RTS games typically require a ton of commitment, not just in terms of time, but in being able to master its various strategies. Uncapped Games' upcomingBattle Aceslooks to eliminate the time commitment, offers more straightforward methods of play, yet retains the all-important “S” of RTS games. It remains to be seen ifBattle Acesaccomplishes this, but it makes a strong first impression nonetheless.
Game Rant was able to play a demo ofBattle AcesatSummer Game Fest, where a dev first showed us a high-level match, let us take on the tutorial, play a second match, and then showed us a lovely strategy with Kraken units. Every match ofBattle Aceshas a ten-minute time limit, and even when learning the game, we finished every match well under that. The closest we came to that time limit was when using our Kraken units, but that was due to some shenanigans on our part.
The All-Important Unit Deck
Before heading into a game, players want to fill out their Unit Deck. This determines the type of units players can summon during gameplay, along two upgrade paths. Players have to spend resources to unlock different tiers of units during gameplay, which will let them bring out their stronger Units (Tier 2 and Tier 3, along two paths) as seen in the image above. The first row represents one path of Units unlocked via in-match upgrades, while the second row represents another. It’s pretty simple to understand, but players need to keep any relevant strategies in mind by understanding what each unit does, how each unit interacts, how to use them effectively in combat, how to get them on the field quickly, and so forth. It’s simplified, but by no means simple, and understanding how to put a Unit Deck together will no doubt go far with any player.
Playing Battle Aces
Battle Aceshas two important gameplay elements that help it stand out further inthe RTS genre. First, there’s practically no need to move your left hand. Players are able to summon different units with different keys, navigate between battle controls and unit generation with a button press, and otherwise play the whole game with the left side of the keyboard alone. Secondly, a lot of RTS games require players to move all around the battle map, specifically when checking on bases, creating units, and engaging in combat. Again, that’s not necessary here. Its overall layout allows players to summon units without ever taking their eye off a battle, and that ensures the gameplay is simplified yet engaging. All at once, players will be watching a battle, summoning reinforcements, deploying them, perhaps retreating, perhaps redirecting to different bases, and so forth. It’s condensed gameplay in the best of ways.
A match is straightforward. There are two main bases: yours and the opponents. The first to destroy this core base wins, while both sides summon other bases to increase resource generation. This opens the door for a ton of strategies, including rushing the main base, cutting off their resources, attempting to expand faster than the enemy, or keeping only your backfield filled with bases. Workers can also be attacked, but players do not have to be concerned about them so much. They queue up with bases and will refill, if somehow they are killed but the base remains. Otherwise, once a match begins, it’s all about resource generation and summoning units.
Players will begin with their baseBattle Acesunits, but as they increase resources, they can look to upgrade their unit generation to produce bigger and stronger units. Some units are better at tanking, at dealing splash damage, at overwhelming the field, and so forth, so that’s something to keep in mind. There’s also a limit on the number of units players can have on the field, but until our later match where we had to have two Krakens (for shenanigans), we didn’t even get close to that limit. After the tutorial match, we played a standard match and focused on keeping enemy resource generation limited while building up our own. Once we had an army, thanks to this strategy, we went straight to the core and were able to clean up the win.
Summon the Kraken!
The tutorial match and second match had us using early game units and playing relatively straightforward. For our next match, the dev unlocked some units for us to try adifferent strategy. The Kraken is one of the strongest units in the game, at least that we know of, but it costs a ton of resources. This strategy saw us play a bit more passively, primarily using these really cheap units that had a special power. They were weak, but could teleport en masse to the closest base to wherever we clicked. We kept them on the field, poked at enemy resource generation, but primarily teleported them around as defensive options as we summoned a Kraken. Once we unleashed the first one, it was practically soloing enemy armies and bases. But then we asked the dev, could we summon a second Kraken?
The dev killed off some of our weaker units to reduce our unit load and, once we had enough, we brought out the second Kraken. Two Krakens were unstoppable; they absolutely wrecked shop. The funny part is how unnecessary the second Kraken was for us, but it was an absolutely over-the-top power trip. The first Kraken had basically eliminated the enemy’s core base by at least 30% before the second even got there, and it was over the moment both Krakens were unloading on the enemy’s core base.
Battle Acessimplifies RTS gameplay, but it retains tons of strategy, unit interactions, and other factors that’ll make it great for quick, fun, yet strategic matches. There’s also an undeniablepower fantasyhere that’s perhaps less so in other RTS games, thanks to this simplified nature, and it’s something all RTS fans should keep on their radar.
