- Publisher: Wired Productions
- Release Date: Mar 26, 2024
- Also On: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
-
Apr 9, 2024Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is a great showcase for its world and has some nifty mechanics for both tower development and exploration. I once invested an uninterrupted 20 minutes simply placing foundations and balconies for a stone tower that served as the anchor for a couple of ports, simply to improve the architecture of that island. Unfortunately, the beauty of all these spires and walkways cannot compensate for a certain sense of aimlessness. The three campaigns don’t feel too different, and combat is too automated to feel interesting. Like its massive towers, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles has good foundations but it doesn’t offer something engaging to build towards.
-
Mar 26, 2024Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is an odd game that you will either really like and have a lot of fun with or it is going to frustrate the heck out of you, but I think ultimately I have to err on the side of it trying new things even if I don’t think it totally sticks the landing. Take that with the appropriate header.
-
Mar 26, 2024Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is an interesting piece of work. As a city builder, its simplicity in the actual building process is complemented by the unusual environment for the genre. That alone is enough to make simple settlements look cool. As a strategy game, the attempts to simplify some of the traditional mechanics of the 4X genre work surprisingly well, but some elements, like combat, could've used more attention so it doesn't feel like an afterthought. The end result isn't going to be for everyone, but it is worth a look for those who want to jump into the genre and appreciate something out of the ordinary.
-
Mar 28, 2024Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is an impressive solo achievement. Its disregard for traditional goals, victory conditions or game-limiting objectives makes Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles stand out in a — pun intended — sea of builders. As a set of automated construction mechanics, the Freebuild Mode feels great. Sometimes the campaign scenarios sit uncomfortably in the middle, tasking players to discover how things work but not always giving them a clear, actionable goal. Fans of games like Townscapers will enjoy Bulwark very much, and players of more traditional RTS games will appreciate its fresh approach to the genre.
-
Jun 7, 2024Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is as beautiful as it is original. The developer’s ambition and fresh approach to the city builder genre are commendable, but the decision to force players to discover the game’s mechanics on their own has brought mixed results, while the lack of a proper challenge becomes a problem during longer sessions.
-
Mar 26, 2024Tomas Sala’s second Falconeer game may come across as nicher at first glance, but it’s far easier to approach and have a great time with despite some baffling inconsistencies.
-
Mar 26, 2024With its artistic and creative approach, Bulwark offers a genuine experience, which may however quickly become boring for some types of players.
-
Mar 26, 2024Simple and beautiful to look at, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is a pleasant distraction but lacks the depth in its combat and economy to stay interesting for very long.
-
Apr 8, 2024Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles lays down some solid ambitions foundations for autonomous city building, as you construct soaring towers and trade hubs for your oceanic colony. And while the resistance to duplicate conventional types of play is commendable, there’s a distinct lack of challenge, making this more of an open-ended plaything than your usual goal-driven game. Hopefully, the developer can make a few changes to make the autonomy a bit more engaging.
-
Apr 9, 2024Tomas Sala, with a handful of helpers, created a somewhat strange game, the exceptionality of which cannot be doubted. But you will only have a limited amount of fun. However, Bulwark can impress you with a difference that you won't find in other strategy games.
-
Edge MagazineApr 18, 2024Those seeking strategic depth may find Bulwark wanting, but if you're happy to kitbash without consequence then Sala's atmospheric world is worth a return visit. [Issue#397, p.112]
-
Mar 26, 2024Bulwark is an aesthetic and very impressive one-man project full of simple, elegant game systems. It's easy to lose yourself in the moment and simply watch the attractive settlement grow and flourish. However, there is a lack of challenge and variety for real long-term gameplay motivation.
-
Mar 26, 2024A gentle and unusual building game that's memorable but missing some purpose.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
-
Mar 26, 2024It all just starts to feel like you're endlessly spinning plates without any real end in sight. Each campaign scenario is more of the same, too, offering little more than a change in starting position and faction type. For some, £15/$20 will be a more than adequate price of entry for that. But it also feels like Bulwark is on the cusp of something greater, like it's aiming to be an Anno but never quite getting there in the process. It ultimately spreads itself too thin, doing lots of things well without being brilliant, and lacks the depth and momentum to make it feel satisfying on a strategic level. It's a citybuilder that hums along quietly, but lethargically, sputtering occasionally as you change gears, and eventually petering out altogether as both you and the game become completely and utterly exhausted by it all.