Legacy and nostalgia have become synonymous with modern-day real-time strategy games, whether it’s through remakes like the AOE series or the so-called reimagining seen in Company of Heroes 3. Despite technological advancements, many people seem unable to move on from the golden age of RTS. That’s not to say none have tried, they just haven’t been able to surpass the legacy of the classics. Or so was the case until the release of BAR – Beyond All Reason in 2019. A game that on launch seemed to just be another passion project like Zero-K. Has evolved into a beast of its own in 2024, that in many regards surpasses even the likes of Supreme Commander and Total Annihilation.
BAR – Beyond All Reason in recent months has seen some massive changes. Such as the introduction of the Scavenger update, and reworking of the graphics such as Bloom and SSAO. And updates to the units, cloaking, and construction. But above all else the most significant change from the current version of the game and the 2019 one is the community. The game has organically grown to the point where you can now find numerous 8v8 matches happening simultaneously. That’s right—BAR now features massive 8v8 battles. While not on the same scale as Supreme Commander due to some fundamental differences, BAR compensates with its sheer number of units. It boasts 195 unique faction-specific units, not to mention the 50-plus newly added scavenger units, bringing the total to nearly 450.
For many RTS veterans, this is music to their ears, as it opens the door for complex strategies and long-term planning, especially in co-op play. On the other hand, it is also bound to off put many new players. But worry not as the game website features many in-depth guides for new players that teach everything from the basics to the advanced tactics. Some guides will also be needed by veteran players to complete the survival mode. As it features some of the most challenging battles ever faced in an RTS. With accessible guides, combat that’s easy to learn but difficult to master, and a welcoming community, BAR is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to invest countless hours in an RTS. But there is one caveat.
BAR, while free to play, is not available on Steam and must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. This brings me to some minor concerns I have with the game. Despite being highly polished, there are still a few bugs that can frustrate even veteran players. Additionally, the AI can sometimes malfunction when handling massive 5,000-unit armies. Fortunately, the developers have acknowledged these issues and are working on patches that should be implemented by the time the game is launched on Steam. However, it’s important to remember that the game is still a work in progress. Regardless I encourage you to try it out and see if it’s something you enjoy.
