Empires Shall Fall

Item: Empires Shall Fall
Rating: 84
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2025-06-19

Summary

Enjoyable, polished, well-designed, Advance Wars-like gameplay.
Strategic unit upgrade and perk system.
Simple, streamlined mouse controls enhance experience.
Map editor allows for user-generated content.
AI flaws create a lack of challenge.
Weak narrative and unit balance issues.

Reviews (sample size): 102
Helpful reviews: 89%
Unhelpful reviews: 11%
Protest reviews: 0%

84%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
16%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 197
Negative points: 130
Gameplay points: 82
Perf. points: 6
Rec. points: 75
Misc points: 16

Point	Description	Importance
Similar to Advance Wars Description The game is heavily inspired by Advance Wars, emulating its core gameplay mechanics and feel. Many reviewers highlight this similarity as a positive, noting that it successfully captures the essence of the classic turn-based strategy game. Some reviewers feel that it is better than an official remake of Advance Wars. Importance 94%	The game is heavily inspired by Advance Wars, emulating its core gameplay mechanics and feel. Many reviewers highlight this similarity as a positive, noting that it successfully captures the essence of the classic turn-based strategy game. Some reviewers feel that it is better than an official remake of Advance Wars.	94%
Enjoyable, polished, and well-designed Description Reviewers found the game to be generally enjoyable, well-designed, and polished. The game's difficulty is well-balanced, and the soundtrack and art style enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers enjoyed playing and completing the entire game. Importance 80%	Reviewers found the game to be generally enjoyable, well-designed, and polished. The game's difficulty is well-balanced, and the soundtrack and art style enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers enjoyed playing and completing the entire game.	80%
Strategic upgrade/perk system Description The game features an interesting upgrade and perk system that adds a strategic layer, allowing players to customize their approach. Players can select perks before starting a mission, and upgraded units can improve combat capabilities. Importance 24%	The game features an interesting upgrade and perk system that adds a strategic layer, allowing players to customize their approach. Players can select perks before starting a mission, and upgraded units can improve combat capabilities.	24%
Simple, streamlined mouse controls Description The game features streamlined and simple controls, with full mouse support. This makes the game easy to pick up and play, simplifying gameplay and eliminating complex steps. Importance 24%	The game features streamlined and simple controls, with full mouse support. This makes the game easy to pick up and play, simplifying gameplay and eliminating complex steps.	24%
Features a map editor Description The game includes a map editor that allows players to create, share, and play custom levels. This feature is seen as a significant addition, extending the game's replayability beyond the official campaign. Importance 20%	The game includes a map editor that allows players to create, share, and play custom levels. This feature is seen as a significant addition, extending the game's replayability beyond the official campaign.	20%
Evokes nostalgia, retro graphics Description The game evokes a sense of nostalgia, appealing to fans of old-school 90s console games. The retro-style graphics are reminiscent of the GBA and NDS era. Importance 14%	The game evokes a sense of nostalgia, appealing to fans of old-school 90s console games. The retro-style graphics are reminiscent of the GBA and NDS era.	14%
Appealing animations and visuals Description The game has high-quality and visually appealing animations and visuals. The hand-drawn animations and art style are enjoyable, and the battle animations are great. Importance 12%	The game has high-quality and visually appealing animations and visuals. The hand-drawn animations and art style are enjoyable, and the battle animations are great.	12%
Runs well on Steam Deck Description The game works great on Steam Deck and runs smoothly without any initial configuration. It is suitable for playing on the Steam Deck while listening to podcasts. Importance 9%	The game works great on Steam Deck and runs smoothly without any initial configuration. It is suitable for playing on the Steam Deck while listening to podcasts.	9%
Option to skip battles Description The game includes an option to skip some of the confirm menus and combat scenes to speed up gameplay. Battles can be skipped by double-clicking. Importance 9%	The game includes an option to skip some of the confirm menus and combat scenes to speed up gameplay. Battles can be skipped by double-clicking.	9%
Terrain offers strategic advantages Description Terrain can be used to gain strategic advantages. Occupying advantageous terrain can be very effective. Importance 7%	Terrain can be used to gain strategic advantages. Occupying advantageous terrain can be very effective.	7%