Legions of Steel

Love the game its just very buggy!

Really enjoyed this game, brutally hard but not overly complex and looks great.

Legions of Steel is a methodical, old-school tactical strategy game that wears its tabletop roots openly and unapologetically. Developed by Studio Nyx and published by Slitherine Ltd., the game is a digital adaptation of a classic sci-fi board game, and it prioritizes deliberate decision-making, careful positioning, and probability management over spectacle or fast pacing. From the outset, it is clear that this is a title designed for players who enjoy thinking several moves ahead and who appreciate systems-driven gameplay more than visual flourish. The setting places players in a grim science-fiction future where humanity is locked in a desperate conflict against the Empire of the Machines. You command small squads of elite soldiers sent into claustrophobic, hostile environments to complete objectives ranging from survival and extermination to extraction and area control. The narrative framing is functional rather than dramatic, providing enough context to motivate missions without overshadowing the game’s mechanical focus. Story beats are delivered through brief comic-style panels and mission briefings, reinforcing the sense that this is a tactical exercise first and a narrative experience second. Gameplay revolves around turn-based combat on tightly constructed maps filled with corridors, choke points, and limited lines of sight. Each unit operates under strict movement and action point rules, forcing players to carefully consider every step and shot. Positioning is critical, as cover, facing direction, and stance all influence combat effectiveness. The enemy Machines are relentless and unforgiving, often overwhelming careless players through sheer pressure, making cautious advancement and defensive planning essential for survival. One of the game’s defining features is its initiative and leadership system. Rather than alternating turns in a predictable pattern, each round begins with an initiative roll that determines which side acts first. This injects uncertainty into every engagement and prevents players from relying on rigid turn expectations. Leadership points add another strategic layer, acting as a shared resource that can be spent to gain extra actions, improve attack odds, or interrupt enemy movement. Managing these points effectively often means the difference between holding the line and watching a squad collapse under enemy fire. Combat itself is intentionally slow and tense, with a strong emphasis on risk management. Shots can miss, armor can deflect damage, and even well-laid plans can unravel due to bad rolls. This randomness mirrors tabletop wargaming traditions and reinforces the feeling that players are commanding units in an unpredictable battlefield rather than solving a deterministic puzzle. For some, this creates thrilling moments of last-second survival; for others, it can feel punishing when luck turns against careful planning. The game includes several optional systems that deepen its tactical complexity. Fog-of-war mechanics, electronic warfare options, and radar-based detection introduce uncertainty about enemy positions, forcing players to make decisions with incomplete information. Grenades, suppressive fire, and overwatch mechanics allow for varied approaches to combat, rewarding players who adapt to changing battlefield conditions instead of relying on a single tactic. These layers combine to create encounters that feel dense and mentally demanding, even on relatively small maps. Presentation is utilitarian and clearly secondary to mechanics. Visuals are functional but dated, with simple animations, restrained effects, and an interface that emphasizes clarity over style. Menus and icons reflect the game’s board-game heritage, which may feel clunky or unintuitive to players accustomed to modern strategy interfaces. Tutorials are thorough but lengthy, and while they do a solid job of explaining the game’s systems, they can feel overwhelming due to the sheer number of mechanics introduced early on. Multiplayer support adds longevity for dedicated players. Asynchronous online play and hotseat modes allow for competitive matches that mirror tabletop sessions, and the tournament system encourages longer-term strategic play without immediate elimination. These features highlight the game’s strength as a tactical sandbox for players who enjoy testing their skills against others under the same rigid ruleset. Overall, Legions of Steel is a demanding and unapologetically niche tactical strategy game that values depth, tension, and authenticity over accessibility. Its mechanics are rich and rewarding for players willing to invest the time to learn them, but its dated presentation and steep learning curve limit its broader appeal. For fans of tabletop-inspired strategy games and slow, deliberate combat, it offers a deeply satisfying experience that captures the spirit of classic tactical warfare. For those seeking streamlined interfaces or cinematic presentation, it may feel austere and unforgiving, but that rigidity is precisely what defines its identity. Rating: 5/10

Aunque parte de una buena idea inicial, no termina de funcionar este intento de reinventar space hulk, con enemigos con armas en vez de aliens. Debido al poco exito, el juego pronto se abandonó.

Le jeu est très pauvre passée les premières missions. La campagne (unique) est le multi pas très actif font que ce je une vaut clairmernt pas les 20euros auquel il est vendu.

Um jogo tático e de estratégia "turn-based" fiel ao boardgame. Fez-me recordar as partidas jogadas há muitos anos atrás. A campanha é muito legal. Gostaria que tivessem mais cenários além dos atuais. O Skirmsh agrega alguns, mas como todo jogador que gosta deste universo, a gente sempre quer mais. Recomendo!

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I got really bad balancing issues, though I'm far from mastering all the tactical options i only hit after shooting three to four times at one enemy, whereas the enemy hits from 10+ tiles away with his first shot. I really tried to like this game but instead got frustrated. Of course it might be that I'm simply not good in playing that sort of game, but then the tutorial did a bad job..it takes for ever and I don't seem to learn how it works ;-? Space hulk worked for me much better.

Not recommended

tir manqué a bout portant :(