PGC NEWS

The World War II era is rife with tales of Hitler’s occult ambitions, from the supernatural experiments in Return to Castle Wolfenstein to the demonic summoning in Hellboy. These stories often intertwine historical events with fantastical elements. Following this trend, Sumerian Six offers a fresh narrative within the real-time tactics genre, incorporating stealth action reminiscent of Commandos. Developed by the Polish studio Artificer, this game presents a unique blend of puzzle-solving and tactical gameplay.

A Puzzle of Perfect Planning

While categorized as a real-time tactics game, Sumerian Six feels more like a puzzle game akin to Peaky Blinders. Each level presents a carefully constructed challenge with hidden solutions, encouraging players to devise the perfect plan for achieving objectives. You command the Enigma Squad, a group of scientists wielding supernatural abilities derived from ancient Sumerian knowledge. Your mission is to thwart the plans of former member Hans Kammler and his Nazi cohorts, who seek to weaponize this ancient power.

Sumerian Six – Enigma Squad

These abilities, ranging from possessing enemies to transforming into a powerful bear or becoming invisible, add a distinct RPG flavor to the tactical gameplay. Mastering these powers and combining them effectively is crucial for completing levels undetected and unharmed.

Sumerian Six – Character Abilities

Character specialization further enhances the strategic depth. Some characters excel at climbing, while others can squeeze through tight spaces, necessitating careful team composition and utilization based on the level layout. This “role-playing” aspect is more pronounced in Sumerian Six than in other similar titles like Desperados.

Sumerian Six – Level Design

Direct confrontation is rarely advisable, given the superior firepower and supernatural abilities of your enemies. Instead, the game rewards meticulous planning and observation. The placement of traps, enemy patrol routes, and hiding spots are all carefully designed to facilitate stealthy playthroughs. With enough practice and experimentation, you can uncover the “perfect plan” for each level, minimizing direct combat and maximizing stealth.

Sumerian Six – Stealth Gameplay

The narrative unfolds progressively, drawing inspiration from Indiana Jones with increasing mystery and intrigue. As the story progresses, you encounter more formidable foes, including super soldiers, werewolves, and summoned monsters, demanding even greater coordination and strategic thinking.

Sumerian Six – Enemy Variety

A World of Adventure

Visually, Sumerian Six employs a cel-shaded art style, giving it a vibrant, comic-book aesthetic that contrasts with the realistic approach of many WWII-themed strategy games. This, combined with the lighthearted tone and character interactions, makes the game accessible to a wider audience.

Sumerian Six – Diverse Environments

The diverse environments, ranging from castles converted into secret research facilities to rural villages and ancient Sumerian ruins, add to the game’s adventurous spirit, reminiscent of modern adventure games like Uncharted.

The soundtrack complements the visuals with an upbeat and energetic style, though perhaps not entirely fitting the stealth genre. This combination of visuals, audio, and narrative creates a lighthearted superhero experience, a departure from the grimmer tone of traditional war games.

Room for Improvement

One area where Sumerian Six falls short is the AI. Enemy reactions are predictable and simplistic, lacking the complexity and adaptability seen in some recent titles.

This predictability diminishes the challenge and strategic depth, allowing players to exploit the AI’s limitations for easy victories. Additionally, some technical issues, such as occasional sound glitches and freezes, detract from the overall experience.

Conclusion

Despite its shortcomings, Sumerian Six offers a refreshing and engaging take on the real-time tactics genre. The unique blend of puzzle-solving, supernatural abilities, and vibrant presentation creates a fun and accessible experience, especially for those new to the genre. While the simplistic AI and occasional technical issues hold it back from true greatness, Sumerian Six remains a worthwhile experience for those seeking a lighthearted and innovative tactical adventure.