Pit People

The Whackadoo World of Pit People

Picture this: a giant, green, space-bear named Horriblous crashes into your planet, spewing acid and turning everything into a chaotic, post-apocalyptic mess. That’s the setup for Pit People. You play as various unlucky (or lucky, depending on your perspective) individuals who get swept up in this bizarre new world. From a simple farmer named Horatio to a one-eyed cyclops named Pip, your party is a motley crew of misfits forced to band together in a world gone completely bonkers. The narrative is constantly interrupted by an incredibly sarcastic, omniscient narrator who’s easily one of the best parts of the entire experience. Seriously, his deadpan delivery of utterly insane events is gold.

The art style is quintessential Behemoth – hand-drawn, cartoonish, and absolutely bursting with personality. Every character, creature, and environmental detail is meticulously crafted with their signature aesthetic. It’s colorful, gruesome, and charming all at once, creating a truly memorable visual identity that stands out in a crowded market.

Gameplay: Turn-Based Tactics with a Twist

At its core, Pit People is a turn-based tactical RPG, but it’s got some unique mechanics that make it feel fresh. You control a small squad of up to six characters on a hexagonal grid. Movement is free within your character’s range, but attacks are automated. Once you position a character, they’ll automatically target and attack the nearest enemy within their weapon’s range. This might sound simplistic, but it adds a layer of strategic positioning that’s surprisingly deep. Do you push your tank forward to draw aggro? Do you try to flank with a rogue? Or do you keep your archer safe in the backline?

Each character has a specific weapon type (swords, axes, bows, shields, magic staves, nets, etc.) and a corresponding class (warrior, archer, healer, tank, etc.). Knowing your character’s strengths and weaknesses, and how they interact with different enemy types, is crucial. For instance, a shield-wielding tank can block incoming projectiles, while an axe-wielding warrior can hit multiple adjacent enemies. The combat system rewards smart placement and understanding of unit roles, making every encounter a satisfying puzzle to solve.

Party Building and Customization

One of the coolest features is how you acquire new party members: you literally capture them. After defeating certain enemies, there’s a chance they’ll be “capturable.” You then drag them back to your town to recruit them. This adds a fantastic element of risk and reward, constantly encouraging you to try different party compositions. Want an all-cyclops team? Go for it! Need more healers? Time to hunt down some Cupcakes (yes, that’s a class). You can also equip your characters with a huge variety of hats, weapons, and shields, all of which affect stats and appearance. The sheer amount of gear to collect and combine keeps things interesting and offers plenty of room for experimentation.

The Story, Or Lack Thereof (in the best way)

The “story” in Pit People is less of a cohesive narrative and more of a series of bizarre, interconnected events and quests, all narrated with hilarious cynicism. Horatio’s initial quest to find his son (who was abducted by Horriblous) kicks things off, but soon you’re off on tangents helping mushroom people, fighting giant hamsters, or dealing with robot uprising. It’s episodic and utterly bonkers, perfectly complementing the game’s quirky aesthetic. The writing is top-notch, full of witty dialogue, unexpected twists, and an unrelenting stream of dark humor. If you’re someone who appreciates absurd comedy and doesn’t take games too seriously, you’ll be laughing out loud constantly.

Who is This Game For?

Pit People is a fantastic choice for players who:

• Enjoy turn-based tactical RPGs: If you like games like XCOM or Fire Emblem but want something with a much lighter, more comedic tone, this is for you.
• Appreciate unique art styles and humor: The Behemoth’s signature style and laugh-out-loud writing are major draws.
• Love co-op experiences: The entire campaign is playable in co-op, and there’s also a dedicated PvP mode. More on that later!
• Are looking for something different: It doesn’t quite fit into any single genre box, offering a truly unique blend.
• Don’t mind a bit of grind: Capturing specific units or finding rare gear can take some dedication.

If you’re a fan of serious, gritty narratives or prefer real-time combat, this might not be your cup of tea. But for everyone else, it’s a refreshing change of pace.

Tips for Surviving the Horriblous Apocalypse

Don’t Fear the Grind, Embrace the Hunt

One of the most engaging aspects is character collecting. When you defeat an enemy, keep an eye out for the green circle that indicates they can be captured. Don’t be afraid to retreat if a capture target is too tough; come back stronger. Experiment with different team compositions. A balanced team of tanks, damage dealers, and healers is a good starting point, but specialized teams can also shine.

Gear Matters, A Lot

Always be on the lookout for better gear. Weapons and shields not only boost stats but also come with unique passive abilities or attack patterns. For example, some axes hit multiple targets, while certain bows can inflict status effects. Don’t just look at the damage numbers; consider the utility. Headgear is purely cosmetic, but hey, looking good while disemboweling a giant mushroom is important too!

Master Positioning

Since attacks are automated, your primary control is positioning. Pay attention to enemy attack ranges and types. Shield users can block projectiles, so put them in front of your squishier units. Melee units generally need to be closer, while ranged units should exploit bottlenecks or stay out of harm’s way. Using terrain features like cover can also give you an edge. Think a few moves ahead!

Explore the World Map

The overworld map is teeming with random encounters, side quests, and hidden areas. Don’t just stick to the main quest path. Exploring can net you valuable loot, new recruits, and extra experience. Keep an eye out for resource nodes as well, as these can provide useful materials for crafting (though crafting is a minor part of the game).

Performance on PC and Replay Value

The Behemoth typically optimizes their games extremely well for PC, and Pit People is no exception. Given its distinct 2D art style, it runs incredibly smoothly on a wide range of hardware. You won’t need a monster rig to enjoy this one. Frame rates are consistently high, and I’ve experienced very few technical hiccups or crashes. It’s a rock-solid port.

As for replay value, Pit People offers a surprising amount. The main story takes a good chunk of time to get through, but even after that, there’s plenty to do:

• Co-op Campaign: Playing through the story with a friend adds a whole new dimension of fun and strategy.
• Vs. Pit: This is the dedicated PvP mode where you can test your custom team against other players. It’s incredibly addictive and showcases the depth of the combat system when facing a human opponent.
• Side Quests and Exploration: There are always more side quests to find, more areas to uncover, and more unique characters to capture.
• Gear Hunting: Collecting all the different weapons, shields, and hats provides a strong incentive to keep playing.
• Difficulty Scaling: You can adjust the difficulty to make encounters more challenging, extending the gameplay further.

Between the engaging co-op, the competitive PvP, and the sheer joy of collecting and experimenting with different party members, Pit People offers dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of entertainment. It’s one of those games you can easily sink a lot of time into without even realizing it.

If you’re looking for more great titles, be sure to check out PC Games on PGFILES.COM for a huge selection of reviews and recommendations. Or if you want to browse by category, the PC Game Library is a fantastic resource!

Final Thoughts: A Gory, Hilarious Masterpiece

Pit People is an absolute triumph of quirky design and engaging gameplay. The Behemoth once again proves their mastery of crafting experiences that are both deeply charming and surprisingly strategic. It’s a game that doesn’t take itself seriously, but clearly had a lot of serious effort put into its development, from the art and writing to the tactical combat system.

If you’re in the mood for a tactical RPG that will make you laugh out loud, challenge your brain, and let you collect a roster of truly bizarre heroes, then do yourself a favor and dive into the world of Pit People. It’s a bloody good time, literally and figuratively.