As a long-time fan of turn-based tactical games like XCOM and Jagged Alliance, I‘ve eagerly followed indie attempts to modernize the classic formula. Dreadlands, developed by Blackfox Studios and published by Fatshark, caught my eye for combining challenging strategy gameplay with the loot hunting and progression of a Borderlands RPG. After spending hours leading my ragtag gang of misfits to victory and glory, does Dreadlands earn a coveted spot in the turn-based tactics pantheon?
Blending Genres in a Stylized Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland
Dreadlands strikes an ambitious balance between deep, methodical combat inspired by XCOM, and mid-battle gear optimizations reminiscent of games like Wasteland 2. The visual presentation channels Borderlands‘ iconic comic book art style to bring the ruined world to life. Exploring this stylish post-apocalyptic wasteland as I directed my motley crew of survivors reminded me fondly of classic RPGs like Fallout and Jagged Alliance 2.
The premise has players swearing allegiance to one of three factions vying for control in the war-torn landscape:
- Tribe-Kin: Savage beast masters specializing in melee combat and totem rituals
- Skarbacks: Former slaves and brooding brutes dishing out punishment
- Scrapers: Resourceful tinkerers fielding contraptions and gadgets
I often found myself torn deciding which playstyle suited my current mood. Do I stealthily poison enemies with Scraper traps, send Skarback berserkers on rampages through opposing squads, or utilize precise coordination between melee and ranged Tribe-kin units? Having diverse, asymmetrical factions catering to different strategies will ensure the tense, tactical battles stay engaging over repeated playthroughs.
Capturing the Adrenaline and Agony of Turn-Based Combat
Dreadlands faithfully recreates the tense, methodical showdowns of genre classics like XCOM…
