Besiege stands out as a physics-based building simulation game where creativity meets destruction in a medieval setting. Released initially for PC and later expanded to consoles and mobile, this indie title from Spiderling Studios lets you design and deploy elaborate machines to tackle objectives. With its focus on engineering and chaos, Besiege appeals to players who enjoy tinkering with mechanics and watching their inventions wreak havoc.
Gameplay
In Besiege, the core experience revolves around a flexible building system that uses over 70 blocks to construct siege engines, from battering rams to ballistas. The game's physics engine handles everything from structural integrity to projectile trajectories, making each creation a test of design and stability. You start with basic components like wooden blocks and wheels, then experiment with springs, pistons, and explosives to build machines that can move, fly, or demolish targets. Challenges often require adapting your builds to specific terrains or enemy setups, and failures lead to spectacular collapses that encourage iteration. This setup creates a loop of planning, testing, and refining, all grounded in realistic simulations of weight, balance, and force.
Mechanics emphasize destruction and problem-solving without strict rules, allowing for unconventional solutions like flying contraptions or automated weapons. The game includes tools for precise placement and adjustments, ensuring builds feel intuitive yet deep. External sources confirm that recent console versions maintain these systems, with controls adapted for controllers while preserving the PC's mouse-driven precision.
Game Modes
Besiege offers a singleplayer campaign with 55 levels spread across four island nations, each featuring distinct environments and civilizations to conquer. These levels involve destroying structures, defeating armies, or navigating obstacles, with increasing complexity as you progress.
Sandbox mode provides open levels for free experimentation, where you can terrorize inhabitants or prototype designs without objectives. Multiplayer comes through Besiege Multiverse, supporting head-to-head machine combat, cooperative level completion, and custom game modes like robot wars or racing. The level editor allows real-time modifications and logic-based creations for unique scenarios.
Community integration includes access to over 200,000 user-made machines and levels via workshop sharing, expanding replayability.
Community Creations and Updates
The game supports mods, custom levels, and skin packs, with hundreds available through integrated tools. Recent updates have brought Besiege to consoles, including Nintendo Switch and Xbox, as of late 2024, ensuring cross-platform availability. Player feedback highlights how these additions keep the title fresh, with ongoing community activity driving new content.
Is It Worth Playing?
Besiege earns praise for its inventive gameplay, holding a 78 out of 100 on OpenCritic from 10 reviews, placing it in the top 29% of rated games. Player ratings average 3.4 out of 5 on MobyGames based on 10 submissions, with many users on platforms like Reddit noting its lasting appeal even after years. The game receives active support through community mods and has no ongoing seasons but benefits from its workshop ecosystem.
If you thrive on creative building in a physics simulation with elements of strategy and humor, Besiege delivers value, especially at its low price point. It's ideal for solo tinkerers or groups seeking chaotic multiplayer sessions, though it might not suit those preferring structured narratives over open-ended experimentation.
