MORTARMEN

MORTARMEN sounds like a war-game title, and that usually means a focus on weapons, squads, or some kind of explosive combat setup. By our assessment, the name suggests directness more than finesse, which can be a strength if the game wants short, loud action, but it also leaves little room for subtlety. The downside is that a title like this can point to a very narrow fantasy, so if the gameplay is thin, there is nowhere to hide. In practice, it promises something blunt and physical rather than clever or expansive. Compared with broader tactical or action games, that makes it easier to read but harder to make last. MORTARMEN will matter most to players who want a hard-edged combat idea and not much else around it.