Sure thing, here’s a reimagined take:
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Alright, so we’re diving headfirst back into the wild world of Early Access games. If I’m honest (and I usually am), this chaotic wonderland is one of my top spots. I just love watching a game morph from a handful of pixels into something that might actually be good—or, you know, not. Early Access used to be the pit of half-baked dreams, kind of like an endless junk drawer, where ideas languished indefinitely. But hey, not blaming everyone, okay? Some devs truly have their act together. Thankfully, the stigma’s lifting, and really cool stuff like Vanguard Exiles is popping out. And yep, that’s our adventure for today.
So, Vanguard Exiles, right? Picture this: it’s brought to you by some brainiacs from Magic: The Gathering. You’d think there’d be a deck of cards in there, but nope, not in the way you’d expect. We’re talking a hex-based fighting game—a real love letter to tabletop strategies. Honestly, if this doesn’t turn up in a box with a bunch of tiny, ridiculously overpriced miniatures, I’d be shocked. And yes, sign me up for one of those right now.
Oh, wait, here’s a thing to keep in mind: the game’s in Early Access. So, it’s still in its awkward teen phase—plenty of space for growth. It’s like wandering through a construction site, pointing out bits you don’t like, knowing they’ll probably be fixed later. My complaints? Pretty minor. But there’s this dreaded RNG that’s grinding my gears a bit.
In Vanguard Exiles, you’re tossing a bunch of hired guns into trenches, duking it out over tactical positions. Picture this: each room you take over has its own little perks—gold, buffs, maybe an angry bear? (Yeah, seriously.) It’s a balancing act, deciding which room’s your best bet. Ideally, you snag points before your foes hit 80 first. No pressure.
Now here’s the thing: it’s an auto-battler. And I get it, just saying that makes some people tilt their heads like confused puppies. It’s all about shoving units at key spots and hoping the numbers work in your favor. Sure, flooding a spot with guys can secure it, but then you’re leaving other spots wide open. Balancing is key, folks.
This game isn’t a straight-up card game, even though you’re sort of tossing cards down. They’re just tools for deciding who goes where. Collect gold, pick units, and hope for the best. Yeah, you’re not gonna strategize everything, but at least you’re lifting the weight off, right?
Gotta admit—the whole no-story-thing bugs me. We’ve got cool characters: dwarves, elves, cultists, you name it. But no backstory! What’s the beef? Why’s everyone fighting? I’m pretty confident it’ll be added, because, let’s be honest, we all need a bit of fluff with our strategy.
Balancing’s another deal. Some matches feel fair, while others are like climbing uphill in flip-flops. You start out, and by the third round, you know if you’re in for a long haul or resetting to save yourself some heartbreak.
Lastly, armored dwarves. They’re tanks early on and it feels like smacking a wall with a wet noodle. We need an answer to that sooner rather than later. Random mechanics, fine—it’s a game of chance—but when it’s a constant thing, it’s irksome.
Wrapping up this messy little rant: I’ve got a good feeling about Vanguard Exiles. Once everything’s polished, it’s going to be a real gem for strategy fans. Seriously, keep an eye on this one as we barrel closer to the final release. It’s exciting stuff.
And, uh, for transparency: this chaotic preview is brought to you courtesy of an Early Access copy, thanks to the publisher.
