Summary
- Release Year: 2015
- Genres: Indie, Puzzle, Strategy
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: radiostatic
- Publishers: radiostatic
Fuego! (2015): A Mexican Standoff of Animal Banditos
Introduction
Fuego! is a thrilling Mexican standoff game for two players, each controlling a team of gun-toting animal banditos. The game starts in a tense standoff, where players position and orient their banditos one at a time, in double blind turns. During the standoff, players are trying to unravel the impending shootout, identify strategic linchpins, and outsmart their opponent. Once the standoff is complete, the shooting begins, and players take turns revealing their banditos’ actions, resolving shootouts, and trying to eliminate their opponent’s team.
Gameplay
Setup
The game is played on a 5×5 grid. Each player has a team of 10 banditos, each with a unique ability. Banditos can be one of four types:
- Regular Banditos: Can move one space in any direction and shoot in a straight line.
- Fast Banditos: Can move two spaces in any direction and shoot in a straight line.
- Strong Banditos: Can move one space in any direction and shoot through other banditos.
- Exploding Banditos: Can move one space in any direction and explode, damaging all adjacent banditos.
To start the game, players place their banditos on the grid, one at a time, in double blind turns. Players can place their banditos anywhere on the grid, but they cannot place them adjacent to each other.
Standoff
Once all of the banditos have been placed, the standoff begins. During the standoff, players take turns performing one of the following actions:
- Move: Move one of your banditos one space in any direction.
- Rotate: Rotate one of your banditos 90 degrees.
- Peek: Look at the face-down card of one of your opponent’s banditos.
Players can use the standoff to try to figure out where their opponent’s banditos are located and what their abilities are. They can also use the standoff to set up traps or ambushes.
Shootout
Once the standoff is complete, the shooting begins. Players take turns revealing their banditos’ actions, one at a time. When a bandito is revealed, it performs its action. Shootouts are resolved in the following order:
- Movement: Banditos move according to their abilities.
- Shooting: Banditos shoot in the direction they are facing. If a bandito’s line of sight is blocked by another bandito, the shot is blocked.
- Damage: Banditos that are hit by bullets are damaged. If a bandito takes enough damage, it is eliminated from the game.
The game continues until one player has eliminated all of their opponent’s banditos.
Strategy
Fuego! is a game of strategy, luck, and quick reflexes. To win, players need to be able to outsmart their opponent and predict their moves. There are a few key strategies that players can use to increase their chances of winning:
- Control the center of the grid: The center of the grid is the most valuable space on the board. Controlling the center gives you more options for movement and shooting.
- Use your banditos’ abilities wisely: Each bandito has a unique ability that can be used to your advantage. Be sure to use your banditos’ abilities wisely to maximize their effectiveness.
- Set up traps and ambushes: You can use the standoff to set up traps and ambushes for your opponent. For example, you can place a bandito in a corner and then use another bandito to block its line of sight. This will create a trap that your opponent will likely fall into.
- Be unpredictable: The best way to surprise your opponent is to be unpredictable. Don’t always do what they expect you to do. Keep them guessing and they’ll be less likely to be able to counter your moves.
Conclusion
Fuego! is a thrilling and engaging game that is perfect for fans of Mexican standoffs and tactical combat. The game is easy to learn but difficult to master, and it offers a lot of replay value. If you’re looking for a new game to add to your collection, Fuego! is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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