Despot's Game: Dystopian Battle Simulator is a strategy indie RPG on PC that combines roguelike progression with auto-battler combat in a post-apocalyptic labyrinth. Players guide squads of humans through generated dungeons, equipping them with loot and transforming them into specialized fighters before sending them into automated battles against enemies and rival teams.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on preparation and squad management rather than direct control during fights. Squad members start as basic humans and gain classes through loot and perks, creating varied builds that emphasize different roles in combat. Examples include wizards for ranged magic, cultists for summoning support, ninjas for agile strikes, and specialized units like stale pretzel throwers. Perk combinations expand options significantly, allowing thousands of army configurations tailored to different threats.
Combat unfolds indirectly once the squad enters a room. Players position units and assign equipment beforehand, then observe as front-line tanks such as fridge-movers absorb damage while food-throwers provide ranged attacks and Forbidden Summoners call in additional forces. This setup shifts focus to tactical planning and resource allocation between runs. Procedural generation ensures each dungeon layout and enemy placement differs, with no fixed paths to escape and multiple failure points even on successful attempts.
Exploration involves scavenging loot to upgrade the squad while surviving encounters with hazards and creatures, including references to a man-eating cabbage that benefits from dietary variety. The pixel art style and dark humor underscore the dystopian tone throughout runs.
Game Modes
The primary experience revolves around repeated dungeon runs where players build and refine squads to progress deeper. Each attempt resets the squad but carries forward knowledge of effective combinations and item synergies. Procedural elements keep individual runs distinct, encouraging experimentation with different class and perk setups.
An asynchronous element allows surviving squads to encounter and battle against end-game builds created by other players. These matchups test prepared teams in direct confrontations, with outcomes determining which squad advances under the game's rules. No real-time multiplayer or separate competitive ladders exist beyond this integrated rival system.
Key Mechanics
Squad building relies on item drops that unlock classes and perks, with combos producing unique abilities that activate automatically during fights. Players must balance offensive, defensive, and support roles while managing limited resources across the run. The absence of manual intervention during battles highlights the importance of pre-fight decisions on positioning and equipment.
Replayability stems from the endless variety in dungeon layouts and the depth of build options. Even strong teams face new challenges due to randomization, and the rival encounter system introduces variability from other players' creations without requiring simultaneous play.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player reception on the platform shows Very Positive ratings from over 1,200 reviews overall, with recent feedback remaining Mostly Positive. The game suits those who enjoy strategic planning in roguelike formats and appreciate watching prepared teams resolve conflicts automatically. Its focus on tactics over reflexes appeals to fans of army-building and procedural challenges.
Support continues with ongoing visibility through reviews years after the 2022 release. Those drawn to indie strategy titles with RPG progression and auto-battler elements will find consistent depth in squad customization and run variety. The experience rewards repeated attempts to refine builds against both dungeon threats and rival teams.
