Developed by Croatia-based studio Ironward, the original Red Solstice was met with decent reviews when it launched back in 2014, with its core focus being a mix of real-time strategy and survival horror that requires players to adapt to a constantly changing battlefield. Now, its sequel looks to improve upon that first game with the help of prolific PC publisher 505 Games with Red Solstice 2: Survivors, which is set to hit Steam in June.
In the year 177 After Earth, the planet has been ravaged by mutants, forcing humankind to take refuge on Mars. A mysterious organization called the Founders is training to reclaim their old world, and players are put into the role of a super-soldier known as the Executor. Aboard the orbital weapons platform known as the Solar, the Executor deploys on missions to aid the last remains of humanity as part of an elite task force known as the Cell.
From the main menu, players can choose from two modes: a story campaign (the preview build provided access to the first three missions) and a more insular Skirmish mode. In Skirmish mode, players can practice their skills in standalone missions and even invite other players to join with them on a server via Steam’s Friends feature. Missions range from rescuing survivors to escorting transports through waves of enemies, with the number and intensity of mutant attacks growing depending on the selected difficulty level.
Levels play out in traditional RTS fashion, with the camera high above the player character in an isometric view. Players control their soldier with their mouse, using the Right mouse button to move and the Left button to fire their weapon – though there is a special Overwatch feature that allows them to target and attack enemies automatically. The keyboard is used to control the game's camera, allowing players to get a good view of the battlefield as they gun down waves of mutated enemies, and by pressing the Space Bar, they can re-focus the camera on the Executor. While only the Executor is directly controlled, a team of collectible squadmates can either follow him or hold a certain position by pressing the ALT key to open up a wheel, then selecting the order he wishes to give by clicking on it.
Players can switch between one of two pre-selected weapons on the fly, but secondary guns like shotguns only have a limited supply of ammo. Guns also have different reload times, which becomes a vital factor in battle because reloading leaves them vulnerable to attack from the flowing mutant hordes. Squad members can also suffer damaging effects like Poison or Bleeding, which can cause their health to drain – and the protagonist only has two lives before they have to start the mission over from the beginning.
Before a mission, players can set up their character layout, selecting different classes, weapons, and even armor colors. There are six different classes to choose from, with the beta build providing access to three: standard Assault troopers, support-based Medics, and armored Heavy Support. Selectable perks boost offensive and defensive stats, but these require obtaining supply modules to equip. Users can also unlock new weapons and abilities from the Skill Tree, which include things like more health and improved sight radius. When they are done, custom load-outs can be saved for future use, and this even applies to squadmates – though the options aren’t as in-depth as they are for the Executor.
There are still a few glitches and technical issues present in the Red Solstice 2 preview build, including soldiers falling through the ground into the abyss, and escort missions can get monotonous on easier difficulties. However, should these wrinkles be ironed out in the weeks leading up to its launch next month, Red Solstice 2: Survivors could prove to be a decent monster-busting sci-fi RTS.
Red Solstice 2: Survivors will be released on PC on June 17. Screen Rant was provided a Steam download code for the purpose of this preview.