Conquer the nodes

Wargroove is again with its sequel Wargroove 2, a shock follow-up that returns to the tile-based ways. And whereas it’s hitting lots of the similar notes as its predecessor, we acquired to go hands-on with its new spin on turn-based warfare: the Conquest mode.

The Conquest mode is one in all Wargroove 2‘s large new options. It’s a roguelike method to battles that follows a well-recognized construction when you’ve ever performed different types of roguelike. But for all of the familiarity of this idea, it wound up being a reasonably refreshing tackle the turn-by-turn fights of Wargroove.

Assemble the military

Beginning out my demo at PAX East 2023, I used to be given the principle Commander Nadia. Wielding a flamethrower and in a position to make fireplace rain from the sky, I used to be already in a great spot. However I’d want some extra forces to have an actual military going.

Three decisions got to me for my beginning forces. I might decide a weak group, made up of canines and troopers, that got here with a big sum of gold. Or I might go the opposite means, getting little or no seed cash however a powerful basis of items. I selected the center choice, giving me some respectable items and gold. Looking back, I might have benefitted from being a bit of extra assured in both method.

From right here, a map stretched out, laying out potential routes by way of a sequence of challenges. Some icons, with swords and skulls, clearly indicated battles forward. Others, with query marks, had been doable occasions. Once more, this shall be instantly legible when you’ve performed one thing like Slay the Spire. It’s a node-based map development the place you usually should make decisions about which path to take at varied forks.

Tense selections

What the roguelike mode emphasised for me was the worth of every unit. I’ll freely admit that I’m in all probability too carefree with my items in technique video games. Usually, in a recreation like Wargroove, you’ll be able to throw a number of smaller items into the fray and make extra once you want them.

Right here, although, each unit was treasured. Every level may very well be the distinction between a clear sweep or a messy loss. Fog-of-war turns into all of the extra harmful when the hazard might wipe a unit in a single fell swoop. Terrain, already a key a part of the tile ways that Wargroove 2 partakes in, turns into all of the extra priceless when it’s the distinction between dropping two factors or 4.

In my very own run, I didn’t get many probabilities to bolster my forces both. A part of this was my very own luck; I had some gold, however by no means hit a store. One in every of Wargroove 2‘s builders informed me that whereas maps shall be prebuilt, the order and routes you would encounter, in addition to the enemy numbers and particulars on these maps, may be random.

Routing turned essential, and maximizing the benefit of my Commander was all of the extra essential. I misplaced my run, in a hail of arrows and a flood of canine warriors. However I realized lots about myself within the course of.

A recent battle

When the primary Wargroove got here out in 2019, we had been in a little bit of a ways drought. It’s odd, however simply 4 years later, the tables have turned; ways video games have develop into more and more fashionable, and Wargroove‘s most direct inspiration Advance Wars has a reboot looming on the horizon.

So going into Wargroove 2, I used to be curious how it could differentiate itself. Chucklefish nonetheless has a lot of what you’d anticipate in retailer, together with new items, Commanders, multiplayer, and a brand new marketing campaign with three completely different arcs.

Conquest, although, is the X-factor. It acquired me to consider this type of ways in a means I hadn’t earlier than, making Wargroove 2 really feel recent. Battles are shorter and quicker for positive, however the meta-layer of technique and planning, in addition to the stress of every conflict, added lots to each map.

With so many ways choices out there, it looks like Conquest is a significant a part of how Wargroove 2 will stand out above the fold. I’m wanting ahead to seeing how the remainder of this technique sequel pans out.