Templar Battleforce

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Templar Battleforce is a turn-based strategy game set in a science fiction universe. As the commander of a group of Templars, elite soldiers with powerful suits of armor, you must defend human colonies from hostile aliens. Customize your Templars' abilities, weapons, and equipment, and use strategic positioning and special abilities to overcome your enemies in tactical combat.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 729 reviews

story141 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Engaging tactical gameplay with a variety of classes and customization options.
Deep tech tree that allows for meaningful choices and replayability.
Active developer support with regular updates and community engagement.

Graphics are simplistic and may not appeal to everyone.
Some UI elements can be clunky and unintuitive.
The story is somewhat generic and lacks depth compared to the gameplay.

story
634 mentions
22 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in Templar Battleforce is generally well-received, offering a solid narrative that, while not groundbreaking, effectively supports the gameplay. Players appreciate the engaging lore and the way missions are tied together, though some find the dialogue and presentation lacking polish. The game features a variety of mission types and branching paths, allowing for strategic choices that enhance replayability, but the overall plot can feel derivative of Warhammer 40k themes.
- “Surprisingly deep and interesting story and enough strategy that your decisions on how to build out the tech tree have a pretty profound impact on how you play the game.”
- “The story is surprisingly decent, and I'm enjoying it so far; it's good at keeping the pressure on you.”
- “The story is very adequate for a game where the story is arguably not the main focus and works very well to build up the right atmosphere of tension and heroics.”
- “The lackluster dialogue and storytelling really kills it for me.”
- “The story is quite one-dimensional too.”
- “The story is mediocre, centering around colonizing a new system and fighting off xenos and cultists, but provides a few interesting moments.”
gameplay
281 mentions
30 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Templar Battleforce is characterized by solid, turn-based tactical mechanics reminiscent of classic games like XCOM and Warhammer 40K, offering a rich customization system and a variety of strategic options. While some players appreciate the depth and challenge, particularly with the unique heat mechanic, others find certain aspects repetitive or frustrating, especially regarding enemy respawns and the learning curve of complex mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging tactical gameplay and community support, despite its dated graphics and occasional clarity issues in mechanics.
- “Solid, simple mechanics offering multiple options and challenge.”
- “Outstanding tactical turn-based game, rich in strategy and highly enjoyable gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is well implemented squad combat on a grid.”
- “While the core gameplay holds up adequately based on my own experiences, the perpetual risk of overheating and the relentless influx of respawning aliens will undoubtedly prove to be a significant chore, even for the most dedicated enthusiasts of strategy games.”
- “I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but I'd say I've given this game a pretty good go, and I just find it quite boring... the tech tree is huge and mostly interesting, the story is fine, the loadouts are fine, but the actual gameplay is repetitive and dull.”
- “The gameplay is very basic and boring, even on ironman mode.”
graphics
193 mentions
24 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple, dated, and reminiscent of 1990s titles, often compared to classic pixel art. While they may lack the polish of modern AAA games, many players find them functional and clear enough to support the gameplay, which is praised for its depth and tactical complexity. Overall, the visuals are seen as a secondary concern, with the gameplay experience taking precedence for those who appreciate turn-based strategy games.
- “There's a lot of cool stuff, from the mechs, the visuals, to the character/army growth.”
- “The graphics are crisp and good enough to create a sense of atmosphere and engagement, while also not taxing any of the systems that I play it on.”
- “Don't let the minimalistic graphics dissuade you from what is a truly unique and compelling indie marvel.”
- “Templar Battleforce is unfortunately undermined by poor graphics and low production value, to put it simply.”
- “The graphics, in particular the terrain graphics, are poor to the point of being a hindrance.”
- “The gameplay itself is decent, but the pixelated style ultimately fails to achieve any unique aesthetic charm other than 'looks decades old', with extremely simple animations and sound effects.”
music
82 mentions
17 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature due to a limited number of tracks that loop frequently. While some appreciate the atmospheric qualities and emotional themes of the music, others recommend muting it entirely in favor of personal playlists, as it can become grating over extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a weak point, lacking variety and depth despite a few standout pieces.
- “Bonus points for the writing, which is pretty fun (vae victis!), and the music, which is actually incredible.”
- “There are times where you are surrounded or struggling to work out how to defend yourself against a wave of 'xeno' and the music definitely adds to the tension.”
- “Each soundtrack is crafted with an emotional theme in mind, ranging from an uplifting ballad of defiant action against the enemy to stress-inducing choruses that are played when the mission's stakes are high and the price of failure is higher.”
- “My only criticism is that I would like there to be more music tracks as the game is quite long and you hear the same 4-5 tracks for dozens of hours, which seems very repetitive.”
- “Id highly recommend turning off the music and listening to anything else because after a while it really starts to mess with your mind.”
- “The music is so terrible you will soon turn it off, which there isn't much excuse for.”
replayability
43 mentions
35 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its extensive requisition tree, diverse skill and equipment options, and multiple difficulty levels, including ironman mode. Players can enjoy varied experiences through different class builds and strategies, as well as a "new game+" feature that retains progress. However, some reviewers noted limitations in replay value due to repetitive missions and a lack of randomization in level design.
- “The requisition tree and massive amount of skill and equipment options give a huge amount of replay value, especially with the replay option once you have completed the game that keeps all your learned skills and unlocks so you can progress further.”
- “Branching mission paths, 8 different templar classes (with several different talent and gear specs) and multiple difficulty levels encourage replayability.”
- “For 10 dollars...this game is not just amazing, it's a huge deal...I have played triple-A titles that had less replayability. Speaking of replayability, I'm over 10 hours in, and the story isn't even half done...there are so many ways to play this game that even the same scenario can be quite different if you decide on all soldiers, all scouts, or a mix between ranged and heavy melee.”
- “Replayability is so-so with a lot of repeating missions, despite a game+ mode.”
- “There is limited replayability factor, and there is additionally nothing new with this 'alien invasion' story and the turn-based mechanics.”
- “Every level is mostly unique with different objectives, layouts, and approaches to them that create a scale of replayability and keep gamers interested to continue.”
atmosphere
17 mentions
59 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging graphics, immersive sound design, and rich lore, creating a compelling backdrop for tactical gameplay. While some reviewers note that the visuals may not be stunning, the overall ambiance—enhanced by atmospheric music and storytelling—effectively captures a sense of tension and heroism. The game successfully combines these elements to deliver a satisfying experience that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “The graphics are crisp and good enough to create a sense of atmosphere and engagement, while also not taxing any of the systems that I play it on.”
- “The music is also quite atmospheric, capturing a mix of gloom and heroic persistence to fight on against impossible odds to shatter the darkness and bring forth a piercing beam of light transmitting hope into the mentally crushed and spiritually hopeless.”
- “The story exudes atmosphere; it's basic but well told, and the ambiance is well-supported by the graphics.”
- “Hopefully a sequel comes out that gives it the dark, brooding atmosphere of the space hulk games while still being easy on your PC.”
- “There's no voiceover, which would add much to the atmosphere in my opinion. It is not short, but it feels short because of how fun it was.”
- “The sound is well done and it really adds to the atmosphere.”
grinding
11 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with some appreciating the lack of permadeath for time management, while others criticize the repetitive nature of missions and tedious narratives. The game can feel grindy, particularly due to slow cutscenes and unchallenging gameplay, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, while some enjoy the strategic elements, many feel that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- “So the moment you clap one, another takes its place making any kind of progress slow and tedious.”
- “However, the slow (and dull) cut scenes, the tedious tutorial, and the constant random spawn of enemy units from the floor all around is just bad.”
- “The strategy aspects are okay, but the game is just too rough and tedious to be enjoyed.”
optimization
11 mentions
82 % positive mentions
-9 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance across various hardware, including low-end machines. Loading times are quick, stability is excellent, and bugs are minimal, with only minor issues noted. The game's lightweight size and non-intensive graphics contribute to its strong performance, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.
- “Loading times are extremely fast, the game runs stable and there basically aren’t any bugs – performance overall is great.”
- “The core gameplay is solid and the game runs smoothly, which to me is the most important thing a game has to get right before anything else.”
- “The actual size of the game is less than 200 MB, and the graphics aren't very intensive, meaning I can throw it on pretty much any machine without worrying about performance issues.”
- “The optimization is lacking, as the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate even on mid-range systems.”
- “Despite the low file size, the game suffers from significant lag and stuttering during gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience.”
stability
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Overall, user feedback on stability is mixed; while some players report experiencing bugs and glitches, others note that the game runs well even on older hardware and that the developers are proactive in addressing issues through regular updates. Many users feel that the game is largely stable, with only minor problems reported.
- “The game runs great on my old, cheap PC, so that's always a good sign.”
- “As far as I have seen so far, it is bug-free, or very nearly.”
- “Played the tutorial and it was super buggy.”
- “I wasn't saying anything to be rude, but yeah, it is pretty buggy from what I saw.”
- “Some things are either buggy or just not clear.”
character development
8 mentions
50 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is described as minimalist yet effective, providing a glimpse into an intriguing galaxy, though it lacks the depth found in similar titles. While some players appreciate the engaging character development and meaningful choices, others note a desire for more customization and interpersonal drama. The game features a detailed leveling system and a variety of skills and upgrades, enhancing the overall character progression experience.
- “+ engaging character development with meaningful choices”
- “Tactical combat and character development are excellent, while the tech tree adds a layer of complexity that makes up for the more linear structure of the game.”
- “It has a very detailed leveling and character design system with tons of skills to unlock, not to mention all sorts of futuristic upgrades to the multiple weapons systems such as scanners, heat dissipating improvements, energy and physical shields, heavy weapons, and melee weapon upgrades, enemy detection, and stealth avoidance addons.”
- “So be forewarned, it lacks its cousin's commendably intimate character development and interpersonal drama.”
- “Fair price, no bugs, and the developers stay in contact with the community; I would hope for a title later from the same team with more customization and further character development.”
- “The plot and character development are minimalist, but I think it accomplishes exactly what it intends - a tiny piece of an interesting galaxy.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is minimal, with players noting a lack of comedic moments and a desire for more engaging character interactions. While some find the RNG elements amusing in a frustrating way, overall, the game could benefit from additional humor to enhance the experience. Players suggest that incorporating more lighthearted elements or character-driven comedy would improve the game's appeal.
- “It's a little funny, because there is this option to change the speed of the AI turn to high and it turns off animations.”
- “Some humor, maybe a character whose faith is challenged by seeing his people go through this, or anything to change it up a little would be appreciated.”
- “Downsides of this game include the lack of mod support (which, while the developers are working on it, may be a long shot at getting it to happen), some of the classes perhaps feeling underwhelming for a good while until you progress far enough into the game, and RNG occasionally laughing in your face and smacking you with massive damage and critical misses.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for resembling a rushed cash grab, featuring intrusive microtransactions and persistent prompts to connect online or watch ads for premium currency. Players feel that these elements detract from the overall experience, likening it to a low-quality imitation of established franchises.
- “Indie studio, looks like a cheap knockoff of Warhammer 40k, made in a hurry for a quick cash grab.”
- “Want BS microtransactions and constant nagging to connect to some online service or watch some ads for 'premium currency'?”
- “Want BS microtransactions and constant nagging to connect to some online service or watch some ads for 'premium currency'?”
emotional
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players feel deeply engaged in the game's universe, where their choices significantly impact the experience, making each stage feel unique. The emotional depth is enhanced by a thoughtfully composed soundtrack that complements the gameplay, evoking a range of feelings from defiance to tension, despite criticisms of the graphics and story.
- “This game made me feel involved in a living universe where choices matter not just on the battlefield. Progressing through a 'spacehulk' from stage to stage actually feels connected and unique rather than just the same old thing on a different map.”
- “Each soundtrack is crafted with an emotional theme in mind, ranging from an uplifting ballad of defiant action against the enemy to stress-inducing choruses that are played when the mission's stakes are high and the price of failure is higher.”
- “The game tries to evoke emotions but ends up feeling hollow and uninspired.”
- “Despite its attempts at emotional depth, the characters are one-dimensional and forgettable.”
- “The story lacks the emotional weight it aims for, leaving players feeling disconnected.”