Kraken Empire, a talented development studio from Zaragoza, Spain, has impressed gamers since 2011. After making waves with their debut game Kromaia, an innovative action-arcade title that stood out for its adaptive AI, the studio has returned to the spotlight with their latest release, Toy Tactics, launched on September 19, 2024.
We recently caught up with the team, thanks to Jesús Fabre, to dive deep into the journey behind Toy Tactics and the creative challenges they faced while developing the game. Having spent nearly a decade in the shadows, Kraken Empire was excited to share how they transitioned from Kromaia to Toy Tactics, and what inspired their innovative approach to real-time strategy (RTS) gameplay.
The Years Between Kromaia and Toy Tactics
Kraken Empire’s last major release, Kromaia (2014), garnered praise for its technical innovation and unique gameplay mechanics. After that success, the team focused on other technology-related projects, which occupied their time for nearly a decade. As they explained, “Kromaia offered us a wacky and unforgettable experience that fully tested our technical knowledge and skills. It opened doors for collaborations on several tech projects.”
During this period, Kraken Empire also developed a smaller mobile game, Hi Score Science, for CSIC, a major European research institution. This educational game aimed to teach science in a fun way, offering a change of pace for the studio.
Now, Kraken Empire is back with Toy Tactics, a game that demonstrates their return to creative, fresh game design. “It’s been a shame we couldn’t make unique games for so long, but we’re thrilled to be back doing something creative again!”
Toy Tactics – A Creative RTS with a Twist
Toy Tactics draws inspiration from the world of miniature figures, a concept that the developers expanded upon by combining chaotic gameplay mechanics with strategic depth. Unlike traditional RTS games, Toy Tactics allows players to hand-draw formations for their toy soldiers, providing a distinct and natural control system.
As the Kraken Empire team described, “We wanted to give players more control over the battlefield in a unique way, moving away from the standard unit management by clicking.” The idea came from historical diagrams that depict battle formations, where drawing arrows represents tactical maneuvers. This innovative mechanic adds a layer of creativity, allowing players to experiment with different strategies in a fun and accessible way.
The Soundtrack and Immersive Battles
The soundtrack in Toy Tactics is another aspect that sets it apart. The music was designed to match the dynamic energy of the game, striking a balance between playful creativity and serious strategy. “We wanted to evoke feelings of epic battles while keeping things light and fun. After all, you’re leading toy soldiers into battle, so the tone had to match that vibe.”
The Challenge of Innovation
Creating Toy Tactics presented several creative challenges for Kraken Empire. One of the biggest was perfecting the hand-drawing formation mechanics. “There was a lot of trial and error to ensure it was fun, easy to use, and deep enough to offer strategic advantages,” they explained.
Balancing these mechanics while incorporating physics-based interactions and tactical combat was a significant challenge. The team spent a lot of time refining each piece to make sure the game felt cohesive. They also pushed the boundaries by developing an interface that made it easy for both casual and experienced players to enjoy.
Notably, Kraken Empire also managed to make Toy Tactics playable with controllers, a rare feat for the RTS genre. “We’ve introduced a new way to experience the genre on consoles. We’re excited to see how players adapt to this approach.”
Online Modes and Visual Challenges
In addition to refining the game’s mechanics, the team faced the challenge of creating a smooth online multiplayer experience. “Developing online modes took a lot of energy and testing, as we wanted to ensure they were bug-free and enjoyable for players.”
Visually, Kraken Empire also dedicated considerable effort to ensuring that the game’s unique art style was balanced with subtle animations, creating a cohesive and engaging atmosphere.
What Didn’t Make the Cut
Despite their success, Kraken Empire wasn’t able to incorporate all their original ideas into Toy Tactics. Initially, they considered adding a resource collection system similar to other RTS games. However, they decided that it would unnecessarily complicate the gameplay. “We wanted to focus on creative strategy, not micromanagement,” they shared, noting that the game’s fluidity and intuitive play were top priorities.
Another feature they considered was adding health bars for individual units, something requested by players. However, they chose not to include this feature, as it would detract from the overall tactical experience. “We didn’t want players to be distracted by detailed stats—we wanted them to focus on executing their strategies.”
Looking Forward
Kraken Empire is proud of the final result in Toy Tactics, despite the challenges they faced. “Every challenge was a learning opportunity, and we’re proud of how the game turned out. We believe it offers a unique experience that players will enjoy.”
With Toy Tactics, Kraken Empire has successfully combined creativity, strategy, and innovation, offering a refreshing take on the RTS genre. Their return to the gaming world has been worth the wait, and we look forward to seeing how this talented studio continues to evolve.
