Warshift 2 Machines of Madness Strategy Tips

Fortell Games has released a set of strategy and gameplay tips for Warshift 2: Machines of Madness, which is out now. The game, developed entirely by solo developer Cyril Megem, is a hybrid real-time strategy and third-person shooter that supports Xbox Play Anywhere, sharing progress and achievements across Xbox consoles, PC, and ROG Ally devices, and targets 4K resolution at 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X.

According to the publisher, the core concept is a strategy game where the commander is not separated from the battlefield. "This game is my attempt to create the kind of strategy game where the commander is not separated from the battlefield," said Cyril Megem, the game's designer, artist, and programmer. "You can plan a large-scale operation, organize your forces and then fight directly beside them when the situation becomes critical."

Core Strategy Mechanics

Capturing Energy Nodes is an essential mechanic. Building a network from these nodes allows for the construction of additional resource extractors and other structures. Expanding your territory grants more resources and production capacity while denying those advantages to the enemy.

Players can command units without leaving the third-person Action mode. By creating unit groups in the overhead Strategy mode, you can then enter the battlefield, select a group, and direct it toward a target. This allows for fighting alongside your army while retaining tactical control.

Advanced Tactical Moves

A key strategic element is the mobile Ark, or homebase. It can be relocated to one of four designated landing zones on the map. A well-chosen position shortens supply routes for new units and brings enemy targets within range of the Ark's orbital strikes. While landed, the Ark can produce any unit and construct buildings. While airborne, production is limited to aircraft, but it can still launch orbital strikes. Using its mobility to position it above enemy forces allows for devastating fire support before relocating.

Orbital Strikes serve as a devastating area-of-effect weapon against concentrated enemy formations. A well-timed surprise strike can eliminate entire armies and instantly deprive the opponent of offensive momentum.

Unit Management and Automation

Aircraft are highlighted as highly mobile assets that can quickly redeploy across the battlefield to reinforce threatened positions, intercept enemies, or support attacks. The hero flight mode allows for faster navigation across the map. After a battle, returning air squadrons to an Aircraft Carrier will repair damaged units and replace lost planes, restoring the squadron to full strength.

Players can automate their factories by enabling AI control. This allows factories to automatically produce pre-selected units and send them directly into battle, freeing the player to focus on broader strategy or personal combat. Equipping the hero character with an automated support turret or drone can provide independent attack, missile interception, or other assistance during fights.

Faction and Mode Specifics

The Alien forces offer a unique playstyle with their own strengths and weaknesses. A key mechanic for them is Evolution, which allows alien units to transform into more powerful, higher-tier units during battle. Players must protect the cocoons during this evolution process to then use the upgraded forces in their next attack.

Superunits like Battleships and Aircraft Carriers can project overwhelming power onto a critical section of the front. Deploying one at the right moment can break a fortified position and shift the balance of an entire battle.

Customizing Skirmish Battles

In Skirmish mode, the Enemy Tactics setting lets players customize opponent behavior, ranging from defensive to extremely aggressive. This determines if the enemy assembles a large army before attacking or applies continuous pressure with waves of smaller units.

Skirmish mode also allows players to add one or more AI-controlled Support Avatars to their team and the enemy team. These heroes can dramatically change battle flow and add variety. An uneven number of Support Avatars can be used to adjust the balance between the two sides.

The game offers hundreds of hours of gameplay across seven different game modes.