Steam's Latest 10/10 ‘Timeless’ Free Game Is A Retro Blast From The Past
Topics: Steam, PC, Free Games, Retro Gaming
Featured Image Credit: John Morrison
Topics: Steam, PC, Free Games, Retro Gaming
If you’re looking for something to while away a few hours over the coming weekend, then you might find what you’re looking for in WinBolo.
Developed by solo indie developer John Morrison, this top-down multiplayer shooter allows you to engage in all-out pixel art tank warfare - and actually first arrived in 1987.
Stuart Cheshire is the developer of the original version.
Enjoyed by up to 16 players, WinBolo has been lovingly rebuilt for modern platforms and is available as an open source offering across desktop, mobile, and web.
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“Drop into a freeform game where alliances shift hour by hour and a well-timed betrayal is a perfectly respectable move,” begins the game’s synopsis.
“Or run it tournament-style: teams locked in before the match, no diplomacy, two sides fighting for the island until one holds every base.
“Both share the same simple rules and the same surprising depth.”
Players will need to capture bases and pillboxes, as well as harvest trees, build roads, lay mines, and overall battle for control of the island.
You’ll also have access to a base which is where you should refuel, rearm, and repair your tank before the next skirmish.
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“Pillboxes hold key terrain and rip through anyone foolish enough to cross open ground; capture them, reposition them, turn them on their former owners,” devs advise.
Trees can be turned into fuel whilst building roads, to perhaps state the obvious, will facilitate faster movement.
Make sure you’re careful of mine damage: “The world is dynamic. Detonated mines leave a crater. Craters fill with water. Water becomes rivers, rivers reshape the lines of attack, and the battlefield you started on isn't the one you're fighting on an hour later. Trees slowly regrow. Use too many of them and risk being deforested and unable to repair your pillboxes.”
This is essentially the classic game brought back to life, but there are a few new features in this 2.0 version.
Cross-platform play has been enabled while the game’s netcode has been updated allowing for less lag.
There’s a new built-in map editor, 17 choosable languages, and a new embedded replay viewer.
At the time of writing, the newly uploaded version of WinBolo has secured a perfect review score from players of 100% on Steam.
“The fact that this game was originally released in 1987 and lives on today is all you really need to know,” began one happy gamer.
“It has a simple learning curve for beginners and a depth that will keep you coming back for years to hone your skills. A perfect blend of strategy and tactics create an intensely competitive game that always leaves me with my heart pumping.”
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“Action packed, live action strategy game. I really have enjoyed this game since my childhood. It's great to see it updated into current platforms for new generations to enjoy,” added another.
Someone remarked, “WinBolo is a faithful revival of a pioneering multiplayer strategy game that demonstrates how timeless gameplay can remain compelling even in a modern gaming landscape.”
It’s very much an open-ended, replayable title, so there’s no set runtime; you can play for as little or as long as you like, making it perfect for just about any gamer.