Breachway

Breachway is a strategy game with some card game elements and features taken from roguelike titles. The game was developed by the Edgeflow Studio team from Romania.

Plot

Breachway takes us to a sci-fi universe. During the game, we play the captain of a spaceship and our task is to find and investigate the source of the mysterious Signal. To accomplish this, we must travel the galaxy, get to know the main factions and their regions of influence, make a series of difficult decisions, and also face numerous dangers.

Mechanics

Breachway provides us with a large, procedurally generated map of the galaxy, which we explore by jumping from point to point using our ship. There are many potentially interesting places, various events, and opponents with whom we can compete.

By exploring the galaxy, we complete the tasks set before us and collect valuable resources that we can trade. In addition to this, we get to know the factions that rule the galaxy, such as the work-focused and self-developing Argus Union, the technically gifted Numen, pirates or independent Free Roamers.

Who we align with and who we turn our back on affects the balance of power in the galaxy and its future, as well as how we are perceived by others. The game often forces us to make decisions, including many morally ambiguous choices.

The resources gained as we progress can be used to unlock new ships (each with its own strengths and weaknesses), hire additional crew members (each with individual skills, as well as varied in terms of personality and preferences) and purchase increasingly powerful equipment (from armor, through weapons, to internal modules). Unique cards are associated with specific components, so the key to success is to create the best set with individual elements complementing each other.

The galaxy is teeming with threats, so sooner or later we have to face the enemy forces. Before the start of the skirmish we are informed about the combat potential of the opponents, thanks to which we can properly prepare for the encounter. The fights themselves take place in turn-based mode.

On the battlefield, we play cards corresponding to various attacks and other actions, such as charging shields. We must demonstrate tactical sense in this, deciding whether we will focus on defense, or immediately go on the offensive (and if we choose the latter, it is worth thoroughly analyzing which subsystems of the enemy ship should be destroyed first).

Although failure here means having to start the game over again, the knowledge we gain as we progress and permanent improvements make each subsequent attempt easier than the previous one.