Wow – I wasn’t expecting this when I fired up the Drone Perspective demo. It’s easily the most unique game I’ve played in 2024, and it’s been living rent-free in my head ever since.

The game puts you in the hot seat as a drone operator, commanding Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie teams from miles away. On paper, it’s a solid real-time tactics game where you’re juggling squad positions and orchestrating precision strikes. But there’s something deeper here that got under my skin. Every time I lost a soldier, it hit different – not just as a gameplay fail, but as a genuine weight on my conscience. The game nails that burden of command without beating you over the head with it.

What really messed with my head was how natural it felt to direct all this chaos from my cushy operator’s chair. The gameplay is engaging as hell, but there’s this constant undercurrent of unease about what you’re actually doing. I caught myself treating the battlefield like a puzzle to solve, moving pieces around my screen with cold efficiency. Then it hit me – that’s exactly the point. The game is holding up a mirror to how modern warfare has become this sanitized, screen-based experience.

I loved how flexible the mission design was. Whether I wanted to play it super careful with precise squad movements or overwhelming firepower, the game rolled with it. The controls felt natural, and the variety kept me on my toes. But that freedom to experiment kinda made things worse – I found myself getting more creative with destruction, and that realisation was… uncomfortable.

Props to Demetri Lind, the solo dev behind this. The guy’s clearly poured his heart into it, and it shows. He’s super active with the community too, which has created this awesome vibe around the game. You can tell this wasn’t just thrown together – every element feels deliberately crafted to make you think.

What’s going to stick with me about Drone Perspective isn’t the solid tactics or the smooth controls – it’s how it made me confront some hard truths about modern warfare. It’s a game about playing a game about war, and that meta-layer hits hard. Here I am, sitting at my desk, casually directing virtual troops through my monitor, while somewhere in the real world, someone’s doing the exact same thing with real lives on the line.

The game’s genius is in how it doesn’t preach – it just lets you experience this disconnect first-hand. As you get better at the game, more efficient at dealing death from above, you can’t help but wonder about what this evolution in warfare means for humanity. In an age where conflict is increasingly managed through screens and software, Drone Perspective asks some uncomfortable questions about where we’re headed.

It’s rare to find a game that works both as pure entertainment and as a mirror for society, but Drone Perspective pulls it off. It’s challenging, unsettling, and absolutely worth your time – just don’t expect to walk away without some serious food for thought.

Drone Perspective is available to try during the Steam Next Fest until October 21st. I suggest you experience it for yourself.

Original review on https://rtshq.net/drone-perspective-a-commentary-on-societal-desensitisation-to-violence/

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Realmforge Studios and Kalypso Media continue their Dungeon Keeper-inspired saga with Dungeons 4, a game that treads familiar ground while offering a devilishly delightful experience in the world of dungeon management. Let’s take a look at the game’s narrative, gameplay, humour, and overall performance, exploring whether it successfully builds upon its predecessors or falls into the trap of repetitiveness it does, a bit.

The fourth instalment kicks off with what seems like a decisive battle gone awry for the Absolute Evil and its minions. As they seize control of the land, a few valiant heroes persist in resisting their tyrannical rule. Notably, Thalya, the Evil’s most trusted servant, and her not-so-brilliant brother play pivotal roles in the unfolding chaos. The game weaves a humorous tale, laden with comedy, pop culture references, and meta elements that are cleverly integrated into the scripts.

The abundance of dialogue, both from the narrator and in-game characters, contributes to the comedic atmosphere. However, the option to adjust the frequency of these dialogues proves essential, as the charm wears thin, occasionally bordering on distracting and annoying.

Dungeons 4 follows a straightforward gameplay loop – progress through the story-driven campaign, which strikes a balance between length and engagement. The campaign introduces new gimmicks and situations regularly, preventing monotony. However, the game grapples with the common issue of repetitiveness found in many management sims. Waiting for resources to accumulate or manoeuvring armies through convoluted paths extends the levels artificially, occasionally testing the patience of players.

The core base-building and combat systems, honed over four games, remain robust. New additions and streamlining enhance the overall experience, making it addictive. While managing the dungeon, the role of Snots, diminutive goblin-like creatures, becomes crucial. Their tasks, from farming resources to maintaining the system, contribute to the intricate web of gameplay mechanics.

Strategic decision-making, inherent in most management sims and RTS titles, becomes prominent as objectives escalate, requiring effective multitasking against mounting pressure from adversaries.

Despite the complexity of scenarios, the game provides numerous opportunities to exploit its mechanics. The developers encourage players to discover unconventional strategies, be it rushing to find endless diamond deposits, leveraging specific trap combinations, or exploiting the F2 key shortcuts. While not a cakewalk, the scenarios demand effective multitasking, offering a smooth ride for those well-versed in the game’s mechanics.

Beyond the Campaign mode, Dungeons 4 opens avenues for cooperative play and a flexible Skirmish mode, offering different scenarios based on the campaign. This mode accepts modifiers unlocked through story progression, allowing dedicated players to experiment with dungeon builds and systems. The performance on the PC version is commendable, with no crashes or stuttering observed, showcasing a game that runs smoothly even during busy and resource-intensive moments.

The PC version of the game delivers near-perfect performance, with no crashes or stuttering and a consistent framerate even during intense moments. The slightly dated technology behind Dungeons 4 contributes to its stability, with a colourful and easily readable art style reminiscent of Warcraft III. While some might perceive the game as sticking closely to its roots, it manages to achieve a clear vision without unnecessary complications. The intentional continuity may be seen as a strength, maintaining a delicate balance that has proven successful over the years.

In the realm of RTS and management sims, Dungeons 4 stands as a testament to its legacy. The game offers an enjoyable experience for players familiar with the series, striking a balance between innovation and preservation. While some may yearn for more drastic changes, the deliberate approach taken by Realmforge Studios and Kalypso Media ensures a game that stays true to its essence.

The success and enjoyment derived from Dungeons 4 hinge on players’ expectations. For those anticipating a continuation of the series’ evolution, the game delivers a satisfying experience with room to grow into something more memorable. Conversely, those looking for something new may find themselves disappointed. As the Absolute Evil reigns supreme once again, Dungeons 4 remains a worthy addition to the dungeon management genre, embracing the dark legacy with humour and strategic depth.

I haven't installed Total War: Warhammer because I'm playing Stellaris instead.

Would insult spacefaring mushrooms again. 11/10

11/10 would spend 6 hours bulldozing trees again.

Rather Good.