WARBORN

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 51 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
WARBORN Game Cover
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.
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"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
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 51 reviews
gameplay6 positive mentions
story7 negative mentions
  • Warborn offers a solid turn-based strategy experience with no RNG, ensuring that success is based purely on player strategy and decision-making.
  • The game features a variety of unit types with unique abilities, allowing for diverse tactical options and encouraging players to think critically about unit matchups and terrain advantages.
  • With a lengthy campaign, a map editor, and multiplayer options, Warborn provides ample content and replayability for fans of the genre.
  • The AI is often criticized for being simplistic and making poor tactical decisions, which can diminish the challenge and enjoyment of the game.
  • Many players find the story and character development lacking, with a generic narrative that fails to engage or resonate emotionally.
  • The game suffers from a clunky UI and various technical issues, including limited customization options and a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics compared to other titles in the genre.
  • story52 mentions

    The game's story features a 40-mission campaign divided among four factions, each with unique commanders, but it is often criticized for being generic and lacking emotional depth. While some players appreciate the overarching narrative and character dynamics, many find the exposition weak and the missions repetitive, leading to a mixed reception regarding the storytelling quality. Overall, the campaign provides a solid framework for gameplay, but the narrative fails to leave a lasting impact.

    • “The game has a forty mission campaign with ten missions per faction, and an overarching story that ties them all together.”
    • “The campaign and story are quite fun and reminiscent of the Gundam universe.”
    • “Perfect balance of story, beautiful art, inspiring music, and challenging gameplay.”
    • “The story exists but isn't fantastic.”
    • “The story is very generic but certainly serviceable.”
    • “The first 10 missions are the most poor exposition dumps about lore and setting I have seen in a while.”
  • gameplay24 mentions

    The gameplay of Warborn is characterized by its turn-based, hex-based strategy mechanics, drawing comparisons to titles like Panzer General and Advance Wars. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and unit variety, some criticize the sluggishness of movement and lack of clarity regarding game mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of simplicity and challenge, making it enjoyable for casual play, though some feel it may not justify its full price.

    • “The gameplay design is excellent, and I really appreciate the fact that the mission outcomes are entirely dependent on strategy rather than the caprice of RNG.”
    • “I love the unit variety, and gameplay is pretty streamlined, while still providing enough depth in my opinion.”
    • “Gameplay is easy to play, but difficult to master.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely sluggish - units have very limited movement distance (often moving only a single tile right after they spawn in their next turn).”
    • “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.”
  • music17 mentions

    The music in Warborn has received high praise for its rock-based soundtrack, with standout basslines and compositions that resonate with fans of Noriyuki Iwadare. While some reviews highlight the soundtrack as spectacular and inspiring, others find it merely decent, indicating a mixed reception overall. The balance of music with visuals and gameplay is noted positively, though some players felt the music was not memorable.

    • “The soundtrack is spectacular in all aspects.”
    • “The basslines throughout the entire soundtrack are splendid -- aside from vintage Wishbone Ash, I usually don't hear such high basslines, and it's a real refreshing treat.”
    • “All in all, Warborn has the best soundtrack I've heard in quite a long time.”
    • “Then you have a song like the Shadow Wolves' theme, which sounds eerily similar to the enemy battle (Swift Attack) theme from Front Mission 2.”
    • “The music is decent but not good.”
    • “Oh, there was music in this game?”
  • graphics17 mentions

    The game's graphics are a mix of simplistic 2D art and a nostalgic anime aesthetic reminiscent of 70s and 80s Japanese cartoons, which some players appreciate for its charm. However, many reviewers criticize the lack of substantial graphical improvements and animations, leading to a repetitive visual experience. Overall, while the art style is appealing to some, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking modern graphical fidelity.

    • “I love the graphics and the look of the game.”
    • “Maybe, it is definitely a good looking sci-fi hex-grid turn-based strategy game in anime aesthetics.”
    • “The 80's anime art style only makes it that much better and visually appealing.”
    • “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
    • “It's 2024; you know, computers are capable of rendering their own 3D graphics now!”
    • “Graphics and art are alright, but you will get tired of those boring animations and the fact that units from both sides look the same, unlike games like Wargroove.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Warborn offers decent replayability through its extensive content, including over 40 missions, a robust map editor, and multiplayer options. However, players may find limited replay value in the main campaign after completion, potentially relying on future updates to enhance multiplayer experiences. Overall, the map editor and multiplayer features are key to extending the game's longevity for dedicated fans.

    • “With over 40 missions, some replayability, a great map editor, as well as multiplayer, Warborn offers a lot of value for the price.”
    • “Hooray for replayability!”
    • “Once you complete the main campaign, it will be difficult to find any replayability in Warborn without future updates to multiplayer, so keep that in mind.”
    • “The map editor and multiplayer will offer replay value for those who fall in love with Warborn.”
  • optimization2 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.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by a diverse and eclectic soundtrack that combines rock, metal, orchestral, country, and unique "cowboy bebop-esque space western-inspired blues," creating a fitting backdrop for the game's themes.

    • “There's a good blend of rock, metal, orchestral, country, and a genre I can only describe as 'cowboy bebop-esque space western-inspired blues,' which perfectly fits Warborn's atmosphere.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including numerous bugs, a simplistic AI, a poorly designed user interface, and an unbalanced gameplay experience, all contributing to an uninspired narrative.

    • “Extremely buggy, simplistic AI, terrible UI, unbalanced, and uninspired story.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its lackluster story, which fails to establish a meaningful connection between players and the characters.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

30hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
30-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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