Shieldwall Review (Stormcrow)
On the surface, this is a (mostly) fun game with a good soundtrack and some charming visuals.
However, unfortunately I couldn’t give this game a recommendation even though I personally like the game and will eventually look to complete it. This will be one of those games where you lament the potential that it has.
The primary issue with the game is the difficulty. This is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult games I have ever played in my life. I’m currently at the Battle of Dyrrhachium (or as I’ve started calling it, the Battle of Diarrhoea Design) and I’ve had to quit for a while. I’ve had to use a walkthrough for most levels as the intention of the level designer is not clear in certain levels. Once you finish the first 3 battles you quickly realise this game turns into a mixture of RNG and Trial-and-Error. As an example, with the Battle of Diarrhoea Design, you must face two enemies who quickly gang up on you once you get ahead, and you have a pair of sniper-catapults that are constantly bombarding you. It's frustrating beyond belief.
Quite often battles devolve into running around the map, capping flags whilst losing your own flags to the enemy. When you do battle the enemy, they seem to be able to block and deflect your blows easily. If you manage to somehow defeat them in open battle, unfortunately for you they have now respawned at their nearest flag and have the money to respawn their entire army; so, you need to retreat to your own flag to get our own men back and no progress is made.
The combat is… fine, for the most part. You can’t be a Rambo and run into the enemy alone, you’ll just get mowed down and killed. You need to stick with your men if you’re to have any hope of victory. It’s basic, but it works fine. It’s satisfying to hurl 20 pila at the enemy and then charge in with the boys. The game could do with a couple more unit types in my opinion to spice up the combat.
Visually, I like the game’s rather charming art style, and the music does get you into the mood of being a Roman soldier in battle for the glory of the Republic.
To conclude; despite what I just wrote, I do like the game, and I believe there is the bones of what could be a true gem of a little ancient warfare game. Sadly, the flaws are too numerous for me to give this a recommendation. I would only buy this game if you knew what you were getting in to and find the idea of leading your own little Legion in battle fun for a couple of hours despite the game’s faults. The game is both fun and unbelievably frustrating – and it won’t take long for the frustration this game brings to remove the fun. As it stands now: I would only buy this game on a sale.