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[Alex Connolly]

Developer: Mode 7 Games
Platform: PC / Mac - Steam
Genre: Strategy
Target Audience: Neckbeards, Fratboys and all in between.

In fact...I’m tempted to say something like “Indie-strategy’s answer to StarCraft 2”.

Fancy something a little different? Have a hankering to get your Laser Squad Nemesis on? Are you one of those folks who wanted an entire game made from the original Rainbow Six's planning phase? Well, look no further. Independent developer Mode 7 Games are here to save you from the gaming doldrums with Frozen Synapse. A squad-centric tactical turn-based game with a heavy emphasis on asynchronous multiplayer/Play By Email. Take your troops, plot out their moves within five-second timeframes, execute the order and watch as your plan goes up against your opponent.

Think you're a heavyweight in Counterstrike? The bees knees in Call of Duty? Convert those reflexes and instinct into delegating strategic squad actions and see if you're truly the gunslinger you claim to be. Headshot? How about head SPACE!? You'll need more than a popped collar and the reassuring backslap of your bros to see you make it to the next round.

The perfect five-minute coffee-break game or something to mull over like a true tactician. Have one game or multiple on the go. A slew of modes, ranging from deathmatch to hostage, territory control to a barbaric firearm form of making a touchdown. Play against the ruthless AI or take it online and challenge friend and stranger alike. Five unit types with distinct and tactical capabilities. Learn their limits and skills, then combine effectively to spill the blood of your foes, lest they spill yours.

FROZEN SYNAPSE - THE THINKING MAN'S SHOOTER.

It's not only about growing a set, it's about growing a brain as well.

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Features

- Unique simultaneous-turn-based gameplay
- Multiplayer Modes: Hostage Rescue, Disputed, Secure (bidding-based mode), Extermination (light/dark), Charge
- Single player Modes: Campaign, Skirmish, Puzzle
- Hand-crafted maps, random map generator, map editor
- Community features: Friend List, rate and comment on games, Personal Feed, Daily and Global Rankings, Instant Matchmaking
- One-click match export to YouTube
- Slick, modern UI to make planning simple and intuitive
- Evocative music and audio by electronic musician nervous_testpilot
- Facebook and Twitter integration

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Vendors

Official Site
Matrix Games
Gamersgate
Desura
Steam
GetGames
Impulse

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System Requirements

PC
OS Requirements: Windows XP, Vista, 7
Ram: 512MB
Processor/Gfx card: will run on low-end modern hardware (e.g. netbooks)

Mac
OS Requirements: OSX Leopard or later
Ram: 512MB
Processor/Gfx card: 1GHZ PowerPC (or Intel)

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Previews

Kieron Gillen / Rock, Paper, Shotgun

It’s basically the logical collision between Laser Squad Nemesis, Poker and Contract Bridge, complete with a beautiful post-Introversion retro-future aesthetic. Plus tiny flashes of Worms and classic-era Rainbow Six. And other stuff.

...and the games I’ve played are enough to make me want to play more. In fact, need to play more. The main reason I’m writing it as effusively as I am, is a note to self. If there’s someone like me out there, he or she would want to get in on this early.

James Allen / Out of Eight

While the price is on the high end of the indie spectrum, the gameplay is well worth it; find a friend and each pitch in $13 and you're good to go. I've been playing and enjoying this game immensely, and it's not even done yet. Overall, I am very, very pleased and quite enamored with what I’ve seen so far: it’s more entertaining than a lot of “finished” games...

Alec Meer / Eurogamer

This is a game about crushing your enemy, punching the air and breathlessly bragging about how clever you are. It is not a game about hiding behind a wall for 48 turns. In a way, it capitalises on the new movement towards turn-based indie gaming, headed up by Solium Infernum and Neptune's Pride, but the fact that it's so quick to learn, quick to play and quick to reward or punish means it could well attract the horde. And so it should - the current beta build needs a little spit and polish, but it is still a shiny diamond of a thing. There's no question that it's taking action-strategy to a much-needed new place.

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Reviews

bit-gamer - 95/100

I’ll just say that Frozen Synapse is the most moreish and brilliant game I’ve played in years. It’s responsible for me dreaming in shades of blue for the last three nights running and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Edge - 9/10

Clinical yet chaotic, Mode7's game of tactics is a multiplayer masterpiece.

Eurogamer - 9/10

Frozen Synapse takes the old, the stuffy and the traditionally glacial and it makes it brand new, instant and brutal. It's such an achievement.

Honest Gamers - 9/10

A superb effort, crafted with such immaculate precision despite the obviously low budget behind it. This is the best indie game of the year so far.

Out of Eight - 8/8

Everyone even remotely interested in tactical games should immediately start playing Frozen Synapse.

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Videos

Teaser Trailer
Official Pre-Order Trailer
Promo Trailer
Giant Bomb Quicklook

LAUNCH TRAILER

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Images

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Links

Frozen Synapse Official Site
Mode 7 Games Blog
iTunes Mode 7 Games Podcast "Visiting The Village" (currently on hiatus due to FS development)
Ian Hardingham (Mode 7 Games head developer, co-founder) Twitter
Paul Taylor (Mode 7 Games co-founder, Creative Director, Music Master) Twitter
Frozen Synapse Facebook

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GAF Combatants

(GAF Name / FS Name )

Pylon_Trooper / Pylon_Command
Joseph Merrick / Divebomb
Mailman 007 / Mailman007
Primate Ryan / Primate_Ryan
archnemesis / archnemesis
Moobabe / Moobs
ChaoticEko / ChaoticEko
Brobzoid / Brobzoid
The_Player / The_Player
NIN90 / NIN90
Nabs / Nabs
Toma / TomaLexi
The_Super_Inframan / Schnitzelfee
Almyn / Lynas
Shahadan / Shahadan
InfectedZero / InfectedZero
snoopeasystreet / snoopeasystreet
Sectus / Sectus
Drkirby / Drkirby
KPJZKC / KPJZKC
Unicorn / Yagya
blazinglazers / friggles
SteveWinwood / Hasmedaoa

---

GAF, it's time to dominate. Five seconds at a time. By email. And to end on a tongue-in-cheek slice of acerbic logic:

If you like tactical strategy games and don't already own Frozen Synapse, you are dumb.

 

[Bossman]

Is this actually coming out soon? It has been in beta for like a year.

 

[Alex Connolly]

Is this actually coming out soon? It has been in beta for like a year.

As soon as they can get it out the door, I hear. The single player campaign is essentially done, so now is just spit-shining, adding dynamic music etc. Cannot wait!

 

[Xater]

As soon as they can get it out the door, I hear. The single player campaign is essentially done, so now is just spit-shining, adding dynamic music etc. Cannot wait!

Will check it out once it is done. I don't like paying for an unfinished product.

 

[Alex Connolly]

Will check it out once it is done. I don't like paying for an unfinished product.

And fair enough, too. Although, the multiplayer is to die for and, for what it's worth, could very well be worth the price of admission. It certainly was for me.

 

[Oneiroscope]

Hehe. JaguarUSF, was he any good?

 

[Alex Connolly]

Hehe. JaguarUSF, was he any good?

Still on our first or second turn, actually! He ranked ridiculously highly on the daily global ladder yesterday, but I'd only expect that from the man! So, I'll probably wake up, log in and see my squad turned to nothing but smeared offal.

 

[Oneiroscope]

I might log in and destroy him in FS for being so meh on Theatre of War 3: Korea.

 

[∀ Narayan]

This looks great. Reminds me of the original Rainbow Six games. I wish we could get more games like that in this generation. :\

 

[Primate Ryan]

I really enjoyed playing the beta last year and I think it's set to become one of the best indies of 2011.

What is truly great about this title is the ability to test all your plans. You can not only create plans for your own units, but also for the opponent's, so that you can (most often desperately) tweak your approach until you are sure that all your men will survive and you will inflect as much pain as possible. If everything went according to plan, but it hardly ever does. Not only because you do not always know the exact position of the enemy (providing that you are playing on "dark" and not on wimpy "light"), but more importantly because your opponent is trying to do the same.

I'm somewhat apprehensive of FS's future success though. I can't escape the feeling that the excellent multiplayer beta has already attracted most of its potential player base, and that it won't receive a big bump on release. Of course, this is not based on fact and is merely the pessimist within me speaking. I sincerely hope that this title will be prove a succes for the developer. Most importantly because I'm curious about where they'll go from here.

 

[SapientWolf]

I heard that hotseat is going to be in. FS, with its short intense rounds, might have what it takes to be a party game for strategy gamers. But I think they would have to add a "fake play" button to thwart dirty screen lookers.

I'm somewhat apprehensive of FS's future success though. I can't escape the feeling that the excellent multiplayer beta has already attracted most of its potential player base, and that it won't receive a big bump on release. Of course, this is not based on fact and is merely the pessimist within me speaking. I sincerely hope that this title will be prove a succes for the developer. Most importantly because I'm curious about where they'll go from here.

It's gonna be on Steam. That should help a little bit.

 

[Instro]

Looks cool, never got around to checking out the beta last year, but good to know its coming out relatively soon.

 

[Xater]

And fair enough, too. Although, the multiplayer is to die for and, for what it's worth, could very well be worth the price of admission. It certainly was for me.

Oh I don't doubt that it is already a lot of fun in MP, it's just a principle for me. When this gets released as a full game I will gladly pay for it. I am probably also mostly interested into the SP part, but who knows, maybe I will fall in love with the MP as well?

 

[Alexios]

Makes me think of Introversion's Subversion. Will be interesting to see how different a similar concept turns out. Even their visual styles are so similar by coincidence.

 

[Primate Ryan]

Makes me think of Introversion's Subversion. Will be interesting to see how different a similar concept turns out. Even their visual styles are so similar by coincidence.

I'm not sure how to interpret this. While the graphical styles are similar, the gameplay itself is fundamentally different. FS' main focus is mp and it's about carefully making elaborate plans during the planning phase and slaying opponents in games that only last about 30 seconds if you play every round in sequence. Subversion is a singeplayer game about stealing, where you use many skills to solve the emergent problems and firing a weapon is more of a last resort rather than your first priority. No turn-based combat there.

For a game that's close to Subversion as for a similar concept, you might want to have a look at Monaco. It's also about pulling of heists, but it is faster (arcade-like), has classes and four-player co-op, and its levels are pre-made.

 

[Alex Connolly]

I might log in and destroy him in FS for being so meh on Theatre of War 3: Korea.

Amazingly, I log in this morning and best the fellow, hands-down! Never thought I'd see the day where I'd be the victor against the man with savage strategy chops!

The youtube export is bugging out on my at the moment, so proof to come! If you've FS, check out game -39053 (Pylon_Command vs. JaguarUSF) for the full report.

 

[Alex Connolly]

From the Mode 7 Games blog, a new post by Ian Hardingham:

New Single Player Game Mode - Score Attack

Frozen Synapse is careering towards “feature complete” status. One of the last stops on the way is a Score Attack mode for single player...

When you complete a mission in FS’ campaign, you unlock the following:

- that mission to play whenever you want
- a specific instance of that mission (remember that every FS mission is generated differently every time you play it)
- a designed-by-us, super-hard and “unusual” specific instance of that mission...

For FS, I’ve gone with “time” as the Score Attack metric...suddenly starting to think about how to achieve an objective as fast as you can really changes up how you play, and therefore adds a lot to the game.

The full report through the link and a nice little mock-up of the score attack menu interface:

 

[Primate Ryan]

I need more information on the campaign! They've hardly said anything concrete about it, and I'm really curious whether they were able to make it into something interesting that doesn't just feel like like some skirmish matches against the AI.

 

[Alex Connolly]

You're in luck, Primate! Hot off the Twitter presses comes Paul Taylor with this one:

collating playtest data - pretty much all of our testers think that a good number of the levels are ready to go! hooray.

Single player reveal stalks ever closer.

 

[Alex Connolly]

Good news, everyone!

Frozen Synapse now has a single player campaign - update your beta now and play it! Please post any bugs you find in the forums.

From my experience with the single player beta a month or so ago, I can safely say this is one of the most excellently-written games in a long time. I don't suffer game fiction lightly, and was very pleasantly surprised.

More information at Gamepro via Pete Davison.

It's almost here!

EDIT: Even better news!

Thanks for all the support guys. Release canditate on friday, possibly including first chance to download (NOT BUY) the game on Steam.

 

[Primate Ryan]

I have been playing it for an hour or so now. Pretty decent, but I've only finished the first two groups of levels. I'm not entirely sure how the scoring for levels works yet (I got 1 point in a mission while all my men survived and the pace was set by the people I was escorting) and playing it on light mode (no dark here?) feels a bit like cheating.

So far the quality has managed to surprise me as I was rather cynical at first about the game's singeplayer.

 

[Alex Connolly]

I've always found light modes in FS incredibly difficult when it comes to multiplayer. It's much better when I can't see my opponent's moves outside of my units' visual radii, I don't get lulled into false senses of security or muck up thinking I know *exactly* where they'll be.

 

[Primate Ryan]

Pylon, do you know how many missions there are in the sp (approximately). I've finished three clusters now and am almost done with the fourth, but I'm curious to know how much more content there is.

 

[Mailman 007]

Well I bought this game today, it's alot of fun!
I'm not to great at it though!
Name is Mailman007

 

[Alex Connolly]

THIS JUST IN, GAFHEADS!

To celebrate the release of the single-player campaign into the new beta, pundits can pre-order with the code STANCHER for a whopping 30% off the price.

Go HERE to do the right thing. Go HERE if you're a boring git.

A few snippets from ModDB and the wonderful lads at Mode 7:

The campaign takes place in the near-future city of Markov Geist. Various factions share power here: the domineering Enyo:Nomad corporation and cult-like Blue Sunlight Foundation, among others.

The player takes on the role of a Tactician manipulating the forces of a small splinter organisation.

There are 55 missions, almost all of which are semi-randomly-generated: they retain the same objectives and some geometry remains the same, but each time you play them there will be differences.

You'll find yourself doing everything from robbing banks to protecting doubting philosophers, assassinating security chiefs, breaking in to secret military compounds, securing a library and many other FUN SCENARIOS.

Believe it or not, we actually listen to you people. When someone suggested laser tripwires, we were all like, "THIS FEATURE WILL BE ADDED IN A FUTURE BUILD". But we actually meant it this time!

So...I know a few people around here have made the correct decision. Who will follow?! Nay, who will LEAD!?

 

[taoofjord]

That this game isn't massively popular boggles my mind. It's one of the best turn based tactical games ever created. Come on, GAF, get this. It's INCREDIBLE. And then go buy Mount & Blade: Warband, and Section 8: Prejudice. You'll be in fantastic innovative pc gaming overload.


Anyone want to pull together to make an ultimate thread for this game? I'm all for helping spread the word on this.

 

[ElectricThunder]

Whoa, this single player stuff sounds meaty indeed---damn my lack of money as this sort of things has pretty much pushed me over the edge. Onto the To-Buy list it goes now...

 

[Joseph Merrick]

Go HERE to do the right thing. Go HERE if you're a boring git.

hey hey, the second option should always be rotten.com

 

[mclaren777]

That reminds me of this game I saw at PAX 2008. I've been trying to figure out what it's called ever since.

 

[Alex Connolly]

hey hey, the second option should always be rotten.com

I know, I know. I want to be really insulting to most of Master Race GAF who haven't caught the Frozen Synapse fever, but it's their loss, really.

 

[SapientWolf]

That reminds me of this game I saw at PAX 2008. I've been trying to figure out what it's called ever since.

That looks like Babo Violent 2. Madballs was the unofficial sequel with the toy license added on top. That's real time instead of turn based though.

I apparently pre-ordered this one ages ago. I even had a year old match in my queue. I went ahead and completed my turn. Hope the other guy didn't mind the wait.

 

[Palmer_v1]

I just preordered it. Will probably give my free copy to my brother. What's the best way to jump into this game? I have a little experience with Laser Squad Nemesis.

 

[Alex Connolly]

I just preordered it. Will probably give my free copy to my brother. What's the best way to jump into this game? I have a little experience with Laser Squad Nemesis.

Simply jump in *with* your brother and learn on an equal footing. It's easy to understand, and once you've gotten the notions of combat, it's all about tweaking and gambling.

 

[mclaren777]

That looks like Babo Violent 2.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[Alex Connolly]

Fellows...the time is almost upon us:

I have, in front of me, a mail confirming the release date of Frozen Synapse...

...which I will announce tomorrow!

(dodges hurled objects)

 

[Alex Connolly]

ANNOUNCEMENT: the full version of Frozen Synapse will be released on 26th of May, 2011!

 

[Primate Ryan]

I'm getting tired of the defend-the-elevator mission. You have to last for 10 rounds with 3 guys (rocket, shotgun and machinegun) against, I don't know, 7 initial enemies and constant reinforcements. Once an enemy sets foot in the designated area, it's over even if you kill him right away.

So, after several botched attempts, I managed to get to round seven without any losses. I had everything under control, but I lost because one of the enemies entered the room at which he was promptly shot. However, this triggered the fail state, even though it doesn't really make all that much sense. And now I'm not sure whether I want to continue the sp or not (or wait for the official release and hope that at least something is changed to make it a bit more palatable).

 

[Xater]

ANNOUNCEMENT: the full version of Frozen Synapse will be released on 26th of May, 2011!

Nice, going to mark it on my calendar.

 

[IMACOMPUTA]

Hey guys, I bought this a LONG time ago and still haven't used my friend copy. So i have an extra copy.. anyone want to trade something for it? Cheap steam game or something?

 

[Moobabe]

It's time, and I'm ready.

 

[SapientWolf]

Hey guys, I bought this a LONG time ago and still haven't used my friend copy. So i have an extra copy.. anyone want to trade something for it? Cheap steam game or something?

When is the deadline for the friend copy?

So glad they got this on Steam. The system they had for updating was... less than optimal.

 

[Alex Connolly]

LAUNCH TRAILER, MY FELLOWS!

 

[Scrow]

looks really cool actually

 

[Xater]

LAUNCH TRAILER, MY FELLOWS!

This game is pretty feature packed. This is coming out on Steam as well right? I need the Mac version but steam is just more convenient.

 

[Alex Connolly]

So glad they got this on Steam. The system they had for updating was... less than optimal.

I suspect if they hadn't gotten onto Steam, they would have improved the update system to an internal model.

Can't wait!

 

[NIN90]

Doesn't show up on the Steam Store for me?

 

[Alex Connolly]

Doesn't show up on the Steam Store for me?

Indeed, it comes out on the 26th. Paul Taylor's twitter explains:

Frozen Synapse is not out until 26.05.2011 - just showing off the launch trailer early (it has to include "out now"!)

Sorry to get you all excited!

 

[Xater]

Doesn't show up on the Steam Store for me?

For me neither, that's why I am asking. maybe they are not doing a Steam pre-order or it's just going up later?

 

[Moobabe]

For me neither, that's why I am asking. maybe they are not doing a Steam pre-order or it's just going up later?

Might be a case of it just going up on steam a couple of days before launch. HURRY though - witcher 2 is soon...

 

[Alex Connolly]

Added a section in the OP if you'd like me to list your FS names, just to get the GAF FS League going.