Battle Aces is a simplified RTS that boasts something StarCraft was too cowardly to add: giant robot crabs

GamesReal Time StrategyBattle Aces is a simplified RTS that boasts something StarCraft was too cowardly to add: giant robot crabsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesReal Time StrategyBattle Aces is a simplified RTS that boasts something StarCraft was too cowardly to add: giant robot crabsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Uncapped Games)

Combat between units in StarCraft-inspired RTS game Battle Aces

In the years since StarCraft launched, we’ve had one real-time strategy after another trying to crack the genre open for new audiences. But there’s been very little attempt made to wrest away those still in Blizzard’s Zerg-y clutches, meaning nothing hasreallychallenged StarCraft’s position as top dog in the genre. But if StarCraft remains a gourmet banquet, new RTS Battle Aces offers the same nourishment for your noggin in a bitesize offering.

Construct additional crabs

(Image credit: Uncapped Games)

Combat between units in StarCraft-inspired RTS game Battle Aces

What’s next?(Image credit: Blizzard)StarCraft is coming to Game Pass and there are rumors of a shooter spin-off, but a true StarCraft 3 RTS will stay a pipe dream if the series can’t adapt

What’s next?

(Image credit: Blizzard)StarCraft is coming to Game Pass and there are rumors of a shooter spin-off, but a true StarCraft 3 RTS will stay a pipe dream if the series can’t adapt

(Image credit: Blizzard)

StarCraft 2

StarCraft is coming to Game Pass and there are rumors of a shooter spin-off, but a true StarCraft 3 RTS will stay a pipe dream if the series can’t adapt

(Image credit: Uncapped Games)

Combat between units in StarCraft-inspired RTS game Battle Aces

As someone who’s always preferred the strategic thinking and combat in RTS games over high-intensity button-mashing, the simplicity of Battle Aces won me over. But as it stands, the game in its current state is still very awkward to learn for anyone who’s coming from outside an RTS background. Its tutorials cover theabsolutebasics of moving and recruiting units, but I wrapped these up in a few minutes without getting into equally crucial areas like resource management. As a result, I had to go into my first games still essentially flying blind; which led to a series of lost matches that felt like one punch after another to my morale. Onboarding new players remains the genre’s toughest nut to crack – and I’m not expecting Battle Aces to magically solve this – but Ihavecome to expect a little more from any game entering the scene nowadays.

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Considering Battle Aces is still in beta testing right now, I’m hoping better onboarding is something Uncapped Games plans to tick off its to-do list in time. But I think, partly, even this speaks to what Battle Aces is offering: an adrenaline shot for the genre’s existing diehards. And that’s fine! Better than fine, even – it pulls that approach off in a way I’ve never seen before, and I can see myself diving back into Battle Aces' quickfire matches without the hesitation I experienced in similar games. But just as easily, with the right onboarding, I can see Battle Aces' measured straightforwardness being the gateway to finally bringing in friends who have long been allergic to games that use words like “economics” and “micromanagement”.

On my end, I wrapped up my hands-on feeling very keen to see how Battle Aces pans out in the run-up to launch. Though, admittedly,anygame with mecha-crustaceans is going to get my vote.

Whether you prefer RTS or turn-based titles, here are thebest strategy gamesto check out.

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Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

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Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

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5

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