Review: Into the Breach (Steam)

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Control powerful mechs from the future to defeat an alien threat. Each attempt to save the world presents a new randomly generated challenge in this turn-based strategy game.

Pros:

  • Cute pixel graphics.
  • Steam achievements.
  • Trading cards.
  • Options- Combat speed, Tutorial tips, Large fonts, Fullscreen, Stretch scaling and max board scale.
  • Colorblind support.
  • Can rebind controls.
  • Ongoing optional tutorial support.
  • Turn-based strategy game.
  • Roguelike- You have one life per run.
  • Simple controls- Can use the mouse, Keyboard or combo of both.
  • 177MB Download size.
  • 8×8 grid playing field.
  • Fun to play.
  • Levels randomize every game.
  • Three difficulties- Easy, Normal and hard.
  • Full stats screen.
  • Save and quit option.
  • Pilots- Unlock random pilots who each have a unique trait/ability.
  • Four islands to play on then a fifth boss map.
  • Difficult.
  • Squads- 8 to unlock and consist of 3 mechs. They are unlocked with coins and can be customized like color and names of the mechs.
  • Each squad dramatically changes gameplay and tactics.
  • Power grid- Persistent bar and you lose a chunk of it as you lose buildings and once it hits 0 its game over.
  • Grid defense- Percentage chance to resist attacks. You can increase this number by upgrading your power grid once it’s maxed out.
  • Each level within a map has a set of random goals and doing it will grant reputation.
  • Reputation- Spend these on items/weapons/power grid upgrade or mech upgrade points once you have cleared out the whole island.
  • Coins- Earned from achievements and used to unlock squads.
  • You always see the enemies/elements next move.
  • Weather effects like flooding, Earthquakes, Lightening storm and rain can happen.
  • Mechs have pilots, Pilots level up and unlock skills or buffs. If a pilot dies then your mech can carry on with an AI droid.
  • Perfect an island to unlock a bonus.
  • Achievements- Universal and squad specific ones.
  • Test mech- Little area to try out new load outs.
  • Accessible to all player types.

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Cons:

  • Slight learning curve.
  • Difficult.
  • No online interaction like leaderboards.
  • Doesn’t do an amazing job of explaining everything.
  • Can only do one run at a time.
  • Content lite on locations and enemy types.
  • Can feel repetitive.
  • Doesn’t have the same overall playtime as say FTL.

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The Numbers:
  • 8/10
    Graphics - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Accessability - 8/10
  • 7/10
    Sound - 7/10
  • 8/10
    Length - 8/10
  • 9/10
    Fun Factor - 9/10
8/10

Summary

Into the breach is one hell of a strategy game. It does so many things right like tying achievements and coins together, Squads all play so differently that it is like a different game every squad. But for all its fine points and attention to detail, I cannot help but feel the game doesn’t have the legs to stand the true test of time. I mean I’ve hit over 12 hours and I still find it fun but I am seeing a lot of repetition in levels and tasks, I just want more content. Anyway, that said it is a strategy game and is really good and such a fantastic time waster and with the save and quit option, You can snag a quick few games on the fly.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!