Time to get our asses to Mars and make some sweet, sweet profit in Offworld Trading Company. Lead by former Firaxis developer Soren Jonson, Mohawk Games have crafted an interesting and unique take on the real time strategy genre. Rather than amassing tanks and building impenetrable fortresses players take on the roll of a corporation vying for control of the planet Mars. Offworld Trading Company sees players exploiting resources and manipulating the prices of goods to earn enough money to buy out their opponents. If that seems a bit too friendly don’t worry, by utilising auctions and the black market you can hire pirates to reappropriate resources and arrange for industrial “accidents”. Yes, those chemicals are quite dangerous you know. Wouldn’t want any unexplained explosions now would we?
The voracious harvest of Mars’ wealth has to be done in moderation, as the colony located on each map has to be supplied with food, water and oxygen. If the prices of these essentials get too high then the colony is abandoned and everybody loses.
There are four HQ types available which manipulate resources differently, and add to this the special buildings that earn you unique bonuses and abilities, and you have the possibility for a variety of nuanced play-styles.
Offworld Trading Company’s campaign mode features a decent progression system that allows you to unlock bonuses to certain buildings and resources as well as unlocking patents that will give you a unique edge over your opponents. It is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
Most Anticipated Feature: With most of the core gameplay in place, Mohawk are looking to add leaderboards and ladders for multiplayer, which should help spice things up a bit.
