There are quite a good number of great mech games out there. So, new ones have no choice but to be high-quality, competitive sports. Otherwise, you’re probably better off resorting to the mech games you already play, whether MechWarrior Online, Mecha Break, or others. In this regard, War Robots: Frontier does manage to compete favorably with the current market speed. It excels in quality graphics and performance, while keeping its gameplay fun and satisfying. Also, it’s bringing the mobile game, War Robots, to consoles, sure to please fans.
But the series has also been under scrutiny for providing free-to-play gameplay only to switch to pay-to-win later on. Buying in-game robots and upgrades gives you an upper hand, so much so that it gives you a substantial edge over other lower-spending online players. As a result, multiplayer balancing issues arise that some gamers may find appalling. Has War Robots developer and publisher My.Games learned from their mistakes? Will the new game rule over the mech gaming market with a fair and just hand? Let’s find out in our War Robots: Frontier review below.
Plant Your Flag
There’s very little care you need to give to the story. It’s not the most engaging one, as is the culture with online mech multiplayer games, neither will it be winning any awards. But if you’re a sucker for storytelling in games, here’s what you’ll find in War Robots: Frontier.
It takes place 200 years after War Robots, where you’ve traveled to the stars to discover a new, distant planetary system called Wild Ten.
You’ll be hopping into the cockpit of heavy, gigantic war machines, piloting and firing engines against enemies to plant your flag on the planet. There are different worlds you need to assert dominance, each featuring sci-fi futuristic technologies.
Into the Unknown
Terminus is a frozen asteroid harboring the space port and cargo facility for Wild Ten. It has the Wild Bridge that connects the planet to the solar system. As a result, dominating Terminus will be one of the prime missions you must accomplish, taking advantage of its dense tunnels and open zones during combat.
There’s the snowy landscape called Fissure, operating the planet’s refinery. Noachim, a rare resource, is produced at the refinery that powers your mechs and interstellar travel, thus marking another crucial world to dominate, among other different areas you’ll be taking over.
Each world brings its unique environmental terrains and advantageous spots. Some have high-ground terrain, perfect for snipers. Worlds like Fissure provide lifts for traversal as well as a large machine you can use to crush enemies.
While scaling pipes can be great for snipers and give you a good view of the map from above, it can also open you up to attacks you won’t see coming. In total, there are four richly detailed maps to conquer in War Robots: Frontier. It’s quite a good number given how vast and expansive each map is.
It truly feels like battling in a battle arena as you scale heights, take cover, and draw satisfaction from massive environmental destruction. Meanwhile, War Robots: Frontier also has day-and-night cycles and dynamic weather that bring the worlds to life.
Switch Up the Flow
Besides the pleasant map variety, you also have three different game modes. That way, each new run in the online multiplayer can feel different. You can play Warp Rush and compete to capture Warp Gates dispersed across the map ahead of the competition.
Each captured Warp Gate becomes a respawn point for your team. So, there are benefits to gain even during the relatively few minutes of the mission. Or you can play Last Robot Standing and jump into all-out war against enemies. Team Deathmatch, on the other hand, ranks the winning team based on the number of elimination kills.
Depending on the game mode you choose, there are certain nuances you can take advantage of. Like Team Deathmatch’s power-ups that can boost your damage output, reduce your cooldowns, and provide other combat bonuses. There’s also the Titan, who’s the ultimate War Robot that inflicts the most damage.
You can unlock the Titan after reaching the point limit for the game mode. However, you have to know the best moment to unleash your Titan. Since the Titan deals maximum damage, you want to use it at the most opportune time to make the most of it.
Think Before Doing
This is where the tactical combat side of War Robots: Frontier comes in. It’s not just an online multiplayer that lets you team up with others and run-and-gun around the place. Sure, you can play that way. However, you’ll likely die quicker when you jump into the battle arena with no strategy in mind.
The mechs are the heavy, gigantic machines you imagine. So, they are pretty bulky and move quite slowly. As a result, you have to think of where you position your mech because there’ll be limited time to get away when forced into a corner. Also, the different parts of your mech take damage at different rates. So, having your torso drained of health may warrant shielding yourself with your arms.
At the start of a game, you’ll have five War Robots as well as the Titan. When your mech dies, they can respawn with a bit of a delay. Or they can be out of the match completely. So, make sure to tag them into battle wisely. There are also cooldowns to think about. You don’t want a situation where you’re stuck in the thick of battle with no ammunition. You also want to always have your shield ready for defense.
Engineer Your Own War Robot
Fortunately, you have a deep customization system to choose and upgrade the parts of your mech that boost your play style. There are different classes, roughly between close-range, mid-range, and long-range. There are, of course, other class abilities to consider. Some mechs are more agile.
Others are tanks able to absorb more damage. Still, others can burn armor in exchange for more damage and speed. In total, War Robots: Frontier has over five million build combinations and 18 unique war robots. So, do take your time engineering the best mech of your dreams.
Given the in-depth customization system, it can be a little daunting for newcomers. Not to mention the actual combat that can involve a deeper strategy than casual gamers are used to. For the former, you can opt for the pre-built mech to jump into battle straight away. The latter, though, may need patience to learn the ropes.
However, once the combat kicks in, it’s smooth sailing from there. The good news is there’s a flourishing online community of potential opponents. War Robots: Frontier has been in Early Access for a while now and has gained quite the following. It also offers crossplay, allowing for more accessibility.
Sci-Fi Thrills
Visually, War Robots: Frontier looks and feels good. You enjoy detailed environments with varying terrain and cover. While your mechs are gigantic machines, so is the world you’re battling in. Despite all the action taking place on screen, the visual particle effects remain clear. You can spot enemies easily, whether around the corner or far away.
You can also clearly see the impact of damage, whether breaking enemy parts or destroying the environment. While the color palette is darker, it portrays the chaotic sci-fi planet very well. You feel like you’re on the brink of war, with war machines taking over the planet.
Alongside impeccable visuals are satisfying audio responses. From the music to the sound effects, War Robots: Frontier captures the thrill of the moment to a T. Shooting packs a punch as does the impact. When bullets explode in the environment, the loud blast feels authentic and satisfying.
You can feel the adrenaline pick up in the more chaotic battle sequences. Even as you take action on the fly, the accompanying sound effects and destructive environments match the high tension. Overall, the presentation is on-point, ensuring that you’re enjoying every moment battling war machines in chaotic battle arenas.
Verdict
As it turns out, War Robots: Frontier is a pretty fun and satisfying tactical mech online multiplayer mech game. The tactical bit isn’t just for show. You truly consider your mech’s positioning and strategy before raging an all-out war against opponents. While you can play the game aimlessly, you do get rewarded for tactical play.
It makes it a perfect gig for gamers who like to challenge themselves. Even in the customization system, you can tinker around with the most miniscule parts of your mech.
As War Robots: Frontier launches out of Early Access, new improvements and updates have followed suit. It’s been a sweet ride so far with more updates to come. Check out Season 1: Blockade. It's out now, and has added a new map, leagues, jobs, and two Battle Passes.
Battle Pass 1, Under the Wire, will launch on March 11, 2025, adding a new War Robot. New updates, including new maps, modes, War Robots, and rewards, are to come. Mind you, War Robots: Frontier is free-to-play, sweetening the deal, with so far, no complaints of pay-to-win.
