Fights in Tight Spaces is a game that takes the classic action movie trope of a confined combat scenario and turns it into a tactical, turn-based delight. It’s a game where every move matters and the environment is as much a character as the combatants.
Deck-building, turn-based with roguelite elements. Honestly, these 3 descriptors are perfectly aimed at me these days.
Think Marvel’s Midnight Suns (one of my favourites from the past year), in terms of combat. Each fight works towards a boss of a campaign/area and you clear that with all your enhanced cards, buffs etc into the next mission.
A fresh take on deckbuilding
At its core, Fights in Tight Spaces is a deckbuilder, but it’s one with a unique twist. Instead of simply playing cards to attack, you’re manoeuvring your character around a confined space, using cards to move, attack, and defend. The game’s emphasis on spatial awareness and positioning adds a layer of strategic depth that sets it apart from other deck builders.
Fights in Tight Spaces understands what makes something satisfying to execute. Like smashing someone’s head into a bar or wall, then seeing them ragdoll after being defeated. It’s tactical, clever and oh-so gratifying when everything plays out as you want.
Every run nets you some XP which ultimately works your level up, and you can unlock new decks to try different play styles. This certainly helps the game feel fresh as you progress.
The thrill of the fight
The game’s combat is a ballet of violence. Each encounter feels like a choreographed fight scene, with players carefully considering their next move to outmanoeuvre and defeat their opponents. The game’s art style is clean and stylish, and the animations are crisp and satisfying, making every victory feel earned.
If someone is lined up to shoot you in the next turn, and you move out of the way, whoever is left in that line of sight will be shot instead. It opens up how you engage. I did a boss without touching him. The goons did all the work for me as I focused on subtle movements, playing cat and mouse. Fights in Tight Spaces has moments of pure glee when you pull these things off.
Room for improvement
While Fights in Tight Spaces is undeniably fun, it’s not without its flaws. The game can feel repetitive after a while, and the difficulty curve can be uneven. Additionally, the combo system, while interesting in theory, can be frustrating in practice.
I’ve found myself groaning at the thought of starting another run and having to replay the first set of fights. To get back to where I left off. You don’t have to. You can start the next mission, but then it’s without the potential buffs and improvements, so you have to weigh up the benefits and drawbacks.
Get decked
One thing I really love about Fights in Tight Spaces is just how well it plays on the Steam Deck. I’ve had hours sitting in bed or on the sofa with the “just one more run” mentality.
It barely impacts battery life, the controls are great for both the Keyboard and Mouse and for a controller. You’re really spoiled for choice here.
Fights in Tight Spaces: Final thoughts
Fights in Tight Spaces is a game that will appeal to fans of tactical combat and deckbuilding. It’s a fresh and exciting take on a familiar genre, and its focus on spatial awareness adds a unique layer of challenge. While it may not be a perfect game, it’s certainly a promising one, and with further development, it has the potential to become a truly exceptional experience.
There’s not a lot like it, and I can’t see how anyone wouldn’t get some joy out of the combat. There’s a lot of gaming satisfaction to be had here, for sure.
It’s got me really excited for Knights in Tight Spaces which looks to have taken the learnings from this game and gone to the next level. If you want to pick up a copy of Fights in Tight Spaces for yourself, it’s currently just £9.99 over on CD Keys.
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