Tribal Trouble

Can an Indie RTS Compete with the Big Boys?
2006 IGF Finalist

Given the tens of millions of dollars that major publishers pour into huge RTS titles like Age of Empires and Rise & Fall, can a small team of Danes possibly hope to compete in the same genre?

Well... yeah!

Okay, so you're not going to see hundreds of units rendered in minute detail clashing on the screen, and you're not going to have dozens and dozens of levels and all that jazz. What you will find, however, is a quick-playing, goofy little RTS that satisfies your jones for a little zerg-rush action--and offers cleverly designed levels that, unlike so many in the genre, do not automatically make you think of three other games with essentially the same level and the same objectives.

Historically, Tribal Trouble is set during the era when the Vikings conquered the South Pacific (you remember that, right?) In other words, you play either a bunch of goofy-looking guys in horned helmets, or Polynesian islanders. There's your usual tech tree, if you can call it that--during the game, you progress from bronze weapons to iron weapons to the fearsome chicken weapons. You need to harvest chickens to make those, naturally.

In other words, you got your basic resource extraction/building construction/tech tree/real time combat that you expect in an RTS game in a cheerfully goofy setting with decent (albeit not cutting edge) 3D graphics.

And in addition to the usual campaigns, you get randomly generated maps (with user-set parameters), providing almost infinite replayability; and free online play with up to six people (on Oddlab's servers). Plus it runs on Mac and Linux as well as PC.

Reviews

Game Tunnel - Overall: 10/10
"Tribal Trouble is my favorite RTS of 2005. Oddlabs conquered my heart with a game that's both simple and fascinating. I'm still amazed that, after my first online experiences, I was actually looking forward to playing it again the next day... and the day after... and the next day after that one... If you want a break from the narrative strategy games that flood the market at the moment, or if you want a game that's really just a game, or if you think complexity takes the fun out of casual gaming - then Tribal Trouble is for you."

Bytten - Overall: 92%, Gold Star Award
"There is lots of game here. Islands can be randomly generated, and there are lots of options for the maps and game types. You can play with several players and the sprawling campaign mode will keep you entertained for a long time."

Gamenikki - Overall: 9/10
"[...] Tribal Trouble is good. So good in fact, that I had to keep reminding myself that I was playing an indie game. It has a number of ambitious goals, and it accomplishes them with panache. Undoubtedly one of the best RTS games we've played in a long long time, and that's including the professional market."

Macologist - Overall: 4.5/5
"Tribal Trouble is an excellent first game for Oddlabs. They have put a lot of effort into the game, and it shows. There's a in-game updater which will update the game without having to manually download and install a patch, which is definite bonus. With an infinite combination of random single player maps and up to five AI or human opponents, Tribal Trouble's replay value is high and is reasonably priced"

Inside Mac Games - Overall: 8.5/10
"It is a lot of fun, the resource management is right at the level that I like it, and the action is impressive. You can use Tribal Trouble to get a quick fix if you are short on time, or you can delve into the campaign mode and spend a night of gaming bliss. [...] If you are into RTS games, you will definitely find something to like about Tribal Trouble. If you've been afraid of the genre, or just have never given it a chance, check out Tribal Trouble. It might just make you a fan."