Besiege (video game)

Besiege is a vehicle-building sandbox video game based around medieval siege engines, developed and published by Spiderling Studios. It was released for Windows, macOS and Linux in February 2020 at the conclusion of a five-year long early access phase. A console version for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S was released in February 2022, and an expansion pack titled The Splintered Sea was announced in April 2024.^[1] A version for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Switch was released on December 12, 2024.^[2] The game has received widespread praise, citing the wide range of experimentation available to players.^{[citation needed]}

Besiege
Developer(s)	Spiderling Studios
Publisher(s)	Spiderling Studios
Engine	Unity
Platform(s)	Linux macOS Microsoft Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X/S PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Nintendo Switch
Release	Linux, Mac, Windows 18 February 2020 Xbox One, Series X/S 10 February 2022 PS4, PS5, Switch 12 December 2024
Genre(s)	Sandbox
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer (PC)

Overview

Besiege allows the player to build various vehicles and contraptions within an outlandish medieval fantasy setting with few limitations beyond a player's own skill and creativity. Basic components include wooden blocks and wheels, with further options including complex mechanical components, cannons, bombs, or hot-air balloons. Later updates would also introduce components such as timers, logic gates, or proximity detectors to automatically simulate player inputs. In addition to an open-ended sandbox mode, the game features a single-player campaign with a total of 55 levels spread over four themed islands; Each level features a unique environment and objective, ranging from puzzles based around manipulating magical artifacts to combat encounters requiring the player to defeat enemies or destroy buildings.^[3]

An update in December 2017 added a level editor and multiplayer capabilities, such as pitting the vehicle creations against each other, or other players attempting to knock down a castle created by another.^[4] With these additions, players developed systems to run tournaments similar to the television show BattleBots, pitting their Besiege creations in one-on-one matches with others to try to take the other out.^[5]

The game was first released for Linux, OS X and Windows via early access on 28 January 2015 before officially releasing on 18 February 2020.^[6] A console version is set to be released for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on 10 February 2022. It features reworked user interface, photo mode, and a different Workshop for sharing user creations. However, it does not have the multiplayer or level editor functionality of the PC version.^[7]

Spiderling Studios announced Besiege: The Splintered Sea, the first ever expansion pack for the game, on April 9, 2024, slated for release on May 24. The Splintered Sea adds water physics and buoyancy mechanics to the game, with 10 new maritime levels and new blocks allowing players to build sailboats or submarines.^[1][8]

Reception

Marsh Davies of Rock, Paper, Shotgun praised the "robust" alpha version of the game, comparing its "bouncily caricatured" science to a 12th-century version of Kerbal Space Program. Davies also praised Besiege's stylized graphics and sound and its "weak-at-the-knees beautiful" user interface.^[9]

Rock, Paper, Shotgun later published a review of the release version by Jay Castello, who admired the game varieties that kept her engaging and trying to construct the new better siege engines. Jay criticized the lack of guidance in the main game, but noted the game's strong community support with mods, guides, and tricks available online.^[10]

PC Gamer praised its "fun concept, superb creation tools, and finely crafted puzzles".^[11]