| Rating: | 5 (1 votes) |
| Played: | 1 times |
| Classification: | AZ Games |
The first thing that's noticeable about Blockader is that you don't really have to worry about pulling the trigger. The character automatically uses weapons, and the player mainly controls movement within a circular arena full of enemies. It sounds easy, but when dozens of opponents appear at once, finding a safe position becomes much more difficult than aiming.
The moon setting and the array of space mouse characters give the game a rather fun visual appearance. The gameplay, however, is the opposite: the longer you survive, the more chaotic the battlefield becomes.
You can imagine a Blockader turn as a short loop. Enemies appear, the player moves, weapons automatically attack, then a wave ends and the game presents a new choice.
But between those seemingly simple steps, quite a lot changes.
Therefore, a good match isn't necessarily one with the highest kill rate. What's important is whether you can maintain your mobility when the situation starts to worsen.
Blockader has eight danger tiers along with ranged snipers. The differences between enemy groups force players to change their approach instead of just running around the arena.
One group can force the character to move from their current position. Another makes staying in one area too long dangerous. When multiple types of opponents appear at the same time, choosing the right direction is more important than chasing each target individually.
When a wave ends, Blockader shifts attention from reflexes to choices. Random upgrade cards appear, and you have to decide which ones will accompany you for the rest of the run.
There are over 100 cards across four rarity, each with different effects:
There isn't a fixed upgrade order to follow. A run can start in one direction and quickly shift to another just because of a few random choices that come up at the right time.
This is the point where players are most likely to want to try another run.
Initially, the upgrade cards are just separate pieces of a puzzle. After a few selections, they begin to complement each other and create a unique set of skills.
You can build characters focused on high ammo, concentrate on spread effects, or find ways to combine multiple damage sources. Not every choice yields perfect results, but it's this uncertainty that gives each run its own unique story.
The Space key also allows you to reroll the currently appearing card group, while 1–4 is used to directly select upgrades.
Blockader uses a progression system to link turns together.
Stars earned during combat can be invested in Gear, divided into Offense, Defense, and Utility. The six playable characters also have their own Skill Trees, creating additional long-term development paths.
This affects the view of failure. A failed run can nevertheless leave resources and progress for the next time. Back in the arena you can swap characters, or perhaps you want to spend some time mastering a build you haven’t quite got down.
You may see randomness interspersed with long term growth. You can’t tell what cards will be played and you can’t totally control the way the waves will unfold. But you still have the power to chose how to use them.
Also provided by the Wave Leaderboard, the upgrade collection system and unsolved secrets are objectives beyond just surviving to the next wave.
Blockader is therefore well-suited to a "try one more time" playstyle: start with a random build, see how far it goes, learn from that run, and then return with a different character or combination. On a small arena, the game constantly puts players in situations where they must adapt before finding the next opening.
AZ Games
