Mechabellum
| Mechabellum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Game River |
| Publisher(s) | Paradox Interactive, Dreamhaven |
| Engine | Unity[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 26 September 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Auto battler video game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Mechabellum is a 2024 auto battler video game developed by Game River and published by Paradox Interactive and Dreamhaven. Gameplay involves creating armies that fight each other over the course of several rounds. Developed beginning in 2022, the game was released in early access in 2023 and fully released for Windows in 2024. The game received positive reviews.
Gameplay
Mechabellum is a auto battler, where players create armies that fight each other in an automated fashion. The game is structured into rounds: in each round, players are given supplies to buy and place units on a battlefield. Once placed, the units cannot be moved, nor can they be directly controlled. Supplies can also be used to purchase temporary and permanent upgrades. Winning a round decreases the opponent's HP.[2]
There are single-player, co-op, and multiplayer modes available.[2]
Development
Mechabellum was developed by Chinese studio Game River and initially published by Paradox Interactive.[3][4] Developer Bearlike first conceived the idea behind the game in 2016. They cited Warcraft 3 custom maps as the main inspiration for the game, along with Command & Conquer, StarCraft, and other games. Development started in 2017, the developers received investment money in 2020, and they reached out to Paradox as a publisher in 2022.[5]
The game was first released in early access on 11 May 2023.[4] It was fully released for Windows on 26 September 2024.[6][7][8][9] Game River later parted ways with Paradox,[10] and Dreamhaven took over publishing on 25 March 2025.[11][12][13]
Reception
Mechabellum was reviewed by Rock Paper Shotgun,[2] PC Gamer,[14] Eurogamer,[15] PCGamesN,[16] The Games Machine,[17] and GameStar.[18]
Rock Paper Shotgun named it as one of their favorite games of 2024.[19]
References
- ^ Saver, Michael (December 30, 2024). "Games made with Unity: 2024 in review". Unity Technologies. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Reuben, Nic (December 2, 2024). "Mechabellum review: Impeccably designed and maniacally moreish mech strategy". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (March 25, 2025). "Mechabellum gets a second chance as Dreamhaven relaunches the mech autobattler". VentureBeat. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ a b "Mechabellum Launches into Early Access Today - Paradox Interactive". Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Interview with Bearlike - game developer". Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Mechabellum Hits Full Release with New Seasonal System - Paradox Interactive".
- ^ Bolding, Jonathan (September 30, 2024). "Strategic robot carnage intensifies as autobattler Mechabellum hits its 1.0 release". PC Gamer.
- ^ "Mechabellum: Beliebter Auto-Battle hat den Early Access verlassen, noch wenige Tage günstig erhältlich". September 30, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Graham (September 26, 2024). "Strategy autobattler Mechabellum has hit 1.0 after over a year in Early Access". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ "Explosive multiplayer mech strategy game shakes up the meta with new units for Season 2". January 4, 2025. Archived from the original on January 8, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Dreamhaven and Game River Team up for Mechabellum™ - Dreamhaven".
- ^ "Mechabellum is now published by Dreamhaven with 2025 roadmap coming soon". March 25, 2025. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Starcraft 2 fans helped strategy game Mechabellum find a new home".
- ^ Teasdale, John "Beagle" (May 11, 2023). "I can't stop playing this autobattling strategy masterpiece". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ "If you like chess and robots, you need to play Mechabellum". Eurogamer. November 26, 2024. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ "Paradox published strategy game Mechabellum to hit 1.0 very soon". August 29, 2024. Archived from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ "Mechabellum Recensione | the Games Machine". January 25, 2019. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ Zirkler, Dennis (May 16, 2023). "Mechabellum im Test: Ein kleines Taktik-Meisterwerk mit großem Problem". GameStar. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ Hivemind, R. P. S. (December 11, 2024). "The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 11th". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on January 2, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2024.