Set in the dystopian city of New Savannah in 2058, Augmented Empire merges a cyberpunk narrative with the immersive potential of virtual and mixed reality. Coatsink Software has revitalized its acclaimed Oculus title from a few years ago with enhancements tailored for Meta Quest, delivering an intriguing mix of turn-based strategy and RPG mechanics. But while its innovative concepts and storytelling still stand out, the experience isn’t without a few bumps.
At its core, Augmented Empire thrives on its world-building and character-driven narrative. The city of New Savannah is split into multiple social tiers, creating an atmospheric backdrop for a story that delves into class divides, rebellion, and survival. You assume the role of a reclusive overseer, guiding a team of outcasts and misfits to dismantle a corrupt elite. The writing deftly balances humor with more serious issues, aided by an impressive voice cast, including Kate Mulgrew and Nick Frost, who bring depth and personality to the game’s protagonists. The six playable characters all have distinct personalities and traits, making each mission feel personal and offering opportunities for varied playstyles.
Gameplay is turn-based, blending tactical decision-making with RPG elements. Battles emphasize positioning, character abilities, and upgrades, giving a solid sense of progression. And while the mechanics will feel familiar to fans of the genre, the implementation of VR adds a layer of immersion that sets Augmented Empire apart. From the comfort of your virtual hideout, you control characters in augmented reality, managing their actions across 60 detailed environments. This setup offers a unique vantage point, though it sometimes limits the sense of direct involvement that players might expect from a VR title.
Visually, the game leans into a stylized cyberpunk aesthetic, and while the environments are richly detailed, the graphical fidelity doesn’t always make full use of the Meta Quest’s capabilities (showcasing the game’s early VR origins). The environments, while varied, occasionally feel static compared to the vibrancy of the narrative. However, the audio design compensates with a stellar soundtrack that adapts to the action and voice performances that lend weight to the dialogue. It’s clear that significant effort went into creating an atmosphere that supports the narrative’s emotional beats, and that element holds up incredibly well.
The controls in Augmented Empire offer flexibility, supporting both traditional controllers and hand tracking. The latter is a welcome addition, enhancing the sense of presence in mixed reality mode. However, certain functions, like navigating menus or issuing commands in combat, can feel cumbersome when relying on hand gestures. This friction occasionally disrupts the flow, and although it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience we went with traditional controls in the end.
At around 10 hours across 26 missions, Augmented Empire offers a focused but lengthy campaign with replay value stemming from its strategic depth and character development options. It strikes a good balance between accessibility for newcomers and challenges for veterans of turn-based strategy games. However, the linear structure might leave some players wishing for more freedom in tackling objectives or exploring the richly crafted world.
In its Meta Quest iteration, Augmented Empire succeeds in reviving a beloved early VR experience while introducing enhancements like hand tracking and mixed reality support. Its narrative-driven gameplay, compelling characters, and innovative use of VR make it a standout in its genre. Yet, minor limitations in interactivity and visuals prevent it from fully capitalizing on its potential, making us hope for a follow-up. For fans of tactical strategy and dystopian storytelling who never played the original, it’s well worth checking out.
Score: 7.7/10
Press Play Media 