May 24, 2019 Battle Worlds: Kronos is a turn-based strategy game deeply rooted in the hexagonal tradition of the genre. The planet is once again torn by war, for the succession of a new emperor.
As much as I wanted to love Battle Worlds: Kronos, especially considering we aren’t getting a new Advance Wars anytime soon, I just couldn’t.
Kronos has you playing as the Yerla faction, a highly technologized army, fighting for the destiny of the planet as it is torn by war and destruction. Whilst the plot is set up good, it does not manage to compel the player, sadly.
Battle Worlds: Kronos is a turn-based strategy game, using the hexagonal movement system. The game begins with an optional tutorial, though, something unique to Kronos is that you can have a tutorial guide throughout the whole game in the screen’s corner. Keep in mind it is a very difficult game.
Whilst this sort of gameplay is not bad by any means, Kronos does not do a good job of executing it. The graphics are dated, like something you’d find from the early 2000s. And it does not help the game is bogged by the serious plague of unrewarding and unsatisfying gameplay. It feels like a mixtape on repeat after every loss. Part of that dissatisfaction also comes from its unorganized user interface. There is just too much going on and way too many ‘button’ options for one to comprehend. The organization of it all prevented me from any long play sessions. It also does not feel visually striking – the menu was stale and lacked inspiration. The menu isn’t the only thing lacking inspiration either as there is little diversity in the maps. Despite the large offering of maps/levels, that means nothing if they all are unoriginal in terms of appearance. Whilst the diversity issue could be fixed with a map-editor, that was also left out of the Nintendo Switch version (Only available on PC).
Another point of contention with maps lies within the local multiplayer on offering (it’s worth mentioning there is no online multiplayer present). In local multiplayer, the maps were designed with that intent in mind – this means that not every map is playable locally.
All negativity aside, there are some points of interest. For example, there was care put into the diversity of different units and buildings (Infantry, Airborne, Naval, and Ground). Another point of interest is its framerate – It remained constant and smooth which helped in justifying a playthrough. Another point of attention is the sheer amount of story missions (even if the story wasn’t for me, I can not argue the length of it). There are three different campaigns each of which have several missions, and all of them overarching into one big story.
Whilst I can’t justify anyone purchasing this title, there was effort put in at least… The developer’s pride for an Advance Wars style game shined through, which I can appreciate. It has its issues whether it be a cluttered user interface, bad graphics, and similar environments, which can make it easy to overlook this title, and I can’t say you’d be missing much. If you are an Advance Wars fan, you might want to try looking elsewhere, that is, if you can’t overlook these points of concern (a good starting place might be Chucklefish’s latest hit – Wargroove).
IntroRead this, if you want to live. That’s how my time started with Battle Worlds: Kronos. An ominous message to be sure. As a veteran strategy gamer I scoffed at the hollow warning. Moments into the tutorial I ate my scoffs. Or swallowed my pride, maybe?
However the saying goes, I was chewed up and spit out on the first skirmish. Battle Worlds: Kronos had decimated me. Kronos rewards those who take their time and build a sound plan. Rushing in head long will clearly result in a swift demise. Battle Words, Kronos?
Battle Worlds: Kronos has a pretty straightforward plot. A new emperor is needed for the planet. This results in major factions going to war.
You fill the role as a new commander. You’re the ace up the sleeve for the General since you’re highly skilled and underestimated.
It wasn’t the generic plot that pulled me into the World of Kronos. It was the delivery. Not only are the characters unique, the writing is done where it lets you glimpse into their thoughts. This lets you get to know each person on a deeper level and see what drives them.
As good as the writing was, it had its faults too. There was a fair amount of predictability despite the twists and turns.
That being said, I don’t play this style of game for the story alone. The gameplay is the main course while the narrative is the appetizer.
Fools Rush In. Battle Worlds: Kronos is a tactical turn-based strategy game. Viewed on a top-down map using a grid based movement system. The map sizes are a bit misleading as they appear small. A single mission can last a few hours. Attempting to charge in guns blazing will needlessly sacrifice your troops.
Unlike similar titles where you can harvest resources to build an endless army, you have strict limits. Resources can be used to build or repair troops. Units are in short supply and it’s important to be stingy with the ones you have.
Aside from repair depots, you can also find supplies on the ground to heal your troops. If you’re desperate, you can spend your level up skill to instantly heal. That may be a tempting option when your back’s against the wall but comes at the risk of missing out on a precious improvement.There is a huge array of vehicles to choose from for your army. For your ground units you have various scouts, tanks and mechs.
There are watercraft ranging from transports and destroyers to submarines. You also have an airbase and control drones, helicopters, bombers and fighters. Each unit has a strength and a weakness. Some have movement restrictions while others can attack twice in a turn.
Knowing the details of each unit is key to keeping your army alive. At any time in the game you can bring up details to help manage their specifics.Battle Worlds: Kronos isn’t a title which works well for on the go gaming. With the amount of planning and strategy that is involved, you’ll need sufficient time to dedicate to each mission. Moving units one by one grew tiresome at times. Especially since the bumper buttons cycle to units who have an action remaining. If you have a tank where only one move is allowed and the second action has to be an attack, it will continually cycle to the tank even though it can’t be used that turn. It would have been nice if there were a cycle option specific to movement versus any available action.
Fighting Fun For Everyone! There is a lot of content packed into this strategy title. In addition to the main story campaign are single player challenges and multiplayer. Multiplayer is done via hot-seat.
Though not the most convenient, it works and is fun to interact with your opponent sitting right beside you. That’s also the draw back of a strategy game. Your frenemy can see what you’re doing and where your troops are positioned. One advantage the Nintendo Switch version has over PS4 is tabletop mode. You can play across from each other and just turn the switch to hold onto your tactical surprise.
The pass and play multiplayer was a lot of fun but it certainly takes a lot of time. If you play with someone who likes to plan every move in detail, you can probably mow your lawn or wash your car before your next turn. The Grotesqueries of War. The graphics are decent for the Nintendo Switch. The wording can be a bit small. Playing in handheld mode or closer to a television is helpful when reading the unit details. The movements are fluid and launching a volley of missiles at an approaching scout is extremely satisfying to see and hear.
The music is calming despite battling across a war torn land. The sound effects for each attack is unique and detailed. Each craft is specific and you feel like you’re commanding a modern military force. I didn’t run into any bugs or glitches. Regardless of handheld mode, table top or on the television, Battle Worlds: Kronos ran great and the controls were intuitive for console. Final WrapBattle Worlds: Kronos is a pleasing entry in the turn-based strategy genre for the Nintendo Switch. The campaign is robust and challenging.
The option to play against a friend adds to the excitement. Especially if your friend is a child who lacks strategy game experience and you leave his army is a smoking pile of ash. Joking aside, it was a lot of fun to play with my son. He got a kick out of the game and had started his own campaign before long. Pros. Deep Tactics.
Challenging. Several Play ModesCons. Time Consuming Movement. Unit Selection ProcessVerdictBattle Worlds: Kronos brings deep strategy to Nintendo Switch and it’s worth the wait.4/5.