Halfway
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Strategy, science fiction, turn-based, tactics, RPG elements, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
A science-fiction tactical strategy game that features turns and RPG elements – Halfway is a commercial debut of an independent German studio, Robotality. The action of the game takes place in the future, in which humans have launched space colonization program in search for intelligent forms of life.
Halfway is a turn-based science-fiction game with RPG elements. It is the first commercial production of an independent German studio – Robotality
Plot
The action of the game is set in the future. Homan race has launched an aggressive colonization program to explore alien planets and systems; so far, humans have not encountered any extraterrestrial race. A player assumes the role of a seasoned soldier, who is a part of a crew aboard a massive space ship called the Goliath. After waking up from the cryogenic stasis, he discovers something terrible happened on the ship, something that resulted in the death of almost every crewmember. As it quickly turns out, aliens have boarded the human vessel. A player is tasked with retaking control over Goliath and eliminating the aggressors.
Luckily, one does not have to carry out the mission alone. While exploring the ship, players are bound to encounter other survivors, who join the main protagonist’s squad. Each character has his or her own story, personality, and skills. The developers put a strong emphasis on the plot – during the story campaign one discovers what has really happened to the ship and its crew, and how is it going to affect the entire human race.
Mechanics
Halfway’s gameplay mechanics mainly build on fighting turn-based battles. A key to success is to locate the best positions on the map, take cover behind elements of the environment, and skillfully utilize the characters’ abilities. During these battles, characters gather experience points that can be spent on upgrading their stats. In between missions, a player gets to return to their base where they can for example modify armors or replenish ammunition.
Technical aspects
Players can experience all of this from a top-down perspective, and appreciate the retro style of the game, which combines characters created from large pixels and locations featuring modern visual effects.
Last updated on July 11, 2017
Videos and Screens
[1:37] Halfway trailer
NZGamer: 7.5 / 10 by Luke Batt
All things considered, at fourteen or so hours to complete the campaign, I quite enjoyed my time with Halfway. It's not a ground-breaking title, and those last few levels almost had me rage-quitting, but the traits allow for some fun strategies and if you're wanting an enjoyable sci-fi story with your TBS/RPG elements, then Halfway is more than worth the miniscule price being asked for it. I look forward to the sequel (please).
Destructoid: 6 / 10 by Darren Nakamura
Perhaps that is why its shortcomings are so glaring. What is good here is really good, but what is bad detracts enough that the entire package is a bit of a disappointment. A great piece of science fiction may ask a lot of hard questions and make the audience think. Halfway is not a great piece of science fiction, but it is a good strategy game for those willing to put some effort into it.
GameSpot: 7 / 10 by Daniel Starkey
Halfway is an emotional tale of mystery and survival that occasionally lacks the courage of its own convictions.
Halfway Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Robotality
Publisher: Chucklefish
Age restrictions: none
Halfway System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium IV 2 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 128 MB, 300MB HDD, Windows 7/8