WARBORN
- June 12, 2020
- Raredrop Games Ltd
- 30h median play time
Warborn set out to bring a great tactics game inspired by mech anime and I would say it has. It misses the mark here and there but fans of tactics games should consider this a victory.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"WARBORN is a Science Fiction Turn Based Strategy game, offering both single-player and multiplayer options including PvP. Command a strike force of deadly mecha, choosing from four distinct factions and their unique powers, traits, and playstyles. Engage in tactical combat, calling in reinforcements and maneuvering across a hexagonal battlefield, seeking advantage in terrain types and cover."
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Offers a lengthy campaign with around 25-30 hours of gameplay, providing good value, especially on sale.
- Solid turn-based tactical gameplay reminiscent of Advance Wars, with a variety of units and special skills.
- Polished visuals and a smooth UI enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, with missions lacking variety and challenge as the campaign progresses.
- AI is often unchallenging, making it easy to brute force through levels without much strategy required.
- The story and character development are underwhelming, with clichéd elements and a lack of depth in the narrative.
- story23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story is a grounded sci-fi military narrative featuring four different commanders, but it lacks depth and character development, often relying on clichés like the "chosen one" trope. While the campaign offers a substantial number of missions, many players find the plot unengaging and repetitive, with some missions dragging on. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling element, leaving it feeling underwhelming for those seeking a rich narrative experience.
“The story is a grounded sci-fi military tale.”
“It had a very good 41 mission campaign package with an interesting story.”
“Perfect balance of story, beautiful art, inspiring music, and challenging gameplay.”
“The story exists but isn't fantastic.”
“-story/characters not well developed.”
“I enjoyed it when it first started but 5 hours in it drags to the point even the main story doesn't keep it going.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its strategic turn-based mechanics and unit variety, reminiscent of classic titles like Advance Wars. However, some critiques highlight issues such as a lack of clear communication regarding game mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and underutilized features. Overall, while the game offers a solid and relaxing experience, especially in its lengthy campaign and multiplayer options, it may not justify its full price for everyone.
“Gameplay: very reminiscent of Advance Wars.”
“Most of the issues are just nitpicks, the gameplay is great.”
“I love the unit variety, and gameplay is pretty streamlined, while still providing enough depth in my opinion.”
“Regardless, the mechanic is not fun.”
“I would say it's probably not worth the full purchase price at this time, even for a mecha fan, due to the sort of repetitive nature of its gameplay and nothing special in the plot department.”
“The units might look like mechs, but they lack any gameplay related to the units being mechs.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature a distinct anime art style, with visuals and animations that some players find sterile and lacking in creativity, particularly in the design of maps and mechs. While the mech theme is present, it feels superficial, suggesting that the graphics could easily be adapted to other settings without losing coherence. Overall, the user interface and graphical elements do not significantly enhance the gameplay experience.
“The visuals, art style, animations, and UI are impressive.”
“The mech theme is only superficial; you could mod the game unit graphics into other settings and it would work just the same.”
“The art style is very anime.”
“The mech theme is only superficial; you could mod the game unit graphics into another setting and it would work just the same.”
“The graphical style, especially the maps and mechs during combat, feels pretty sterile. Gameplay doesn't throw up any surprises, and commander powers and perks are totally under-utilized.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its inspiring quality and perfect balance with the story and art, enhancing the overall experience. However, some users noted that certain sound effects could be improved, while the soundtrack is described as decent and fitting for the game's relaxed gameplay.
“Perfect balance of story, beautiful art, inspiring music, and challenging gameplay.”
“Decent soundtrack that complements the solid turn-based tactical gameplay.”
“The flow of battle is pretty chilled out and perfect for relaxing portable sessions.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is characterized by a lack of mech customization and localized damage effects, as mechs maintain their performance regardless of health loss, except when affected by specific debuffs. This design choice highlights the significance of buffs and debuffs in gameplay.
“Mechs have different resistances to various types of damage, and performance doesn't degrade as they lose health, which emphasizes the importance of buffs and debuffs.”
“The optimization of mech performance is crucial, as it allows players to strategize effectively by utilizing buffs and debuffs to enhance their capabilities.”
“For example, there is no mech customization, not even changing weapons, and no localized damage, or even performance degradation due to damage other than when hit with specific debuff attacks.”
“Mechs have different resistances to various types of damage and performance doesn't degrade as they lose health, which emphasizes the importance of buffs and debuffs.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Many users feel that while the game successfully captures the fundamentals of its genre, it quickly devolves into a repetitive grind just a few missions into the campaign, lacking the depth needed to keep players engaged.
“It gets all the basics of the genre right, but it simply lacks any depth and becomes incredibly grindy only a few missions into the campaign.”
“The game starts off strong, but quickly devolves into repetitive grinding that feels more like a chore than fun.”
“After a while, the grinding becomes tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the story or the characters.”
Critic Reviews
Warborn [Nintendo Switch] | REVIEW
Warborn offers a slick and fun strategy experience, though it is one that plays it safe and doesn’t really offer anything that you wouldn’t have seen before. Fortunately, what it does offer is of a high quality, so it’s hard to complain – especially when you consider there’s plenty of hours of enjoyment to be had across its lengthy campaign and the intuitive map editor (which can also be used for online battles, which is always a plus). If you’re looking for some neat strategy fun on your Nintendo Switch, you’ll certainly want to check Warborn’s frantic sci-fi action out.
80%Warborn GBAtemp review
Warborn set out to bring a great tactics game inspired by mech anime and I would say it has. It misses the mark here and there but fans of tactics games should consider this a victory.
74%Warborn Review – Turn based Mecha Carnage!
Warborn is a solid turn based RTS that could stand to take a risk or two. Too safe, needs improvement.
74%
