Playing a turn-based strategy game on the PAX East show floor may not sound like the best idea, but trust me, it was.
Athena Crisis, developed by Nakazwa Tech and Null Games, is an indie strategy game that calls back to the days when Advance Wars ruled the world. The art style is clearly inspired by the GameBoy Advance games of yesterday, and its gameplay fits right in.
It’s a wonderful combination of old and new, proving that if the big boys don’t bring back our favorite games from yesterday, indie studios are here to save the day.
What really grabbed me was the game’s deep strategy. The best turn-based strategy games combine a successful rock-paper-scissors element with various ways to win each objective. It gets boring pretty quickly when you simply counter everything the enemy is throwing at you.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, Athena Crisis understands the basics and foundation of successful strategy games. There are a couple of hooks present here, though.
First, the variety of troops is incredibly impressive. There’s a lot going on, and at times, it does feel overwhelming. But you know what they say: variety is the spice of life, and having ample tools at my disposal in a strategy is never a bad thing.
Second, there are the robust features being promised, particularly a map editor. This is a game made with love for the genre, and Nakazwa Tech wants people to play however they see fit. If I can find joy in a strategy game on a crowded convention floor, then just think of what’s possible in the comfort of your own home.
