the graphics really hold up, especially the lighting effects on the missiles and the ships.”
- “It has horrible graphics, but it's fun as hell.”
- “Graphics, control schemes, etc., all reflect the age of the game.”
- “Sure, the graphics really need an update, but the game mechanics are still addictive once you understand them.”
gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
54%
14%
The gameplay of this classic space combat simulator is praised for its depth and strategic complexity, featuring fluid flight mechanics and a rewarding learning curve that enhances teamwork and tactical engagement. While the game has a steep learning curve and outdated graphics, players appreciate its unique mechanics, diverse gameplay elements, and the satisfaction derived from mastering its systems. However, some critics note a lack of gameplay diversity and a need for improved tutorials to better guide new players.
- “This is one of those hidden gems from thirty years ago that has simple-yet-deep gameplay.”
- “It has deep and satisfying gameplay, both in strategic aspects as well as individual ship management.”
- “The skill curve is incredibly steep, but once you're over that initial cliff face, you're greeted with a vast and plentiful landscape of strategy, mechanics, meaningful teamwork, and tactical space sim/combat that very much transcends the dated UI, graphics, and technology.”
- “There is a very steep learning curve, and matches are hard to find during non-peak hours, but still, if you like old classics, space, teamwork, and competitive gameplay, you will love this game.”
- “The gameplay the commander feels versus the pilots on his team is worlds apart.”
- “There is no diversity of gameplay.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The story in Microsoft Allegiance is criticized for being poorly executed, with a loose narrative and significant bugs that hinder gameplay. Players express frustration over the lack of accessible tutorial missions and an unwelcoming online community, making it difficult for newcomers to engage with the game's storyline effectively. Overall, the campaign's issues detract from the potential depth of its faction lore.
- “The campaign has more bugs than an anthill, but the faction lore adds depth to the loose storyline.”
- “The story aspect of the game provides an engaging backdrop, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The narrative elements, while sometimes overshadowed by technical issues, still offer intriguing insights into the game's world.”
- “The campaign has more bugs than an anthill, and the voice of the announcer is 2-3 times louder than the trainer, so I can't hear a single thing she's saying, especially on the command view mission where I need to hear her to continue playing. I nearly broke my spacebar key trying to accept her command (she said to press spacebar to continue), and it did not work!”
- “It got even more frustrating when I found that all the old tutorial missions had been disabled.”
- “Faction lore is weak, and the storyline feels very loose.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity, such as the exaggerated cost of in-game items and the comical effectiveness of strategic plays, like laying overlapping minefields and turrets that lead to unexpectedly humorous outcomes, such as enemy fighters being swiftly eliminated.
- “A player may even ask to buy a $4000 scout, which is kind of silly, but watching him lay down two overlapping minefields and drop three turrets on the wormhole to the enemy's main base, and then seeing half a dozen enemy fighters fly through and get destroyed in two seconds is hilarious and effective.”
- “The game's humor shines through in its absurd scenarios, like when a player tries to negotiate for a ridiculously overpriced scout, only to watch their elaborate traps hilariously backfire on the enemy.”
- “I love how the game combines strategy with humor; it's always a good laugh when a player sets up an overly complicated defense that ends up being both funny and surprisingly effective.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in "Allegiance" is characterized as highly hostile, particularly towards new players, a sentiment that has persisted since Microsoft handed over the game's management to the community.
- “The atmosphere in Allegiance was extremely hostile to new players, especially ever since Microsoft dropped it and the community took over.”
- “The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it difficult to immerse myself in the world.”
- “The overall vibe feels disconnected and uninviting, which detracts from the gameplay experience.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The music in the game is generally considered mediocre, with some users noting its absence at times, leading to a lack of engagement. Overall, while not the worst, it fails to leave a significant impact on the gaming experience.
- “Why is there no music?”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety.”
- “The music doesn't fit the game's atmosphere at all.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often requiring substantial time investment to progress. This mechanic appeals to a variety of gaming preferences, from competitive play to casual enjoyment, making it a versatile experience for different types of gamers.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game feels like a never-ending chore that takes away from the overall experience.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is exhausting and detracts from the enjoyment of the game.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game features a completely free monetization model with no microtransactions or grinding, allowing players to fully enjoy the experience without financial barriers. Users appreciate the depth of gameplay, including diverse factions and strategic teamwork, enhancing the overall satisfaction of the game.
- “The meta, the teamwork, the pretty deep tech trees, the 10 different factions, and the satisfaction of blowing up an enemy's base in a bomber or capital ship with the entire enemy team frantically trying to stop you make this worth sinking some time into, especially since it is completely free (no FTP microtransactions here!).”
- “This game is old but good; there is no grind, and there are no microtransactions.”
- “The monetization model is frustratingly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to keep up with others.”
- “It's disappointing that the game feels designed around encouraging purchases rather than rewarding skill or dedication.”
- “The constant prompts to buy in-game currency detract from the overall experience and make it feel more like a cash grab.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is generally considered unstable, with users reporting numerous bugs and issues, particularly related to outdated localization files.
- “Overall, the game is buggy and the localization files need an update.”