I love turn based games. In fact, the reason you’re not reading this mini-review sooner is because after playing Pathway for 40 hours, I was pulled into a Civ 5 multiplayer frenzy (it’s a long story) and I haven’t had a free evening since. I deleted Civ yesterday (because that shit is heroin) and so here we are, finally talking about the game with the most advanced pixel art graphics engine so far.

I mean look at the screenshots. It’s gorgeous. Ever since the game was announced, I meticulously analyzed every screenshot that the german developer Robotality put out. I touched upon the behind-the-scenes stuff in my pre-release post and suffice it to say this is some advanced black pixel magic (much like the game’s supernatural nazi-cultist setting). 

The art is joined in perfect unison with the incredible music score, immersing you into your very-own Indiana Jones turn-based strategy adventure. The game is a casual entry into the tactical genre with fast-paced, easy-to-comprehend combat. Fighting is very predictable with shots always landing when there is a clear line of sight (hit percentages are also always right there in the HUD to indicate otherwise). With good strategy you can often get in and out of a fight in 2 or 3 turns. Great for short, relaxing evening sessions, rather than hardcore strategizing.

The glue that holds the numerous randomized battles together is a board-game-like map of Africa and the Middle East, the home of scorching-hot sand dunes, palm tree-filled oases, brick-built villages, and mysterious underground temples. Each of the five campaigns has an enveloping story that tries to give purpose to your team’s expedition, but due to the procedurally generated nature of adventures, you’ll find the random situations you get yourself into more interesting on their own, rather than supporting a progression of the overall arch.

The lush story vignettes are beautifully illustrated and offer a chance for your characters to lead to extra riches and equipment, the latter of which is the key to progression in the game. The 16 available recruits have unique skillsets and combining them into expedition parties offers plenty of varied playstyles. You’ll replay the campaigns often, but that’s by design as you get to try different team compositions and embark on a whole new set of shenanigans, some of which are available only with specific character perks.

Overall the experience does plateau, especially with as many hours as I put into it. It shines best in short, chill sessions for when you feel like immersing yourself into its pulp pre-world-war-II archeologist setting that the graphical wizardry so perfectly captures. A new campaign and improved story events are still on the way, so there’re plenty of reasons to stay excited for the future. If you live for advanced pixel art like I do, Pathway is an absolute must in your library. Get it from Steam, GOG, and Humble (mac, linux, windows, $16).