Blue Manchu’s spiritual successor to Void Bastards is every bit as complex, challenging, and rewarding as that earlier gem.
By Mark DelaneyTwitter: @markdelaneysays on September 12, 2024 at 1:33PM PDT
Anecdotally, I’ve heard from a lot of people who say they’re tired of roguelites. There’s been a years-long run on this genre, especially in the indie space where drilling down on systems, rather than expensive environments and setpieces, can be cost-effective while still producing something exciting and worthwhile. Because a roguelite game can take so many different shapes, I’ve not yet had my fill of them. Maybe fatigue will set in one day, though if games in the genre continue to be as great as Wild Bastards, I don’t think I’ll ever grow weary of them.
Wild Bastards comes from Blue Manchu, the same studio that released Void Bastards in 2019. Like that prior project, Wild Bastards is a strategy-shooter hybrid wrapped in a roguelite framework. But where Void Bastards drew clear inspiration from games like BioShock and System Shock 2, comparisons for Wild Bastards are harder to draw. It’s a fascinating blend of arena shooter, turn-based strategy, and even something like a single-player hero shooter all in one.
Wild Bastards combines the elements of science fiction and western genres with a similar understated humor found in the developers’ previous game. Players venture through procedurally generated galaxies with the aim of reviving and regrouping a team called the Wild Bastards. Initially compromised of thirteen fallen outlaws, these characters have been defeated by the game’s chief villain, and it’s the player’s task to bring them back to fight again.
Rebuilding the team involves several complex steps. Starting on a macro map of the galaxy, players select which planets to visit while navigating towards a team member located at the end of the journey. Decisions here are crucial as players may choose quicker or simpler paths, influencing the challenges they face. Some planets offer valuable resources like weapon enhancements, teleport stations, and beans that alleviate or forge rivalries within the team. However, these planets can also present greater risks with tougher enemies and harsh environmental conditions like severe storms or heavy snowfalls.
The galactic map only provides partial information about what each planet holds, prompting players to plan strategically and stay vigilant to ensure survival and continuity of their mission. If all recruited members die, the game ends.
Gameplay shifts to a turn-based format upon landing on a planet. Players navigate a board-like map per allotted moves, encountering foes, dangerous creatures, and sought-after treasures. Every map can contain a wide array of items ranging from abilities for the team, upgrades for equipment, and most crucially, potential new team members. The primary goal is to reconstruct the full team of thirteen, with a run deemed successful upon the acquisition of a new member. Although collecting all members without a single fatality is challenging, the game includes an ironman mode for those seeking a tougher challenge.
Upon landing on a planet, the pathways become visible unlike the obscure space-travel map filled with secrets. Although everything is in view, the complexity increases. Each planet allows for selecting one to four outlaws to accompany you, serving as dynamic, strategic choices akin to selecting weapon loadouts before entering combat. In the turn-based map sections, your characters are safe from harm, yet poor strategic choices can still jeopardize your crew’s success and make completing the mission nearly impossible.
Every move carries significant consequences. Suppose you have six moves per turn, a boss is anticipated to appear in five turns to pursue you, and you would need around 40 steps to secure every valuable item on the map. The decision-making becomes critical. Do you chart the most efficient route, risking more encounters with enemies? Do you utilize planetary features like teleporters to swiftly escape dangerous situations after collecting valuables? Or, do you abandon the items and rush to the exit, considering the planet merely a brief stop on your larger quest for treasures on subsequent planets?
Throughout the game’s 20-hour campaign, each planet presented numerous tactical decisions. There is no definitive wrong strategy, only varying degrees of difficulty. The choice of when to retreat was always mine, and the consequences of that choice revealed themselves through the success of my exit strategy. My diverse team—comprising a robotic sheriff, a spider-like alien, and an anthropomorphized fireball—allowed for dynamic and adventurous gameplay.
Engagement with enemies, whether initiated by landing on their space or them on yours, transitions the game into its intense final phase. This shift leads to a fast-paced “showdown” blending first-person shooter actions with aspects of tactical board gameplay. The FPS sequences occur in procedurally generated arenas that draw inspiration from Quake and Overwatch, featuring variable elevation points and occasional environmental perils. Some structures can be destroyed—though it’s not always clear which ones—as you tackle a diverse array of adversaries to secure an escape back to the strategic planet map.
The precision in shooting is spot-on regardless of which among the 13 unique characters you choose to accompany you on your interstellar journey. Echoing the mechanics of Void Bastards, there’s a particular charm in this game’s interplay of 2D and 3D elements that enhances the accuracy and enjoyment of targeting. The clear demarcations and color contrasts in its art style not only enhance its visual appeal but also support an intuitive gameplay experience, whether you’re using a game controller or a keyboard and mouse.
The reliability of these mechanics is crucial as it makes playing with each of the 13 characters an engaging experience. They play like heroes in a shooter designed for individual action, each with their unique weapon, voice, and story. They also develop relationships with other characters which can either support or disrupt team dynamics. These relationships could include alliances that provide mutual benefits in battles or disagreements that must be resolved before coordinating them in missions. Personal favorites of mine include an alien with superior jumping ability and a ray gun, a militarized horse with advanced targeting capabilities, and a card dealer who wields a powerful shotgun. Every character adds a unique flavor to the gameplay.
Each member of the gang offers a distinct approach to combat and strategy. For instance, Hopalong is a swift python that can quickly circle enemies and incapacitate them at close range, while The Judge is a formidable tank with a slow-firing rifle designed for critical hits. Then there’s Kaboom, an animate sphere of pink mist who specializes in lobbing dynamite over obstacles or through windows to reach adversaries in cover.
The strategic deployment of characters based on their abilities leads to preferred team formations for missions. Utilizing Fletch’s bow to convert enemies to allies, combined with Sarge’s long-range enemy detection, can turn the tides in your favor against formidable bosses. This strategic conversion of foes into allies, followed by a coordinated assault, often culminates in a spectacular showdown reminiscent of an epic movie battle scene.
The social dynamics within the game are somewhat ambiguous. You have the capacity to cultivate friendships or even rivalries among your characters. Contrary conflicts usually spring up as scripted narrative elements designed to introduce tension within the team, presenting new adversities for you to navigate. When members of your team are at odds, they cannot undertake missions on a planet together, necessitating their separation like quarrelsome siblings until they resolve their differences, perhaps over a simple meal.
The development of friendships results in characters providing additional aid to their allies, such as deploying a group of robotic “koyotes” to accompany you on a mission. While I appreciated how these relationships impacted the gameplay, it was often not apparent how my actions influenced these dynamics, whether I was mending relationships or fostering new ones through communal activities like cooking. The results seemed rather arbitrary, detached from my deliberate actions except when clearly scripted.
Individual characters are customizable for specific tactical roles. For instance, you could equip Preach with abilities that allow him to drain health from enemies, transforming him into a sort of battlefield vampire, or you could enhance The Judge’s durability with extra armor to better withstand multiple clashes. Characters grow by acquiring cards on different planets and managing various attributes like stamina and health, adding complexity to the already intricate gameplay strategies. Each tweak enhances the preparation and tactical execution of missions.
Showdowns typically involve battling numerous adversaries who approach from various angles, obliging you to manage crowds of foes that generally outnumber your team. During these encounters, you have the flexibility to switch instantly between characters, likening the process to swapping weapons. This dynamic often renders confrontations intense and swift, though occasionally you might find yourself engaged in prolonged battles against particularly resilient enemies or attempting to dispatch groups of foes with strategically thrown explosives. Regardless of the scenario, I found every battle engaging.
Understanding the strategy behind collecting items in a game level is crucial, particularly when such collectibles can tip the balance in player’s favor. One delightful aspect in the game is the ability of the Casino item to eliminate a single enemy during a confrontation. Utilizing this item during a boss fight allows for an instant victory over the boss, showcasing a unique approach to strategy compared to other games which might limit such tactics.
The game’s complexity presents an exhilarating challenge as players navigate through its intricate systems. The journey to discover the most efficient way to handle each scenario provides a deep sense of satisfaction. The feeling that success is always within reach, contingent only upon the player’s ability to execute their strategy effectively, adds to the game’s appeal.
Initial setbacks in the game often lead to revelations about missteps, such as lingering too long on a planet or underestimating an opponent, which typically results in defeat. However, the game’s design doesn’t unfairly influence outcomes. Each new attempt allows the player to understand and master the systems more profoundly. Through this process, players are occasionally pushed to utilize less favored characters, leading to a more rounded mastery and triumphant outcomes that feel earned.
The game’s structure—consisting of hunting for elusive items, navigating dangerous terrains for resources, and engaging in intense first-person battles—creates a dynamic experience that perfectly blends strategic planning with thrilling action, akin to both a chess match and a high-octane film.
Alongside its impressive design, the game also injects a subtle humor. Despite not being primarily narrative-driven, the game features abundant dialogue. You’ll delve into the deep history of your gang members through a successful playthrough. The characters are impressively detailed, but the real joy comes from the adversaries, especially the Hunters with their British accents. These enemies twist normal video game taunts into overly elaborate phrases. For instance, instead of simply locating a player, they exclaim, “Who perceives the hideous foe?” or swap “I’m flanking!” for “Perhaps a change of scenery!” This eccentric dialogue repeatedly brings amusement, at times causing me to prolong their existence just to hear more.
The game, however, slightly falters in its final moments. The ultimate challenges increase in difficulty yet lack a monumental showdown which could have utilized more of the gang members in a series of critical battles influencing the game’s outcome. Though probably intentional to maintain its design integrity, this choice makes the finale feel similar to previous sections. Nonetheless, the game remains an excellent example of a strategy-shooter mix, albeit a bit anticlimactic in its conclusion.
Despite the finale not escalating dramatically, I couldn’t keep track of how many times Wild Bastards had previously surpassed expectations. For enthusiasts, additional game modes offer new challenges and customization of difficulty settings, ensuring the gameplay remains engaging and adaptable post-main story completion.
Wild Bastards marks another remarkable title from Blue Manchu, showcasing their ability to craft complex gameplay systems that blend strategic planning with spontaneous tactical execution. Boasting a compelling roster of 13 distinctive characters, precise shooting mechanics, vibrant aesthetics, and rich humor, Wild Bastards is a game of finely tuned excellence.
