SGS Halls of Montezuma
- May 20, 2021
- The Strategy Game Studio
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Halls of Montezuma" is a strategy game set during the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. As the USA, your goal is to conquer Mexico City before opposition in Congress ends the war. As Mexico, you must hold out against the American invasion until internal politics can bring an end to the conflict. The game features multiple scenarios that cover different stages of the war, including the disputed territories in Texas and the famous 1847 campaign of General Winfield Scott.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers an interesting and often neglected historical perspective on the Mexican War, providing educational value alongside entertainment.
- Graphics and UI are well-designed, enhancing the overall gaming experience, and the game mechanics are intuitive and engaging.
- The game has been well-supported with updates, and the inclusion of historical events and newspaper elements adds depth to the gameplay.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs, including issues with unit movement and freezing, which significantly detracts from the overall experience.
- Gameplay can feel tedious and unbalanced, particularly for the Mexican side, leading to frustration and a lack of meaningful decisions.
- The tutorial and instructions are poorly executed, making it difficult for new players to understand the game mechanics and enjoy the experience.
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be quite unstable, with numerous bugs causing freezing issues and hindering gameplay, particularly during critical actions like attacking or laying siege. While some users find it a decent introduction to the genre, the overall experience is marred by these persistent technical problems.
“You will spend more time trying to get a unit or stack of units to attack a city or lay siege, and the buggy game will not let you do that.”
“Insanely buggy.”
“The game sort of freezes up because it is waiting for you to use the card, but it won't let you do anything.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their stunning quality and attention to detail, with many highlighting the breathtaking artwork and sharp counter graphics that enhance the overall experience. However, some users noted that certain elements appear somewhat blocky, indicating a mix of high-quality visuals alongside minor graphical shortcomings. Overall, the game's colorful graphics and well-designed UI contribute positively to its immersive feel.
“The graphics are amazing and the game engine/mechanics are well thought out and implemented.”
“The artwork is breathtakingly good and the UI excels.”
“Excellent, colorful graphics, an awesome soundtrack and manual, and a wonderful video tutorial are just icing on the cake.”
“- Marginal graphics - somewhat blocky.”
“The graphics are not very impressive and feel outdated.”
“The visuals lack detail and polish, making the game feel less immersive.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is enhanced by the inclusion of historical elements, such as newspapers and events, which provide a rich backstory and create innovative mission scenarios, like capturing territory to appease political opponents. This historical flavor adds depth and engagement to the narrative.
“Adding historical flavor in the form of newspapers and events is a nice touch, which sets some historical backstory and also allows for some innovative mission-like situations, like having to take a certain territory to show progress before political opponents to the war get angry.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, described as excellent and complementing the colorful graphics and overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances gameplay.
“Excellent, colorful graphics, an awesome soundtrack, and a wonderful video tutorial are just icing on the cake.”
“I think it looks nice and the music is excellent.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its impressive graphics and well-designed mechanics, indicating a thoughtfully crafted gaming experience.
“The graphics are amazing, and the game engine mechanics are well thought out and implemented.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly during battles, which can feel monotonous and unengaging.
“The grinding in this game is mind-numbingly tedious; battles feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience.”
“I find the grinding to be excessively repetitive, making it hard to stay motivated to play.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
