Battle Brothers
" Deep tactical RPG simulation with immersive medieval combat but steep learning curve "
Battle Brothers Review
Battle Brothers is a challenging, deeply rewarding tactical RPG that places players in command of a mercenary company navigating a gritty, low-fantasy medieval world. The game features a steep learning curve that requires patience and strategic thinking, with permadeath mechanics that make every decision impactful. Players must manage resources carefully, balancing combat readiness, equipment maintenance, and mercenary morale while undertaking diverse contracts and exploring an open world filled with emergent storytelling and random events.
The combat system emphasizes positioning, terrain advantages, and unit specialization on a hex grid, demanding tactical mastery. Despite its unforgiving difficulty and occasional frustrating RNG, the game offers immense replayability and a uniquely immersive experience. The art style is distinctively medieval and atmospheric, complementing the game’s tone. While it suffers from some bugs and occasional balance issues, Battle Brothers remains a must-play for fans of tactical strategy and RPGs seeking a brutal but rewarding challenge.
Highlights
Players praise Battle Brothers for its deep and engaging tactical combat system, where positioning and unit roles matter greatly. The game's rich emergent storytelling and procedural world events create a unique narrative experience each playthrough. The medieval-inspired art style is appreciated for its authenticity and atmosphere. Many highlight the game's high replayability due to varied contracts, mercenary progression, and challenging scenarios. The management of mercenaries, equipment, and resources adds satisfying strategic depth that appeals to fans of turn-based RPGs.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include a steep and unforgiving learning curve with little in-game tutorial support, which can frustrate newcomers. The randomness (RNG) in battles sometimes leads to perceived unfair outcomes, dampening player enjoyment. Some find the endgame difficulty spike excessively punishing without satisfying resolution. Technical issues such as game-breaking bugs, crashes, and save corruption—especially on certain hardware—are reported. Additionally, the lack of character interaction and limited story depth beyond gameplay events leaves some players wanting more narrative engagement.
Pros
- • Deep and rewarding tactical turn-based combat system with hex-grid positioning.
- • Highly immersive low-fantasy medieval world with authentic art style.
- • Permadeath mechanics increase stakes and player attachment to mercenaries.
- • Rich emergent storytelling through procedural events and character traits.
- • Extensive resource and mercenary management adds strategic depth.
- • Great replayability with varied contracts and multiple playthrough options.
- • Satisfying progression in mercenary skills and company growth.
Cons
- • Steep and unforgiving learning curve with minimal tutorial guidance.
- • Randomness in combat can feel unfair and frustrating at times.
- • Endgame difficulty spike may feel abrupt and overly punishing.
- • Technical issues including crashes and save corruption reported.
- • Limited narrative depth and character interaction beyond gameplay events.
- • Repetitive encounters and combat scenarios can become tedious.
- • No option to reset perks or easily customize shields without DLC.
Rating Criteria
Battle Brothers is a turn based tactical RPG which has you leading a mercenary company in a gritty, low-power, medieval fantasy world. You decide where to go, whom to hire or to fight, what contracts to take and how to train and equip your men in a procedurally generated open world campaign.
