With a seriously great looking 80s terminal PC style that you need to see in action to appreciate, the hidden gem Mainframe Defenders has seen a big update recently.
Originally released in February 2020, it's a squad-based strategy game where you kit out a bunch of prototype robots on a quest to stop a deadly computer virus that's infected a research complex. A game for people who are after a sleek and to the point tactical battle game and Mainframe Defenders certainly delivers. The big 1.2 version release went out recently and with it a bunch of great new content including: new units you can command, an entirely new type of item with squad upgrades and there's 13 of those, 5 new support items, 2 new strategic map tiles with Suppression Field and Repair Gel plus strategic tiles now have different effects on destruction.
Not seen it before? Check out the trailer:
Direct Link
In some ways it definitely reminds me of the early tactical games including the likes of Laser Squad, X-COM and the earlier Space Crusade that was on the Amiga which I have pretty vivid memories of playing but never being any good at it. Mainframe Defenders gives off a great game feel, with you picking from various mission types to send your squad through that vary on difficulty and mission requirements.
With a sublime retro atmosphere, I can highly recommend Mainframe Defenders.
You can buy it on Steam and itch.io. It's 50% off on Steam until November 18.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I like the look of the card-based upgrades at the end - some nice weapon diversity in there. It's also reminding me of Arcen's awesome Bionic Dues (which you can pick up right now for £1.74 until the end of November).
Might have to pick this up. It's ticking all the right boxes.
Quoting: scaineI'm not sure I love the look of it, but it reminds me of Rebelstar on the Spectrum, believe it or not! And I didn't know until I googled it just there, but Rebelstar was the precursor to Xcom, so I guess I'm getting the same vibe as Liam!
Wow Rebelstar is even more ancient (1986 on spectrum). Laser Squad mentioned by Liam was released on zx spectrum two years later on 88 and a bit more fine tuned. Both designed by Julian Gollop, so they're XCOM precursors indeed.
Thanks for the nostalgia trip!
Anyway I got this game some months ago, because it had those Laser Squad vibes. And now with this update they even got it translated in Portuguese.
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