Line War Review: A Strategy-First Approach to War
Line War delivers a fresh take on the RTS genre, challenging players to emphasize strategy over speed.
last updated Dec 08, 2023
Strap in, commanders—it's time for a masterclass in strategic gameplay, minus the carpal tunnel from insane micromanagement.
Unprecedented Strategic Depth
Strap in, commanders—it's time for a masterclass in strategic gameplay, minus the carpal tunnel from insane micromanagement. Line War carves its niche in the RTS battlefield by putting a major spin on the genre with its 'draw-and-command' mechanic. The learning curve is steeper than a cliffside, but once you've got the hang of issuing commands through elegant strokes instead of frantic clicks, it's like being promoted from foot soldier to grandmaster. The game dares to shush the chaos typical to RTS games—here, tactics trump twitchy fingers. But don't expect to be a tactical genius straight off the bat: the uninitiated will face a tough time before they dance the fine line between drawing plans and floundering in the art class.
Whispers and Roars
Line War's sound design might not have the symphonic breadth of a Wagner opera, but it functions well within its boundaries. The game's audio cues are crisp, with an arsenal of bangs, booms, and splashes effectively simmering down the need for constant visual surveillance. It's like having a personal assistant whisper 'Hey, your tank's under attack' but with more explosions. The music comes off as standard RTS fare, ebbing and flowing like power fantasies at a cosplay convention. While it won't be hymned in gaming soundtracks' hall of fame, it's sufficient backdrop to your agonizing over whether you've accidentally drawn a squiggle instead of a flanking maneuver.
Stroke of Art?
Line War isn't winning any beauty contests soon but it's got a functional minimalist charm. The visuals are more utilitarian than eye candy but hit the right notes for clarity amidst the fray. Think less 'Starry Night' and more 'Starkly Lit War Room'. Performance-wise, the game runs smoother than a politician at a baby-kissing contest—unless you're trying to wage World War III single-handedly on a potato-powered rig. Beware, though—scaling up the battlefield complexity with teeming units can lead to performance hiccups, turning your sleek command lines into regrettable doodles.
The Blessing and Curse of Multiplayer Exclusivity
If there's anything that simultaneously fuels and drains the exhilaration of Line War, it's the laser focus on multiplayer mayhem. The prospect of outwitting another human being, with nary an AI in sight, is ridiculously compelling. Yet, the player base is thinner than the 'plot' in a fighting game's story mode, rendering matchmaking longer than a DMV line. This is a game that relishes a close-knit community; a place where you practically need to bring your own opponents. Word on the street is AI is on the horizon, and if delivered, could pump fresh blood into the game's beating heart.
Stand Out Strategy
The unique strategic element where the world is your chessboard, and your drawn commands guide your pawns, is what sets Line War apart. The game philosophy forces you to engage with the larger picture, setting the tempo based on strategic foresight rather than the rapid, reaction-based gameplay of its contemporaries. The ability to meticulously plan every move with lines allows deep strategist thinkers to flourish, creating layers of tactical depth that are genuinely rewarding when your battle plans come to fruition.
STEAM RATING
Developer & Publisher
Studio Centurion
Release Date
May 05, 2022
The Verdict
Line War marches to the beat of its own drum, defying conventional RTS mechanics to offer a unique, if niche, theater of war. It's a daring indie passion project where strategic depth takes precedence over the frenetic action of traditional titles. However, its reliance on a now-tepid player base and lack of AI opponents relegate it to a potential gem-in-waiting. If you've got the patience for its learning curve, and friends to enlist, Line War might just be your multiplayer revelation.
