Every so often an indie RTS emerges that feels like the lovechild of Age of Empires and Warcraft—nostalgic yet modern. Counter Clash, developed solo by Bjenssen and published by The CoLab, is one of those surprises. No AAA budget or big franchise here, just an ambitious vision wrapped in vibrant cartoon visuals and “accessible depth.”
Game Info at a Glance
- Title: Counter Clash
- Genre: Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
- Developer: Bjenssen (Solo Indie)
- Publisher: The CoLab
- Platform: Windows (Steam Early Access)
- Release Date: April 8, 2025 (Early Access)
- Modes: Campaign, Battle (Skirmish)
- Factions: Magic, Science, Religion
Gameplay Mechanics
Resource Management
Counter Clash uses a classic tri-resource loop—farms for food, lumber mills for wood and cattle ranches that boost overall production. Early missions test your flexibility: one moment you’re turtling behind a farm line; the next you’re rushing tech upgrades for a surprise aerial unit surge. It’s simple to learn but bristles with min-max possibilities.
Unit Formations & Tactical Combat
Once your economy hums, experiment with combined arms. Screening infantry up front, ranged damage dealers in back and siege engines on the flanks is just the starting point. Battles kick off fast but demand active mid-fight decisions: reinforce a faltering frontline, retreat a mage casting a crucial area-of-effect spell or split forces to counter a sudden flank attack.
Dynamic Battlefields
Maps feature choke points, flanking paths and elevation shifts that reward scouting and quick adaptations. No two skirmishes feel identical—control points can flip the momentum, and terrain advantages are real. Early Access players on Discord are already sharing map-specific tactics and hotkeys.
Faction Strategies
- Magic: Cast area-of-effect spells, summon elementals and control the battlefield’s flow. A well-timed fireball or mass teleport can shift an entire clash in your favor.
- Science: Rely on mechanical walkers, turret arrays and experimental weaponry. Their tech tree delivers devastating long-range firepower, but heavy units can struggle in tight quarters.
- Religion: Use faith-based buffs to inspire your troops or unleash curses that sap enemy morale. Healing hymns and psychological warfare add unpredictable layers to every encounter.
Game Modes
Campaign
The narrative casts you as an underdog vanguard rising against a tyrant king. It’s familiar territory—heroic quests, escalating challenges—but each mission introduces new faction abilities and resource hurdles.
Skirmish
Battle mode drops you into randomized maps for quick, replayable matches. With AI opponents that adapt tactics based on your playstyle, every skirmish feels fresh. Community feedback is already guiding balance tweaks.
Community & Development Roadmap
Counter Clash thrives on player input. Its Discord server buzzes with balance suggestions, bug reports and custom map ideas. Developer Bjenssen plans monthly patches—slow by AAA standards, perhaps, but preferable to rushed, buggy updates. If community engagement continues, the game’s Early Access journey promises steady polish and new content.
Art & Sound Design
Visual Style
The colorful cartoon art strikes a perfect balance: playful yet detailed enough to distinguish unit types at a glance. Clear silhouettes and vibrant particle effects keep the action readable even in large battles.
Audio
Sound effects are crisp—wood chopping, metal clashing, spell whooshes—and the soundtrack delivers catchy, upbeat themes that loop without growing tedious. Voice cues help track unit production and battlefield alerts.
Final Verdict
Counter Clash isn’t chasing esports perfection or Hollywood storytelling. It’s an indie RTS love letter to fans of classic strategy, offering bite-sized skirmishes and enough depth to keep you coming back for “just one more match.” Early Access may have a few rough edges, but with a responsive developer and an engaged community, the destination looks bright.