Capes, Worth to Buy?
Capes is a turn-based strategy game that places you in the role of a superhero leader, tasked with reclaiming a city from the grip of villainy. The game presents an intriguing twist on the superhero genre by casting its protagonists, known as Capes, as villains due to a series of unfortunate events. A powerful corporation is now hunting these superheroes, and it's up to you to turn the tide and save the day.
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The narrative in Capes isn't its strongest suit. The storyline is relatively straightforward, focusing on the struggle of superheroes now considered outlaws. The cutscenes, rendered in a style reminiscent of Fortnite, are visually appealing but do not offer much depth. However, this simplicity doesn't detract from the overall experience since the game emphasizes gameplay over narrative complexity.
Gameplay: A Strategy Lover's Delight
Capes shines in its gameplay. The game is structured around main missions and optional side missions. If you focus solely on the main storyline, you can expect to complete the game in about 15 to 18 hours. However, this approach will leave your heroes underleveled and limit your ability to unlock new characters. Engaging in both main and side missions will extend your playtime to approximately 32 to 35 hours, as it did for us, including numerous retries due to the game's challenging nature.
The missions are designed to test your strategic thinking. Each mission can take at least 40 minutes to complete, and the difficulty can be punishing, requiring multiple attempts to figure out the best approach. Despite its cartoonish appearance, Capes demands a high level of strategic planning, making it a challenging experience even for seasoned strategy game players.
Turn-Based Combat: Strategic Depth and Variety
Capes utilizes a turn-based combat system akin to games like XCOM or Marvel’s Midnight Suns. At the beginning of each mission, you assemble a team of up to four heroes. Initially, your choices are limited to the four starting heroes, but as you progress and unlock more characters, selecting the right team becomes a crucial strategic decision.
Each hero in Capes has unique abilities that cater to different playstyles. For instance, Facet is a tank hero who can absorb significant damage but has limited mobility, while Rebound is highly mobile and excels in stealth attacks. TJ, on the other hand, can manipulate electricity to attack multiple enemies simultaneously. The strategic depth comes from choosing the right combination of heroes for each mission, as their abilities complement each other in various ways.
Synergies and Special Moves: Enhancing Tactical Gameplay
What sets Capes apart is the synergy between heroes. Pairing specific heroes together unlocks additional special moves that can turn the tide of battle. For example, pairing Rebound with M-Flare grants Rebound a new special move where M-Flare distracts an enemy, allowing Rebound to deliver a powerful back attack. Another example involves pairing TJ, Mercurial, and Facet. TJ can electrocute enemies within his range, and Mercurial can extend this range by generating a line of crystals, which Facet can further enhance.
These synergies add a layer of depth and variety to the gameplay, encouraging experimentation with different team compositions. Even after over 30 hours of play, we feel we haven't discovered all possible combinations, highlighting the game's potential for replayability and strategic experimentation.
Progression and Customization: Keeping the Experience Fresh
Capes features a leveling and skill system that gradually unlocks new moves and abilities for your heroes. Initially, the limited move sets might make the game seem simplistic, but as you progress and unlock new skills, the strategic possibilities expand significantly. This progression keeps the game exciting and ensures that you are continually challenged.
Technical Performance and Visuals: Room for Improvement
While the game is generally polished, we did encounter some frame rate issues, particularly during transitions from cutscenes to gameplay. These drops were noticeable but didn't significantly detract from the overall experience. The game's graphics, while not cutting-edge, are adequate for its purpose. The visual style might be seen as simplistic, but it effectively complements the game's strategic and challenging nature.
Final Thoughts: A Hidden Gem in Turn-Based Strategy
Overall, Capes is an excellent addition to the turn-based strategy genre. Its challenging gameplay, strategic depth, and variety of hero combinations make it a standout title. The game's difficulty might be a deterrent for some, but for those who enjoy a strategic challenge, it's a rewarding experience.
Despite its cartoonish look, Capes is not a game for kids but a sophisticated strategy game that demands thoughtful planning and execution. If you enjoy games like XCOM, you'll likely find Capes to be a compelling and enjoyable experience. We highly recommend giving it a try and rate it a solid 9 out of 10.
