\”Menace is a tactically rich turn-based game with meaty role-playing elements,\” said Staff Sergeant James Archer during his hands-on experience back in September. But what’s missing from his description is the strategic layer – the bread that completes this rich, meaty sandwich.
By bread, I mean the strategic aspects of the game – the parts between battles where players choose missions, upgrade squads, handle story events, manage relationships with NPC factions, and enhance their strike cruiser with auxiliary systems. Overhype, the developers, have now revealed some details on how these elements work. It’s like adding a malty, yeasty flavor to the overall strategy.
The starmap serves as the main hub where players allocate resources. Promotion points are used to level up squads, OCI components enhance the ship, and authority points maintain crew morale. Reputation management is crucial as neglecting faction requests can lead to negative consequences.
In addition to managing factions, players must also handle crew-related challenges. From intervening in bar fights to resolving accidents, the choices made here impact gameplay dynamics. Ship upgrades offer both active and passive benefits, emphasizing the importance of reconnaissance over firepower in Menace.
The armory screen allows players to customize weapons, armor, and vehicles, as well as assign promotions. Each squad leader has a unique perk tree, adding depth to the gameplay. The game’s upcoming features include a black market for trading gear and connected operations comprising a series of missions.
While some may have hoped for a unique twist, Menace’s strategic gameplay remains solid. Just like a sandwich needs balanced ingredients, a game like Menace requires a blend of strategy and action. Stay tuned for more updates on the black market and operations in future blog posts. Captain to the messhall, please! Menace is set to release later next year.
