Codex of Victory
" Innovative sci-fi turn-based strategy with base building and tactical depth but repetitive missions "
Codex of Victory Review
Codex of Victory is a turn-based strategy game combining tactical hex-based combat with base building and unit customization. Players manage an underground base, research upgrades, and deploy various units, including mechs, tanks, and drones, across multiple missions and planets. The game features an action point system that governs movement, attacks, and unit deployment, adding a unique strategic layer. The campaign offers around 30 missions with a mix of story and side objectives, while multiplayer and skirmish modes exist but have limited player activity.
Players appreciate the game's challenging difficulty, tactical depth, and the blend of strategic and tactical gameplay reminiscent of classics like XCOM and Advance Wars. However, the game suffers from pacing issues, repetitive missions, occasional bugs, and a sometimes frustrating AI that can spawn units unfairly. The story and presentation are considered bland, and the base management mechanics evoke mobile game design, which divides opinions. Overall, it is viewed as a solid but flawed strategy title better suited for fans of the genre or those seeking a budget-friendly, challenging experience.
Highlights
Players praise the unique action point system that integrates unit movement, attacks, and deployment, offering fresh tactical decisions.
The base building and unit customization add strategic depth, allowing players to research upgrades and tailor units with modules.
The challenging difficulty curve and tactical battles keep players engaged, with missions requiring careful planning and resource management.
The graphics and artwork are generally liked for their cartoonish, serviceable style, and the game runs smoothly with few technical issues.
The game is often compared favorably to XCOM and Advance Wars, appealing to fans of turn-based strategy.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the repetitive nature of missions, with many battles reusing similar maps and objectives, leading to grind-like gameplay.
Players find the AI unfair at times, with enemy units spawning in illegal or unexpected locations, breaking immersion and balance.
The storyline is bland and unengaging, lacking depth and narrative motivation.
The base management elements feel like a mobile game port, with timers and resource grinding that some find tedious.
Some players report a steep difficulty spike and unclear mechanics early on, which can frustrate newcomers.
Technical issues such as rare crashes and minor bugs, along with occasional UI clunkiness, are noted but not game-breaking.
Pros
- • Unique action point system adds fresh tactical depth to turn-based combat.
- • Base building and unit customization offer meaningful strategic choices.
- • Challenging difficulty provides a rewarding experience for strategy fans.
- • Varied units and upgrade modules increase gameplay variety.
- • Smooth performance with generally stable technical execution.
- • Engaging tactical battles requiring careful planning and resource use.
- • Cartoonish yet appealing artwork fits the sci-fi theme well.
Cons
- • Repetitive missions and maps lead to grindy gameplay sessions.
- • AI sometimes cheats by spawning units in illegal or unfair positions.
- • Bland, unengaging story with minimal narrative depth.
- • Base management mechanics feel like a mobile game port with timers.
- • Steep difficulty spikes can frustrate new players early on.
- • Limited multiplayer activity and absence of skirmish mode.
- • UI clunkiness and lack of clear tutorials hinder learning curve.
Rating Criteria
In this sci-fi turn-based strategy with real-time base-building elements, you’ll be defending human territories against the transhuman Augments. Expand your HQ, and manufacture and upgrade an army of advanced drones to wage interplanetary war for Humanity!