Badlands Crew

Badlands Crew is the third installment in a popular series originating from 2017. It's a cross between an action game, strategy game and a simulation developed by an indie studio Runner Duck.

Plot

Badlands Crew is set in a postapocalyptic world, in the titular anarchic Badlands ruled by the charismatic Orator and savage marauders. Thankfully not all is yet lost, as a group of adventurers sets out on a journey through the desert to restore order.

Mechanics

Badlands Crew has us playing as the titular crew, traversing the desert aboard a mobile fortress called The Citadel. The game features a vast world covered in scattered gang outposts. The direction in which we head, as well as the outposts we destroy all affect the balance of power in the desert, and thus determine how the game progresses.

The main mechanic is fast-paced combat against enemies seeking to scrap our vehicle and bury the crew six feet under. Players must give orders to the crew members, having them fire away at their opponents, repair damages, heal the injured and fight off boarding enemies. As said before, each battle is extremely fast-paced, requiring tactical sense and good reflexes.

We'll face members of several different gangs. The Gun Nutz, Pyros, Vultures and Klowns all differ in terms of equipment and tactics, requiring the players to learn their weaknesses and use different strategies against them. They're not the only lurking threat; The Citadel must also deal with volatile weather, volcanic eruptions, sandstorms and massive sandworms bursting out of the desert sands whenever you're least expecting it.

The Citadel's appearance and equipment are both very customizable. Though we can focus solely on weaponry if we'd like, installing flamethrowers, gatling guns and sniper turrets, it's worth setting some space aside for observation posts and infirmaries. When constructing a vehicle we must pay attention to its basic components, such as wheels, suspension, duel tanks, engine or exhaust.

As for the crew - though The Citadel is initially crewed by inexperienced rookies, they improve over time, allowing them to face gradually greater challenges. We must be careful with our crew, especially its best members, and heal them in time of need, as any deaths are permanent.

Technical aspects

Badlands Crew makes use of a colorful, cartoonish, low poly artstyle reminiscent of the rest of the series.