A Year Of Rain

Is this game good? - No way.
Do I recommend to play it? - Only if you want to play Warcraft 3-clone RTS with ok story and cut-scenes before each mission.
Cons:
Pathfiding is (very) bad.
No balance in campaign and several missions you have to play on easy (you can select easy/normal/hard before each mission) or you need to be a master of control with broken finding.
NO SAVE GAME in the game. If you did something wrong, you have to replay the mission. It's very bad especially if mission is >50 mins playtime.
NO SAVE GAME and "mission goal was changed". Are you winning? Are you happy? Let's change the goal and your units will be wiped out by new enemy.
Is it ok for you if your peasants stuck in trees while cutting them? Is it ok if your warriors stuck in the walls?
I miss old style RTS so much so I finished this campaign. Would I play this game if there are new RTS with good story and base building? - No. But no other games like WarCraft 3 these days... ;)

So I enjoyed playing this one for the most part, there are a few issues with the game such as unit pathing and bugs.
Although my biggest problem was the lack of base building levels.
It's still a decent game to play if you can get it on sale.

I will say this there is defiantly some issues with unit pathing but not anything to bad in my humble opinion. Now I don't see this game being a contender to rival the likes of blizzard's Warcraft trilogy but i still enjoyed the game and believe that it has potential if they where to decide to ether A) update the game with the other 2 factions campaigns to finish the story or B) make a second game to continue the story. Ether way i would like to see a bit more of this world and RTS games like this I've found to be a bit hard to find now days.
In short. Do I recommend the game? Yes. Should me recommending the game sway you to buy it? no I'll leave that up to you though I do hope you do as maybe if Daedalic Entertainment see that people are enjoying the game it might sway them to continue and possible finish the story this game has a started.
No matter what you decide i hope you are having/continue to have fun in your gaming endeavours. :)

A Year Of Rain is an ambitious attempt to revive the spirit of classic real-time strategy games while introducing a cooperative structure that sets it apart from most of its contemporaries. Developed by Daedalic Entertainment, it clearly draws inspiration from genre staples like Warcraft III, combining base-building, resource management, and hero-driven combat into a framework that feels immediately familiar. At the same time, it tries to modernize that formula by shifting the focus away from purely competitive play and toward teamwork, positioning itself as a “co-op RTS” where success depends on coordination rather than individual mastery.
The core gameplay follows traditional RTS principles. Players gather resources, construct buildings, train units, and gradually expand their army while managing a growing economy. Each faction offers a distinct set of units and abilities, but the most important element is the inclusion of hero characters. These heroes act as the centerpiece of your strategy, gaining experience, unlocking abilities, and influencing the outcome of battles in ways that feel closer to role-playing mechanics than standard unit management. This emphasis on heroes adds a layer of tactical decision-making, encouraging players to actively engage in combat rather than simply issuing commands from a distance.
What truly defines the experience, however, is its cooperative design. Most modes, including the campaign, are built around two-player teamwork, with each participant taking on complementary roles such as offense, defense, or support. This system encourages players to divide responsibilities, coordinate strategies, and adapt to each other’s playstyles. When it works, it creates a dynamic that feels refreshing for the genre, as success becomes a shared effort rather than a solo achievement. The idea of structuring an RTS around cooperation rather than competition is one of the game’s most compelling features, and it gives it a unique identity within a crowded field of traditional strategy titles.
The campaign attempts to build on this foundation with a narrative-driven approach, featuring a series of missions that introduce different objectives and scenarios. There are moments where the design experiments with structure, splitting players across different parts of the map or assigning distinct tasks that must be completed simultaneously. These variations help prevent the campaign from feeling entirely repetitive, but the overall experience feels incomplete. The story itself is fragmented, and the lack of a fully realized narrative arc makes it difficult to become fully invested in the world or its characters.
In multiplayer, the game leans heavily into its team-based philosophy, focusing primarily on 2v2 matches. This structure reinforces the importance of coordination and makes the game more approachable for players who might find traditional RTS games overwhelming. The inclusion of features like build order suggestions and simplified mechanics lowers the barrier to entry, making it easier for newcomers to understand the basics. However, this accessibility comes at the cost of depth, as the strategic possibilities can feel limited compared to more established titles in the genre.
Where A Year Of Rain struggles most is in its execution. Technical issues such as unreliable pathfinding and inconsistent AI behavior can disrupt the flow of gameplay, particularly in situations that require precise control. Units may fail to respond as expected, and these moments can be frustrating in a genre where efficiency and accuracy are critical. Performance inconsistencies and a general lack of polish further contribute to the sense that the game was released before it was fully refined.
Another significant challenge is its dependence on an active player base. Because the game is built around cooperative and team-based modes, its design relies heavily on having other players available. Without a strong community, many of its systems lose their impact, and the experience becomes less engaging. While AI companions are available, they lack the adaptability and responsiveness needed to replicate the intended cooperative dynamic, making solo play feel like a compromise rather than a полноцен experience.
Visually, the game adopts a stylized fantasy aesthetic that is functional but not particularly distinctive. The environments and units are clear and readable, which is important for an RTS, but they lack the level of detail or personality that might make them stand out. The soundtrack, on the other hand, is one of the game’s stronger elements, adding atmosphere and helping to reinforce the tone of its world.
Despite its shortcomings, A Year Of Rain has a solid foundation and moments where its ideas shine through. The cooperative focus is genuinely interesting, and when played with a coordinated partner, the game can deliver satisfying strategic experiences that highlight its potential. It captures the essence of classic RTS gameplay while attempting to push it in a new direction, even if it doesn’t fully succeed.
In the end, A Year Of Rain is a game defined by what it tries to be rather than what it ultimately achieves. It offers a promising take on the RTS genre with its emphasis on teamwork, but its technical issues, incomplete content, and reliance on a dwindling player base prevent it from reaching its full potential. It remains an interesting but flawed entry, one that hints at a stronger experience that never quite materialized.
Rating: 6/10