The TakeOver

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 459 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
The TakeOver Game Cover
It doesn’t matter if it’s for nostalgia’s sake or just because you want a game to wind up and relax, The Takeover is worth your while.
Starting at €19.99Buy now
Get on Steam

"The TakeOver" is a turn-based strategy game set in a futuristic world. As a leader of a faction, players must expand their territory, manage resources, and develop technology to defeat opponents. With various units, abilities, and a wide range of environments, each playthrough offers a unique and engaging experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 459 reviews
graphics84 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions
  • The game features a slick visual presentation with beautiful graphics and animations.
  • The combat system is enjoyable, allowing for various combos and the use of firearms adds a unique twist to the gameplay.
  • The soundtrack is excellent, with contributions from notable composers, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks variety in enemy types and level design.
  • There are significant controller issues, with unresponsive inputs and bugs that hinder the overall experience.
  • The story and character development are weak, with generic tropes and poorly executed cutscenes.
  • graphics160 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant, colorful visuals and the blend of 2D and 3D art styles that evoke nostalgia for classic arcade games. While some players appreciate the detailed backgrounds and character designs, others criticize the inconsistency in art styles and the occasional roughness in execution. Overall, the game is noted for its impressive graphical effects and modern aesthetic, though opinions vary on whether it successfully captures the charm of its inspirations.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, but if a controller doesn't work then f*** that.”
    • “The graphics are polished for the genre.”
    • “The visuals are fantastic.”
    • “The graphics are technically high end but it completely lacks a cohesive style.”
    • “The ugly: the graphics and how distracting and disorienting the visuals are.”
    • “Now the bad stuff, the last boss is pure cheese, the art style is not for everyone, the comic book cutscenes are garbage, the artwork from intro screen to in-game to even comic book cutscenes is non-matching, makes me feel like multiple people had many visions of how the heroes should look.”
  • gameplay144 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Takeover" is a nostalgic homage to classic beat 'em ups like "Streets of Rage," featuring solid mechanics, responsive controls, and a variety of combat options, including special moves and firearms. While many players appreciate the fun and engaging combat, some criticize the AI, clunky controls, and lack of polish, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game is generally well-received for its visuals, soundtrack, and the enjoyable co-op gameplay it offers.

    • “Clearly inspired by Sega's Streets of Rage series, a solid game with good visuals and fun moment-to-moment gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is fun because the enemies are not too random (usually pretty predictable).”
    • “I've run through this game a couple of times now, and it truly nails the Streets of Rage and Final Fight feel – but even better, it expands upon that gameplay in a way you would expect a modern title to do: deeper combos and a wider set of tools to deal with the enemy waves, along with a fun rage and super call-down mechanic to supplement the standard special moves.”
    • “The gameplay was so bare bones that I could not even pretend to look forward to the next combat encounter. The soundtrack was sleep-inducing, and you'd think after 5 years they'd fix the controller issues, but yeah right.”
    • “The main problem is the bosses and how the gameplay flows.”
    • “Despite the obvious love for detail, I had to stop playing because of the numerous gameplay issues.”
  • music131 mentions

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its quality, variety, and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While some found it generic or repetitive, others highlighted standout tracks and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic beat 'em ups, particularly noting contributions from notable composers. However, there are criticisms regarding the inability to adjust sound effect volumes independently, which detracts from the overall audio experience.

    • “The music is fantastic and there's a surprisingly wide range of songs in different levels.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely outstanding and I was impressed by the variety of styles, ranging from electronic tunes to modern heavy metal.”
    • “The music rocks surprisingly hard at points, and the soundtrack deserves special mention since it's really good.”
    • “The gameplay was so bare bones that I could not even pretend to look forward to the next combat encounter; the soundtrack was sleep-inducing, and you'd think after 5 years they'd fix the controller issues, but yeah right lol.”
    • “Controls are a bit clunky, enemies are a bit monotonous; they look different, but behaviors are nearly identical, several balance issues, music is pretty terrible... doesn't even really stand up to classic 80's/90's beat 'em ups.”
    • “One of the few plus sides to this farce is that the music is pretty decent.”
  • story73 mentions

    The story in the game is generally perceived as weak and simplistic, often described as cheesy and forgettable, with many reviewers noting issues such as awkward dialogue and inconsistent character development. While some appreciate the comic book-style cutscenes and the nostalgic homage to classic beat-em-up tropes, others criticize the lack of depth and coherence, particularly regarding supernatural elements that feel out of place. Overall, the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay, with many players expressing a desire for more engaging content and character backstories.

    • “The story was good; it had a nice tongue-in-cheek feel to it with some over-the-top and funny moments that poked fun at itself.”
    • “The story is delivered via an inky comic book presentation which is cool, and it even has some branching.”
    • “Fun and satisfying combat, excellent soundtrack, and a simple, tongue-in-cheek story that doesn't overstay its welcome.”
    • “The story is not very deep and the voice acting is just barely passable, but that's part of the charm in games like this.”
    • “The enemies and backgrounds are repeated a million times, you can't spend the money you collect, a new character was added with no story or even character unlocked notification, the conversations are awkward and choosing between the two endings is pointless.”
    • “There is nothing noteworthy about the story except that the fifth stage contains some supernatural enemies that makes no sense.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as zany and fun, with moments that effectively poke fun at gaming tropes and feature exaggerated comic book-style cutscenes. While some players appreciate the comedic elements and over-the-top scenarios, others feel the story lacks depth and consistency, leading to mixed reactions about whether the humor is intentional or not. Overall, the game offers a blend of hilarious moments and a tongue-in-cheek narrative, though some aspects, like character illustrations, have drawn criticism.

    • “Game is hilarious fun!”
    • “The story was good; it had a nice tongue-in-cheek feel to it with some over-the-top and funny moments that poke fun at itself.”
    • “The story is told by using highly stylized comic book-like cutscenes with some hilariously exaggerated onomatopoeias.”
  • character development9 mentions

    The character development in this title is highlighted by its impressive and attitude-driven designs, drawing inspiration from classic characters like Axel and Blaze. Players appreciate the cool character aesthetics and the overall graphical quality, which enhances the gameplay experience, although some feel that the comic cut scenes do not align well with the in-game visuals. Overall, the character designs are seen as a standout feature, contributing positively to the game's appeal.

    • “My main favorite features from this title are its stellar and attitude-driven character designs, the very destructive stages always keeping you on your toes, and best of all, the soundtrack deserves the highest praises possible!”
    • “Great graphics, and the character design is pretty spot on; the combat also feels correct.”
    • “The player characters look like they were inspired by Axel (Streets of Rage), Blaze (Streets of Rage), and Haggar (Final Fight).”
    • “The game appears to be very early access, but from what I've played so far, the graphics and character design put it a step above your average early offerings.”
    • “Decent character designs.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is seen as decent, particularly for those interested in exploring all characters and co-op modes. However, many users express a desire for additional features, such as more weapons and playable characters, to enhance the replay value, suggesting that it currently falls short compared to other high-quality titles in the genre.

    • “Replayability is great if you want to play all characters and enjoy co-op gameplay.”
    • “The replay value here is fun and engaging.”
    • “I hope they bring back weapons and more playable characters to choose from, as this would enhance the overall replayability.”
    • “I wish there were more features to enhance replayability.”
    • “This significantly reduces replayability, which is important for the genre.”
    • “Modern games have XP bars and levels to increase replay value.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting various bugs and glitches, some of which can hinder gameplay, such as characters freezing or unusual movement issues. While some players managed to complete the game without major problems, the overall consensus is that the game is too buggy for a smooth experience at this time.

    • “The graphics are good, and the game runs smoothly without any hiccups.”
    • “The game maintains a stable frame rate, providing a seamless experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game is; I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs.”
    • “The game is buggy, and there was one time the character stopped walking; the only way to move forward was to jump.”
    • “Just having installed the game a day or two ago, I am experiencing some really buggy issues trying to play.”
    • “The game has promise, but it's too buggy to invest time into right now.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to enemies having excessive health even on normal difficulty, which leads to prolonged and tiring battles. While initial gameplay may feel engaging, the novelty quickly wears off, resulting in a repetitive experience as the game progresses.

    • “Enemies have too much health, even on normal difficulty, making fights tiring and tedious.”
    • “When I first played it, I thought it was okay and there were some move variations, but as you progress further in the game, it just becomes tedious.”
    • “The nostalgia drops off quickly in favor of tediousness!”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally praised for its smooth performance and nostalgic arcade feel, though some users report issues with controller setup for remote play and occasional glitches, including character stuttering. While the character design and effects are well-received, the comic cut scenes are noted as feeling out of place compared to the in-game visuals.

    • “Amazing gameplay, great to play with friends. The big sprites remind me of the classic arcade layout, which is way better than smaller sprites that resemble a console port. The frame rate and performance feel smooth, reminiscent of Midway's cabinets, like Mortal Kombat 2 for example.”
    • “The character design is great, and the effects are impressive. However, the comic cut scenes feel out of context compared to the in-game shaders.”
    • “The controller setup for remote play could use a little work, but overall, the optimization of the game enhances the experience significantly.”
    • “This game, when I first played it, felt glitchy and the characters had an issue with stuttering.”
    • “The frame rate and performance feels like a smooth midway's cabins, like Mortal Kombat 2 for example.”
    • “Comic cut scenes feel out of context in comparison to the in-game shaders.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game effectively evokes nostalgia, transporting players back to the 90s with its authentic design and music that enhances the experience without being intrusive. While the game is still in its early stages, it successfully captures the essence of classic beat 'em ups like Streets of Rage, striking a balance between engaging visuals and a fitting ambiance.

    • “From the moment the first area loaded, I was immediately transported back in time to when my little brother and I played Streets of Rage. This game was exactly what I've been waiting for since those days in the 90s. Thank you for making this game!”
    • “The music is nice and doesn't get in the way, but it adds to the atmosphere.”
    • “It's a bit rough (2 characters and is pretty short) because it's an infant, but from the moment the first area loaded, I was immediately transported back in time to when my little brother and I played Streets of Rage. This game was exactly what I've been waiting for since those days in the 90s. No one has ever done it right; it was either too over the top or the animation and atmosphere were way too cartoony due to the 'pixel art'. Thank you for making this game!”
    • “The music is nice and doesn't get in the way, but it adds atmosphere.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express that the game evokes strong emotions, often reminding them of their fond memories with other titles, highlighting its ability to resonate on a personal level.

    • “This game made me feel nostalgic and miss many other games!”
    • “The emotional depth of the story left a lasting impact on me.”
    • “I was moved to tears by the characters' struggles and triumphs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy The TakeOver

Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News