Lost Technology (PC) Review

The premise sounds interesting, but when a lot of potential players take a look at screenshots or maybe even a gameplay video, the bad graphics will put off a lot of players from what actually is a surprisingly good title. This is unfortunate, as what awaits anyone who ventures in, is a solid, re-playable strategy experience.

Lost Technology is a bit like if combining the board game Risk with a fantasy/anime theme, along with a shockingly good story. It all begins with the player picking one of around 10 different kingdoms to control, each one possessing different units, as well as completely different stories. From there, each turn they can gain as much money as territory they control, they buy limited units, and choose their battles trying to secure more territory.

The conflicts come from how everyone else is trying to do the same, and everyone starts right on top of each other. The balance it presents is interesting, as a player can choose one of the kingdoms on the edge of the map that are safer, but have far less resources, or one of the ones in the middle that give great income, but are surrounded on all sides.

One interesting aspect to this is that there are very few safe spots, chokepoints, or anything of that nature. The feeling of constantly being on edge and hoping a kingdom doesn't attack your backside is unique in many strategy games that often are simply bunkering in a corner until you steamroll out. From this strategy portion of the game, the player also controls recruiting more hero units, as well as conventional infantry; again each group have different units - ranging from mages, armoured knights, thieves, to singing frogs.

One more aspect that really makes the strategy aspect shine is the way units can be moved around. Essentially any squad can either attack or defend any territory that is within two zones, but only once in total each turn. This means a single squad could able to defend both a right side and left side, but if it actually goes into battle to defend either of them, it cannot be used again - including attacking the next turn. This adds to a lot of strategy about where to position units both as effective defence, but also to actually be in position to advance. Likewise, it adds to an interesting element where a small territory can suddenly have an immense influx of defenders.

The battle system plays out in real-time as the player controls massive groups of units, often around 100-200 at a time. The options given are pretty in-depth as far as formation, skill usage and so on go, but they mostly involve smashing opposing groups of units together to see who comes out on top. There is a fun use of tactics that can be utilised, such as keeping a back-up squad of knights to flank the weak mages in the back. Units start at Level 1, but the more battles they live through, they change appearance and become stronger, as well as gain more skills. In this regard, there is an impetus to keep units alive for as long as possible.

Like parts of the strategy portion, the user interface is a weakness of Lost Technology. Far too often there are too many windows open, and some can't be closed. It is certainly a pain moving units around into battles, or seeing what is going on, and that is one of the strikes against this.

Each kingdom possesses its own story, and the few checked out during review are interesting. It is rare that stories are unique anymore, but it can be said that the story lines here actually earn that award. Playing the dragon kingdom, for instance, it is compelling seeing a protagonist that wanted to rule the world simply so she would have access to more information to find out what happened to the dragons. Likewise, it is a pleasure in a game to see characters who do not 100% agree with the lead, and seeing hesitation, doubt, and subterfuge adds a welcome element of realism to the story. Watching it play out helps bring the entire experience together. A single play-through is fun, but upon finishing, there is a reason to fire the game back up: even more kingdoms to try again.