In the heat of battle, scrolling through the 20 units to find the mechanics not pinned down to go fix a lagging behemoth, I found myself messing up on controller. The main issue is that some of the unit placement can feel fiddly. Unfortunately, it is not all billowing smoke over desolate landscapes, there are some things that bog this game down. This led to a delicate balance wherein I had an immensely powerful unit that could turn the tides of battle, but if lost it is game over. In another level the player is tasked with escorting a train that has a mounted gun. Many of the levels limit the number of units the player can build – emphasising cautious engagement in combat and healing the existing pieces in play. The campaign also does as much as it can to mix up the play style. There are buildings for human and mech generation that are contingent on resources such as metal and oil, and certain units can build defences, but that as about as deep as it gets. The base building element is stripped back and works well on the console. I did marvel every time one of these brutes walked straight into a house an enemy unit was using as cover, and just demolished it. The scale is played with well, Anna Kos and her trusty bear are dwarfed by the smoking metal hulks that stand building high. Likewise, knowing when to retreat and when to push an advantage is important. Maintaining the squad’s orientation and laying down suppressing fire become vital to keeping a team alive. Human squads are expected to use cover, and hide in buildings or bunkers, as their mechanised counterparts stomp over the terrain.

Mobilising huge platoons of mecha is less important than building a robust team of units that can support each other, and judiciously use each of the units’ skills. Iron Harvest is an RTS that leans into more low-level squad-skirmishes instead of Total War levels of combat. With that in mind Anna takes up a trusty sniper rifle and goes to war. They are caught between two warring factions of the Saxonians and Russviets while Anna is still a young child but soon it is the Russviets that threaten Polania’s autonomy. The story focuses on Anna Kos and her faithful bear Wojtek who are citizens of the fictional country of Polania. Set in an alternative history where Tesla had more of an impact on the tech world, giant mechanical bipeds are in place over traditional tanks. There have been some controversies about the artist himself, but it is undeniable that the video game it inspired has some solid chops to it. The washed-out colours and pseudo-soviet iconography hit a chord. Bleak, Eastern European scenery overshadowed by hulking mechs. When the first images that would inspire Iron Harvest started appearing on the internet I was immediately struck by the imagery.

Iron harvest xbox one