Game:

Ashes of the Singularity (2016)

Category:

Review

Duration: 19:31

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I'm playing Ashes of the Singularity, a large-scale real-time strategy game by Oxide Games and Stardock Entertainment. The game features a brief, typical single-player campaign, but the focus is on skirmishes and multiplayer on a good number of expansive maps. In addition to simply annihilating the enemy, key resource locations can be held to achieve victory. The interface lacks a number of hotkeys that would be useful in selecting factories or units quickly in the heat of battle. The DirectX 12 graphics look great and perform better on the Windows 10-exclusive API. Power generators must be captured from neutral units in order to accumulate nearby metal and radioactive resources; additional income may be earned by constructing collectors. Factories crank out large numbers of units, from small frigates to large dreadnaughts. A group of units can be combined into a single army, which moves in formation and attacks as one. “Research” points can be spent on upgrades (population cap increases, increased damage or health) or calling down powerful weapons and abilities. The AI is an extremely challenging opponent. The focus is very heavy on offense and constant expansion: those who wish to turtle and defend will lose. Because of that, the game never allows time to relax, as steady growth is required. Those looking for a more defensive, measured game will be disappointed by the ever-expanding, offensive nature of Ashes of the Singularity, but the game does offer some notable innovations to the genre.