Data Sphere

Frozen Synapse, the "Infinity: The Boardgame: The Computer Game" indie gem. Plug in, connect to your vatforms, get cracking. I'm Pierzasty on Steam.

Wait what, I just got my computer or I've been living without the internet, what's this game about?

Pure, unadulterated tactics, plain and simple. I rediscovered it lately while looking for something to scratch the Infinity itch until my basic troops get painted, and boy does this do it in spades.



Basics

You are the Tactics AI, you get a few clones with different weapons to control, an objective, and you're free to do whatever you want and kill yourself horribly. The gimmick lies in 3 mechanics:

- everything happens simultaneously: turns are 5 seconds long. At the start you issue orders for those 5 seconds. They are simple in theory but you can chain them to issue complex commands, like "Go to the corner, run quickly to the other side ignoring all enemies, turn around and wait 2 seconds in case someone comes after you, then proceed, still aiming backwards".

- everything is on ARO: when a soldier notices an enemy in his FOV, he'll stop, aim and fire at them automatically, unless you've given orders not to. This creates a very-Infinityesque atmosphere, you go blindly around a corner, you'll probably get a shotgun blast to the face. Proper planning is essential.

- the faster guy wins. The game does have FTF-like situations. There's little randomness in them, however. Instead, every shot gets a delay depending on the weapon, range, target cover, shooter aiming or walking, crouching etc. If you manage to shoot first, you have over 80% chance to kill the enemy. Why 80%? Well, different weapons, different shots. A rifle shoots in bursts, while a shotgun blast is instant and can interrupt it before you catch the 3rd or 4th bullet that would've killed you (it's still in a split second, don't get any tanking ideas). Rockets travel slow (multiple seconds slow), so you can get shot before the shooter realizes he's dead along with his 2 friends nearby.

Tools

Your tools are simple. These are not elite soldiers with good training, able to take initiative and save the squad from loss of communication, these are sacks of meat that only know how to walk fast and shoot at a target. Kinda like infantrymen straight from boot camp
You will have one or more kinds of the following at your disposal:

- Riflemen: your standard grunt. Middle range, medium speed, nothing special. Jack of all trades.
- Shotgun: assault unit. Shoots fast, short range, fires a blast of buckshot. Good for clearing out buildings and overall assault.
- Sniper: the opposite of the shotgun. Huge range, lethal in open space but will likely die to anything in a close firefight.
- Rocket launcher: When you absolutely, positively need that wall gone. Huge range, shoots SLOWLY, rockets travel slowly (can even arrive in the next turn sometimes) and can be dodged when expected. Has splash damage, blows away walls and cover.
- Grenade Launcher: A rocket that bounces off walls instead of blowing up on hitting them. Useful if you need to get someone behind cover, or throw a grenade into a window. Seems faster but shorter-ranged than the rocket launcher.
- Shield (expansion only): Unarmed. Deploys a bulletproof riot shield when stationary. Acts as mobile cover.
- Others: depending on the scenario. Civilians, allied troops, objects to destroy etc.

Objectives

Extermination: Kill everyone. Leave no survivors.
Secure: Claim/defend a marked area.
Disputed: Collect boxes, carry them outside the battlefield.
Hostage: Get hostages outside the map or kill them.
Charge: Get as far as you can before dying.
Upload: Assassinate the enemy hacker before they kill yours.

Every scenario has a "light" and "dark" variants. In Light you see everyone that's on the map, in Dark you have your FOV only and have to detect the enemy first.

Plot

I'll tell you when I finish the campaign Yes there's a campaign, which consists of a series of scenarios. I don't know if they can influence the direction the campaign goes in of if it's completely linear, but it's a good way to learn the fluff.

Come get me horribly killed

If you want to play online, add me on Steam.

Where can I get it?

Steam Store - wait for a discount (at least 50%)
Official website - no discounts but you get an extra copy.
Various indie bundles, you can get it dirt cheap there.

This does seem very Infinity.

I really love this game. Been a fan since the very first time, I played it.
That's a definite +1 to Pierzasty's recommendation.

@Pierzasty: Added you on Steam.

I have this game also (had it for a good long while). You can usualy see it on sale on Steam at a very reasonable price. Some of the storylines are a little laughable, but the gameplay is where it's all at. The planning the next 5 seconds per turn can get a little gritty, but it's so much fun to see your guy running between the points you told him and then shotgun the enemy in the back that you never knew was there. The computer's guys move the same time as yours (you set up your whole team's move/shoot options before clicking "GO") so that guy you were going to shoot after 2 seconds has already moved and may now be in a position to shoot you first. It's a pretty long game single player also, longer than I imagined

A very entertaining game, and while not quite infinity, it's got that feel to it. Would deffinately recommend it for the couple of $ that it costs.