Sneak Peek / Vanguard Exiles (PC)

Oh boy, Early Access games—I’ve got this weird love-hate vibe with them. Like, you pop in expecting a half-baked mess, but sometimes, you find gems slowly transforming into something spectacular. Remember when Early Access was this wild wasteland of janky experiments and half-baked dreams? But okay—not all devs are villains. Now, it feels like a zone where cool, unpolished ideas are molded right in front of you. And if we’re talking hopefuls, Vanguard Exiles screams potential to me. Yeah, I might ramble a bit, but here’s why it’s stuck in my brain lately.

So, Vanguard Exiles, huh? Coming from a brainiac involved with Magic: The Gathering—how’s that for a pedigree? Except, forget cards; this is all about hexes and battling figures, kinda like those intense tabletop games. Not to sound like a hipster, but if this ever hits the shelves as a board game—with miniatures—I’m gonna be the first in line. Pre-order? Heck yes.

But, uh, don’t rush to slam down your credit card just yet. Let’s remind ourselves—this is Early Access. That shiny “still in progress” tag is real. Most of my gripes, minor and petty as they may be, are things that could vanish by the next patch. It’s like, yeah, RNG can be a pain, but what game doesn’t have its quirks? Even top-tier games aren’t immune sometimes, right?

Oh, the gameplay! Picture leading a ragtag crew of mercenaries through gritty trenches—bet you never thought you’d read that phrase. Who gets what room matters, especially since each space has its own doo-dads, value, points, maybe even a bear if you’re lucky—or unlucky? Skirmishing over 80 points? It’s like strategic bingo, with a medieval twist. Not everything’s about victory or defeat; sometimes it’s about that shiver down your spine when you face an unexpected bear. Could be metaphorical… or not.

And literally just when you think you’re losing, Vanguard pulls the rug from under your feet. It’s strategic whack-a-mole. The phrase “auto-battler” might perk up some ears—expectation versus reality check!—but the neat thing is, nothing feels neglected. Pick your battleground, make risky calls, and see how the chips fall. Even if they land awkwardly.

Round by round, you meet units that spark your imagination. You can snatch cards outta thin air—sort of. With a smattering of gold, your options open up wide. No gold? No problem, go with the freebie. It’s all about deployment, not reaction. Cards? A vehicle for strategy, not your average card game.

Honestly, the fun doesn’t let up. But—brace yourselves, gray area incoming—I’m talking about story mode. Or the lack thereof? Factions exist, but their tales are still in the shadows. Dwarves, elves, creepy cultists—classic ensemble—but it’s more like a prologue with potential. I’m itching for deeper lore. Give me fluff, I crave the fluff!

Little unkillable unit issue here. Okay, more than a little. Dwarves wearing indestructible pajamas or something? When damage seems like a far-off dream, things need tweaking. It’s a mechanical hiccup, but hiccups happen. Watch this space for change, my friends.

Nitpicks aside, Vanguard Exiles shows promise. Toss in some quality-of-life improvements and heavier storytelling, and strategy fans will be in paradise. Keep eyes peeled on this one; could be something phenomenal. I’m riding this crazy train to release—full steam ahead or derailing? Guess we’ll see!

Preview, courtesy of an Early Access glimpse. Who even lets me have access to this stuff?