Upcoming Preview: Vanguard Exiles (PC)

So, we’re diving into Early Access again. And honestly? I kinda love it here. It’s like watching a building grow from just bricks and plans. But yeah, back in the day, Early Access was this mess of half-baked dreams. Some devs would just drop a project and disappear, all while cashing in, which kinda sucked. But hey, it’s gotten better. Now, we see some real gems shining through. I’m betting on Vanguard Exiles to be one of those gems.

Okay, so, Vanguard Exiles. It’s by the brains behind Magic: The Gathering – wild, right? But forget about cards cuz this isn’t that kind of game. Imagine a hex-based tabletop fighting game. Like, if it comes out as a board game one day, don’t say I didn’t see it coming. I’ll be first in line to snag that box of miniatures.

Remember, this is still Early Access – it’s like a cake that needs more baking time. So my gripes, if any, might be solved before the final version. But oh man, RNG is still a thing, and it bugs me sometimes.

In this game, you’re controlling mercenaries in a trench warfare setup. Sounds intense, right? You gotta capture rooms that earn points, and yeah, there’s strategy in picking which rooms to aim for. They offer different rewards – maybe gold, strength boosts, or sometimes a bear ready to rumble. Can’t snag them all, so plan wisely.

Here’s the catch: Vanguard Exiles is sort of an auto-battler. I know, that word makes some folks twitchy. It’s about placing your units smartly, not just letting them run amok. If you dump all your units in one spot, you might leave other areas weak. So it’s a balancing act – spread too thin, and you’re toast. But don’t worry, the auto-battle feels… intentional, not lazy.

Now, the units. You don’t meet them all at once. Between rounds, cards pop up randomly for you to use. Gold lets you buy more, but there’s always a freebie option. These aren’t like your traditional playing cards – think of them as deployment strategies. It simplifies things.

A story mode is missing, which bugs me a bit. There are different factions, like classic dwarves and elves, but their backgrounds? Nope, not much depth yet. I’m hoping this area gets fleshed out because it would add so much flavor.

Balance is another thing – some matches feel rigged, you know? Like, 80 points might be the goal, but if you start off wrong, catching up can feel impossible. I find myself restarting if I can tell I’m doomed by the third round. A level playing field would make things exciting throughout, win or lose.

And those unkillable dwarves? Annoying, honestly. If a game feels like there’s a mechanical stalemate with armor, it needs a fix.

Despite my little rants, I’m really intrigued to see where Vanguard Exiles goes. If they keep refining it, this could be a must-have for strategy lovers. So yeah, keeping my eyes peeled for updates. Here’s hoping they nail the balance and depth before release.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, this sneak peek was courtesy of an Early Access copy from the publisher.