Game intel
Ashes of the Singularity 2
Ashes of the Singularity is a real-time strategy game set in humanity’s not-so-distant future. What it means to be human has changed with the coming of the sin…
Ashes of the Singularity 2 has just lifted the curtain on its United Earth Forces, the series’ first fully organic faction. As a veteran commander who logged countless late-night skirmishes in the original, I’m both excited and wary. Will these “walking, squishy” soldiers bring fresh strategic layers and emotional resonance, or simply vanish in the chaos of colossal battles?
When the original Ashes launched in 2016, graphics hardware and AI simply couldn’t handle thousands of individual organic models on screen. Oxide Games leaned into robotic factions to keep the battles fluid. Fast forward to 2031 in the game’s timeline, and both engine optimizations and smarter AI now let you deploy human infantry, exosuit squads, and armored transports alongside drones and robots. That narrative shift—from pure machine warfare to a desperate human fight for survival—promises deeper stakes and personal investment.
The United Earth Forces blend vulnerability with versatility. Traditional infantry squads can garrison structures and capture key points, while combat engineers repair damaged turrets mid-battle. Heavier exosuits pack anti-armor rockets but move slower, forcing commanders to balance speed and firepower. Medics and support drones can heal units in the field, introducing micro-management opportunities that contrast with the shock-and-awe tactics of drone swarms. This organic roster rewards careful positioning and timing over brute numerical superiority.
Oxide Games has teased deeper construction mechanics to complement the new faction. Power grids reportedly require more planning, and research trees branch into specialized infantry upgrades—think camouflage, suppressive fire, or mobile bunkers. Defensive structures might include sandbag barricades and portable artillery for the human side, emphasizing area denial rather than sheer long-range destruction. If implemented well, these layers could create counterplay against both Post-Human Coalition fortresses and Substrate sprawl.
On paper, Ashes of the Singularity II promises battles with thousands of units, sprawling maps, and cinematic zoom-ins. It’s undeniably thrilling, but scale can’t be everything. If pacing drags or unit AI struggles to respond under player command, the sequel risks feeling like a tech demo. The original sometimes slipped into chore-like base management; here, Oxide needs to streamline controls and ensure infantry and vehicles behave as expected during large engagements.
The RTS renaissance is in full swing. Age of Empires IV’s robust civilizations, Company of Heroes 3’s tactical flair, and modernized Command & Conquer revivals have all raised community hopes. To stand out, Ashes II must not only deliver monumental battles but also a responsive interface under fire, adaptive AI that counters evolving strategies, and optional narrative choices that influence mission outcomes—rather than a linear slog through wave after wave.
Even with beefed-up engines, the complexity of mixing organic and mechanical armies invites potential bugs. Pathfinding issues could mire infantry in chokepoints, and micro-intensive support roles might overwhelm multitasking players. The campaign’s emotional weight hinges on how well characters and mission objectives connect; without compelling context, human losses risk feeling like mere statistics.
For RTS veterans, Ashes of the Singularity II is a must-watch. The United Earth Forces bring new tactical twists and genuine narrative stakes—but they’re not a guaranteed home run. If Oxide balances spectacle with tight mechanics, a gripping storyline, and competitive multiplayer modes, we could witness a genre-defining sequel. Otherwise, expect breathtaking visuals paired with repetitive mission structures.
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