RTS games have long been a cornerstone of the gaming industry. However, the genre lost momentum in the mid-2000s and was largely forgotten by the 2010s. Now, in 2024, RTS games are regaining relevance, partly due to the heavy monetization of other genres. Yet, these new titles face the same challenge that plagued the classics: stagnation. Despite their quality, many RTS games can be reduced to base building and resource gathering. While some have attempted to break this mold by introducing squad-based combat or more macro-intensive management, they often end up feeling similar. This is why a game like Powerplay stands out. It takes the essential elements of a good RTS and industrializes them, quite literally.
Developed by Frantic, Powerplay brings some new ideas to the RTS genre. Ideas such as mass industrialization, meaning now instead of just gathering basic resources and creating units. You will have to follow a proper chain of production to create and maintain an army. This introduces a whole new dimension to the generic RTS formula. As now building a solid defense to secure your lines of production will not be as simple as placing a few turrets and calling it a day. Players will have to intensively micro-manage not only their units but also the production chains and conveyor belts. The latter is something players of the hit indie game Factorio can sympathize with.
While some may criticize the game for adding complexity for the sake of it, these features bring a deeper level of strategy. Rather than relying on a massive army of overpowered units to defeat opponents, players can use smaller, agile forces to disrupt the enemy’s production lines, potentially crippling them. However, this works both ways: leaving your own production chains unguarded can result in a devastating loss of infrastructure. Powerplay is set to be featured in the Steam RTS Fest in a few months, where we hope to learn more, including details about its newly improved engine and the introduction of supply vans designed to make gameplay more dynamic.
That being said, there are some significant concerns about the game, based on the available content. While the production lines are an interesting concept, their proper integration is crucial. Unlike other games that use similar mechanics, most RTS titles don’t afford players the luxury of wrestling with controls to achieve the perfect setup. The early game is particularly important, offering new players a foothold and giving veterans a chance to optimize their strategies—something that is currently missing and needs to be addressed in the upcoming RTS Fest. Additionally, although it’s still unclear if the game will feature competitive multiplayer if it does, the core system will need an overhaul. In its current state, the actions per minute required to manage both an army and an economy are simply too high.
But alas we will not know more until the game is released or an updated demo is shown in the coming Fest. Overall, from the currently available news and content the game is shaping up to be a solid entry in the RTS genre. And were it to resolve the problems mentioned above it has a chance of truly ending the curse of stagnation that has taken root amongst the genre.
Wishlist Powerplay on Steam.
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