Rebel Inc: Escalation is a promising start for an early access game, but is lacking on content variation for those only looking for the most bang for their buck.

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The Game:

Rebel Inc comes to us from Ndemic Creations, who are also responsible for the successful Plague Inc game. It can be purchased on Steam for 13.49$ until October 22nt, and then for 14.99$.

The game plays as a counter insurgency strategy game. You will take on the role of a regional representative of a coalition whose goal it is to stabilize a liberated and war torn region.

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You’ll have to manage funds, various upgrades to the region (Civilian, Government, and Military Initiatives), and fight back against an insurgency who want nothing more than to see your plans foiled and the region fall to their hands.

In essence, this is a resource management game. You need to increase support levels through civilian upgrades, such as bringing water facilities and sanitation to the area, build your government through anti corruption policies and helpful public services, and always keep a strong national defense force ready to roll out.

Every map of the game has different challenges to overcome, and you’ll find yourself having to alter your objectives and play style depending on the region being stabilized.

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Adding variation and complexity to the game is over a dozen unlockable characters and advisors to play as. There are different main governors to pick, who each have their own benefits and downsides to their play, and many advisors to choose from that can help you. The overall play will be the same whatever you choose, but the governors in particular come with some interesting mechanics that alter the game.

The Mixed:

I am happy that the game already has so many unlockable characters to earn, but I felt that they took far to long to gain. It looks like the only way to earn new characters is by grinding the game and completion of maps. However, this is not nearly as casual a game as Plague Inc was, and each match can be a stressful and difficult affair.

It would be nice if instead of governors and advisors being locked behind games played they were more based on achievement and play style. For example, how cool would it be if you ended a game mostly through military efforts and found yourself earning a warlord to play? Or, if you focused a lot of your government’s budget, you earned the economist. This change would give players more concrete goals to work for, and would reward certain styles of play.

Overall, Rebel Inc suffers from a lack of variation. We need to give Ndemic a bit of a break on that though, as the game is in early access and only recently was launched.

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The Bad:

As noted, this is an early access game. Not only that, but it’s very fresh into even it’s early period. As such, Rebel Inc is simply lacking in a lot of areas. The base game is fine and I ran into very little to complain about, but I quickly became bored by it.

As of now, Rebel Inc is nowhere near worth it’s 14.99$ asking price unless you are an avid fan of this type of game, and believe in the developer’s ability to see it through.

The Verdict:

Rebel Inc has a lot of promise. It comes from the developer’s of Plague Inc, which I loved, and I’m willing to give a lot of trust to Ndemic to make this game into something great. My trust is just that though, MY trust. I can’t recommend this game as of right now to those who are in anyway looking for a full experience, or who do not hold the same regard for the studio as I do.

In short, buy now if you like the studio and have enjoyed their past work, but give it a pass or wait awhile if you’re on the fence. One way or the other though, it might be worth keeping an Eye on Rebel Inc: Escalation.