Besiege is a mix of creative tinkering, physics-based chaos, and pure fun through experimentation. Within just a few minutes, you realize that this is less about straightforward missions and more about how crazy and over-the-top you can make your own siege engines. Here’s my review of the game.
Getting Started: Easy to Build, Hard to Master
The concept is simple: You’re given a mission – for example, bringing down a building or taking out a certain number of enemies – and you build your own war machine for it. Sounds easy, but the trick lies in the details. The construction system is completely free, so you can create anything from a small catapult to a gigantic, fire-breathing death machine.
The build editor is very intuitive. You click, rotate, place parts, add weapons – and just like that, your first vehicle is ready. But here’s the challenge: The more complex your machine, the higher the chance that it will completely fall apart during the first test run or twist itself in every direction except the one you intended. This leads to a lot of trial and error – but that’s exactly what makes it so fun.
The controls are pleasantly simple, so you’re not drowning in menus but can dive straight into the creative chaos. And even when your first creation fails miserably, you immediately want to try again – this time with an extra hinge, a sturdier axle, or simply more firepower.
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Physics Chaos and Creative Fun
The physics in Besiege are one of the game’s biggest stars. It feels incredibly satisfying when your machine smashes through an enemy wall or when a catapult shot hits perfectly. At the same time, the physics provide plenty of unintentional comedy. Suddenly, an overloaded tower tips over, a cannon explodes right on your vehicle, or your catapult blasts your own construction to pieces.
There are countless ways to approach a goal. If you want to go in fast and brutal, you can build a motorized battering ram. If you prefer a more tactical approach, you can work with grabber arms, flamethrowers, or even flying machines. The game rewards creativity – and in a way that’s rarely seen.
Another highlight is the sandbox mode. Here, there are no set goals – just you, your ideas, and the laws of physics. You can try anything, from a giant combat robot to a functioning airplane. Some players even build detailed replicas of real-world machines – simply because they can.
Tech, Atmosphere, and Long-Term Motivation
Visually, Besiege is no blockbuster, but it’s charming and fits the theme perfectly. The landscapes are minimalist yet detailed enough not to feel boring. The destruction effects are particularly well done – when stones go flying, wooden beams splinter, and fire spreads, it all feels satisfyingly powerful.
The sound design supports this wonderfully. Machines creak, gears grind, explosions boom – you almost feel like you’re sitting in a medieval workshop, only this workshop regularly bursts into flames.
As for long-term motivation: While there is a series of campaign levels, Besiege truly shines in its free building mode. The game is a playground for tinkerers who love to try out new ideas. On top of that, the active community constantly shares new machines, mods, and challenges. With the Steam Workshop, you have access to an endless library of creations – from miniature knights to fully grown dragons.
Conclusion of my Besiege Review
Besiege is a delightfully chaotic, creative, and incredibly entertaining game that can keep you hooked for hours. It’s one of those games you intended to “just try out for a bit” – and suddenly it’s three in the morning and you’re still working on your “ultimate destruction device.” The combination of intuitive building, realistic physics, and completely absurd situations is simply addictive.
