Sigma Theory: Global Cold War

STORY

Summary: A Turn-based Strategy game in a futuristic global cold war from the award-winning creators of Out There. Recruit a squad of special agents and run your intel agency to secure the control of the singularity. 78.2% - The number of games is even more demanding than Sigma Theory: Global Cold War, which makes it more accessible in comparison with other 21.8% - Games whose requirements are not as tough as in Sigma Theory: Global Cold War. Sigma Theory is the cause of this cold war. Rally scientists from around the world to your cause to discover new technologies to gain the edge and change the world. Mind control, destabilization of the world economy, robot soldiers, immortality.

From the creators of the award-winning sci-fi game Out There...
In the near future, a paradigm-shifting scientific discovery looms over the world, promising radical new technologies. The world's superpowers realize they could have the power to destroy the global financial system, wipe out entire countries or even gain access to immortality.
However, this discovery — called 'The Sigma Theory' — can only be harnessed by a handful of scientists. You are placed at the head of your country's Sigma division. Your objective is to ensure that it is your nation that reaps the benefits of Sigma Theory before anyone else.
To achieve this you will have powerful resources at your disposal: a cadre of the world's most elite covert agents, advanced tactical drones and, of course, your own skills in diplomacy and subterfuge.
It's a cold war out there, one in which mankind must face up to its future.

THE ULTIMATE ESPIONAGE SIMULATION

Turn-based espionage: Use your special agents to dominate the world. Seduction, blackmail, manipulation, industrial espionage... Every low blow is both permitted and encouraged.
Dynamic narrative: Develop and manage your relations with over 100 NPCs: lobbies, armed groups, politicians... Alliance, deception or assassination, you choose.
Field operations: Direct the kidnapping of your targets during gripping pursuits through the world's greatest cities. Discretion or direct confrontation, your agent's life is in your hands.
Recruitment
First, recruit a team of four special agents from 50 unique unlockable characters to support your missions. Each comes with their own story, motivations and traits that define their behavior during missions.
Access the investigator, soldier, hacker, seducer and other archetypes to complete your Sigma division and execute your strategy.
Espionage
When your team is ready, assign them missions around the world to gather scientists, discover compromising documents on local politicians, and more.
EngineExploit your agents' abilities to seduce, manipulate and bribe your targets over to your side or have them neutralized.
Counter-espionage
Other nations will also use their agents to infiltrate your country and seize your scientists. Track, capture and interrogate them to gain information on your enemies, then exchange them for ransom when they are no longer useful.Theory
Exfiltration
Order your agents to exfiltrate scientists recruited to your cause during gripping turn-based exfiltration phases through the world's greatest capitals. Choose the position your drones wisely to support these delicate missions.
Diplomacy
In Sigma Theory, diplomacy is the key to achieving your goals. Meet your foreign counterparts and further your objectives using flattery, threats or blackmail. You can also recover your captured agents, advance your research, and much more. Develop your relations with powerful lobbies and armed and influential groups to obtain their favor. But be careful, they may turn on you.
Tech Tree
Sigma Theory is the cause of this cold war. Rally scientists from around the world to your cause to discover new technologies to gain the edge and change the world. Mind control, destabilization of the world economy, robot soldiers, immortality... Will you keep these discoveries for yourself or share them with the world?

Games that inspired us:

XCom, Phantom Doctrine, Plague Inc, Pandemic (board game), Rocket Ranger, Tropico, Armello, Civilization, curious expedition and so much more

Sigma Theory: Global Cold War is a turn-based strategy game developed by Mi-Clos Studio, Goblinz Studio & FibreTigre and published by Goblinz Studio. The game was released in 18th of April 2019 and takes place in a future where a world-changing new technology has ushered in a new global cold war. Recruit and use your agents and new technologies on missions for diplomacy, espionage, and deception to secure control of the future.

Plot

In the near future, scientists make a discovery that allows mankind to develop world-changing new technology. Suddenly the world’s superpowers realize they could have the power to destroy the global financial system, wipe out entire countries or even gain access to immortality. However, this discovery called “The Sigma Theory” can only be harnessed by a handful of scientists. You are placed at the head of your country’s intelligence agency. Your objective: world domination by any means necessary, using the power of the Sigma Theory. To achieve this you will have powerful resources at your disposal: special covert agents, tactical drones and, of course, your skills of diplomacy. It’s a cold war out there, one in which mankind must face up to its future. A future that leads, ultimately, to the technological singularity.

Gameplay

A simple round of Sigma Theory can take from one to three hours, depending on your decisions and experience. Your main objective is to collect 15 Sigma Fragments that are produced over time via scientific research. When you manage to unlock all 15 parts, you can start developing the Sigma Theory. In the bottom left of the screen there is a ranking that updates every day and informs you about the progress of every country of the Sigma race. You win, if your sigma-counter reaches 100% before your enemies. Keep in mind that there is also a Doomsday Timer that is affected by your decisions. If your actions are very aggressive or unethical, like openly insulting and violating the laws of another country or teaming up with a terrorist cartel, the Doomsday Clock will activate. If the timer reaches zero, a nuclear war will begin and the game will end abruptly.

You start the game by choosing the country that you want to represent. After that you get to pick a team of four operatives from a big pool of available agents (Some of them need to be unlocked). Every agent has two main stats (Strength and Intelligence) , some special talents like Seducer, Hacker or Stealth and a unique past. In order to recruit one, you need to read his/her past and answer his/her questions correctly in order to convince him/her to join your team. Careful, because if you fail to come to an agreement, the specific agent will no longer be available for recruitment.

When your team is assembled you enter the world, which is under a new global cold war. The game is turn-based and you have infinite time to think in every round. In your rounds you can command your operatives to travel to a certain country or do some dirty work for you, like espionage, abduction, seduction, reckon and many more. You can also set up a meeting with a diplomat from another country in order to improve your relations or make a demand. The most common way to win the war is to manage to persuade the scientists of your opponents ( using various methods) to join you, therefore accelerating your Sigma progress. This is not an easy task, as every scientist has a unique field of expertise and certain character traits, making the negotiations difficult if you haven’t done your research. When you are ready to press End Turn, the next day will come and a notifications window with information about the last day will pop.

Graphics / Sound

Sigma Theory’s graphics are decent for it’s genre. The game is staged on a 2D map without many artistic details on the agents or the countries. There are no visual bugs but sometimes the design is mediocre for a game released in 2019. The creation of Goblinz Studio features a relaxing soundtrack to accompany you throughout your attempt for world domination. There is no voice acting, although the title has many conversations and meetings.

Unique Features

The turn-based strategy cold war style is certainly unique and your team of operatives can be highly customized. There isn’t any real combat, but Sigma Theory will raise your adrenaline when trying to win the financial and scientific global race.

Replayability

The average time for a round will be one to three hours. However due to the large numbers of different and unique agents, the game can be replayed with different team setups. Also you can change your decisions in the course of the game, to favor different politics like a pacifist or a bloodthirsty one.

Pros

  • Unique cold war turn-based strategy game

  • Many agent combinations for your team

  • Perfectly designed negotiations and conversations

Cons

Theory:

Sigma Theory Global Cold War Review

  • Mediocre Graphics

  • Repetitive Gameplay

  • Sometimes the RNG can be frustrating

Rating (7/10)

  • Plot: 7/10

  • Gameplay: 8/10

  • Graphics: 6.5/10

  • Sound: 7/10

  • Uniqueness: 8/10

  • Replayability: 5.5/10

Sigma Theory Global Cold War Review

Primary Version Tested: PC

Sigma Theory Global Cold War Review

Foivos Karkanis