Upgraded: A Mech-Themed Tactical War Game
Upgraded is a tactical war game where players pilot mechs and lead an army to secure strategic positions. The design focuses on a card-driven action system, similar to Combat Commander, but with a unique evolution mechanic.
The Evolution Twist
In Upgraded, you don’t just upgrade individual units. Instead, you research and upgrade entire classes of units (A, B, and C) simultaneously. This allows players to pivot their strategy mid-game, suddenly giving all Class B units flight or chain-lightning capabilities.
Gameplay Overview
- Objective: Be the first to reach 15 Victory Points or hold all strategic positions on the map.
- Card-Driven Combat: Research and combat both involve cycling through a custom 72-card deck. The goal was to capture the “combo-building” satisfaction of games like Glory to Rome.
- Components: The game uses 13 double-sided counters per player, a hex map, and the 72-card deck.
This design was heavily playtested and evolved significantly through public feedback on BoardGameGeek.