Artifice: War Tactics: Review

Gameplay Overview

Artifice: War Tactics is a turn-based strategy game by Silvine Game Studios that blends roguelike elements in a medieval fantasy setting. Their debut title has an interesting take on the genre and is a highly satisfying experience. The game is a top-down/overwatch style game that is turn-based and has some very challenging and fun sections of battle.

Players take on the role of the leader of a rebel conclave aiming to overthrow Theosus, a tyrannical God-King, and assist Sirion, the last relic holder. Starting with three champions—Ranger, Pyromancer, and Zephyr—you’ll progressively unlock up to 12 heroes, each offering unique movement, attack patterns, and abilities. The game’s tactical depth emerges from understanding and leveraging the strengths of each champion as you advance through different regions.

Combat and Strategy

Combat in Artifice involves careful planning as each unit, including enemies, operates with distinct movement and attack ranges. The ability to preview enemy attacks adds a layer of predictability, making positioning vital. The various battle modes like Escort, Ambush, and Capture offer diverse objectives beyond eliminating all enemies. This keeps the gameplay varied and interesting – you are always on the move, trying to position your hero relative to where the enemy is.

Your heroes have a set attack path, and the enemy is always watching – during their turn, they reposition to surround you or try to escape the board if that is the game mode. They might attack you or the object you escort if you cross their path, so tactful and careful movement is crucial. In one instance, I completely lost my pyromancer, thinking a single archer would hit me if I crossed – it turns out all 3 did. Where it becomes fun is trying to outsmart the enemy and maximize your turn’s effectiveness. Optional objectives can provide extra rewards, adding flexibility to each mission approach.

Environmental Hazards and Customization

As you progress, you’ll face environmental hazards—like Sandworms and Frost Wraiths—that can be beneficial and dangerous. Skillfully using these hazards can deal extra damage to enemies, but missteps can harm your champions. Heroes can be upgraded with items that offer both positive and negative effects, requiring careful consideration based on your playstyle and the enemies faced. The UI is rather simple, and the music is a great addition. If you turn the music off, the game is quiet and feels like it needs more sound effects in some places.

Pacing and Replayability

Overall, Artifice: War Tactics is a solid game that offers a fun time if you are a fan of this genre. It is not innovative or grand in scale but holds its own and is worth the investment. While the game’s pacing is slow, especially with AI movement and careful decision-making, its tactical depth and rewarding moments shine through, such as effectively executing combos and using hazards.

The campaign offers a variety of challenges across three biomes, with a final boss fight providing a climactic finish. I had a great time while playing Artifice on the go on a recent trip, it was perfect on a ROG Ally and I highly recommend this game if you like a game you can quickly enter and enjoy. Though the UX could benefit from additional clarity, Artifice: War Tactics offers a fresh strategic experience that will appeal to fans of roguelike strategy games and chess-like combat scenarios.

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Happy Gaming