MENACE

MENACE is a turn-based tactical strategy game blending elements from XCOM, Jagged Alliance, and Battle Brothers, set in a gritty sci-fi universe. Players command squads led by unique squad leaders with diverse perks, managing infantry, vehicles, and combined arms tactics across procedurally generated missions. The game features deep tactical combat emphasizing suppression, positioning, and resource management through a supply point system limiting squad composition. The strategic layer involves managing a task force, upgrading a ship, and navigating faction relationships. While the core gameplay loop is satisfying and combat mechanics are engaging, the game is still in Early Access with notable rough edges. Players praise the sound design, vehicle and weapon variety, and tactical depth but criticize the restrictive supply system, lack of narrative depth, UI issues, and AI quirks. The game demands careful planning and offers a challenging experience distinct from XCOM, but some design decisions and limited content affect long-term replayability.

Overall, MENACE presents a solid foundation with unique mechanics and potential for growth, appealing especially to fans of tactical wargames, though it currently requires patience for polish and content expansion.

Highlights

Players praise MENACE's deep tactical combat with combined arms, emphasizing suppression and positioning. The variety of squad leaders, weapons, vehicles, and factions offers meaningful choices. The sound design and visual effects, especially weapon and vehicle models, add immersion. The supply point system introduces a unique strategic resource management layer, forcing trade-offs in squad composition. Squad leaders have distinct personalities and voice lines, enhancing engagement. Procedurally generated missions and faction dynamics provide replayability. The game runs smoothly with solid performance, and the developers actively engage with the community during Early Access. The tactical gameplay loop is satisfying and challenging, rewarding careful planning and adaptation.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the restrictive supply point system limiting equipment and squad upgrades, which frustrates progression and replayability. The AI often behaves unrealistically, such as fleeing excessively or avoiding unseen units. The UI lacks clarity in important areas like weapon stats, firing ranges, and inventory management. The story and narrative elements are minimal, with repetitive and sometimes cringeworthy squad leader dialogue breaking immersion. The strategic layer feels underdeveloped, with bland faction interactions and a static campaign map. Some mission objectives are hard or impossible due to RNG or map design. Balance issues exist with certain weapons and perks underperforming. The game is still Early Access, so missing polish, placeholder assets, and limited content are expected but impact current experience.