MAINFRAME DEFENDERS - Turn-based tactics centered around gear and unit customization. It offers simple combat, high replayability, and tons of loot. Items don't just provide stats boost, but also offer distinct mechanics that can be combined into powerful builds.
The turn-based tactical combat system revolves around customizing a squad of four robotic units. Players can equip their units with a diverse array of weapons, gear, and upgrades, each with unique abilities and mechanics. This allows for a high degree of customization, enabling players to experiment with different synergistic builds and strategies to take on the challenging enemies.
The game features a wide variety of enemy units, each with their own roles and abilities designed to counter certain player strategies. Enemies will actively swarm, flank, and deploy specialized units to overwhelm the player. This forces the player to carefully consider their targets and adapt their tactics accordingly, creating an engaging and dynamic combat experience.
The levels are generated through a combination of hand-crafted rooms and procedural elements, resulting in randomized environments. The varying mission objectives, such as defending the mainframe, destroying unit fabricators, and clearing infected nodes, encourage players to approach each encounter differently and adapt their strategies on the fly. The destructible terrain can also be used to the player's advantage, adding an additional layer of tactical consideration.
Between missions, players can upgrade their units and unlock new ones through a progression system. This meta-progression, along with the game's roguelike elements, such as permadeath and randomized loot, contribute to the title's high replayability. Players are incentivized to experiment with different builds and strategies to overcome the game's increasing difficulty as they progress.
The gameplay features a relatively streamlined and accessible loop, with quick-paced turns and intuitive controls. This makes the game approachable for a wide range of players, while still offering depth and challenge for those seeking a more tactical experience. The retro-inspired visuals and synthwave soundtrack also contribute to the overall appeal and style.