There Are No Orcs
" Innovative indie RTS-roguelike with unique commanders and auto-battling, but limited maps "
There Are No Orcs Review
There Are No Orcs is a nostalgic and addictive tug-of-war style auto-battler reminiscent of classic Warcraft 3 and Starcraft custom games like Castle Fight and Desert Strike. Players build and position structures that generate units and resources, with unique commanders and races offering varied playstyles. The game features a progression system unlocking new commanders and races, alongside a "Chaos" difficulty mode with modifiers that add challenge. Matches typically last around 15-30 minutes, balancing strategic depth with accessibility.
Players praise its engaging gameplay loop, diverse commanders, and strategic base-building mechanics, which keep the experience fresh and rewarding. The pixel art style is charming and the game runs well on multiple platforms including Steam Deck. However, some players find the game too easy at higher difficulties due to certain overpowered strategies, especially involving the demon faction's Lemure units. The limited number of maps and music variety also leave room for improvement. Overall, it offers excellent value for its price and is highly recommended for fans of auto-battlers and tug-of-war RTS games.
Highlights
Players especially praise the unique and varied commanders and races, each with distinct abilities and strategies, enhancing replayability. The strategic placement and synergy of buildings add depth beyond typical auto-battlers. The progression system with unlockable commanders and relics provides satisfying growth. Graphics receive positive remarks for their charming pixel art style and clear design. The gameplay successfully blends auto-battler mechanics with real-time base management, creating an engaging tug-of-war experience reminiscent of classic RTS mods. The game’s pacing and match length are well-balanced, offering both quick sessions and deeper strategic play.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's difficulty balance, with many players finding the demon faction's Lemure-based strategies overpowering and trivializing higher difficulty levels. The chaos mode modifiers sometimes feel ineffective due to dominant builds that negate their impact. The limited map variety (only 4 maps) and music tracks contribute to a sense of repetitiveness over extended play. Some players desire more content, including additional maps, commanders, units, and progression features. The loot and crafting system is viewed as underdeveloped and somewhat arbitrary, reducing the impact of gear. Finally, there are calls for a multiplayer mode and post-battle summaries to enhance longevity and competitive play.
Pros
- • Unique commanders and races with distinct playstyles add great replayability.
- • Strategic building placement and synergies deepen gameplay complexity.
- • Engaging tug-of-war auto-battler mechanics with real-time base management.
- • Progression system with unlockable commanders, relics, and gear enhances motivation.
- • Charming pixel art graphics with clear and appealing visual design.
- • Balanced match length offers both quick and extended play sessions.
- • Game runs smoothly on multiple platforms, including Steam Deck support.
Cons
- • Certain commanders, especially demon faction, are overpowered and break difficulty.
- • Limited map and music variety lead to repetitive gameplay over time.
- • Chaos mode modifiers sometimes ineffective due to dominant strategies.
- • Loot and crafting systems feel underdeveloped and random.
- • Lack of multiplayer mode reduces competitive replay value.
- • Post-battle summaries and quality-of-life features are missing.
- • Progression can feel shallow once all commanders and races are unlocked.
Rating Criteria
An RTS-Roguelike hybrid with auto-battling troops. Master building placement, swarm your enemies, and smash their defenses with unit-commander combos!