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Superhero games abound, but Capes offers a unique turn-based tactical experience. Developed by Australia’s Spitfire Interactive and written by strategy veteran Morgan Jaffit (Freedom Force, Satellite Reign, Hand of Fate 2), Capes presents a fresh perspective on the genre. This review explores the game’s strengths and weaknesses, providing an in-depth look at its gameplay, narrative, and overall presentation.

Capes – Gameplay Screenshot

Engaging Narrative and Characters

Capes avoids the grim darkness of many superhero narratives, opting for a lighter, more humorous tone. Set in King City, a metropolis under the iron fist of the villainous organization The Company, the game follows a team of underground heroes fighting to liberate the city and rescue captured superhumans. The narrative strikes a balance between levity and serious themes, offering a refreshing take on the genre. The writing is witty, and the characters are well-developed, each with unique personalities and backstories. From the livestreaming Ignis to the prankster Rebound, the heroes are a vibrant and engaging bunch. Their interactions are often humorous, adding a layer of charm to the game’s otherwise intense strategic gameplay.

Capes – Character Interaction Screenshot

The game’s cast of eight playable characters, while limited, feels distinct. Each character’s abilities and personality contribute significantly to the overall gameplay. The game cleverly integrates the heroes’ powers into the narrative, exploring their individual struggles and motivations. The Company’s villains also draw inspiration from familiar archetypes, providing a compelling roster of adversaries. While echoing familiar superhero tropes, Capes manages to subvert expectations and deliver a unique narrative experience.

Capes – Villain Screenshot

Challenging Turn-Based Tactics

Capes’ core gameplay revolves around turn-based tactical combat. Each mission presents a grid-based battlefield where players control a team of 3-4 heroes, requiring careful planning and execution. Understanding each hero’s unique abilities, the enemy’s tactics, and the environment is crucial for success. Players must strategically position their heroes, utilize their powers effectively, and complete various objectives, such as rescuing civilians or disabling enemy structures.

Capes – Character Abilities Screenshot

The game encourages strategic thinking by incorporating environmental interactions. Ignis can absorb flames to power her ultimate ability, Mercurial can use momentum to knock enemies off rooftops, and Weathervane can unleash powerful storms. Teamwork is also emphasized, with combination moves offering devastating attacks and tactical advantages.

Capes – Environmental Interaction Screenshot

The variety of mission objectives and enemy types keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging. Stealth missions, defense scenarios, and boss battles each require different approaches, encouraging experimentation with different team compositions and strategies. The game’s forgiving save system allows players to retry missions and explore different tactical options without penalty.

Capes – Tactical Gameplay Screenshot

Linearity and Presentation Hiccups

While Capes boasts diverse characters and abilities, its mission structure can feel somewhat linear. While there might be multiple paths to victory, the optimal solutions often feel predetermined, especially when maximizing experience and upgrade points. This linearity can limit player agency and strategic freedom.

Capes – Linearity Issue Screenshot

The game’s cel-shaded graphics, while intended to evoke a comic book aesthetic, can feel inconsistent. The jarring transitions between 3D character models and 2D cutscenes disrupt the visual flow and detract from the overall presentation.

Capes – Cel-shaded Graphics Screenshot

Conclusion

Capes is a compelling turn-based strategy game with a charming narrative and engaging characters. Despite its linear mission structure and inconsistent presentation, the game’s strategic depth and humorous writing make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. With a 20-30 hour campaign, Capes offers a substantial amount of content for a debut title, making it a promising start for Spitfire Interactive. While some areas could be improved, Capes ultimately delivers a fun and engaging superhero experience.