Tribe Nation

Mecanically the game is interesting, thematically as well. Tactical game design elements for the battles are interesting, so is ressource management However I was greatly disappointed in the storyline, which I find incredibly underwhelming. I thought the game would be about resisting overwhelming odds by facing the roman invasion and finding ways to resist. Instead the game is about running away from the romans. In fact if you play the game as intended, you will only fight celts all the way through, except for the very last mission. If you choose to turn and fight the romans, defeating them in battle will do absolutely nothing. You will not recovered conquered territory if you succesfully attack Roman held lands, you will not even halt their advance, as the Romans will progress just as if they weren't defeated. I'm sorry but that's really disappointing. There's nothing fun about running away and fighting the people who could be your allies but keep finding reasons to fight you. Trailer has you believe you will play like Vercingetorix trying to face Cesar, game has you reenact the Tatar fleeing the Mongols. Why should I run instead of hitting supply lines and ambushing legions ? …

It feels arbitrarily punishing. There are dead ends in the game that result in you having to restart it. I don't mind a hard game but pointlessly and 'randomly' hard just isn't that interesting. A good game that has that sort of 'random' challenge to it needs to have outlets where you can fight heroically, get lucky, limp away. This game is simply a house of cards and random wind. Once the structure is hit by a gust your run is over.

Very enjoyable, with a bit of depth to the gameplay.

Great fun!

[i]came for the board-game esthetic (and sound design!), stayed for the pride of beating the little bugger on my 19th attempt - at last!)[/i] --- [h2] Refreshingly no-nonsense [/h2] The UI is clean and the goal is clear. You have to get to get your tribe to Ireland before the Caesars' legions get you. You have some resources and tools at your disposal, but everything is scarce, and you are always forced to make less than ideal choices - based on random chance. Even worse, once you get on a slippery slope (run out of food and people, or let the Romans get to you), it is nearly impossible to get back on your feet and win in a long run. You just try again. And again. And again. This may feel too harsh and arbitrary for some, and I get it. But somehow, it clicked with me and ignited some sparkle that I could put out before finally making it to the end. My only gripe with the short story is that there is really no significant room to roleplay your choices, as pressed as you are. It is almost always worth to pick the shortest route. Nearly every battle scenario is really about getting to the ritual place first. Even the possibility - otherwise great as an idea - to be nice or cruel…

It just didn't click for me.