As someone who put Slay the Spire right at the top of their ‘Generational Game-changers’ this month, imagine the pure joy of finding Fights in Tight Spaces. This looks like it takes the randomised deckbuilding of that classic game, bolts on the looks of SUPERHOT, and then gets you to duke it out in no-holds-barred fisticuffs, as if you’re in a John Wick movie (but without a proper budget). It looks THAT interesting, and we can’t wait to bloody our noses with it. Fights in Tight Spaces is out now on Xbox One and Series X|S via Xbox Game Preview
You’re a Section Eleven agent, brought in to covert operations when things have gone south, and the only alternative is to land a sucker punch to an enemy’s nasal bridge. There doesn’t seem to be much more in the way of plot than that, which is fine, as the emphasis is on getting as far as you can without losing, a la Slay the Spire. Win bouts and you’ll get more cards, and the opportunity to upgrade the cards you have, again like Slay the Spire.
That’s not to play down the innovation here: everything takes place in a confined grid with enemies in close quarters. You can maneuver around the room to get an advantage, push enemies away, and generally let fly with your fists. The combination of traditional deckbuilder and turn-based tactics sounds fantastic, and we can’t wait to grapple with it.
There’s depth here, with 150 cards to unlock and learn, and you’ll need to master concepts like momentum, positioning, enhancements, and how to survive while incapacitated with any number of wounds and injuries.
Did we say we were excited for this one? Hopefully the components come together into something memorable. Fights in Tight Spaces is going to need a little special sauce, as so many games (and game systems) are out today, so hopefully it won’t get lost.
Fights in Tight Spaces is out now on Xbox One (optimised for Xbox Series X|S) and will cost you £16.74 with a free trial available. Please be aware that as a Game Preview title it is all a work in progress and things are likely to change going forward.
Game Description:
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. In an era where espionage is handled largely by data-packets being pored over by teams of analysts, Section Eleven’s approach is more hands-on, dealing with the sorts of criminal organisations who live and operate outside the realms of electronic communication. When the rest of the intelligence services have failed, they call Section Eleven. As a Section Eleven agent it is your job to find direct solutions to emerging threats… largely by smashing people’s faces into things. The game blends deck-building, turn-based tactics, and thrilling animated fight sequences in classic action-movie settings. Learn to balance your hand, momentum, and positioning to overcome the odds to defeat your adversaries. Pick from over 150 cards as you build a deck to suit your play style and your opponents’. Encounter random events, acquire enhancements (or injuries), and make critical choices about how best to upgrade your agent for the fights ahead. Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://www.fightsintightspaces.com/.
