Stylised XCOM-like tactics game Ex Sanguis straps Othercide's obsession with timelines to a leaner roguelike campaign
The nasal greenhorn strategy gamer understands "strategy" to be about mastery of space by means of clanging offensives, shining shieldwalls, and brute attrition, but the true Napoleon of Drag-Select knows that strategy is always, primarily, the mastery of time. I don't think Napoleon would have approved of Ex Sanguis. He would not have liked all the willowy clone women made out of congealed blood…
In the strategy gaming world, success is often measured by the ability to control space through powerful offensives, protective shieldwalls, and relentless attrition. However, those who truly excel in the art of strategy understand that mastering time is the key to victory. The mind behind Ex Sanguis, a stylized XCOM-like tactics game, believes that the game's true essence lies in its fixation with seizing the initiative.
Just like Lightbulb's previous grid-based tactics RPG, Othercide, Ex Sanguis pits you against an army of bladespawn, all while you command a small team of three austere and menacing blade-girls. These enemies spawn from gross eggsacks scattered across the map, making it impossible to simply overwhelm your opponents. Instead, you must anticipate their movements and strike first, using a fluctuating timeline that adds a layer of complexity to gameplay.
Each enemy has its own set of abilities, some of which trigger instantly, while others require a delay. The game encourages you to carefully time your attacks, saving your regular action points for more crucial moments while dipping into your Burst bar for extra damage. Repositioning is also crucial, allowing you to knock opponents off target and set up devastating follow-up attacks.
The game's developers have taken inspiration from games like Lightbulb's Othercide and Into The Breach, creating a leaner roguelike campaign that focuses on quick, intense battles. Unlike Othercide, Ex Sanguis does not have a fixed match countdown, but it encourages players to finish fights as swiftly as possible. The enemy forces grow more numerous as you progress, and the ultimate goal is to defeat a few VIPs or a single enemy map fixture, rather than wiping out the entire army.
Visually, Ex Sanguis is a messier experience compared to Othercide, with blood blisters that blow up when struck, launching nearby characters a few squares. The AI in the early access build is known for its overfondness for setting off these blisters and controlling terrain, sometimes swarming the player or locking down large portions of the map with delayed AOE moves.
One of the most significant differences between Ex Sanguis and Othercide is the game's streamlined roguelike structure. With a trimmer campaign and more focused progression, players start each run with three warriors, each of whom can be customized with different classes and starting abilities. As you defeat enemies and accumulate Corrupted Blood, you can choose additional abilities or stat boosts for each character, much like Vampire Survivors.
In summary, Ex Sanguis offers a faster, more streamlined take on the tactics RPG genre, focusing on quick, intense battles and a leaner roguelike campaign structure. With its fixation on mastering time and seizing the initiative, this game promises an engaging experience for strategy enthusiasts.
Written by urgent.news from Rock Paper Shotgun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
