Forged Battalion: A Modular Real-Time Strategy Experience
Released on January 16, 2018, Forged Battalion stands as a distinctive entry in the strategy, indie, and simulation genres on PC. Developed by Petroglyph and published by Team17, this real-time strategy title breaks away from traditional faction-based design by placing military engineering directly in the player's hands. Rather than commanding pre-existing armies, you step into the dual role of commander and engineer, tasked with customizing every aspect of your resistance force.
Genre and Core Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay loop revolves around classic base-building and resource management, drawing clear inspiration from legendary military RTS titles. Players construct power plants, refineries, and communication centers to sustain their economy and expand across the map. A unique mechanic replaces mobile construction vehicles with captured outposts, which unlock expansion zones for new buildings. Unit production is streamlined through keyboard shortcuts and centralized hubs, allowing for rapid deployment. The strategic depth comes from a persistent tech tree where experience points earned across campaign and multiplayer modes unlock new components. By allocating these points, players can modify chassis types, including walkers, light vehicles, heavy vehicles, and air drones, by attaching various weapons, armor plating, and locomotor systems. This modular approach means build orders and combat strategies can be tailored to specific scenarios, though the limited initial roster encourages players to experiment and adapt.
Story and Setting Overview
The narrative is set in the late 22nd century, a time when escalating climate change has devastated the planet. A sprawling global military organization known as “The Collective” has seized control, prompting a fragmented resistance to rise against them. Players join this resistance movement and progress through a dynamic story campaign designed to test adaptability against an increasingly coordinated threat. While the campaign provides the primary narrative arc, the focus remains heavily on tactical execution rather than cinematic storytelling, with skirmish and multiplayer modes offering additional tactical challenges.
Platform Availability and Development
Forged Battalion is available exclusively on PC. Initially released in Early Access in 2018, the title continues to receive content updates and community-driven expansion through the Steam Workshop, which adds new maps and customization options to the base package.
Notable Features
- Deep Unit Customization: Modify every chassis with a wide array of weapons, support modules, and locomotors to create unique combat units.
- Persistent Progression: A shared tech tree spans across all game modes, allowing victory points to unlock blueprints for advanced technology.
- Streamlined RTS Mechanics: Air units do not need to return to base to rearm, and resource silos have been removed in favor of a more direct economy system.
- Multiplayer and Skirmish Support: Join up to seven other players in online matches or challenge AI opponents across standard and workshop-created maps.
- Legacy Soundtrack: Features a composed original score by Frank Klepacki, known for his work on classic military strategy franchises.
Who Forged Battalion Appeals To
This title is best suited for strategy enthusiasts who appreciate the foundational pacing of traditional base-building RTS games but desire greater creative freedom in army design. Players who enjoy engineering custom loadouts, experimenting with chassis combinations, and mastering map control through outpost expansion will find its systems deeply rewarding. While the campaign may feel repetitive and the AI remains straightforward, the game shines as a sandbox for tactical experimentation and asymmetric multiplayer engagements.
