Project Aftermath is surprisingly competent. It’s even fun. It’s a fast, arcade action RTS which initially seems shallow, but has just enough depth to keep you going. The game is all about earning GOOP by killing enemy units and completing objectives. There are also canisters of GOOP hidden around the level, and it’s the only reserve in the game. You use it when casting area effect spells on your enemies, and when resurrecting heroes; powers you should use sparingly (if at all) if you want to get the better medals.

The emphasis isn’t on winning or losing – passing the mission isn’t so hard. But passing with style is what it’s all about. And passing with your GOOP level in the gold area isn’t easy. You can power-up your units at the start of a level, but that reduces your starting amount of GOOP. Meanwhile, you’ve got to balance armour and weaponry – it’s not a complicated system nor is it tactically challenging, but it keeps you on your toes – which is something that Project Aftermath does constantly, with a charming enough comic book style presentation.

Project Aftermath isn’t a full-scale RTS, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s not brilliant, and we don’t think anyone involved with it thinks it’ll change the world. It is, however, well-written, well thought-out, and an entertaining game that would have been a bargain before the dollar went to shit.

Currently only available on Steam.

Oct 30, 2008