PGC NEWS

The post-apocalyptic genre has become a staple in entertainment, permeating movies, books, and video games for the past 15 years. From natural disasters and pandemics to nuclear war and climate change, countless scenarios depict the collapse of civilization and humanity’s struggle for survival. Dreadlands, developed by Blackfox Studios, offers its own take on this well-trodden territory, setting the stage in a world ravaged by radiation and inhabited by mutated factions vying for scarce resources. While the premise and the turn-based tactical RPG gameplay hold potential, a myriad of issues prevent Dreadlands from realizing its promise.

A Flawed Tactical Foundation

Dreadlands bears a resemblance to the XCOM series, featuring turn-based combat on grid-based maps with cover mechanics. Players choose from three factions, each with unique characteristics and playstyles. However, the core gameplay suffers from several fundamental flaws. The Action Point (AP) system is overly restrictive, granting each character only two AP per turn. Nearly every action, from moving a single space to launching a full attack, consumes one AP. This severely limits tactical options, preventing maneuvers like “move, attack, move” and forcing players into predictable patterns.

Dreadlands Gameplay

Another questionable mechanic is the “melee lock.” While the game offers various ranged and melee classes, the combat system heavily favors close-quarters combat. When two units engage in melee, ranged attacks against them become impossible. This renders ranged units largely ineffective, especially considering the scarcity of ammunition and the game’s tight economy. Players are constantly strapped for cash, earning meager rewards from missions while facing exorbitant recruitment and resupply costs. This creates a frustrating cycle of resource management that dominates the early game.

A Plague of Bugs and Performance Issues

The most damning aspect of Dreadlands is its abundance of technical problems. Despite officially launching after an Early Access period, the game feels like a pre-alpha build riddled with bugs and performance issues. The optimization is abysmal, resulting in frequent frame rate drops and high CPU usage even on powerful systems. Crashes and black screens are commonplace, further disrupting the gameplay experience.

Dreadlands Bugs

Even beyond the critical bugs, the game’s controls feel clunky and unresponsive. Selecting units, issuing commands, and navigating the interface are all hampered by noticeable delays, making the game feel sluggish and cumbersome. Furthermore, enemy AI often employs frustrating tactics, prolonging battles unnecessarily and adding to the overall sense of tedium.

A Disappointing Post-Apocalyptic Experience

Dreadlands Factions

Dreadlands attempts to carve its own niche in the crowded post-apocalyptic landscape, but its flawed execution ultimately holds it back. The restrictive AP system, awkward melee lock, and persistent technical issues significantly detract from the tactical gameplay. Coupled with the frustrating economy and clunky controls, Dreadlands fails to deliver a compelling post-apocalyptic experience. While the premise and setting hold some appeal, the game’s numerous shortcomings overshadow its potential.

Technical Specifications and System Requirements:

INFORMATION

• Developer: Blackfox Studios
• Publisher: Fatshark
• Genre: Tactical RPG
• Release Date: March 10, 2020 (Early Access), November 6, 2020 (Official Release)
• Platform: PC

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• OS: Windows Vista / Windows 7
• CPU: Dual Core 2.4GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce 8xxx, AMD Radeon 2xxx
• HDD: 16 GB

TESTED SYSTEM

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen R7 1700 @ 3.7 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Gigabyte Rx 560 OC 2GB
• HDD: Samsung 950 Pro 256GB

Dreadlands Combat