Qvadriga review

Exceptional

by Roman Bondar

"Qvadriga" is a turn-based, board-based tactical chariot racing game. We are in Ancient Rome managing a Racing Stable. At the Outset, we must choose one of the six Groups, each offering small Advantages. Between races it is important to repair our Cars, replace Horse teams or hire new Drivers. However, everything remains quite rudimentary. We can only own and manage a maximum of four Teams. Over the Course of our Careers, up to 43 Oval tracks in seven Regions of The world Are open to us, but these differ less than hoped. A Race always lasts three Circus rounds and runs on Trains, each of which takes up some car lengths Depending on the Speed of the Journey. The Trains of one's own and the AI teams are always carried out at the same time, so that always all Meters go and then everything is paused. The first three Moves are the Launch Phase, in which we can only choose between Acceleration and Whipping. After that, we can also switch lines, ram or whip Opponents or protect ourselves against Attacks. Especially in front of the Turning Curves, it is necessary to either slow down, drive as stable as possible or choose an External Runway. Both our Horses, our Car and our Driver can be Damaged. If our Car, for example, collapses, this has fatal Consequences: Our Driver is dragged along by the Horses a few More meters and can even win the Race. But He can also release the Reins, unless he is unconscious, but then must be careful not to be overwhelmed by other Teams. The Races are essentially about an intelligent Mix of aggressive and passive Driving And probably the most sensible Action in the Situation. It is no use being in front at the Beginning and having already affected his Horses so much by Lashing that they can no longer get through the Race. To illustrate the Mechanics of the Game, it helps to realize that "Qvadriga" Was strongly inspired by the Board game "Circus Maximus." And that's how board-like it works, too. This means that one decides per Turn for an Action And then a Dice throw is calculated happy-based the Probability of success or damage suffered. This Litter is not shown by the "Qvadriga," but each Phase acts with Probabilities. And that's supposed to work on your PC? Oh yes, that even works extraordinarily well. "Circus Maximus" was very balanced, but for a Board Game actually already far too complex, with Masses of Tables, Rules and Values. "Qvadriga" calculates these entire Operations invisibly in the Background, making the Gameplay much more unproblematic and fluid without losing the Board game character. A Faux Pas, however, is the missing Multiplayer, which would actually be Mandatory for a Board Game implementation. Technically, the Whole Thing is at the simplest level. The rather ugly but functional Graphics are lost in shades of Brown, the Sounds are very simple. "Qvadrigas" biggest Plus is the always exciting Races, which are different and often scarce every time. The Schadenfreude that sneaks one when the big Favourite breaks down his Team just before the finish Line, the Tension as to whether your own Wheel will still get through the final Turn. And the Whole thing is based on a Mechanic that has found the right Balance between tactical and happy-based influence. Everything is influenced-but nothing can be predicted to the Last. That's the Core Recipe for good Gameplay. By The way: Highly recommended is the Lets Play series from Myratax (on youtube) to "Qvadriga." Rating: 8/10 Atmosphere 3/10 Story 3/10 Graphic 4/10 Sound 9/10 Game Mechanics 9/10 Balancing 8/10 Game Pass Conclusion: Technically unspectacular but very exciting, turn-based wet-racing tactics, heavily inspired by an outstanding Board game. 8/10 Overall Rating