Ratten Reich

Once in a blue moon, a game appears that leaves players profoundly confused. Maybe it has innovative mechanics that are unlike anything we've seen before, or perhaps it features a creative art style that pushes the boundaries of what's possible in video games. Or maybe, it's a game about anthropomorphic rats in World War II. Nah, that's something so bizarre, only a game like Ratten Reich could have done it.

This "creative" RTS puts you in charge of a vermin squadron during WWII. Instead of global superpowers, you'll be playing as mice, cockroaches, lizards, and rats, of course. I don't think there's any sort of profound political meaning behind these creatures – it's just bizarre enough to catch your attention.

It's been a while since an RTS title has truly grabbed my attention. I'd love to say that Ratten Reich broke that spell; unfortunately, as it is, there are still a few caveats that must be fixed before this title reaches (or Reiches) its true potential.

Ratty Troops

The gameplay follows traditional RTS conventions but adds its own furry (and scaly) twist to the formula. Set across three distinct theaters of war, each battlefield presents unique tactical challenges that go beyond simple aesthetic differences. The central continent's swampy, trench-filled terrain forces you to carefully consider unit placement, while the eastern front's fortified military bases turn every advance into a strategic puzzle.

And if you got really into Call of Duty 2 and want to see the desert theater represented, worry not! The desert theater adds an extra layer of complexity with visibility-reducing sandstorms that can either save your troops or doom them to an untimely demise.

Build (or Unbuild) Your Terrain

The game's destructible environment system adds a welcome tactical dimension to the usual RTS formula. Need to create a new path for your troops? Simply blow up that inconvenient building. However, this double-edged sword means your carefully planned defensive positions can also crumble under enemy fire, forcing you to constantly adapt your strategy.

Each faction brings its unique arsenal to the battlefield, though at times the differences feel more cosmetic than tactical. I really wanted to see a stark difference between the classes, much like we saw in Halo Wars or even Warcraft III. The unit card system provides clear information about your troops' capabilities, but the current early access build could use more distinctive abilities to truly set each species apart.

Muddy Fields

Visually, Ratten Reich struggles to live up to its imaginative premise. While the concept of rodent warfare certainly catches the eye, the execution leaves much to be desired. The limited color palette, dominated by muddy browns and grays, fails to bring the steampunk-meets-animal-kingdom aesthetic to life.

You'd expect a game featuring warring rats and lizards to lean more into its unique visual identity, but instead, we get rather basic unit designs that often blend together on the battlefield. The game could've benefitted from its premise – after all, Total War: Warhammer II proved that you can do soldier rats that are both terrifying and cool.

Pros

• Creative premise
• Great terrain destruction and deformation
• Varied levels and units

Cons

• Terrible performance, even on powerful machines
• Doesn't utilize its premise enough
• Occasional game-breaking bugs