Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
Developer: Nakazawa Tech
Genres: Indie game, Strategy
Publisher: Null Games
Athena Crisis is a charming spiritual successor to the Advance Wars franchise, despite a few rough edges. The variety of units, outstanding pixel art, and map/campaign editor all contribute to the game’s potential for long-term success.
Tactical games are my jam, whether it’s Fire Emblem, Disgaea, or the more recent Advance Wars. This curiosity is what drew me to Athena Crisis when it was first introduced to me, as it is the type of game I enjoy playing around with. Overall, I’m thrilled by Athena Crisis, despite a few flaws.
Athena Crisis nails one of the most fundamental aspects of any tactical game: it’s pleasant to defeat your opponents. There are several different unit types to use, such as snipers, humvees, and helicopters, each with its own set of capabilities. Deciding which units to use and when is an intriguing task, especially with so many alternatives available.
The maps can be difficult to navigate, constantly presenting new problems while expecting you to keep up. You’ll need to carefully manage your resources and units if you don’t want to be wiped out on some levels, since objectives range from keeping a unit alive to capturing an HQ while traversing fog. The various objectives keep you on your toes and provide a fun tactical experience overall.
The inclusion of a map editor is a significant benefit to Athena Crisis, since it opens up virtually endless possibilities for replayability and shelf life. Being able to create maps and tales and share them online is an interesting prospect, and the editor is quite extensive. I can see many aspiring game developers beginning out by designing campaigns here, much as I would have done when I was younger.
I wish Athena Crisis was a little more direct on how to do things. There are instructional stages (which can be shockingly difficult at times), but the map editor and certain elements don’t provide much guidance on how to use them effectively. Given that this is only the 1.0 edition of the game, I’m hoping Nakazawa Tech provides a little more information to each mode to make it easier for new players.
The pixel art in Athena Crisis is one of the game’s strengths, as it is both colorful and appealing. The character faces are expressive and stylized just right, and the units are instantly identifiable and enjoyable to look at. The maps may appear cluttered, but if you’re used to them, it’s not too difficult to view everything.
It’s worth mentioning that this game lacks the cutaway scenes included in Advance Wars and Fire Emblem, which show your units battling up close. I miss these a lot because they add an exciting impact to skirmishes, but the increased tempo due to the faster zoomed-out animations is a reasonable trade-off.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 85%
Controls: 87%
Aesthetics: 90%
Content: 82%
Accessibility: 78%
Value: 84%
Overall: 84%
VERY GOOD
Summary: “The Athena Crisis” is an entertaining and visually appealing title that draws players in with its blend of action, puzzles, and exploration. The gameplay is well-balanced, with straightforward controls that add to the entire experience. With a captivating narrative and a diverse set of tasks, players will have plenty to keep them engaged throughout their journey. The game’s stunning graphics create an immersive atmosphere, and the rich landscapes and character designs add to the experience. Although there is need for more content and improved accessibility, “The Athena Crisis” stands out as a quality title with significant value, making it a must-play for genre lovers.