{"id":8335,"date":"2021-01-06T13:00:10","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T11:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/playlab.uta.fi\/?p=8335"},"modified":"2021-01-06T13:00:10","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T11:00:10","slug":"besiege-just-what-couldnt-mindboggling-siege-engines-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/besiege-just-what-couldnt-mindboggling-siege-engines-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Besiege: just what couldn\u2019t mindboggling siege engines do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Besiege<\/span> is a <\/span>strategy<\/span> sandbox<\/span> video <\/span>game<\/span> developed<\/span> by<\/span> Spiderling<\/span> Studios<\/span>. In <\/span>Besiege<\/span>, <\/span>the<\/span> player<\/span> creates<\/span> different<\/span> kinds<\/span> of <\/span>siege<\/span> engines<\/span> and <\/span>machines<\/span> in <\/span>order<\/span> to <\/span>clear<\/span> objectives<\/span>, <\/span>ranging<\/span> from<\/span> destroying<\/span> defended<\/span> structures<\/span> to <\/span>reaching<\/span> checkpoints<\/span> within<\/span> a <\/span>minefield<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span> levels<\/span> are<\/span> designed<\/span> in <\/span>such<\/span> a <\/span>way<\/span> that<\/span> it <\/span>would<\/span> be<\/span> extremely<\/span> challenging<\/span> to beat <\/span>the<\/span> game<\/span> with<\/span> just <\/span>one<\/span> machine<\/span>, as some <\/span>levels<\/span> require<\/span> more<\/span> firepower<\/span>, some <\/span>require<\/span> more<\/span> mobility<\/span>, and some <\/span>might<\/span> even<\/span> require<\/span> the<\/span> ability<\/span> to <\/span>fly<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span> game<\/span> also<\/span> has<\/span> the<\/span> possibility<\/span> to <\/span>create<\/span> your<\/span> own<\/span> levels<\/span> with<\/span> a <\/span>level<\/span> editor<\/span>, and <\/span>the<\/span> ability<\/span> to play <\/span>or<\/span> host<\/span> multiplayer<\/span> games<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

While building these different kinds of machines might seem challenging at the first glance, it is surprisingly simple in the end. Playing the game does not require expertise in mechanics, engineering or in any related field. For example, the player is not required to build a complex motor for any machine – the mechanized wheels work without one. The same logic applies to weapons: just press a button and your rockets will launch or your flamethrower will torch your enemies. That said, it is possible to build remarkably complex machines in the game, and the game does give some instructions for that as the player advances further in the game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What<\/span> made <\/span>the<\/span> game<\/span> enjoyable<\/span> for me <\/span>was<\/span> witnessing<\/span> my <\/span>siege<\/span> engines<\/span> evolve<\/span> into <\/span>grotesque<\/span> monstrosities<\/span> as <\/span>time<\/span> went<\/span> by<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span> grand<\/span> war<\/span> machine<\/span> might<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> an <\/span>unstoppable<\/span> force<\/span> against<\/span> great<\/span> enemy<\/span> forces<\/span>, <\/span>but<\/span> it <\/span>did<\/span> not<\/span> prevail<\/span> against<\/span> the<\/span> simplest<\/span> puzzles<\/span> requiring<\/span> any<\/span> agility, <\/span>which<\/span> forced<\/span> me to <\/span>creates<\/span> few<\/span> types<\/span> of <\/span>different<\/span> prototypes<\/span> for <\/span>different<\/span> kinds<\/span> of <\/span>challenges<\/span>. At <\/span>the<\/span> end<\/span> of <\/span>the<\/span> game<\/span>, I <\/span>had<\/span> created<\/span> numerous<\/span> machines<\/span> with<\/span> varying<\/span> levels<\/span> of <\/span>success<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It <\/span>was<\/span> shockingly<\/span> enjoyable<\/span> to <\/span>see<\/span> my <\/span>machines<\/span> get<\/span> absolutely<\/span> destroyed<\/span> by<\/span> varying<\/span> misfortunes<\/span>. For <\/span>example<\/span>, I <\/span>stored<\/span> a <\/span>rocket<\/span> on <\/span>the<\/span> front<\/span> side of my <\/span>machine<\/span> and it <\/span>catastrophically<\/span> backfired<\/span> as <\/span>one<\/span> of <\/span>the<\/span> levels<\/span> had<\/span> a laser-<\/span>firing<\/span> monument<\/span> as <\/span>your<\/span> only<\/span> enemy<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span> monument<\/span> kindled<\/span> my <\/span>rocket<\/span> straight<\/span> away<\/span>, <\/span>blowing<\/span> half<\/span> of my <\/span>machine<\/span> into <\/span>the<\/span> sky<\/span>, <\/span>forcing<\/span> me to <\/span>fundamentally<\/span> change<\/span> the<\/span> structure<\/span> of my <\/span>machine<\/span>. <\/span>T<\/span>he<\/span> levels<\/span> requiring<\/span> flying<\/span> proved<\/span> to <\/span>be<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> challenging<\/span> ones<\/span>, <\/span>because<\/span> I <\/span>did<\/span> not<\/span> study<\/span> how<\/span> to <\/span>build<\/span> functional<\/span> aircraft<\/span>. It <\/span>ultimately<\/span> led to some <\/span>hilarious<\/span> moments<\/span> as my <\/span>machine<\/span> looked<\/span> like<\/span> it <\/span>was<\/span> created<\/span> by<\/span> Snork<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> Moomins<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span> aircraft<\/span> was<\/span> so<\/span> stupidly<\/span> massive<\/span> that simply<\/span> flying<\/span> it<\/span> caused<\/span> massive<\/span> drops<\/span> in <\/span>the<\/span> framerate<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

All<\/span> in <\/span>all<\/span>, <\/span>the<\/span> game<\/span> provides<\/span> well-spent<\/span> time<\/span> for <\/span>multiple<\/span> hours<\/span>. More <\/span>casual<\/span> players<\/span> can<\/span> clear<\/span> the<\/span> levels<\/span> by<\/span> trial and <\/span>error<\/span>, <\/span>while<\/span> those<\/span> who<\/span> want<\/span> to <\/span>focus<\/span> on a <\/span>more<\/span> scientific<\/span> approach<\/span> can<\/span> clear<\/span> the<\/span> levels<\/span> by<\/span> careful<\/span> planning<\/span>. My <\/span>personal<\/span> playstyle<\/span> was<\/span> probably<\/span> something<\/span> in-<\/span>between<\/span> despite<\/span> the<\/span> appearance<\/span> of my <\/span>terrible<\/span> creations<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Publisher: <\/span><\/b>Spiderling<\/span><\/b> Studios<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Developer<\/span><\/b>: <\/span><\/b>Spiderling<\/span><\/b> Studios<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Platforms<\/span><\/b>: <\/span><\/b>macOS<\/span><\/b>, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating <\/span><\/b>systems<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Release <\/span><\/b>date<\/span><\/b>: <\/span><\/b>January<\/span><\/b> 28, 2015<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

P<\/span><\/b>EGI: <\/span><\/b>unrated<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Credits<\/span><\/b>: <\/span><\/b>Both<\/span><\/b> pictures<\/span><\/b> are<\/span><\/b> in-<\/span><\/b>game<\/span><\/b> material<\/span><\/b> taken<\/span><\/b> by<\/span><\/b> the<\/span><\/b> author<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How fun could creating siege engines possibly be? Besiege encourages you to find out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":105,"featured_media":8339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1292,279,263],"class_list":["post-8335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-reviews","tag-besiege","tag-sandbox","tag-strategy","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/105"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}