Mainframe Defenders

Mainframe Defenders is a tactical roguelite by independent studio Synthetic Domain. The game takes place inside a research centre controlled by robots infected with a mysterious virus. Our task is to manage a team of prototype machines and protect the main computer from infection.

Plot

The action of the game takes place in late 21st century. The research centre "Stargazer" was attacked by a mysterious computer virus. Almost all the robots in the building got infected and started to spread the virus further. Their goal is to get into the mainframe of the building and upload the virus to it in order to subjugate the whole complex. The situation must be saved by a team of four prototypes. The player-driven machines are tasked with protecting the mainframe and eliminating the virus.

Mechanics

The gameplay in Mainframe Defenders is turn-based and based mainly on combat. Each of our units has different stats, different weapons and a different movement range. The robots have two bars to watch out for, namely chassis and heat. The chassis represents the health bar of the unit. When it drops to zero, the enemy is eliminated. If our robot's chassis bar drops to zero, it is damaged. We cannot use it until the mission is completed, and it will start the next mission with an unfilled chassis bar. If all our robots are damaged in the same mission, the game ends in failure. The heat rises each time we use the weapon and slowly drops with each turn. If the heat rises too high, the robot overheats. An overheated machine cannot move, attack and loses housing points until it cools down.

Turns in battle take place alternately. First we move, then the enemies. Mechs have action points and movement points. Action points symbolise how many times they can fire. The more powerful the weapon, the more action points it uses. Movement points determine how many times per turn a mech can move. The player has 24 types of mechs to choose from, differing in many ways. The Brigandine, for example, is a simple fighting robot equipped with an automatic cannon, which can handle unarmoured opponents very well. The Viper is able to shoot acid that gives a corrosive effect, severely damaging the enemy at the beginning of each turn. It is therefore an ideal choice against tough or armoured enemies. The Mechanic has a weak weapon, but has a repair kit and can heal team members or remove status effects. The key to victory in Mainframe Defenders is to create a balanced team that can deal with any opponent.

The player chooses which tasks his squad will undertake. Available missions differ in difficulty level, objective and rewards. For completing them we receive matter, which is the currency of the game. We can use it to improve units or produce items. Game forces us to manage resources wisely. Often we have to make tough decisions about the use of acquired matter. After completing the game, regardless of whether it ends in our victory or defeat, we receive research points. We can use them to unlock new mechs, weapons or passive items.

Game modes

Mainframe Defenders features a single-player mode only.

Technical aspects

The game has a simple, aesthetically pleasing graphic design inspired by slot machines from the 1980s. The interface is clear and the machines are represented by nice pixel art. During the gameplay player can listen to catchy synthwave music.

Last updated on 22 October 2021