Review Aleosha 5/5 · Nov 23, 2023
Iron Harvest, set in the same universe as Scythe, is a delightful surprise with its quality gameplay. The game, reminiscent of Company of Heroes, features squad-based tactics and cover mechanics in a fictional World War I setting, complete with mechs. The visuals are stunning, particularly the realistic trails in deep snow, a feature not commonly seen in RTS games.
The …
Iron Harvest, set in the same universe as Scythe, is a delightful surprise with its quality gameplay. The game, reminiscent of Company of Heroes, features squad-based tactics and cover mechanics in a fictional World War I setting, complete with mechs. The visuals are stunning, particularly the realistic trails in deep snow, a feature not commonly seen in RTS games.
The game's mechanics allow infantry to hide in buildings and capture heavy equipment like machine guns and howitzers. An interesting twist is the ability for units to switch classes by picking up weapons from fallen enemies, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
The narrative follows a Polish partisan girl and her pet bear Wojtek. Her father, a renowned mech engineer, is pursued and eventually killed by an evil Russian Colonel. Teaming up with her uncle, the leader of the Polish partisans, she seeks revenge. The storytelling is engaging, with good plot twists involving a treaty between Saxony (Germany) and Rusviet (Russia) that leaves Polania (Poland) under Russian occupation. This resistance, however, is revealed to be a manipulation by the shadowy organization Fenris.
The game's campaigns are varied. Initially, players engage in intense campaigns for Polania, followed by a shift to playing with Rusviet forces. While the Rusviet missions are more hero-based and less strategic, they still offer engaging gameplay, including a mission featuring the powerful Gulyay-Gorod mech and their version of the Katyusha.
The third campaign focuses on Saxony, showcasing unique mechs like Brunhilde, which resembles a WW1 AT-AT and is uniquely powerful when facing enemies from the side. Another standout is the Eisenhans, equipped with mortars, differing from the melee-focused mech infantry of other factions.
The game's final mission is reminiscent of Dawn of War 3, culminating in a battle against a triffid-like creature with all six heroes. However, the penultimate mission, featuring a massive mech battle, stands out as the game's highlight.
Iron Harvest's implementation of an armored train is particularly noteworthy. This train moves on tracks, requires infantry to switch tracks, can transport troops, and is equipped with a long-range artillery cannon, making it a versatile and valuable asset in gameplay.
Overall, Iron Harvest impresses with its combination of strategic gameplay, compelling narrative, and visually stunning environments, making it a standout title in the RTS genre.