Hex-based tactical war games have existed long before the advent of the PC. Avalon Hill among many others had been doing it with large intricate maps and cardboard counters, with rule books the size of your average paperback novel and gameplay that lasted from days to weeks. Aside from the complex nature of these games, there was the constant fear that the family cat Socks would jump up on the table and launch her own military strike against said counters, flinging them across the table and onto the floor.
With the advent of the PC and the hex-based tactical wargame software, many of these “inconveniences” were scrapped, for the far more convenient solo play against a computer AI, or remote play with other players. The games ranged from overly complex (like old Avalon Hill type games), to the relatively simplistic, ensuring that both armchair generals, and casual players alike could be drawn into this genre. Post Human W.A.R is one of the latter, a hex-based game that is friendly to pick-up and play, but not easy to master.
So, with a name like Post Human W.A.R, I’m certain you are conjuring images of galactic invaders from another galaxy, or maybe feuding post-apocalyptic gangs vying for control of the planet. Well you’d be partially correct, and yet almost completely wrong, because it is far more interesting than that.
In Post Human W.A.R humans have driven themselves to extinction, poisoning the planet, destroying the ozone, and all the things that might cause humans to kill themselves off. You have the option to play one of three factions all of which are vying to take over the Earth.
There are the R-Patch, a group of AI household robots, who are continually striving to preserve what humans had built (themselves included). They include typical household appliances such as automated refrigerators, canister vacuums (that have an almost snake like presence) and construction equipment. In an era where people fear that AI will want to wipe out human existence, these helpful robots loved their human companions and wish to preserve their memory for eternity.
Then there is the alien race known as Wraak. They are essentially parasites that take over the body of their hosts and will it to do their biddings. This group is split into two very distinct factions who are at odds with one another. One race, which attaches themselves to various animals (polar bears swinging penguins, rats, and oxen), want to rid the plant of all things human. Due to a rather unfortunate “first encounter”, they grew to despise humans and all that they have built. On the other side of the same coin there are the Anthropists, these Wraak admire what the humans built, and long to be like them. They inhabit the bodies of various apes and monkeys, and work to “become” the new “humans” of the Earth.
If not already apparent, the wacky and cleverly voiced characters, bring their own sense of charm to the game. It also makes it one of the most uniquely developed games out there. The character’s vocal response to your commands are clever, if not somewhat repetitive and annoying at times, and will most certainly bring a smile to your face the first few times you hear them.
The game is exceptionally colorful, with vibrant layouts and creative creature designs. You’ll never look at your refrigerator or vacuum the same way again. The opening tutorial does a good job of teaching the basics. An interesting addition to the game play is that it allows the player to select a leader and should that leader be wiped out the game is over immediately. You must also protect your base and the totem that resides there. If the enemy destroys the totem before you can defeat them, all your units will receive damage every turn until the player wins or is destroyed.
The controls are easy to learn and respond well, a typical point-and-click affair. The game does involve several different strategies to approach victory, with loot boxes (not to be confused with the vile loot crates that everyone is talking about these days), which allows the player to gain items that increase a unit‘s health or power. The player is given a starting amount of points that they can spend on as many/types of units that are available. So, if one group doesn’t perform well for you the first time out, you can always mix it up. Each unit also has its own special powers such as flying, double attacks, etc. which can be utilized to your advantage depending on the map and your opponent.
Unfortunately, the single player campaign is a bit short, with only about 6 missions per faction. These missions can take an hour or more to complete, so you still get plenty of game time, it just would be nice to see more. Multiplayer is also available, which is how the game was best designed to be played, but multiplayer means waiting for other players to be available online to match up with, which given the day/time can be a bit hit-or-miss. Hopefully with enough interest we will see a more flourishing online pool of folks to play against.
Post Human W.A.R is a refreshing and entertaining take on the standard hex-based tactical war game. With it’s graphics and themes you might think it’s a strategy game for kids, but I found it to be equally challenging for folks of any age. You’d be hard pressed to say that it’s not unique and doesn’t provide some variety to an ever-growing wargame market and at the end of the day I found myself really enjoying the game.
What I liked: Unique characters, Challenging strategy, Humorous dialog
What I liked less: Lacking online multiplayer community, Dialog can get a bit repetitive
4 out of 5 stars
