Artifice: War Tactics Review and Giveaway

When I booted up Artifice: War Tactics, my first thought was, “Is this fantasy battle chess? Let’s gooo!” and my inner chess nerd did an awkward little dance. But of course, there’s more to it than that.

Artifice is a turn-based game where you and your enemy are playing what is essentially a fantasy-infused version of chess. Instead of pawns and queens, you command a squad of fantasy warriors—think knights, wizards, and creatures that seem like they’re out of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Each match starts with setting up your party, and then it’s time to get down to business.

Unlike traditional chess, where you both take turns like civilised humans, Artifice has your opponent lurking in the shadows, ready to strike the second you enter their line of sight. The gameplay involves setting up overwatch patterns, and the objectives vary—you could be escorting a bomb or preventing enemies from reaching certain areas.

Every turn lets you move and attack, but you need to plan accordingly. Your movement and attack patterns don’t always align, so you might find yourself manoeuvring across the board only to realise your attack hits in a straight line and misses your planned target. If you’re like me, you’ll be squinting at the screen, trying to figure out your next move while your heroes are getting obliterated. Yes, I’m that player who dies repeatedly as I find my way, but I did manage to pick it up quickly enough. And here’s the kicker: lose a hero, lose a crystal, and when your crystals run out, it’s game over. Brutal.

The campaign mode guides you through various regions, each increasingly difficult. You unlock around a dozen characters with varying abilities requiring thoughtful use to overcome different obstacles.

Patience is a virtue… I guess?

Let’s talk pacing. If you’re after something fast and furious, this game is not the one. The matches are short enough to hold interest, but the overall pace is slow. Really slow. Each unit moves one by one during the AI’s turn, and if you tend to overthink (guilty as charged), it can drag. I immediately toggled off the slow-motion effect for when you land a kill, and thank goodness that was an option.

The game does offer a fresh approach to strategy. The overwatch system, while challenging at first, becomes satisfying once you master it. Executing clever combos involving the environment is a highlight, and the game’s art and animations are impressively polished for an indie title. I was initially concerned that it was giving “mobile game” aesthetically, but it’s a lot better than that.

However, the UX could use improvement. Additional visual effects or text prompts would enhance those special combo moments and make them feel more rewarding. Some players might find the passive gameplay frustrating, as the characters’ movements can feel slow and overly reliant on the AI making mistakes.

That said, if you’re a chess fan, a roguelike enthusiast, or someone who loves a good strategic challenge, Artifice might be the game you didn’t know you needed.

Final Thoughts

So, will I play it again? You know what, yeah. I will. Maybe not super regularly or for long stints, but I’ll definitely revisit it, and I’m happy it’s a part of my collection. If you’re in the mood to think carefully about every move, Artifice: War Tactics could be your thing.

And on that note…

We have two PC Steam codes for Artifice: War Tactics to give away! To enter, follow us on Instagram @UnrulyFolk and comment on our reel. Winners will be contacted next week, on the 30th of August. Good luck!

Genre: Turn-based strategy, Indie
Played On: Steam (PC)
Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Publisher: Silvine Game Studios
Developers: Silvine Game Studios
Release Date: 16th August, 2024