RESEARCH and DESTROY

I'm really sad this game didn't get the attention it deserves. It's one of the best co-op games I've ever played. I finished the campaign twice: first on Xbox in split-screen, and then on PC online with a friend. I don't know any other game like it with the same kind of mechanics AND multiplayer. To me, it's a true hidden gem, and I really hope more people discover it someday.

This game was a surprise for me. I didnt expect the well made mechanics. The time based turns and weapons opened a door of posibilities; I was only learning and learning synergies and letting fly my creativity. A downside would be the characters; somehow I feel them empty except for RADVan, definetly it carried the game. 8/10 game. very Recommended

Awesome customization and really cool concepts!

3/5 star

Concept interessante e innovativo, mi sono divertito molto a giocarlo. Un punto negativo sono i soldi, ne acquisisci troppo pochi. Un bug fastidioso nella mappa, a volte selezionando la lista potenziamenti nelle università non puoi più tornare indietro, vuol dire che sei costretto ad uscire dal gioco e rientrare.

RESEARCH and DESTROY, developed by Implausible Industries and published by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd., is a strategy-action hybrid that attempts to combine the thoughtful pacing of turn-based tactics with the immediacy of third-person shooting. Set in a world overrun by supernatural creatures, the game places players in the role of three eccentric scientists who have taken it upon themselves to reclaim the planet through a mixture of research, experimentation, and explosive weaponry. Rather than presenting a traditional military response to the apocalypse, the game leans into absurdity and humor, framing its heroes as brilliant but slightly unhinged academics whose laboratory inventions become humanity’s last line of defense. The narrative revolves around the sudden emergence of paranormal forces that have pushed civilization to the brink of collapse. Cities have fallen to hordes of monsters ranging from zombies and specters to stranger creatures born from unexplained phenomena. Amid this chaos, three scientists form an unlikely resistance group dedicated to studying these threats and developing experimental tools to eliminate them. Their mission is not only to fight back against the supernatural invasion but also to analyze its origins and uncover the scientific principles behind these creatures. The story is intentionally comedic, with dialogue and character interactions often emphasizing the scientists’ eccentric personalities and unconventional methods. While the plot itself remains relatively straightforward, its playful tone and self-aware humor give the campaign a distinctive charm. The core gameplay structure is where RESEARCH and DESTROY distinguishes itself most clearly from other tactical games. Missions unfold in a semi-turn-based format where players control a squad of three scientists, each with a limited amount of time to act during their turn. Instead of selecting movement on a grid, players directly control their characters in a third-person perspective, allowing them to run around the battlefield, aim weapons, and interact with objects. This time window creates an interesting dynamic: players must quickly position themselves, line up attacks, and execute actions before the timer runs out. Once their time expires, control shifts to the enemy side, which then carries out its own actions. This structure forces players to balance careful planning with rapid decision-making, giving the game a unique rhythm that blends tactical thinking with action gameplay. Combat relies heavily on positioning, gadget use, and careful coordination between the three scientists. Each character carries specialized equipment designed through research, including unusual weapons and experimental devices that can manipulate the battlefield. Some tools create defensive barriers or traps, while others open portals, deploy automated defenses, or unleash powerful energy attacks capable of clearing large groups of enemies. Because the enemy roster includes a variety of supernatural threats with different behaviors and weaknesses, players are encouraged to experiment with their equipment and adapt their tactics to each situation. The emphasis on creative gadget combinations adds a layer of unpredictability to combat encounters, rewarding players who think outside the box when confronting difficult enemies. Outside the battlefield, the game introduces a strategic layer in which players manage global research and territory. After completing missions, players can allocate resources to research projects at universities around the world. These projects unlock new weapons, abilities, and upgrades that improve the scientists’ effectiveness in future missions. However, the territories hosting these research facilities must be protected from enemy incursions, creating a risk-and-reward system that forces players to decide which areas to prioritize. This meta-game element adds depth to the campaign, encouraging long-term planning as players expand their technological capabilities while attempting to keep the supernatural threat under control. One of the most enjoyable aspects of RESEARCH and DESTROY is its cooperative multiplayer option. The entire campaign can be played with another player either locally or online, allowing two people to divide control of the scientist team. Cooperative play introduces a new layer of strategy as players coordinate movement, share responsibilities, and plan joint attacks during each turn. Communication becomes essential when deciding how to use limited time effectively, and moments where well-timed teamwork leads to a perfectly executed strategy can be especially satisfying. While the game remains playable in single-player mode, its systems clearly feel designed with cooperative gameplay in mind. The visual presentation adopts a stylized, comic-inspired aesthetic that complements the game’s lighthearted tone. Characters are designed with exaggerated features and expressive animations, giving each scientist a memorable personality. The monsters they face also feature creative and sometimes humorous designs, drawing inspiration from classic horror creatures while maintaining the game’s playful atmosphere. Environments are colorful and readable, which is important given the mixture of tactical positioning and shooter-style aiming required during missions. While the graphics are not highly detailed compared to larger strategy titles, the art direction gives the game a distinctive and approachable visual identity. Sound design supports the game’s quirky personality with energetic music and exaggerated sound effects. Weapon blasts, gadget activations, and monster reactions all contribute to the chaotic energy of combat encounters. Voice lines and dialogue further emphasize the comedic nature of the story, reinforcing the scientists’ eccentric personalities as they comment on their research and the bizarre creatures they encounter. Despite its creative ideas, the game does face some limitations. Over time, the mission structure can begin to feel repetitive, as many objectives revolve around similar tasks such as eliminating enemies or securing areas. While the core combat mechanics remain enjoyable, the variety of mission types does not always evolve significantly throughout the campaign. Additionally, the hybrid gameplay system may feel unusual for players who strongly prefer either pure turn-based tactics or traditional action shooters. The balance between strategy and real-time control sometimes requires adjustment before it feels intuitive. Even so, RESEARCH and DESTROY succeeds in offering a fresh approach to the tactical genre. Its unusual combination of planning and real-time execution creates moments of tension that differ from traditional strategy games. The focus on experimentation—both in narrative and gameplay—gives the experience a sense of playful unpredictability that keeps missions engaging, particularly when played with a cooperative partner. Overall, RESEARCH and DESTROY is an inventive tactical game that blends humor, science fiction, and strategic combat into a distinctive hybrid experience. While it may not match the complexity or variety of larger strategy titles, its creative mechanics and cooperative gameplay give it a unique place within the genre. For players interested in experimenting with an unconventional mix of turn-based tactics and action shooting, the game offers an entertaining and sometimes chaotic adventure filled with strange monsters and even stranger scientific solutions. Rating: 8/10