Battle Aces by Uncapped Games is a fast-paced real time strategy game that is reminiscent of some more popular real time strategy games in terms of mechanics and feel. With this game being geared towards a more competitive aspect it can alienate the casual community that can arise in the future. Aside from that, the gameplay is competitive and leaves very little room for mistakes when playing the game at a higher level. The design of the game has taken some clear inspirations from popular real time strategy games that have made an impact in the gaming sphere. As for Battle Aces it is a combination of speed, deck building, and leans into a more completive based community.
The gameplay is more geared for a competitive scene from the get go and in this case for the closed beta version there are only three modes such as 2 versus 2, 1versus 1, and custom games. Aside from that there is a “deck building” aspect of the game that can allow for some player agency when creating strategies before engaging in player versus player combat. This makes the game feel a lot more customizable in regards to player preference when playing the game. Moreover, to go into a little bit more in-depth into the “deck building” mechanic it revolves around selecting various units the player has access to and can unlock to use for various loadouts.
There are several low-cost units that are geared towards fighting on the ground, or air that can be spammed out in large quantities that offer very low cost to material needs. Furthermore, this allows player to make these low-cost units become scouts, distractions, and even cannon fodder. Aside from that there are larger units that have higher stats in comparison to the low-cost starter units, with some of the stronger units requiring more materials. These higher cost units come with the added benefit of having more health and more specialized roles such as having attacks with splash damage, increased health, and can target air units more effectively. This even continues into the ultimate units that can change the outcomes of battles with some having various high stats. Ultimately this makes the “deck building” mechanic is quite the fascinating feature added in especially as it feels familiar to a similar game mode found in Halo Wars 2. This is then further reinforced by 1 major contributor to real time strategy games.
One key characteristic about this game is speed and it is clearly evident as some games can end in a matter of minutes. This is especially true in the higher levels of the competitive ladder where games can end due to a simple mistake if the player can react in time to fix it before it gets worse. Furthermore, the competitive ladder can be broken down into 8 distinct categories with each one being better than the last. To reiterate about the speed of the game it is reminiscent of some of the faster paced StarCraft games and Halo Wars 2 competitive games. Moreover, in terms of overall game design from a competitive standpoint the game fits the basic criteria of a real time strategy game (rts). While this is okay for the genre, Battle Aces needs to add in something else to either mix up the game or allow people as the game can grow stale over time. As for possible suggestions it would have to be through an open discussion with the community at large as well as figure out what makes the genre fun.
Overall, in terms of design feels inspired from an important game such as StarCraft, and Halo Wars 2. In regards to that there have been very little real time strategy games that have made a large impact in the gaming sphere entirely. However, multiplayer online battle arenas a subgenre of real time strategy games have taken the spot light with games like Dota 2, League of Legends, and Smite. Battle Aces, while a fun game and this is especially true for the beta version of the game, has a lot of potential to grow. Uncapped Games should be proud of the game they have made and for a closed beta the game so far showcases that the developers are really trying to push for a more competitive real time strategy game to relight the genre which is more than commendable.
You can add Battle Aces to your wishlist for PC via Steam.
Related: Reviews by Kyle Manila
I would describe myself when interacting with games as a strategist with a pension for stealth and loud explosions.
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