Warshift 2: Machines of Madness Is Now Available on Xbox

What we know

Warshift 2: Machines of Madness is now available across the Xbox family of devices. Fortell Games’ release blends real-time strategy, third-person action, and RPG elements, allowing players to switch between Strategy and Action modes at any point on the battlefield.

Strategy mode is used to build bases, gather resources, and command troops, mechs, battleships, aircraft carriers, and defenses. Action mode puts players directly in control of a hero from a third-person perspective, while still allowing them to issue orders to unit groups set up beforehand.

The release supports Xbox Play Anywhere, with progress and Achievements shared across Xbox consoles, PC, and the ROG Xbox Ally family of devices. Fortell Games says the Xbox Series X version targets 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.

An RTS where the commander joins the battle

Warshift 2 was developed entirely by Cyril Megem, who served as its designer, artist, and programmer, and is published by Fortell Games. The game was made in Ukraine.

Its matches revolve around expanding control of the map and turning that territory into military capacity. Capturing Energy Nodes enables the construction of extractors and other structures, opening access to more resources while restricting the opponent’s production opportunities.

The central base, known as the Ark, can also be moved among four designated landing zones on each map. When landed, it can produce every unit type and construct buildings. In flight, its production is limited to aircraft, but it retains its orbital strikes. That mobility can shorten supply routes, bring targets into strike range, and shift pressure across the front.

Orbital strikes are designed to hit concentrated enemy formations, while aircraft provide the speed to reinforce threatened positions, intercept opposing forces, or support an assault. Hero flight mode can also make travel across the battlefield quicker and help reach distant locations.

Automation, factions, and adjustable skirmishes

Factories can be placed under AI control to produce selected units automatically and dispatch them into combat. That can free players to make wider strategic decisions or spend more time personally fighting in Action mode.

Heroes can be customized with weapons, upgrades, and individual abilities, as well as automated support additions such as turrets and drones. Depending on their setup, these systems can attack on their own, intercept missiles, or offer other combat assistance.

Players can also take control of Alien forces, which have their own strengths and weaknesses. Their Evolution system transforms units into stronger, higher-tier versions during a match, though the cocoons must be defended while that process is underway.

Heavy units include battleships and aircraft carriers. Following an engagement, air squadrons can return to a carrier, where damaged units are repaired and lost aircraft can be replaced.

Warshift 2 features seven game modes and single-player campaigns with interactive training missions. Its AI skirmishes let players set enemy behavior from defensive to extremely aggressive, and add AI-controlled Support Avatars to either team. An uneven number of these avatars can also be used to alter the balance of a match.