Wartile is the real time strategy game from studio Playwood Project Aps set within a traditional medieval-style setting. Although this may sound like much chartered territory, what makes Wartile a game that stands out from the rest is the stylisation of the game, lending a unique view of a popular genre that shies away from alienating players which can sometimes be the case in an overly stylised game.
As mentioned before the story of the game is one that has been done many times, in which you control a band of allies traversing across several locations and doing battle with enemy units. One unique aspect of the game however is the combat which manages to not only be something quite different for the genre, but also manages to be something that is completely intuitive and easy to pick up. I personally had no issues starting this game in understanding where to go or what to do, as it follows a model of game design in which “doing” is the way to learn.
It is a shame that many games shy away from this more simplistic approach to video game design, particularly within the strategy game genre, employing level trees, upgrades and all manner of other things which can often leave me as a player needing a 50 page almanac on how to get through a battle without dying. Wartile keeps the battle systems basic and straight-forward, which for me is a very welcome thing. For those who are more fans of the JRPG method of battling and levelling you may find this somewhat basic, however I found this to be far more engaging as someone who does not often play games within the strategy genre, which would be good for others who are new to such a genre.
What I found myself particularly enamoured with with Wartiles was its sense of atmosphere, mainly through its aesthetic design. The game is designed to look like a table top out of something like Warhammer or some of the maps within Dungeons & Dragons. This visual element is never at hindrance to the game or takes the player out, as the combat is such a large draw within this game that there isn’t a story as such to be detracted from. What this visual presentation does is set itself apart from other games of the genre and give a unique perspective on battle-oriented games, in some ways paying homage to the methods of playing prior to the advent of Video Games.
There is some replay value in this game so I do recommend looking into this game further, as I found its visual style charming and ease of use very rewarding. The game isn’t reinventing the wheel, however what Wartiles presents is a tight little real time strategy game that is well worth your time.
7/10
-James Burch13