Broken Lines
Behind the Game
Broken Lines Highlights - PortaPlay
Before I start up a game for the first time, I like to do a little research on the developers behind the game. Looking into PortaPlay, the Danish developers of Broken Lines, there really is not much information on the individuals on their team, which is kind of disappointing. So, we can take a deep dive on the company itself.
PortaPlay has been working in the games industry since 2006 working on consulting, conceptualizing, design and development of interactive entertainment. They have worked on video games along with exhibition tools for engagement and learning. The other notable game that they have made is Tales from the Void, a squad-based real time tactics game, poising the player to save a crew of a World War I submarine.
In a similar vein of Tales from the Void, Broken Lines is a tactical-RPG style of game paired with a “pause and play” format. It is set in an alternate version of World War II, pitting the player against mysterious military unites and the soldiers own hopes and fears.
For games like this, I will focus my review on a three aspects. First will be game play, because tactical-RPGs need this to be a solid backbone. I’ll be interested in the “pause and play” format and seeing how that benefits this game. Second will be the story of Broken Lines. Outlined by PortaPlay, they put in a heavy emphasis on their story for this game. I’ll be looking forward to what story they want to tell in this alternate universe of WWII. Third will be the art design.
Music and other aspects of the game will be a pleasant bonus if done well.
Innovative & Interesting
This is not your typical real time strategy (RTS) game. It has hints of XCOM blended with their new system of pause and play. This system is a bit jarring to get a hang of at first, because it doesn’t really have any contemporaries out there which makes this game unique. While that is a positive, I did have some troubles enjoying the game play entirely.
The combat was inharmonious with the movement. Previous actions were being played out after the combat was initiated. I was assuming it would clear the activity log, which it did not, and it muddled where I wanted my units to be. This made combat a bit clunky in my opinion and punishes the player needlessly by taking damage on your units prematurely.
Game Play - PortaPlay
Selecting units was not ideal because it uses the F1-F4 keys and I would find myself selecting the units actions on the number line instead of switching through the F-keys. This alone caused some rounds of combat to go badly, but this is mostly a personal preference issue more than a game play issue.
Overall, the game play is innovative and interesting, but still needs some quality of life tweaks to be a gem in the RTS genre.
Humorous & Humbling
The story of this game is probably the most interesting thing I find in this game. It is set World War II alternative universe. You are pitted against a ghostly army that is doing unspeakable things to your companions. Your main task is to recover your fellow soldiers and uncover the reason these things are happening. The mystery of this is what is keeping me playing in spite of my hang ups with the combat.
Dialogue - PortaPlay
There is also little snip bits into the individual unites that are both humorous and humbling that brings a great contrast to the bleakness of the situation. I have enjoyed watching these characters evolve and grow as each chapter presses on.
A+ Visual Design
Full User Interface - PortaPlay
For an indie game, it looks phenomenal. Who ever was in charge of the art design in this game did a great job! It went above and beyond my initial expectations. Even though it is a bleak atmosphere, it doesn’t run into the same tropes of being just grey and brown every where. Foliage and buildings have color to them, and none of it is stilted with the typical sepia filter look that most WWII set games go with.
The characters are also done very well highlighting their individual personalities and the effects of being thrust into this battle ill prepared for the horrors that waits for them. Not much else I can say but that they really did an A+ job painting the visual picture they were going for.
Refill Please!
&
Needs Sugar
The other parts of the game like the music and voice acting were done well. Broken Lines music gives me a nostalgia feeling, because it has hints of Diablo II’s style in it. Along with the music, the narration sets the tone of the game well too.
With everything in perspective, this game has a lot of potential to be a RTS gem. Along with the continued support of Broken Lines, I believe they will take this game from good to great. My overall score will be both “Refill Please!” for avid RTS fans and “Needs Sugar” for those who are new to the RTS genre as a whole. I can’t give a defiant buy it now for everyone. I think to find full enjoyment of games like this you need to have some experience with different RTS games like XCOM. For only $24.99 on Steam, it is a great addition for those seeking a new Real Time Strategy challenge.
Refill Please!: It’s good! Buy it now!
Needs Sugar: Needs something else to make it playable.
Let it Cool: Buy it when it’s on sale.
Dump It: Not worth it.
Special thank you to publisher Super.com , developer PortaPlay, and ÜberStrategist, Inc. for giving RNG & Tea the opportunity to play Broken Lines. This is not a paid advertisement for the game.
