RESEARCH and DESTROY Review: A Colorful Turn Based Action Game
A new game is coming to the market, and it is pretty unique if I say so. We got to test the game over the weekend and learned a lot about it. It’s a combination of a turn-based strategy game and a third-person shooter, all wrapped into one. The developers of the game are calling this new genre Turn Based Action.
Before I get into my thoughts on the game, what’s it actually about? In short, you control a team of three scientists who each have their own unique equipment. With this equipment you move through the world, researching science and destroying whatever pops up to stop you. You do all of this while managing a time clock that stops after you do too many actions. Once time runs out, the evil creatures get a turn to attack you. The difference between their objective and yours is that they have no research to do. Their one and only objective is your destruction. Hence the name, RESEARCH and DESTROY.
When the game starts up you’ll be put into a pretty unique environment. The graphics reminded me of a Boardlands style. As a huge fan of this type of design I was intrigued, and it was a welcomed change from most of the styles I’ve been playing. The game immediately gets you going on some great dialog. It’s witty and fun, while keeping you engaged. Props to the writers for this. As the game shares its story with you, there’s a line I thought really stood out in today’s society:
“Truth became relative. Everyone was an expert.”
It goes on to describe how humanity’s issues caused the events that are unfolding. In a world where social media runs wild and everyone believes they have the right answer, I felt like this was a very strong line, and a bit of a nod to modern society. While the dialog teeters between fun and silly to deep and serious, I found it very enjoyable to follow.
The balance between the three scientists you control is very well done. You have a heavy gunner type who moves slow but packs a punch, a healer who can keep your team alive but must still deal damage at a short distance to power his heals, and a quick mid-range assault type. Trying to get everyone to move towards the objective at the same pace is interesting to do. I was often caught trying to use my heavy/long range scientist, Gary, to defeat enemies while then holding everyone back as he’s got the slowest movement. Trying to adjust and change up the plan to keep moving towards the objectives while not getting left behind was a fun challenge.
The game has a world map where you can choose the next location to research and work toward. This allows players to play co-op together and not worry if they have both progressed to the same spot. As you go through the locations you can boost them up and add things to them to keep them clear from any supernatural enemies. You can also boost up your scientist’s weapons and features as you progress.
For a game that’s still being worked on, this is very well done. I felt like the turns were a bit slow sometimes, and waiting for the enemy’s attacks could be a little faster. But the game’s main mechanics and movements are very well done and felt smooth while playing. I enjoyed jumping right in and trying to figure out how my guns worked (after zapping my own team a few times). While I didn’t get a chance to play co-op, I’m excited to see what that could bring to the game, and the new challenges it might create. We will definitely be coming back once the games officially released.
