REVIEW : Punk Wars (PC)
Punk Wars was created by Strategy Forge and was released by Jujubee, with a PC version available. It combines an intriguing post-apocalyptic universe with traditional turn-based gameplay and 4X themes. The setup is straightforward yet effective: nuclear war has obliterated the planet, but survivors remain. Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Atomicpunk, and Steelpunk are four factions in the game that are attempting to create their version of a new society (fueled by their favourite element). The campaigns are rather immersive, with events that alter the firms’ statistics and allow the player to understand better how they are reshaping mankind. However, there is no diplomacy since the four sides are preparing to fight.
Punk Wars requires players to engage in traditional warfare and base and technology development. Military forces can move across hexes and attack throughout their turn, and each side has its own set of unique powers that can be rather strong. Bases begin tiny, but builders can expand and employ various structures to generate resources. Food and water are crucial to all four organizations, but uranium is only relevant to the Atomicpunks, and each group has its unique requirements.
The player can use research points to acquire new military and civilian technology, skills, etc. The few units that make it this far get to choose from various upgrades. The post-apocalyptic environment provides numerous options to minimize frontage, but many opportunities exist in the post-apocalyptic environment. The post-apocalyptic terrain provides many opportunities to reduce frontage but fewer opportunities to flank and win decisive victories. Fighting after a catastrophic disaster is ugliness personified, and it’s eerily similar to World War I.
The construction units are lost when the base is deployed, and the base is focused upon watchtowers that take territory. Early on in the game, there is a lot of conflict between the necessity to gather more resources, which necessitates the construction of watchtowers, and the fact that enemy troops are constantly roaming around, necessitating a higher priority for military unit formation. There were times when any decision I made felt important, which is a fantastic feeling in this video game.
Years pass, and another cycle comes to a close. Because of our greed and selfishness, our civilization has disintegrated. Now we understand that to prevent making the same mistakes, we must unify… and ours is the banner beneath which humanity might once again prosper. Our technology, philosophy, and way of life are the only ones capable of bringing happiness to the entire globe… we need to persuade a few obstinate leaders. Punk Wars is a combat and tactics-focused strategy game inspired by classic turn-based 4X games. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where the remains of a once-powerful megacity serve as the battlefield for a violent battle between four newly formed corporations vying for dominion over their respective industries.
The most serious flaw in Punk Wars is the extremely close fighting. The player and the computer opponents will find it quite simple to establish a strong defensive position. Unlocking technology that can swing the tide of a fight or ensure that difficult enemy units are bypassed takes time. To take down enemy attacks, players must move deliberately and ensure that they use defensive stances and reaction fire. Some stalemates forced me to reload to solve a tactical issue quickly. There is also no multiplayer in the game. By themselves, the campaigns and skirmish modes are enjoyable. Fighting another person to demonstrate the atom’s superiority over the other elements, on the other hand, would be a waste of time.
The tutorial functions similarly to a mission. An advisor guides you through the game’s fundamentals and informs you what to do. In addition, tooltips will appear from time to time. There are a lot of text boxes on the screen. It may appear daunting initially, but it is rather simple to comprehend. While this does not appear to be a major flaw, the tutorial is insufficient. When you initially start a game, you’ll find a slew of mechanics and structures that haven’t been described. Overall, the tutorial is inadequate. The campaign may provide more assistance in learning more. At all times, the advisor will be on your premises. Instead, the campaign is more akin to a skirmish mode, which does not give the word justice. You’d assume there would be situations or objectives to complete, yet there aren’t any. You can unlock a new skirmish map after winning a match with each faction.
The graphics are appealing, and the storyline is intriguing. This greatly enhances the game’s atmosphere. It is divided into factions, each with its own set of characteristics. Happenings spice things up, and they are exciting enough. It’s entertaining. It’s plain and straightforward, yet it’s accurate. Punk Wars appears to be a decent turn-based strategy game. Each faction/corporation has its appearance, and I admire the effort to make the mostly brown environment feel a little more alive. Although the tech tree implementation is a little awkward, the user interface does a decent job of conveying information to the player. Unfortunately, the sound design is uninteresting, and the song is monotonous and forgettable.
The tactical combat is decent, but it favours the defensive so that conflicts never seem thrilling because there isn’t enough room to carry out complicated strategies. It’s satisfying to go ahead methodically, slowly developing the base, deploying more units, choking the enemy, and obtaining a technological advantage that aids the final attack.
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