Every once in a while you stumble across a simple game that just strikes you as fun. Recently, Slay for the PC has been that simple hidden gem.
Slay is a turn based strategy game by independent programmer Sean O'Connor that, while sporting simple ideas and graphics, holds a deep strategic element that will keep you coming back for hours more. Slay?s interface is easy to manage, all operating on simple drag and drop controls, and void of any unnecessary clutter. Games are short, only lasting 20 to 30 minutes at most, but that?s perfect for this kind of strategy game, and considering the game comes in a Pocket PC version for ?Slayin-on-the-Go?, the short game time is almost necessary. The AI is sharp, and playing games against Very Clever opponents is truly challenging, but if you are some sort of brainchild who can dominate the toughest opponents the game has to offer, you can then set your sights on dominating your friends with fully customizable multiplayer. The full version comes with a variety of themes and a map editor for hours of strategic fun with friends or just playing on your own.
The goal of any individual game of Slay is to capture all territory on the map, but (of course) there are other nations in the way. The game begins with your little society spread out across the map in little individual ?villages? with 2 or 3 hexagons of territory, and, in general, you first goal should be to connect these scattered villages into one solid nation.
This is never easy because you need to capture your way through other nation?s territories. Each turn your individual villages gain income based on how much territory you control and this income can be used to make units or castles. The game only features four types of units and the castle, which is a slight let down, but adding more complex features may just take away from the already simple, well rounded experience. Combat in Slay is little more than dragging and dropping your unit over enemy units or territory, and perhaps an animation or two would be appreciated, but at least you are given a stern ?OYE!!!? every time you try to place a unit somewhere protected, and that sound alone is one of the most entertaining parts of the game. Protected spaces surround the area of a placed unit, hut, or castle and managing protective space is vital to the expansion of your empire, and hopefully your nation prevails.
Despite the game?s tight strategy and undeniable charm, there are still criticisms to be had. Every level is unlocked from the start so there is no goal oriented game play other than ?try to beat all the predesigned maps on Very Clever,? and trying to beat 500 some odd maps would take ages, even on the ?Very Stupid? difficulty, but these criticisms just can?t weigh down the fact that this is a solid strategy game.
The game is accessible and easy to learn, but deep and hard to master. You can pick up a Slay demo on Sean O?Connor?s web page ( here ) and also purchase the full version if the demo got you hooked. Slay is the perfect game for anyone who wants a quick and fun strategy experience that can be played during a lunch break or during a bus ride, and is a great game that?s not to missed.
Slay is a turn based strategy game by independent programmer Sean O'Connor that, while sporting simple ideas and graphics, holds a deep strategic element that will keep you coming back for hours more. Slay?s interface is easy to manage, all operating on simple drag and drop controls, and void of any unnecessary clutter. Games are short, only lasting 20 to 30 minutes at most, but that?s perfect for this kind of strategy game, and considering the game comes in a Pocket PC version for ?Slayin-on-the-Go?, the short game time is almost necessary. The AI is sharp, and playing games against Very Clever opponents is truly challenging, but if you are some sort of brainchild who can dominate the toughest opponents the game has to offer, you can then set your sights on dominating your friends with fully customizable multiplayer. The full version comes with a variety of themes and a map editor for hours of strategic fun with friends or just playing on your own.
The goal of any individual game of Slay is to capture all territory on the map, but (of course) there are other nations in the way. The game begins with your little society spread out across the map in little individual ?villages? with 2 or 3 hexagons of territory, and, in general, you first goal should be to connect these scattered villages into one solid nation.
This is never easy because you need to capture your way through other nation?s territories. Each turn your individual villages gain income based on how much territory you control and this income can be used to make units or castles. The game only features four types of units and the castle, which is a slight let down, but adding more complex features may just take away from the already simple, well rounded experience. Combat in Slay is little more than dragging and dropping your unit over enemy units or territory, and perhaps an animation or two would be appreciated, but at least you are given a stern ?OYE!!!? every time you try to place a unit somewhere protected, and that sound alone is one of the most entertaining parts of the game. Protected spaces surround the area of a placed unit, hut, or castle and managing protective space is vital to the expansion of your empire, and hopefully your nation prevails.
Despite the game?s tight strategy and undeniable charm, there are still criticisms to be had. Every level is unlocked from the start so there is no goal oriented game play other than ?try to beat all the predesigned maps on Very Clever,? and trying to beat 500 some odd maps would take ages, even on the ?Very Stupid? difficulty, but these criticisms just can?t weigh down the fact that this is a solid strategy game.
The game is accessible and easy to learn, but deep and hard to master. You can pick up a Slay demo on Sean O?Connor?s web page ( here ) and also purchase the full version if the demo got you hooked. Slay is the perfect game for anyone who wants a quick and fun strategy experience that can be played during a lunch break or during a bus ride, and is a great game that?s not to missed.