Red Glare
- January 24, 2024
- BT Studios
"Red Glare" is a WW2-inspired real-time tactics game where you play as agents of the OSS battling a secret German expedition in South America. The game features dynamic day/night cycles and weather systems, as well as a tactical pause mode for planning moves. In addition to the story campaign, there are also five challenge maps to test your skills. Enemies can detect blood trails and other disturbances, so careful planning and execution are key to success.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of the classic Commandos series, with engaging tactical gameplay and unique mechanics like a dynamic day/night cycle.
- Despite some bugs, the developer is dedicated to improving the game, frequently releasing updates and actively responding to player feedback.
- The missions are large and challenging, providing a satisfying level of difficulty that encourages strategic planning and execution.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches that can significantly hinder gameplay, such as input lag and inconsistent character movement.
- Many players find the lack of basic features, like hand-to-hand combat and a fully visible minimap, frustrating and detrimental to the overall experience.
- The game can feel overly complicated at times, with some mechanics not functioning as intended, leading to confusion and frustration during missions.
- story19 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as minimal, with only eight lengthy missions that focus more on tactical gameplay than narrative depth. While some players appreciate the engaging mission structure and immersive graphics, others note the lack of a compelling storyline, suggesting that the game prioritizes gameplay mechanics over a rich narrative experience. Overall, the story aspect appears to be underdeveloped, serving primarily as a backdrop for the tactical challenges presented in each mission.
“The gripping storyline, realistic graphics, and seamless controls make for an immersive gaming experience.”
“The variety of missions ensures lasting appeal.”
“Game is buggy and has no story.”
“Basically, there are only 8 missions.”
“Red Glare is an indie dev project made by one man on a mission to reignite that old school Commandos nostalgia with updated graphics, mechanics, and unique dynamics.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Gameplay in "Red Glare" is a mix of engaging tactical challenges and unique mechanics that set it apart from other real-time strategy games, though it is marred by bugs and inconsistent mechanics. Players express a desire for additional features, such as hand-to-hand combat and improved stealth mechanics, to enhance the experience further. Despite some shortcomings in voice acting, the game successfully evokes nostalgia for classic titles while offering fresh dynamics.
“Each mission is a tactical challenge, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.”
“Red Glare is an indie dev project made by one man on a mission to reignite that old school Commandos nostalgia with updated graphics, mechanics, and unique dynamics.”
“Overall, really enjoying this game and its mechanics.”
“There are a bunch of bugs that hamper gameplay: bodies will sometimes drop but visually your character is still carrying it.”
“Every mechanic sometimes works, sometimes not.”
“Add basic hand-to-hand combat to all units; that should give a bit of freshness to the gameplay and allow for unlocking situations in a logical way rather than a messy one.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally criticized due to the presence of bugs and glitches, with some users reporting occasional issues that are not game-breaking. While minor visual glitches exist, they do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
“The game is buggy and lacks a coherent story.”
“There are numerous glitches and bugs throughout the gameplay.”
“While there are some minor bugs and visual glitches, they are not game-breaking.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are praised for their high detail and user-friendly design, enhancing playability while evoking nostalgia through updated visuals. The realistic graphics contribute to an immersive experience, complemented by seamless controls and a gripping storyline.
“The gripping storyline, realistic graphics, and seamless controls make for an immersive gaming experience.”
“Red Glare is an indie dev project made by one person on a mission to reignite that old-school Commandos nostalgia with updated graphics, mechanics, and unique dynamics.”
“Focusing on higher and detailed graphics while ensuring the game remains playable, more visible, and user-friendly is essential.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models look flat and lifeless, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The environments feel bland and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game performs smoothly without major issues, but some users note that the controls can feel clunky initially and that optimization could be improved.
“Performance-wise, it runs smoothly without any hitches.”
“The optimization is top-notch, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate throughout.”
“Controls feel a bit clunky at first, and optimization is not quite there.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is well-aligned with its overall mood, enhancing the experience, and features catchy tracks, particularly noted during the red glare event.
“The music is very much suited to the mood, and the Red Glare event music is very catchy.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, tapping into past memories and emotions effectively.
“If anything, it made me feel nostalgic.”