Mech Armada, a turn-based, Roguelike tactics game where players build an army of mechs, is set to launch after almost a year in Early Access. Sergio Garces of solo run Lioncode Games has worked to improve Mech Armada’s gameplay in response to player feedback since its Early Access deployment in August 2021. Much of Garces’ inspiration for Mech Armada is drawn from the roguelike deck-building game Slay the Spire and the turn-based strategy game Into the Breach.
The post-apocalyptic world of Mech Armada sees the last of humanity under siege by a race of terrifying creatures known as the Swarm. It’s up to the player to gather resources and create an army of mechs to battle this monstrous threat. Like Into the Breach's combat, players deploy their mechs onto a procedurally generated map where they and their monstrous foes take turns destroying each other. Structurally, Mecha Armada plays like Slay the Spire, as players must survive a series of randomized stages rather than clearing a world map. Each victory earns more parts for players to use in upgrading their mechs between stages, similar to how one modifies their action deck during rests in Slay the Spire. However, the one thing all three games have in common is their Roguelike permadeath element. Failing a mission results in a permanent game over, meaning the player must start building all over again from scratch.
In a press release from Lioncode Games, Lewis Burnell, head of PR at Vicarious PR, stated that Mech Armada is finally ready to leave Early Access and will officially launch on June 16th, 2022. Though Mech Armada is still available right now in Earl Access for $19.99, Lioncode will also be offering the game at a 20% launch discount for a limited time. Burnell went on to talk about what players can look forward to upon launch.
“With sweeping improvements made throughout Early Access, across almost all areas of the game, Mech Armada has used its time to react to player feedback. Players can expect a refined economy, vast swathes of quality of life improvements, new parts, fresh enemies, and an all-new Campaign map. Leverage the terrain, refine each Mechs' unique loadout and use strategy and resources to survive a series of battles that culminates in a boss encounter.”
Considering Mech Armada has been designed and maintained by one individual, it's commendable how far it has come in less than a year in Early Access. While assorted contractors and freelancers were responsible for Mech Armada's art, music, and marketing, Sergio Garces solely handled programming and development. Garces has actively listened to player feedback, fixing a long list of bugs, balancing issues, and drop rates, while adding new items, monsters, and modes to the experience. Early Access is sometimes perceived as a dodgy tactic used by companies to offload unfinished products onto consumers. However, the working relationship between Garces and Mech Armada fans fundamentally represents the exact type of developer-consumer symbiosis that the concept of Early Access should be. Mech Armada currently enjoys a Very Positive overall reception on Steam pre-launch and with such dedication to the project and its fans, it’s easy to see why.
If Mech Armada lives up to expectations, it may set a benchmark for Early Access games. If one person can single-handedly maintain a game and a consumer relationship, then larger companies can as well. It’s been a long road for Sergio Garces, Lioncode Games, and their player base and with the end of the road in sight, there’s no doubt both Lioncode Games and consumers alike are excited to see what the future holds for Mech Armada.
Sources: Lioncode Games