New strategy game Punk Wars is an expansive turn-based 4X strategy game focusing mainly on military elements. The action of this game is set in a unique universe combining post-apocalyptic, steampunk, dieselpunk, and atompunk elements. The game has been developed by Polish Strategy Forge studio (this is their debut project). The publisher of the game is Jujubee.
Backdrop
The gritty world of Punk Wars is a tough one to survive in. Struck by a global cataclysm, the world’s civilizations as we know them have vanished from the face of the Earth. However, humankind did not give up and soon managed to find its way back to technological advancement.
As a result, four new powers emerged, each faction basing their society on a different branch of industrial science, with a different set of unique skills and expressing irreconcilable cultural and philosophical differences. And so, steampunk, atompunk, dieselpunk, and steelpunk start to clash, fighting for dominance on the ruins of a once magnificent megacity.
As you enter the world of Punk Wars, you become the powerful leader of the messianic steampunk, tenebrous dieselpunk, militaristic steelpunk, or technocratic atompunk. You’ll explore the ruins of a bygone civilization, where resources are scarce and the dangers all too common. Develop your infrastructure and technology in order to secure your triumph over the other powers. Create a winning strategy and a playstyle for each faction, utilizing their distinctive skills and units.
Game Mechanics
Punk Wars is a strategy game firmly in the 4X subgenre but concentrates on military conflicts. All of the action is usually observed from a top-down view (although we have control over the camera view as well). You can start the game by choosing one of several available factions characterized by a different style and technological thought. Your main task is to direct the chosen faction in such a way that it develops as quickly as possible.
In this game, you’ll make decisions that influence technological, military, and social development. You’ll take over new territories, build infrastructure, construct buildings and acquire valuable resources ( including water). In Punk Wars you can also control armies during direct battles. These are realized in a turn-based system and the key role in them plays the appropriate use of the capabilities of individual units. It is worth noting that in the course of the game our soldiers gain experience and learn new things.
Game modes
Sadly, in Punk Wars we can only play in solo mode. The core of the game is the story campaign.
In Punk Wars you will:
– Take control of one of the four powerful corporations – Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Atompunk or Steelpunk – and use its unique skillset to lead it to glory.
– Explore the mysteries of a ruined, post-apocalyptic megacity.
– Level up your units and engage in battles that will challenge your tactical sense.
– Grow your scientific, industrial and military infrastructure, creating advanced supply chains.
– Seek, garner and wisely use scarce resources.
– Unite humanity and lead it to the new era of peace and prosperity.
In the end, Punk Wars is a decent 4X game but doesn’t really measure up to combat-centric strategy titles such as Warhammer 40K – Gladius. Buy at your own risk.
Rating: 6.5 / 10