I took one look at “WARSHIFT 2” and knew I had to try it out. Once I saw how crazy the space and mech combat was, I knew I needed to get my hands on this game. I mean, look at this:

Thankfully for me, I was given the opportunity to sit down with “WARSHIFT 2”, thanks to the game’s indie developer and publisher Cyril Megem, and I really enjoyed my time with the game all things considered. And while it’s not perfect, it’s also not complete.

Gameplay

“WARSHIFT 2” call itself a “unique mix of RTS, Action and RPG gameplay elements,” and it is! You can bounce between playing the game like an action game to playing it like an RTS game, going back and forth between the two modes when needed.

The Action Mode sequences are incredible, especially when you’re in the heat of the moment. But they’re usually cut short by the game’s need to switch back to RTS mode, for one reason or another.

During the campaign, you are forced back into RTS mode to deploy or move units. In Skirmishes, you are basically forced into RTS mode because it’s easier to manage your base from the top-down perspective.

Now look, I’m not opposed to RTS games at all. I think I have more hours in “Warcraft III” and its expansion “The Frozen Throne” than most other games I opine about here. I enjoy RTS games…when I don’t have access to action games. It’s difficult for me to knowingly give up an action game for RTS, which is what “WARSHIFT 2” forces me to do.

Remember the old episode of “Family Guy” when Brian becomes a radio DJ to have intellectual discussions with listeners and play jazz music, only to have more success as a wacky, shock jock, morning zoo host? That’s what “WARSHIFT 2” is to me.

It wants to be an RTS game that has action elements interwoven into the gameplay. It should be a third-person action shooter with basic commands to lead your army into battle. The developer has already confirmed and showed gameplay of the ability to command troops while in Action Mode, and, for me, this should be how the game is played:

It probably says a lot about my sensibilities that I prefer the zany, balls to the wall “Dingo and the Baby” chaos of Action Mode to the more strategic and refined RTS mode, but I’m not here to impress you with my sophistication, I’m here to talk about fun games. And “WARSHIFT 2” is a fun game with a lot to offer.

Game Modes

The version I have features a pretty impressive slate of modes for a title in early access. There is a robust tutorial that teaches you how to play the game in general, then segments into specific functions for both armies, two fully fleshed-out campaigns, one for the human side and one for the alien side, and Skirmish mode, which is essentially quickplay.

The original game had no online gameplay and “WARSHIFT 2” might not have any, either. This is one man’s passion project, after all, and it might be too much to implement as a solo dev.

Quick Thoughts

• When you clear a mission in the campaign mode, you get the above results screen, which is absolutely just stock footage of military personnel doing stuff, and that’s wonderful.
• The game is still pretty obviously in early access. The menus and UI out of the gameplay is rather barebones. In-game menus look great, though.
• The game manages to do something other indie games don’t, in that it looks fantastic but isn’t a resource hog. I appreciate it.

All in all, I’m looking forward to the future of “WARSHIFT 2” and can’t wait to see what’s next for the game.

“WARSHIFT 2” is available now on Steam.