Bionic Dues - Released

Huw the Poo · October 09, 2013, 05:01:27 PM

Bloody hell, this game isn't easy, is it? If I'm not getting wiped by some missile-hurling bot I'm destroying myself in explosions instead! Why does everything in the game have to explode all the time?!

Huw the Poo · October 11, 2013, 11:58:35 AM

For anyone on the fence there's a demo available. Just scroll down a bit to find the link.

Nefaro · October 11, 2013, 03:57:51 PM

Quote from: Huw the Poo on October 09, 2013, 05:01:27 PM
Bloody hell, this game isn't easy, is it? If I'm not getting wiped by some missile-hurling bot I'm destroying myself in explosions instead! Why does everything in the game have to explode all the time?!

The missile-hurling bots are definitely prime targets. The crazy ones (can't remember the exact name - the dumber ones) also tend to fire haphazardly after you inject a virus in them, to turn them friendly. Since that requires you to be adjacent to them, it can be dangerous if they end up blasting a wall nearby. ;D

As with other games of this type, you tend to continually learn new tactics to deal with certain types of enemies and you can outfit your 'Exos' accordingly. Fun! 8)

Huw the Poo · October 11, 2013, 05:08:46 PM

Yeah, my biggest gripe - well it isn't so much a gripe, just the factor that kills me most often - is that everything in the game is so damned explosive. My number 1 reason for dying is being caught in an explosion that I wasn't expecting or couldn't avoid.

I guess I just need to keep practicing...

spelk · October 11, 2013, 05:15:01 PM

Rock, Paper, Shotgun give it a good review.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/10/11/wot-i-think-bionic-dues

Nefaro · October 11, 2013, 07:26:14 PM

Quote from: Huw the Poo on October 11, 2013, 05:08:46 PM
Yeah, my biggest gripe - well it isn't so much a gripe, just the factor that kills me most often - is that everything in the game is so damned explosive. My number 1 reason for dying is being caught in an explosion that I wasn't expecting or couldn't avoid.

I guess I just need to keep practicing...

Watch out for the little glowing symbols on the floor being hit with explosive weapons. They replicate the blast on all others nearby. You know about those, right?

There are also the occasional explod-y stuff sitting on the floor. Mostly in rooms with a lot of AI-Exos or a 'Destroy' mission objective.

Nefaro · October 11, 2013, 07:32:17 PM

Quote from: spelk on October 11, 2013, 05:15:01 PM
Rock, Paper, Shotgun give it a good review.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/10/11/wot-i-think-bionic-dues

Quote from: RPS ReviewHowever, my first attempts to play the game made it seem impenetrable because of the sheer amount of information presented.

Ha! Rookie strategy game Reviewer! Your TBS kung fu is weak. :P

Hell... I want more info displayed! ;D

Huw the Poo · October 12, 2013, 03:13:40 AM

Nef, yeah I'm aware of the "explosive runes" or whatever they are. But everything is explosive...you have to stand back even if you blow up some cover!

I'm not complaining by the way. I love this game. I'm just saying that I really, really suck at it and explosions are the main reason for it. :)

Tpek · October 12, 2013, 07:34:31 AM

I've had Terminals explode when hacked and somehow take 2 of my exo's :P

tgb · October 12, 2013, 07:52:40 AM

Quote from: Tpek on October 12, 2013, 07:34:31 AM
I've had Terminals explode when hacked and somehow take 2 of my exo's :P

I've had that happen as well. I just chalk it up to the terminals having been booby-trapped.

Nefaro · October 13, 2013, 04:27:54 AM

Quote from: Tpek on October 12, 2013, 07:34:31 AM
I've had Terminals explode when hacked and somehow take 2 of my exo's :P

I would think that a bug. Unless perhaps a nearby aforementioned 'Splody Glow-Rune was meant to make a copy of such a blast radius after your second Exo replaced the dead one. :o

Huw the Poo · October 13, 2013, 05:38:03 AM

Some of the terminals say that the consequences are unknown, so maybe some are booby trapped? It would be no less fair than opening a door and being face to face with a pack of rocket-launcher-wielding bots...*grumble*...

Huw the Poo · October 13, 2013, 09:55:53 AM

This really is a bloody good game. Probably Arcen's best since AI War (although I haven't played Skyward Collapse yet). Now that I've actually managed to survive a few missions in a row, the customisation options are really opening up, adding another layer of strategy to the game. I've become a lot more choosy in which missions I take on; going for shield factories when I want to upgrade my shields, for example.

There's a ridiculous amount of gaming here for the price they're asking.

Nefaro · October 13, 2013, 07:47:58 PM

Quote from: Huw the Poo on October 13, 2013, 09:55:53 AM
This really is a bloody good game. Probably Arcen's best since AI War (although I haven't played Skyward Collapse yet). Now that I've actually managed to survive a few missions in a row, the customisation options are really opening up, adding another layer of strategy to the game. I've become a lot more choosy in which missions I take on; going for shield factories when I want to upgrade my shields, for example.

There's a ridiculous amount of gaming here for the price they're asking.

Agreed.

Also.. I played Skyward Collapse for a few minutes and.. meh. I just kept getting the feeling that if they had made it a proper grand strategy with multiple factions of some kind and put more content in that it would've been more interesting. Some people probably enjoyed it but I thought it was trying to be too different and the whole concept of keeping two separate powers equalized just didn't end up being as fun.

Bionic Dues, on the other hand, is like a less brutal Space Hulk with a good persistent campaign and a decent loot system. Maybe the Space Hulk devs will take note. Space Marines are more interesting than the 'Exo' background for BD, and BD's artwork isn't all that great, but it has some great gameplay and that's what counts most.