At the dawn of a new era comes an alteration to the style of modern combat and warfare. World War I introduced the world to mobile and mechanized warfare, with the innovation of tanks and airplanes. Science, engineering, and the need for war combined with each other to create fearsome machines that made the hardiest of soldiers tremble with fear. Following The Great War, science and technology have made all manner of things possible, while war begins again. A Great War has begun once more, for it is The Great War of the future. Iron Harvest from King Arts Games was featured prominently at PAX EAST 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Originally announced several years ago, Iron Harvest is nearing its deployment to PCs and consoles. As one of my most highly anticipated games of 2020, I had the special opportunity to see the game in action, thanks to the fine folks at the THQ Nordic Booth. Iron Harvest is shaping up to be one of the best games of 2020, so much so that we awarded the game a Best in Show Nomination award at PAX EAST.
Iron Harvest is a real-time strategy game set in an alternate history that takes place after World War One. Even after The Great War, Nations and Empires wish to dominate the European continent, pouring their resources in science and technology The end result is an acceleration of modern technologies and applications. Among these advancements is the innovation of towering mechs that completely reshape battlefield tactics. Iron Harvest can be best be described as “World War One of the Future.”
Demo Start
Toby the head PR plunged straight onto the battlefield with a demo of Iron Harvest. Having been familiar with RTS’s for quite some time, I was aware of the basics of RTS’s on a mouse and keyboard. The action was electrifying, intense, and extraordinary, right from the moment it started. In this alternate reality’s future, grenades and automatic weapons exist, but it is the mech that reigns supreme. After a quick counterattack against the enemy, I was introduced to the basics of Iron Harvest. In Iron Harvest, bases need to be built to generate units. Units require wealth and resources. Resources can be captured or salvaged on the battlefield. The key is to move fast, think faster, and fight your hardest.
Skirmish Match
As the demo was a skirmish map, I was able to see the various classes of mechs in action, which was absolutely incredible. Tall, mighty, and heavy mechs are the kings of the battlefield when used correctly; additionally, they work best when supported by other units. For some of the heavier classes, their sheer firepower is no match for a well-coordinated enemy counter-attack. However, strength in numbers is key, and with several mechs on the field, anything is possible.
Throughout the skirmish match, I chose the heavier class mechs. One spider-like mech had a giant mortar strapped on its top, pulverizing all long-distance targets. Another I chose, which reminded me of the AT-ST scout walker from Star Wars, fires cannon shells straight at the enemy. The other mechs, while smaller, were perfect for eliminating infantry and smaller vehicles. I secured one resource station to help build units. To do this, I sent my infantry units to board one of the armored mechs and transport them to the station.
With these tactics, the soldiers were protected, and I was able to secure an enemy asset. I was also able to gather scraps of metal from destroyed mechs, including my own, adding them to the resources needed to construct more units.
Iron Harvest AI & Visuals
The AI of Iron Harvest did not play around during my demo. As I made my way toward the primary target, the enemy manages to flank me from the Northern edge of the battlefield, sending in a sizeable force to destroy my HQ. In a desperate act, I used my heavy class mechs to destroy their base. I desperately attempted to defend my base to little avail and kept the pressure on the enemy HQ; it was only because of the heavy firepower of the mechs that I was able to secure victory.
Visually, Iron Harvest is a spectacle and a sight to behold. There is an amazing amount of detail woven into each and every moment, from the mechanical workings of the mechs to the combat of the infantry. Gunfire lights up the landscape and explosions shatter the Earth. A fallen mech hits the ground with a sheer sensation of weight and destruction. Iron Harvest is a stunning game to look at, and a great game to play.
Demo Conclusion
My demo concluded with more options for the various units. For example, I was able to harvest resources from the environment and construct barracks, which also included defenses such as a barbed-wire fence. Toby beside me points out one fo the more artistic aspects of Iron Harvest with the mech construction facility. In a small nod to Hideki Miyazaki, a fully upgraded facility features a mech that literally eats and consumes coal to keep its furnace burning. Additional units were introduced to me, including engineers and heavy infantry. Overall, Iron harvest looks to have a bevy of options for players that seek something refreshingly different, yet familiar in the RTS space.
Personal Sentiment & Release Date
I had an absolute blast with Iron Harvest! The unique world being constructed, and the distinctive units, as well as the strategic combat, will make for many hours of white-knuckle combat and lightning-fast strategic thinking. There’s a big lack of mainstream RTS games in the video game world. Iron Harvest looks to fill that void and take over the RTS genre.
Look for Iron Harvest to launch in September of 2020 for PC and consoles!
