Insect Warrior Tactics
Remember a few years ago when there was a spate of animated movies featuring bugs? There's a reason for that, actually; it's fairly easy to animate chitonous creatures in 3D, since the body sections are rigid. And it's also fairly easy even for an indie developer to use 3D, if what they're animating are bugs. Which no doubt was one of the reasons Wahoo/NinjaBee chose insects for the heroes of this title. The choice is a fortuitous one, though, since it lends itself to the developers' light humorous touch -- which was very evident in their earlier (and excellent) tycoon game, Outpost Kaloki.
Band of Bugs is a "tactics" game -- like Final Fantasy Tactics. Played in isometric 3D over a square grid with elevation differences, each turn you select one of your characters, move it, deliver an attack (or use a skill), and optionally change facing. Elevation and attacking from the rear or flank provide bonuses. Different bugs have different capabilities, and effective use of combined arms (that is, combining different capabilities for maximal impact on the enemy) is very important.
The game contains a 20-level campaign game, a configurable skirmish mode with several different maps, and three stand-alone levels; it also allows multiplayer online play, either over a LAN or the public Internet. And there's a level editor so you can build and share your own levels (a handful available at present on the developer's forums).
On the whole, it's a charming, quick playing, occasionally humorous and entertaining little title in a genre that's no longer widely supported.
The developer says:
Band of Bugs is a fast-paced tactics strategy game. The game features a full story-based campaign, online play, and a level editor that lets you design custom maps and share them with your friends online!
The story follows Maal, an unhappy bug who joins the royal army under the tutelage of mantis warrior Tiernan on his quest to save the Queen and the kingdom. Maal must learn to command the other bug heroes who join him on his journey in order to survive.
In addition to the story-based campaign and stand-alone missions, Band of Bugs features several unique multiplayer modes: Elimination, Escape, Capture, Mission and Spider Hunter.
Full game features include the ability to save your progress; a 20-level story mode campaign; a map editor that lets you create custom levels for play locally or over the Internet; and multiple local and online skirmish game modes.
Reviews
"With a level editor (though more in-depth instructions would benefit this) and an online community to play against or share maps with, plus the distinct possibility of new downloadable quests and content, "Band of Bugs" has a lot of staying power. Certainly I feel it calling me back - I want another crack at scoring platinum for mission 8! Visiting relatives over the Christmas period can be most distracting. With such strong gameplay, stylish looks and a liberal pinch of humour, this is likely to stay on my hard drive for a long time to come."
- 92/100 Bytten
"If you’ve ever been a fan of tactical RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics, you will instantly love Band of Bugs. For anyone that hasn’t played a tactical RPG the game does an excellent job, both through the training guide and gradual level progression, of incorporating game elements gradually to ease newbies into the experience. The gameplay is simple, but capably deep; the various character types blend well and while there is no powerhouse unit, using a team effectively always works to your advantage. This is something all tactic games strive for, but few achieve."
- GeneralGames.Ca
"Many hours of solo and multiplayer gameplay offered. Built-in level editor for unlimited replayability. Good writing, funny."
- GameZebo
Awards
5th Place, Strategy Game of the Year, Game Tunnel
Technical Excellence Finalist, 2007 IGF (Xbox 360 version)