Diplomacy is Not an Option is a real-time strategy (RTS) game you can buy or play for free as a demo. It launched on February 9, 2022, with Door407 listed as the publisher and developer. The title is only available on Windows for the moment, providing an intriguing storyline with simple gameplay mechanics. It’s worth noting that the early access version only has a few maps available and not the full version as yet.
While it may not seem like much at first glance, the game holds several qualities that become more appealing as you progress. If anything, the intro has a hilarious video that gives you a good indication of what you’re in for. So sit tight and enjoy the medieval ride as we take you through our Diplomacy is Not an Option review.
Diplomacy is Not an Option story
If you’ve played similar fantasy RTS games, you’ll know that there are usually detailed stories behind them. For instance, Warcraft III, StarCraft II, Age of Empires III, and Endzone: A World Apart (one of my favorites) are all excellent examples where the plot is essential to other gaming elements in these titles.
Here’s what you can expect from the mysterious tale in Diplomacy is Not an Option.
A Lord in a disgruntled kingdom
When you start the main campaign, you discover that you’re a lord of a small area. Pay close attention to what happens in the opening scene, and you’ll quickly feel sorry for yourself. You’re bored, and your family and servants only need you for your money. There’s nothing to do….until…
People in your kingdom have become disgruntled and are rebelling against you. Most people would be terrified at such a thought, but not you. You see an opportunity to rise up from the mundane and defend what’s left of your land!
Others need your help, me lord
After you play the first mission, your kingdom is at peace for the time being. However, others across the land need your help with similar rebellions and attacks, starting with your uncle. What started as you just defeating boredom suddenly turned into a call for a hero.
Setting and tone
The story is set in medieval times when tournaments, hunting, and enjoying massive feasts with gorgeous maidens dancing around the fire were still a thing. There are a few comic moments where you’ll have a chuckle, which is a good thing among the stress of planning your next strategic move. To add some fantasy, you’ll even have a bit of magic to play with, such as summoning your ethereal forces.
How long does it take to play Diplomacy is Not an Option
It depends on you how long it takes to play Diplomacy is Not an Option. The campaign has several chapters, each longer than the one before. If you don’t get a stage right the first time, you’ll have to try it again with a better strategy. It can take you several hours. However, the early access and demo games only have a few chapters available, so we expect the full game will take a day or two to complete.
Diplomacy is Not an Option gameplay
In this section of our review of Diplomacy is Not an Option, we’re going to take you through several gameplay elements. We’ll also try to add some tips to make it slightly easier to play so you don’t need to repeat any levels.
Learning how to play Diplomacy is Not an Option
Firstly, we recommend you play the tutorial before you start the campaign. Diplomacy is Not an Option doesn’t show you the ropes in the latter, so it’s a good idea to see how commands work and where all the functions are.
Having said that, we noticed that the tutorial isn’t as detailed as it could have been. As avid RTS gamers, we tested some commands we’re familiar with RTS classics like the Command and Conquer series. While Diplomacy is Not an Option says you can select groups by clicking and dragging over them, you also have the ability to double click on an archer to select all the units. It helps if you’re already experienced at games like this.
Various game modes
Besides the tutorial, there are two primary game modes. The first is the campaign, which presents a map listing all the available chapters. You’ll need to complete one to unlock the next one, while you can also replay those you’ve already beaten.
The second mode is called Endless. When you’re not in the mood to progress with the story or you’ve completed it, you can try building and defending your kingdom with no end in sight. It unlocks all research and units without worrying about campaign progression. At the moment, we only see a single-player version with no multiplayer options as yet.
User interface and commands
As with most PC RTS games from indie developers, Diplomacy is Not an Option has simple controls. Click a unit, tell them where to move or attack, and send peasants out to collect food and resources. Most of the work is done by clicking or dragging and rarely needs input from the keyboard, which gives you freehand a chance to bang your gaming desk in frustration when you lose.
There are some advanced functions in the command panel at the bottom of the screen. You can use magic, craft buildings, send archers into towers or walls, or perform research. There’s an excellent skill tree for your kingdom, an element we love in RTS games. However, you’ll probably only experience the full glory of it later in the story or in Endless mode.
Gameplay performance
The minimum requirements for Diplomacy is Not an Option is as follows:
- OS: Windows 7,8,10, 11 64 bit
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Processor: Intel Core i5 6400 / AMD X8 FX-8300
- Graphics: GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R9 280
- Storage: 2 GB available space
- DirectX: Version 11
- Sound Card: DirectX 11 compatible
Since we played on Windows 11 that met the recommended requirements, the game played smoothly without any glitches. Even with crypto mining running on the graphics card in the background, there was absolutely no lag at all. It hardly uses system resources, so you won’t have to worry about it crashing as long as you meet the specs mentioned.
Difficulty levels
There are three difficulty levels, which are roughly translated as Easy, Medium, and Hard. For the purposes of this review, we played it on the easiest mode. However, like Frostpunk, even the Easy mode felt slightly difficult as a newbie.
As you replay levels, it becomes easier to determine where to collect resources, in what stages to build your defenses, and which troops you need. Although, easy mode is definitely not a walk in the park.
Diplomacy is Not an Option visual and sound
Wondering what the visuals look like and if there are any sound effects you may enjoy? While we’re pretty pleased about the graphics, you may not find them so appealing. Here’s what we discovered for our Diplomacy is Not an Option review.
Overall graphics
While most RTS games tend to turn to more realistic graphics, Diplomacy is Not an Option’s style is more akin to Fortnite. If you zoom in closely, you may notice that some of the trees and other items look remarkably similar to the battle royale game. It’s pleasing to the eye, and you’ll love the overall design of the buildings and environment.
World and character designs
Each character and unit has a lot of detail that you can zoom in closely on for a better look. The buildings, resources, and creatures have basic designs, but somehow the developer pulled it off in such a way that they look fantastic on screen. There’s also a wonderful array of colors.
Animations and effects
Watching the units move and fight in battle is what makes Diplomacy is Not an Option an epic experience. When the enemy’s army moves to attack in massive waves, the effects are outstanding and sometimes completely hilarious. It’s also brilliant that you need to consider that the troops need a clear line-of-site in order for them to attack.
Sound elements
Diplomacy is Not an Option presents an interesting conundrum when it comes to the sound aspects. When we first played it for the review, we were disappointed that there was no voice acting for the story. You need to read the text as each character speaks in the animated videos.
However, when you play the game, you’ll notice that some notifications have voice actors informing you of what’s happening or if someone is attacking you. So perhaps they’ll incorporate that aspect when the full game is released. As for the battle sounds, you can hear the usual clinks and whistles as swords hit shields and arrows whisk through the skies. Oh yes, and the cries of death…lest we forget those.
Final verdict of Diplomacy is Not an Option
While almost casual in nature at first, Diplomacy is Not an Option sets a challenge for any hardcore RTS gamer out there. Sure, it doesn’t have tanks and massive explosions, but those who love fantasy will enjoy the medieval theme. It’s also excellent that there’s a thread of humor that runs through it.
At first, the difficulty may seem intense, but you’ll soon learn how the AI operates and how to counter attacks and build an offense. We can’t wait to see what the full release has to offer in future chapters, and we would like to see a multiplayer mode included. All in all, it’s a spectacular strategy game.
PROS
- Hilarious, engaging storyline
- Simple gameplay mechanics
- Includes an Endless mode
- Pleasing visuals with incredible animation
- Ability to zoom in closely
- Incredible skill tree and economics
- Massive map with several chapters
CONS
- Hard to progress at first
- No voice acting in videos
- Tutorial misses some basic RTS commands
Developer: Door 407
Publisher: Door 407
Game Modes: Single Player, Campaign, Endless
Platform reviewed: Windows 11
