There’s something about Dying Breed that feels so familiar. Let’s take a trip back to 1996, when 19-year-old me discovered a little game called Command and Conquer: Red Alert. It was a revelation—the units, the voices, the gameplay, and especially that music. I loved everything about Red Alert, from the challenging missions to the cheesy FMV cut scenes. Fast forward 30 years, and Dying Breed crosses my desk.
Dying Breed, from indie developer Sarnayer and published by the legendary MicroProse, feels just like Red Alert did all those years ago. It’s an electrifying real-time strategy experience which both honours and innovates upon the genre’s classics.
Set in an alternate post-World War II timeline, Dying Breed channels the spirit of iconic 90’s RTS games like Command and Conquer and StarCraft. The interface design, resource management mechanics and fundamental RTS loop of base-building, resource-gathering, and strategic combat will take players back to the golden age of RTS gaming. But Dying Breed isn’t content with replication; it takes the classic RTS formula and dials it up to 100.
Dying Breed mixes traditional military units with fantastical elements. Players will command infantry, vehicles and aircraft whilst facing off against zombies and subterranean monsters. The addition of retro-futuristic technologies make this blend of realism and fantasy into a universe which yearns to be explored.
Welcome to the Post-Apocalypse
A meticulously crafted post-apocalyptic world is waiting for willing commanders to explore. Set in an alternative aftermath of World War II, Dying Breed diverges from our known history. The war extended into the 1950s and culminated in a catastrophic nuclear holocaust. The geopolitical landscape was changed forever and humanity was plunged into a struggle for survival amidst the ruins of civilisation.
Central to Dying Breed is the discovery of the imaginatively named, Substance D. This is a mysterious and potent energy source which emerged from the irradiated wastelands left by the nuclear war. This mineral is capable of powering advanced technologies and is considered the key to rebuilding society. Its scarcity makes it a valuable resource and war inevitably breaks out.
Substance D plays a two-fold role in the game. It’s not just the primary resource which can be harvested, it’s also the catalyst for unforeseen consequences which have beset the world. Strange beasts, mutated creatures, and ancient horrors have been unleashed.
A War of Ideologies – Opposing Forces
Far be it from me to suggest that in choosing the names of the two factions in Dying Breed, Sarnayer are taking a pop at a couple of industry giants. There’s absolutely no way that the West World Alliance and Empire Ascending Order are Westwood Studios and Electronic Arts. It’s surely just a coincidence.
Last year I had the chance to spam a large number of stupid questions at the lead developer of Dying Breed. I don’t need to suggest it as its absolutely confirmed. On the subject of the factions he said:
West World Alliance
The WWA adheres to democratic and collaborative principles, with a strong commitment to individual freedoms and a core mission of safeguarding the innocent. The Alliance heavily relies on Nikola Tesla’s technological innovations to sustain their dominance in this post-nuclear world.
Empire Ascending Order
The EAO is Cult-turned-Nation devoted to their enigmatic leaders policies. To achieve their goals, the Order employs extensive indoctrination within their militaristic society to brainwash its denizens. They openly employ eugenics, social engineering, and biological experiments to enhance their armed forces and to exact severe punishment on those who oppose the state.
Dying Breed is a classic battle between good and evil.
Gameplay
Let’s get down to it. Dying Breed feels like you’re playing Command and Conquer or Red Alert on insane difficulty. This is a game aimed at real time strategy veterans. Its a faithful homage to the first generation of real-time strategy games. You’ll lead hero units, recruit armies and build bases. RTS gamers will feel right at home. The difficulty level is unforgiving. Mistakes lead to defeat. Featuring levels both above ground and subterranean, players will lead their forces through a series of diverse missions. In addition to the standard genre-specific missions of building up a large attacking force and obliterating the enemy, Dying Breed will feature hero-lead missions such as infiltration and sabotage. Mission objectives will often mirror the good vs evil ideologies of the factions. As an example, the WWA may be tasked with saving civilians. The EAO, on other hand, will be required to ‘silence’ said civilians. Our factions harbour differing visions of the future and divergent methodologies for attaining their vision.
The user interface with feel immediately recognisable to RTS veterans with a sidebar of contsruction options whilst the main screen is dominated by the battle map. The maps look as if they could have been lifted directly out of Red Alert with the addition of giant carnivorous tentacle-worms occasionally breaking up the pixel-art scenery.
The game combines fast-paced action with strategic decision making. Successful players will have excellent mouse/keyboard reactions and a sound grasp of strategic thinking.
This game is tough. Seriously tough. Expect to die. A lot.
The Campaign
Each faction in Dying Breed will be presented with a 15-mission, non-linear campaign. Mission design is diverse and each feels unique in it’s own way. At conclusion of most mission players will be taken to the territory selection screen and will be allowed to choose between several different missions, presenting a number of ways to play through and enhancing replayability. Some missions are narratively linked and will bypass the selection screen altogether.
The missions are designed in such a way that they become increasingly harder and larger, with more diverse and dangerous enemies to encounter. Players will access improved construction options as the campaign progresses. Each mission will present unique objectives and defeat conditions, forcing the player to use different mechanisms and techniques, adapting to overcome each of them.
Additional secret optional missions with heightened difficulty may be accessible should the player discover them. This will add to the replay value of the game. All told, each campaign should last about 30 hours. That’s a lot of mutants and zombies to wade through.
When Can I Play?
Currently, Dying Breed is listed as ‘coming soon’ on Steam, with no confirmed release date. You can join the official Discord server and get up-to-the-minute updates on the game. With the success of the Command and Conquer Remaster a few years ago it’s clear there is still a market for traditional RTS games. Dying Breed is as traditional as they come.
Don’t want to wait? The good guys at Sarnayer have released a demo so you can sink your teeth into the game before its full release. Get the demo here: https://playdyingbreed.com/dying-breed-demo-version/
We will keep you informed of any release information, so check back often. Be sure to support us by liking, following, re-X-ing (is that a thing?) our social media channels. Let us know what you think of Dying Breed in the comments.
