| Wargroove 2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) |
|
| Publisher(s) | Chucklefish |
| Producer(s) | Caoimhe Roddy |
| Designer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) |
|
| Composer(s) | Dale North |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Turn-based tactics |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Wargroove 2 is a 2023 turn-based tactics video game developed by Chucklefish with assistance from Robotality. The game is a sequel to Wargroove and received generally favorable reviews.
Wargroove 2 is, like its predecessor Wargroove , a turn-based tactics game in the style of Nintendo Wars . In each level, the player is presented with a 2D grid based map, on which they gather resources, use resources to recruit units, and use units to fight enemies. An important element of gameplay is the rock-paper-scissors nature of combat, where units are more effective against certain enemy units and can inflict critical hits if used in certain conditions. [1] Gameplay is largely unchanged between the games, though new units and commanders have been added. [2] [3] The game reintroduces the "groove" system from the first game, where commanders charge up for every action taken. When charged, they can activate a special ability. Compared to the first game, Wargroove 2 adds a second tier to the "grooves", where further charging them leads to a second, more powerful, tier of ability. [4]
The primary game mode of Wargroove 2 is single-player campaigns. [4] The campaigns are divided into a prologue that serves as a tutorial, three campaigns focusing on the story of a different faction, and a final series of missions that connects the stories of the previous campaigns. [3]
The game also introduces Conquest, a roguelike game mode featuring procedurally generated maps. [2] In each Conquest campaign, the player selects a commander and starting units, then proceeds through a set of battles. Unlike in the normal campaign, damaged or lost units carry over between battles, and in between battles the player has the opportunity to recruit new units or purchase special items. [5]
Also returning from the first game are both co-op and competitive multiplayer, which are played as skirmishes on dedicated maps. [3] The level and campaign editors were also reintroduced and improved. [3]
Wargroove 2 was developed by British studio Chucklefish, the developer of Wargroove , and Robotality, a German studio which had previously developed Pathway and Halfway . [6] It was published by Chucklefish, and released for Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch on 5 October 2023. [7] Its soundtrack was produced by Dale North. [8]
Comparing their work on the sequel to developing a new game, lead designer Stefan Bachmann commented that the studio tried to keep the essence of the first game, while making the sequel feel like a new game. Chucklefish and Robotality were in contact throughout the development process, allowing the developer to debate ideas with the studio behind the first game, and to eliminate new ideas that didn't work with the game. Bachmann commented that the partnership with an existing larger studio and game franchise game Robotality an advantage in the competitive indie game development scene. [9]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 82/100 [10] NS: 85/100 |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| IGN | 8/10 [4] |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 [2] |
| Nintendo World Report | 9/10 [5] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 81/100 [3] |
| TechRadar | 4/5 [8] |
| TouchArcade | 4.5/5 [11] |
| Multiplayer.it | 8.5/10 [12] |
Wargroove 2 received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic. [10]
Many reviewers found that the core gameplay was largely unchanged from Wargroove , but did not find this to be a flaw of the game. [2] [1] [4] [3] For example, according to Touch Arcade , "that game was kind of amazing so I think that’s fine". [11] The game contains much more content than its predecessor, with IGN describing it as "massive", [4] and PC Gamer describing it as "a lot of game". [3] The design of the campaigns was praised, with reviewers citing the freedom available to the player in completing missions, [1] the variety in mission and map design, [3] [4] [2] and the variety and replay value created by the objective system. [2] [12] Nintendo World Report found that the game was the best modern adaptation of the Advance Wars style of game. [5]
Several praised the new Conquest mode. Nintendo Life commented that it added gameplay and would be appealing to fans of roguelikes. [2] Nintendo World Report described the mode as the game's most compelling feature, offering a new way to experience the game. [5] TechRadar described the mode as an "exciting change of pace". [8] However, some were less positive. PC Gamer found that the mode, despite being well produced, was less fun due to the possibility of losing units without knowing they would be important in the future. [3] Multiplayer.it was more critical, describing the rougelike gameplay as eliminating the best parts of Wargroove by discouraging the player from fighting. Compared to Conquest, the publication also preferred the game modes that had been present in the first game. [12]
Tech Radar praised the art and visual design of the game, highlighting the pixel art style, unit animations, and map backgrounds that represent the game's geographical areas. [8] Touch Arcade described the game's presentation as "charming", citing its art, soundtrack, and writing. [11] PC Gamer also found the writing appealing, commenting that the game knew how to balance its serious story with humor. IGN found that breaking the campaign into parts improved introducing the player to each of the game's factions, but at the cost of making the overarching story less coherent. [4]
Quake III Arena is a 1999 multiplayer-focused first-person shooter developed by id Software. The third installment of the Quake series, Arena differs from previous games by excluding a story-based single-player mode and focusing primarily on multiplayer gameplay. The single-player mode is played against computer-controlled bots. It features music composed by Sonic Mayhem and Front Line Assembly founder Bill Leeb.
Mr. Driller is a puzzle video game franchise created by Yasuhito Nagaoka and Hideo Yoshizawa for Namco. The eponymous first game was released in 1999 for arcades and several home consoles, such as the PlayStation. Gameplay in the series consists of controlling Susumu Hori, the titular Mr. Driller, or one of his friends and destroying colorful formations of blocks to make it to the bottom of a well. In order to survive, players need to collect air capsules to replenish their depleting oxygen and avoid being crushed by falling blocks.
TimeSplitters is a series of first-person shooter video games developed by Free Radical Design. The games are often considered spiritual successors to the Nintendo 64 titles GoldenEye 007 (1997) and Perfect Dark (2000), due to overlapping elements in gameplay, design, and development team. Each game features a time travelling element in which players battle across a diverse number of locations and periods in history.
Lumines: Puzzle Fusion is a 2004 puzzle game developed by Q Entertainment and published for the PlayStation Portable by Bandai in Japan and by Ubisoft elsewhere. The gameplay tasks players to arrange descending two-colored 2×2 blocks to create 2×2 squares of matching color. A vertical line called the "time line" sweeps across the field, erases completed squares, and awards points. Each stage has a skin that affects the background, block colors, music, and the speed of the time line.
Crazy Taxi is a series of racing games developed by Hitmaker and published by Sega. It was first available as an arcade video game in 1999, then released for the Dreamcast console in 2000. It is the third best-selling Dreamcast game in the United States, selling over a million copies. The game was later ported to the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and IBM PC compatibles with sequels also appearing on the Xbox, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation Portable systems.
Incoming is a 3D shooter video game developed and published by Rage Software. The game was first released for Microsoft Windows in mid-1998, and was followed by a Dreamcast version, which was released in Japan on December 17, 1998, in Europe on October 14, 1999, and in North America on September 15, 1999. Set in the near-future of 2009, the game primarily revolves around controlling vehicles and turrets to fight alien invaders of Earth in one of the campaign modes, the arcade mode, and with or against another player. Some levels include brief real-time strategy segments.
Company of Heroes is a 2006 real-time strategy video game developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ for Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. It is the first installment of the Company of Heroes series, and was the first title to make use of the Games for Windows label.
Marvel Trading Card Game is a video game for the Nintendo DS, Windows, and PlayStation Portable. It was developed by Vicious Cycle Software and 1st Playable Productions and published by Konami. The game is based on Upper Deck Entertainment's Marvel Comics-based collectible card game, and was released across all three platforms in several regions in 2007.
Doom is a 2016 first-person shooter video game developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game is the first major installment in the Doom series since 2004's Doom 3 and was a reboot of the franchise. It was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in May 2016. A port for Nintendo Switch was co-developed with Panic Button and released in November 2017, and a version for Google Stadia was released in August 2020. Players take the role of an unnamed space marine, known as the "Doom Slayer", as he battles demonic forces within an energy-mining facility on Mars and in Hell.
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, released as Advance Wars: Dark Conflict in Europe and Australia, is a turn-based strategy video game for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It is the fourth installment in the Advance Wars series after Advance Wars: Dual Strike and was released in 2008 for North America on January 21; in Europe on January 25; and in Australia on February 21. A Japanese release was planned under the title of Famicom Wars DS: Lost Light, but was canceled after a series of delays. It finally became available in Japan through Club Nintendo in October 2013 as a downloadable platinum status reward for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
The Lord of the Rings: Conquest is a 2009 action game developed by Pandemic Studios and published by Electronic Arts. It is derived from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and borrows many gameplay mechanics from Pandemic's Star Wars: Battlefront games. The game allows the player to play as both the forces of good and evil.
F1 2009 is a video game based on the 2009 season of the Formula One motor racing series. It was released on the Wii and PlayStation Portable in November 2009 for North America, PAL region and the United Kingdom. The game was also released on iOS on 14 December for £6.99. The PlayStation Portable version was also available as a download from the PlayStation Store from 16 November.
Swords & Soldiers is a real-time strategy video game developed and published by Ronimo Games. It was released in Europe on May 15, 2009, and in North America on June 8. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, Wii, PlayStation 3, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch. Two Tribes released Swords & Soldiers on the Wii U eShop, which was released in North America and Europe on May 22, 2014.
Call of Duty: World at War is a 2008 first-person shooter game developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. It is the fifth main installment of the Call of Duty series and is the fourth entry in the series to be set during World War II. The game was announced by Activision in June 2008 and was released in November 2008, for PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, and Wii. Other games under the World at War title were published for the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2, featuring different storylines and missions.
Star Wars: Battlefront is a 2004 first and third-person shooter video game based on the Star Wars film franchise. Developed by Pandemic Studios and published by LucasArts, it is the first installment in the Star Wars: Battlefront series. It was released in September 2004 for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Windows to coincide the release of the Star Wars Trilogy DVD set. Aspyr released a Mac OS X port in July 2005, and a cellular phone version, Star Wars Battlefront Mobile, was released on November 1, 2005.
Modern Combat 5: Blackout is a 2014 first-person shooter developed by Gameloft Bucharest and published by Gameloft. It is the fifth installment of the Modern Combat series and the sequel to Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour. It was released on July 24, 2014 for iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8.1 and BlackBerry 10, on October 24, 2018 for Windows via Steam, and for Nintendo Switch on February 14, 2019. It is the first game in the series that is developed by Gameloft Bucharest.
Chucklefish Limited is a British video game developer and publisher based in London. Founded in 2011 by Finn Brice, the company specialises in retro-styled games. Chucklefish is best known for developing Starbound and Wargroove, as well being the former publishers of Risk of Rain and Stardew Valley.
Company of Heroes 3 is a real-time strategy game developed by Relic Entertainment and published by Sega for Windows. A sequel to Company of Heroes 2, the game features new mechanics and modes and is set in the Italian and North African theaters of World War II.
Pathway is tactical role playing video game developed by Robotality and published by Chucklefish in 2019. Players fight Nazis in tactical combat to recover occult artifacts in an Indiana Jones-style scenario.
Battle Worlds: Kronos is a turn-based strategy video game developed by King Art Games for the PC platforms in 2013. It is considered a spiritual successor to the Battle Isle series.