Brass Tactics

Brass Tactics is a real-time strategy (RTS) game set in a fantasy world, designed exclusively for VR. Players command armies of knights, archers, and fantastical creatures like spider tanks and flying beasts across a giant tabletop battlefield. Using motion controls, players manipulate the terrain, build towers to recruit units, and capture strategic points to earn resources like gold and diamonds. The game features a single-player campaign, skirmish modes against AI or online opponents, and cooperative play, with AI adversaries offering varied difficulty levels and playstyles. Factions upgrade their castles via a tech tree to unlock new units and enhancements, blending classic RTS mechanics with immersive VR interaction.

Brass Tactics: A Pioneering Leap into VR Real-Time Strategy

Introduction

In the annals of video game history, few titles have dared to redefine a genre as decisively as Brass Tactics. Released in 2018 by Hidden Path Entertainment, this real-time strategy (RTS) game boldly transplanted the complexities of traditional RTS gameplay into the immersive realm of virtual reality (VR). At a time when VR was still finding its footing, Brass Tactics emerged as a trailblazer, offering a fresh perspective on a genre that had long been dominated by mouse-and-keyboard mechanics. This review delves deep into the game’s development, mechanics, narrative, and legacy, exploring how it carved a niche for itself in the competitive landscape of strategy gaming.

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Development History & Context

The Studio Behind the Vision

Hidden Path Entertainment, the studio behind Brass Tactics, is no stranger to strategy games. With a portfolio that includes Defense Grid and Age of Empires II HD, the team brought a wealth of experience to the table. The studio’s journey into VR began with a contract to port Defense Grid to the Oculus Rift in 2016. This project’s success led to a pivotal question from Oculus: “If you could make any kind of game, what would you make?” The answer was a bona fide VR RTS, a genre that had been conspicuously absent from the VR landscape.

Technological Constraints and Innovations

Developing an RTS for VR presented unique challenges. Traditional RTS games rely heavily on mouse-and-keyboard controls, which are ill-suited for VR’s immersive, hand-tracked environment. Hidden Path’s solution was to reimagine the control scheme entirely. The game’s interface was designed to be tactile and intuitive, leveraging the Oculus Touch controllers to allow players to interact with the game world as if they were physically present on a giant tabletop battlefield.

The development process was marked by experimentation. Early prototypes included a rotating tray (a “Lazy Susan”) and a barrel-shaped map that players could rotate. However, these designs proved restrictive and uncomfortable. The final design settled on a giant wooden table, which players could grab and manipulate to navigate the battlefield. This approach not only solved the locomotion problem but also created a sense of presence and immersion that was crucial for the VR experience.

The Gaming Landscape at Release

At the time of Brass Tactics‘ release in February 2018, the VR gaming market was still in its infancy. While there were a few RTS-like games in VR, none had successfully captured the depth and complexity of traditional RTS games. Brass Tactics filled this void, offering a full-blown RTS experience that was both accessible to newcomers and satisfying for genre veterans. The game’s launch was accompanied by Brass Tactics: Arena, a free-to-play multiplayer demo that served as both a marketing tool and a way to ensure a robust online player base.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

Brass Tactics is set in a steampunk-inspired fantasy world, where players command armies of knights, cavalry, archers, and more exotic units like spider tanks and flying creatures. The game’s narrative is delivered through a single-player campaign that spans eight missions. The story revolves around a conflict between two factions, with the player taking on the role of a commander leading their forces to victory.

The campaign’s narrative is relatively straightforward, focusing on the strategic and tactical challenges of warfare rather than deep character development or intricate plot twists. The main antagonist, Zavolto, is voiced by Aidan Gillen, known for his role as Littlefinger in Game of Thrones. While Gillen’s performance is competent, some critics found it lacking the depth and range of his work in Game of Thrones.

Themes and Dialogue

The game’s themes revolve around strategy, resource management, and the art of war. The dialogue, while functional, is not a standout feature. The focus is squarely on the gameplay, with the narrative serving as a backdrop to the strategic challenges that players must overcome. The game’s steampunk aesthetic is a visual treat, blending medieval and industrial elements to create a unique and immersive world.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

Brass Tactics retains the core mechanics of traditional RTS games while adapting them for VR. Players start at a corner of the map, gathering resources (gold and diamonds) to build towers and recruit units. The objective is to capture points on the map, which provide additional resources and building slots. Each faction has a castle that can be upgraded using a tech tree, improving unit stats and unlocking new towers and units.

The game’s economy is based on two resources: gold, used to create units, and diamonds, used to build towers and upgrade the castle. Diamonds are not gathered on the map but are rewarded periodically, adding a strategic layer to resource management.

Combat and Unit Management

Combat in Brass Tactics follows a rock-paper-scissors system, where each unit type has strengths and weaknesses against others. For example, archers beat warriors, warriors beat cavalry, and cavalry beats archers. This system encourages players to diversify their army and adapt their strategy based on their opponent’s units.

Unit management is where Brass Tactics truly shines. Players can select and direct units using intuitive hand gestures. A full squeeze of the trigger selects all units under the hand, while a half-squeeze selects individual units. This system is both elegant and effective, allowing for precise control without the need for complex menus or hotkeys.

UI and Innovative Systems

The game’s UI is designed to be immersive and intuitive. Players can flip their wrist to reveal a “bookshelf” of tower options, which they can grab and place on the battlefield. The tech tree is accessed by sliding back to the base, where a drawer of upgrade options is revealed. These interactions feel natural and tactile, enhancing the sense of presence in the VR environment.

One of the game’s most innovative features is the absence of fog of war. Instead, players experience a “fog of attention,” where the sheer scale of the battlefield and the immersive nature of VR create a sense of limited awareness. This design choice not only makes the game more accessible but also adds a unique strategic layer, as players must constantly scan the battlefield to keep track of their opponent’s movements.

Multiplayer and Cooperative Modes

Brass Tactics offers a variety of multiplayer modes, including competitive and cooperative skirmishes. The competitive mode pits players against each other in one-on-one battles, while the cooperative mode challenges two players to team up against overpowered AI opponents. The game’s online multiplayer is supported by Brass Tactics: Arena, ensuring a robust player base and a steady stream of opponents.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The game’s steampunk-inspired fantasy world is a visual delight. The battlefield is presented as a giant tabletop, with intricate details and charming miniatures that bring the world to life. The game’s art style blends medieval and industrial elements, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere.

Visual Direction

The visual direction in Brass Tactics is top-notch. The game’s units and buildings are easily distinguishable, with clear visual cues that make it easy to understand the battlefield at a glance. The game’s UI is clean and intuitive, with cute visual flourishes that add to the overall charm.

Sound Design

The game’s sound design is equally impressive. The clashing of swords, the roar of dragons, and the hum of machinery all contribute to the immersive experience. The game’s soundtrack is a mix of orchestral and industrial themes, perfectly complementing the steampunk aesthetic.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

Brass Tactics received generally favorable reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 78. Critics praised the game’s innovative control scheme, immersive VR experience, and solid RTS mechanics. However, some critics noted that the game lacked the depth and complexity of its non-VR counterparts, and the campaign’s narrative was seen as a weak point.

Commercial Reception

The game’s commercial reception was more muted. While the free-to-play Brass Tactics: Arena helped to attract a player base, the full game’s $40 price tag may have been a barrier for some VR enthusiasts. The game’s online multiplayer community remained active, but the lack of a ranking system and the game’s niche appeal limited its mainstream success.

Influence and Legacy

Despite its mixed commercial reception, Brass Tactics has had a lasting influence on the VR gaming landscape. The game’s innovative control scheme and immersive VR experience set a new standard for RTS games in VR. While subsequent VR RTS games have built on Brass Tactics‘ foundation, none have yet surpassed its blend of accessibility and depth.

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Conclusion

Brass Tactics is a pioneering title that successfully transplanted the complexities of traditional RTS gameplay into the immersive realm of VR. While it may not have achieved mainstream success, the game’s innovative control scheme, immersive VR experience, and solid RTS mechanics have left a lasting legacy. For VR enthusiasts and strategy gamers alike, Brass Tactics remains a must-play title that showcases the potential of VR gaming.

Final Verdict

8.5/10 – Brass Tactics is a groundbreaking VR RTS that offers a unique and immersive experience. While it may lack the depth of its non-VR counterparts, its innovative control scheme and solid mechanics make it a standout title in the VR gaming landscape.