Cube Chaos is a complex strategy rogue-lite about placing units to create giant armies, factories, combos, or self replicating murder crabs, overwhelming and outsmarting your opponents. Build and adapt new strategies each run using a ludicrous variety of units, perks and more.
Cube Chaos features a unique set of gameplay mechanics that set it apart from other games in the genre. Instead of cards or units, players place "cubes" on the battlefield, each with their own special abilities and behaviors. These cubes can interact with each other in complex and often unexpected ways, leading to emergent gameplay.
The game boasts a vast array of over 500 unique cubes and 500 upgradable perks that players can discover and combine. For example, players can find a cube that spawns an ant every 10 seconds, then pair it with a perk that empowers any cubes created next to magnets. This allows players to create an army of powerful, rapidly-spawning ants, demonstrating the game's depth of synergy.
Many reviews describe the gameplay as a "chaos simulator" rather than a traditional strategy game. The complex interactions between cubes can lead to situations that quickly spiral out of control, with the screen filling up with a dizzying array of projectiles, spawned units, and other effects. One player recounts an infinite loop where their leader took damage, spawning bullets that created fireballs, which then spawned more bullets - a recursion that overwhelmed the enemy.
The game is structured as a roguelike, with players progressing through a series of procedurally generated maps and encounters. Each run offers a unique set of challenges, cubes, and perks to discover, fostering a strong sense of replayability. The game's difficulty scales appropriately, rewarding players who can adapt their strategies on the fly.
Despite its retro-inspired pixel art style, the game offers a surprising amount of depth and complexity. Mastering the various cube interactions and synergies requires a significant investment of time and effort, but this depth is a key part of the game's appeal, as players can continually uncover new strategies and possibilities.
The game's open-ended design allows players to experiment and pursue their own unique approaches, whether that's a zerg rush of self-replicating units or a meticulously crafted defensive fortress. This freedom to explore and discover is a major draw for many players, who appreciate the game's chaotic energy and emphasis on player creativity.