Review for 8-Bit Hordes. Game for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the video game was released on 12/08/2016 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 01/02/2019 The version for Xbox One came out on 01/02/2019
8-bit Hordes, the strategy we will analyze today, will undoubtedly force any longtime strategy enthusiast into a long and unexpected bath of nostalgia. The title developed by Petroglyph, the second of the 8-bit series, was initially born as an expansion of 8-bit Armies only to be modified so much that it became, in the eyes of its developers, worthy of the epithet of “standalone”. And one thing will be immediately clear, from the very first bars: 8-bit Hordes is a tribute to the classics of the genre such as Command & Conquer o Warcraft, the first who taught what a real-time strategy is.
But will the nostalgic homage be enough? Let's find out together!
LIGHT OR SHADOW?
8-bit Hordes is an old school real-time strategy game, with a voxel graphic of undoubted impact, in which we will be called to create our functional settlement in order to get the better of the enemy. The game will consist of different modes both in single and multiplayer, in which we will have the option to play a series of online cooperative missions or face the classic solo campaign, which will not be equipped with who knows what narrative spectrum but will be composed of about one twenty missions. In both possibilities, we will be asked to choose between two different factions, i Deathsworn, an evil army made up of skeletons, orcs and other amenities, oi Lightbringers, a classic ensemble of paladins and knights of light. Despite rather obvious premises and the factual absence of a narrative line in the true sense of the word, the two factions will differ in some characteristics that quite change the style of play based on the chosen team.
For example, the army of evil will be able to count on lower average unit production costs, indirectly giving the player the idea that they are inclined to immediately fill the map with substantially weak units but in large numbers. On the contrary, while having access to conceptually similar units, the army of light will be able to count on more expensive but also stronger units. In this way, although not drastically, the strategies to be applied according to the choice of the faction will make the game abbastanza various and they will go to smooth out some obvious limitations of the game, quite obviously devoted to simplification.
THE TIMES THAT WERE
The old school soul of the game is evident, but is nostalgia enough? The video-play world has evolved substantially compared to 20 years ago and, probably, 8-bit Hordes it may simply not be “enough” for devourers of the genre despite the low price (29,99 euros). The underlying problem is that Petroglyph's game is content-simple not to be confused with easy, since the title in the more advanced missions will offer a good level of challenge. At times, 8-bit Hordes it almost seems like the port of an extremely simplified mobile game to adapt to the “hit and run” typical of mobile gaming.
For example units will not be accompanied by statistics, there will be vital information for the most veterans of managing such as hit points, damage, range of the units, etc. Also at the level of structures and development, the evolution of our settlement will take place horizontally, without great upgrade possibilities or choices that can change the style of play or the overall planning. In general, 8-bit Hordes it is an extremely linear title and set up to be an “in your face” RTS, therefore able to entertain if you are looking for something not complex and profound, but unsatisfactory if you are looking for a well-rounded and diversified management experience.
VOXEL-O-MATIC
8-bit Hordes uses the same voxel graphic engine of the previous iterations of the 8-bit saga, but offering a slightly deeper physics than in the past thanks to the high destructibility of most of the components of the scenario. In general, the graphics quality of the game is more than good and offers an above average detail, with a deliberately refined and well-defined pixelated style. The audio sector is sufficient (perhaps a few more sound effects would not have spoiled) and it is also and above all thanks to the splendid work done at the OST level of Frank Klepacki, unforgotten author of some of the most beautiful and evocative soundtracks of Command & Conquer.
Technically speaking, the game runs pretty smoothly with no slowdowns of any kind, even in the most agitated situations. The title will be almost free of bugs and glitches, apart from some minor and sporadic problems related to the pathfinding of the AI of our troops. While it always has a forced aftertaste of approaching a canonical RTS with the pad, the work Petroglyph has done is pretty good and won't make you feel the lack of mouse and keyboard overly. For example, units of the same type can be recalled using specific keys indicated on their heads and, at the same time, we will access the entire range of buildings that can be built by pressing the back triggers.
8-bit Hordes is a fun and straightforward game, which will offer online / offline modes and a fairly long-lived gameplay package, together with a well-made and stilysh technical framework. Despite its old style soul, the game could turn out to fans of the sector as a stripped down version of what is now the standard play package offered by the main RTS on the market.
► 8-Bit Hordes is an indie-RTS-Simulation-Strategy game developed and published by Petroglyph for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the video game was released on 12/08/2016 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 01/02/2019 The version for Xbox One came out on 01/02/2019
