Antihero

BARELY a recommend IF you actually plan on playing this vs other people, either online or via the implemented hotseat mode (love me some hotseat, although this only works if you take turns being in the same room together as well, otherwise the other one will know exactly what you're doing, so it would indeed work better as a physical board game). Otherwise you only get 10 campaign chapters, all with their unique maps and goals and antagonists, etc., but ultimately the game pretty much boils down to the same fundamentals. Scout, rob, infiltrate and accrue victory points, while unlocking the same tech tree every time. It's a nice game, but the campaign will only take you about 5 hours maybe. And 15 bucks for that is a harsh asking price. Absolutely recommend it when it's on sale, though. Then it's a bargain. Honestly, the base price could be more like a tenner, and the max discount 50% and it'd be fine. Two pseudo complaints I have: - You can absolutely dominate the other player/AI if you're lucky/smart enough, to the point that they're basically out of options, but still have to suffer through 10 more turns until you finally win. Once you've managed to oust all their holdings and burgle all available property, there's not much left for them to do. Lanterns become meaningless at some point, and the only way to then generate more gold is to burgle art or diamonds, which requires a gang to do in the same turn. By that point in the game the other player constantly has 2 gangs out, whacking everything you own, while your thief in itself can't do much even with the 3 damage upgrade. Gangs at that point can either have more than enough HP ... or it just doesn't matter, because they're essentially just bodies, like Thugs, which can be endlessly respawned, since there's no cooldown or other penalty for losing them. I.e. There is no catch-up mechanic once you've fallen that far behind. Which in itself would be fine if the game actually ended then, but you can reach this state without having a single victory point. From then on the other player can only watch you play and win. There's no option to play with more people. While I understand that this would severely impact the game balance I think it might be a lot of fun. Bigger maps, more players, more chaos, less chances of the aforementioned holding pattern failure state, even if you got destroyed early on, the fact that not 1 but 2 or 3 other players are still vying for control would give you some opportunities, even if just as a sort of "hitman for hire". Games could drag out a bit, though... so maybe that's another idea better reserved for a physical version, which, to my knowledge, does not exist, unfortunately. :/

Dobrze się bawiłem grając, szkoda, że gra umarła.

熟悉游戏机制后满星通关相当简单，但如果没有联机成就就好了。

Fun and requires some plannings

There's something strangely cozy and addictive about this one.

Antihero is a clever turn-based strategy game developed by Tim Conkling and published by Versus Evil and tinyBuild that puts players in control of a growing criminal syndicate instead of a noble kingdom. Set within a stylized Victorian city filled with wealthy estates, bustling businesses, and shadowy alleyways, the game embraces the idea that success comes through manipulation, theft, and careful planning rather than brute force. This unusual premise immediately separates it from conventional strategy games, creating an experience that feels fresh while maintaining the tactical depth genre fans expect. Every match revolves around building influence across the city, outsmarting rival thieves, and gradually establishing dominance through calculated criminal operations. The game's strategic mechanics are deceptively approachable. Players recruit thieves, street urchins, assassins, and other shady characters while expanding their guild's influence throughout the city. Buildings generate valuable resources, neighborhoods provide opportunities for expansion, and every captured district strengthens your growing empire. Choosing when to invest in new recruits, improve your headquarters, sabotage rivals, or seize important locations constantly presents meaningful decisions. Although the controls and basic systems are easy to understand, mastering the timing of each action and anticipating an opponent's next move requires careful planning and experience, making every victory feel well earned. Economic management plays a major role in shaping each match. Gold serves as the foundation for expanding your organization, hiring additional operatives, purchasing upgrades, and unlocking new tactical options. Every successful burglary, captured business, or controlled district contributes to your long-term success, while denying those same opportunities to your competitors. Rather than relying purely on military strength, Antihero rewards efficient resource management and strategic positioning. This balance between economy, territorial control, and tactical encounters creates engaging matches where even small decisions can significantly affect the final outcome. One of the game's most impressive accomplishments is how naturally it blends digital strategy mechanics with the feel of a tabletop board game. Turns progress at a comfortable pace, giving players enough time to evaluate their options without dragging the experience unnecessarily. Several different paths to victory remain viable throughout each game, whether focusing on aggressive expansion, superior income generation, covert assassinations, or disruptive sabotage. This variety encourages experimentation and prevents the gameplay from becoming repetitive, especially as players discover new combinations of upgrades and strategies across multiple matches. The presentation perfectly complements the game's playful criminal theme. Its cartoon-inspired Victorian setting features elegant architecture, lively streets, and charming character designs that give the city a memorable personality. Despite the humorous visual style, the interface remains clean and functional, making it easy to understand unit positions, available actions, and important objectives. The soundtrack reinforces the atmosphere with compositions that evoke mystery, mischief, and adventure, helping immerse players in a world where every successful heist feels both satisfying and entertaining. The single-player campaign provides an excellent introduction by gradually introducing mechanics instead of overwhelming newcomers. Each mission expands upon previous lessons while presenting increasingly complex situations that require more thoughtful decision-making. Alongside its tutorial function, the campaign offers lighthearted storytelling filled with witty dialogue and amusing scenarios that reinforce the game's mischievous tone. While the narrative is not especially deep, it succeeds in giving personality to the experience and provides enough motivation to keep progressing through each challenge. Multiplayer is where Antihero truly demonstrates its longevity. Competitive matches against friends or online opponents showcase the depth of the game's mechanics, with every decision becoming increasingly important against experienced rivals. The inclusion of asynchronous multiplayer is particularly valuable, allowing players to participate in several matches simultaneously without requiring everyone to be online at the same time. Live online games, local multiplayer, AI skirmishes, and customizable rule sets further expand replay value, making it easy for players to tailor matches to their preferred level of competition. Although Antihero excels in many areas, it is not entirely without shortcomings. Players looking for an extensive story campaign may find its narrative relatively brief, and newcomers entering multiplayer may initially struggle against veterans who understand optimal economic strategies. Some matches can become difficult to recover from after an early mistake, especially when facing skilled opponents who capitalize on every advantage. Nevertheless, these issues are relatively minor compared to the overall quality of the experience and are largely balanced by the game's excellent replayability and rewarding strategic depth. Antihero succeeds by delivering an imaginative blend of city management, tactical planning, economic strategy, and competitive multiplayer within an original Victorian criminal setting. Its accessible mechanics welcome new players while offering enough complexity to satisfy dedicated strategy enthusiasts over dozens of hours. The combination of charming visuals, intelligent game design, flexible multiplayer options, and consistently engaging decision-making makes it one of the more distinctive strategy titles available on Steam. Anyone who enjoys thoughtful turn-based gameplay with a unique twist will likely find Antihero to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Rating: 8/10