Welcome to our review of Warborn, a tactical game that may not look the part, but sure plays damn fine!
Rise up and deploy for battle in the Variable Armour, a technologically advanced suit of war. As the political climate between factions is thrown out of balance and the solar system is engulfed in conflict, lead your strike force of deadly mecha towards victory in turn-based tactical combat.
Choose from four commanders, each representing a different faction and bringing with them their own unique power, traits, and playstyle. Think tactically as you move your units, clash with rival mecha, and watch the outcome in dramatic battle sequences inspired by 90s Japanese animation.
Call in reinforcements from orbit by picking from a range of mass-produced units with differing combat roles. Assemble a force to lead into battle and strike fear into the enemy with imposing second-generation Variable Armours, piloted exclusively by your commander. Push forward and secure your supremacy on a battlefield of hexagonal area tiles. Use a variety of terrain types to take cover or undermine the enemy, and capture structures to gain additional resources or deployment sites.
Inflict status effects, plant traps, support allies. Each type of Variable Armour is armed with its own specialist equipment and unique skills, allowing you to engage the enemy with a variety of tactical options. Warborn takes place in the Auros System, during a time of war and political uncertainty. While inter-faction disputes erupt, see the war unfold from the eyes of four different commanders across a story-driven campaign featuring over 40 missions.
With the recent release of X-com 2 on Nintendo Switch, Warborn is a game that might get lost in the shuffle. I have to say that Warborn is a game that does deserve some of our attention though. Simplistic in nature but fun to play, the way I would describe this game right now.
Simplistic because it is a basic tactical game with some basic graphics. This game really looks plain to me, but when I look at games like this, the big money is obviously in its game mechanics and how it really plays. It does play rather well. The menus are clear, the game itself plays very well and before you know it, you will be a while into the game.
As a tactical game in the x-com genre, because let us face it, X-com set the standard for this genre, Warborn does do a fine job to keep things interesting. Linear shooting, decent defending mechanics, and an easy way to move around. I had not encountered such an easy way to move around since the Rabbids game and I do often dabble in this genre.
There is a certain level of excellence in this game as you will instantly notice you are not able to just wing it. The levels are cleverly made up and you really need to bring your a-game, maybe not making it very accessible for all players, but mostly for the more advanced type. Personally, I already lost 2 of my troops in my second map. Just to give an example that this game is quite advanced.
In conclusion, Warborn may not look the prettiest but it sure plays very well. Great mechanics make this quite the hidden gem to find!
