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Shock Tactics2017

Shock Tactics

2017 EuroVideo Medien52Mediocre

Playable on

Available on

Game modes

Details

Launch
April 11, 2017

Overview

Shock Tactics is inspired by the space western style of Firefly and games like Jagged Alliance and X-COM. The game is set on an ancient alien homeworld, procedurally generated each time you start a new game. Shock Tactics will be released later this year on Steam for PC and be available as a digital download. As the commander of a Strike Team, fighting for the Space Pioneers, you are the trailblazer for the first wave of explorers on a harsh and ancient alien homeworld. Other powers are trying to uncover the secrets of the planet, the ruthless Mega-Cooperation “Consortium” has already sent their mercenary forces – future conflicts are inevitable. Your first task is to establish a base of operations, gather resources and expand your base in order to research advanced weapons or healing facilities. Lead your strike team into intense and tactically demanding turn-based fights and choose from a large variety of different skills and tactics. Order drone strikes or demand emergency reinforcements...

Screenshots

Screenshot for Shock Tactics
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Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics
Screenshot for Shock Tactics

Reception

Far too often developers pay "homage" by lifting elements from far better games and stripping them down to their shallowest parts. Unfortunately, Shock Tactics is no different than those vain attempts at cashing in on a much better franchise. Point Blank Games steals as much as they can from XCOM, but they neglect to snatch any of the charm and level...

In the end, Shock Tactics is a good first attempt at a turn-based tactics game but lacks in polish and follow through. Point Blank Games nailed the important concepts and they seem to have the technical expertise to make good turn-based titles in the future. They need more practice and hopefully they will get it.

More focus on exploration would have set Shock Tactics apart, but what is there is enough to warrant a playthrough.

I noticed a bit of frame stuttering as the drop ship put my mercenaries down for our first mission on Hephæst. After putting the difficulty down on the lowest, most condescendingly-titled setting, I was prepared to get a feel for the mechanics. But then it crashed and I had to do it all over again. This was the first and only Crash to Desktop I suffered...