Sneak Peek: Vanguard Exiles (PC)

We’re diving back into Early Access, and honestly, it’s like wandering into a forest of unpredictable wonders. Maybe I’m crazy, but there’s something kind of thrilling about seeing a game’s skeleton instead of the polished result. Early Access, man, used to be a dumping ground for half-baked dreams. Like devs just tossed out whatever and got away with it. Not to paint all devs with the same brush, but it was a thing. Anyway — thankfully, it’s not the Wild West anymore. Now, there’s legit cool stuff popping up, like Vanguard Exiles. That’s our peek into the chaos today.

Oh, by the way, Vanguard Exiles is born from the minds behind Magic: The Gathering. You’d think there’d be cards raining down, but surprise — zero cards. Pure hex-based madness, feels kinda like those tabletop games that have you wondering if it’ll come with expensive miniatures. Bet it will. If that happens, I’m calling dibs right now.

Let’s make something clear — there’s a lot of dust still settling here. Vanguard Exiles is an Early Access gem in the rough. If I sound picky, it’s only because I’m hopeful those quirks get ironed out. Most of my gripes? The infamous RNG. Nothing personal, just a note.

Picture this, you’re leading mercs through trenches, eyeing different rooms’ point values. Points are your new best friends, first to 80 wins. Rooms do wild things — like make you rich or unleash a wild bear. Choices, man. Can’t have it all.

Vanguard Exiles is sneaky fun. Or, hang on — maybe that’s just the caffeine talking. It’s an auto-battler, don’t freak about that. Strategy is deciding who goes where. Too few units and you’re toast; too many and you’re overcommitting. Life’s about balance, right? And the game handles battles for you, so, well, there’s that.

Units galore, yet they arrive when fate decides. Collect cards with gold, but don’t fret, freebies exist. These cards are strategic place markers, forget about them being reactive play-things. Simple. Not your granddad’s card game.

But wait, there’s a cloud here. No story mode, which bugs me. We’ve got fierce dwarves and creepy cultists, no backstory though. Just vibes for now. They’ll get there eventually. Story fluff is essential in games like these.

Balancing is another thing. It’s like walking a tightrope — some matches feel fair, others make you question if the universe is against you. If the start’s shaky, you’re probably gonna struggle all the way. By midway, I usually sense the outcome and hit restart. Tweaks are needed, for sure.

One more thing — those stubborn dwarves. Some units are too tanky, feels off balance. Stalemates at the start are a drag, you know? Need a solution or armor changes.

Despite these hiccups, I’m vibing with Vanguard Exiles’ journey. A few tweaks and more layers, and it’s a goldmine for strategy fans. Keeping an eye on this development train as it chugs toward release. It’s on its way to greatness if it stays on track and balances out just right. Worth a shot, no doubt.

This glimpse was brought to you by an Early Access copy from the devs.