All Walls Must Fall – A Tech-Noir Tactics Game
Berlin, November 2089: The Cold War never ended. For 150 years both sides have used time manipulation technology to observe and counter each other’s every move. Now this fragile state of affairs is approaching a breaking point, as a rogue nuclear strike will send the world into turmoil. All Walls Must Fall is an isometric tactics game where actions happen to the pulsing beat of the music. You control time travelling secret agents as they jump and loop through a single night in the city of Berlin. Using a pausable real-time system, carefully plan your decisions and use powerful time manipulation abilities to your advantage, as you carry out your mission in the shadows or in plain sight. All Walls Must Fall takes inspiration from genre classics like X-Com, Syndicate and REZ, as well more recent indie games like The Banner Saga, Braid, SUPERHOT and Crypt of the Necrodancer.
Steam User 1
All Walls Must Fall, or AWMF from here on, is an interesting isometric XCOM-type turn-based tactical combat with a twist... your special powers includes time manipulation, such as rewind. And it's now... FREE! Though some people may be turned off by some reference to gay flirting.
In an alternate 2089, the Cold War never ended, as both sides, armed with time manipulation tech, are undoing each other's schemes as fast as they can be hatched. As one of these time agents in a futuristic yet noir Berlin, things are about to break, and you may be that agent of change... or keeping the peace. As you explore Berlin, you will talk to people, and your conversation choices as well as your combat success will determine the fate of the world... and yourself. The graphics is definitely noir-ish, with a limited color palette, and the music... is where the game really shines... with contributions from multiple game music artists and changes dynamically to fit the mood.
If you are a fan of XCOM type genre, give this game a try, esp. when it's free.
Steam User 1
Intriguing Concept. Still getting into it, but looks solid.
Steam User 1
All Walls Must Fall – A Tech-Noir Tactics Game, developed and published by inbetweengames, is a bold and unconventional entry in the tactics genre that blends strategic planning with rhythmic, almost hypnotic execution. Set in a stylized version of Berlin in 2089—where the Cold War has stretched into a dystopian future—the game casts players as agents capable of manipulating time in order to prevent a looming nuclear disaster. It’s a premise that immediately signals something different, and the game fully commits to that difference through both its mechanics and its atmosphere.
The most defining feature of the experience is its time-rewind system, which fundamentally reshapes how tactics gameplay is approached. Instead of committing to decisions and dealing with their consequences, players are given the ability to rewind actions, adjust positioning, and rework entire encounters before finalizing them. This turns each mission into a kind of strategic puzzle, where experimentation is not only allowed but expected. You can test risky moves, observe enemy reactions, and then refine your approach until everything aligns perfectly. The result is a gameplay loop that feels more like crafting a solution than reacting to a problem.
Combat itself operates on a hybrid system that blends turn-based thinking with real-time flow. Every action consumes time as a resource, forcing players to carefully manage movement, attacks, and abilities within tight constraints. Once a sequence is locked in, the game plays it back in real time, transforming your calculated decisions into a fluid, cinematic sequence of events. This mechanic is one of the game’s most satisfying elements, as it rewards careful planning with visually dynamic outcomes. The entire experience is underscored by a pulsing electronic soundtrack, which subtly reinforces the rhythm of gameplay and gives each encounter a distinct sense of momentum.
The setting plays an equally important role in defining the game’s identity. Nearly all missions take place in neon-lit nightclubs filled with dense crowds, shifting lights, and an underlying sense of tension. This techno-noir aesthetic is striking and rarely explored in strategy games, giving the experience a unique cultural flavor. Beyond combat, players can engage in dialogue, persuasion, and other non-violent interactions, offering alternative ways to approach objectives. These elements add a layer of role-playing depth, even if they don’t always feel as fully developed as the combat systems.
However, the game’s ambition comes with some noticeable trade-offs. While the procedural generation of levels is meant to keep things fresh, the environments can start to feel repetitive over time. The nightclub setting, while visually distinctive, is reused frequently, and the variety of objectives and layouts is somewhat limited. As a result, the sense of novelty that defines the early hours gradually fades, replaced by a more predictable loop of similar encounters.
Balance is another area where the game occasionally struggles. The time-rewind mechanic, while innovative, can lead to encounters that feel less about strategy and more about trial-and-error optimization. Enemy encounters sometimes rely on overwhelming numbers rather than nuanced design, which can make battles feel chaotic rather than thoughtfully constructed. Additionally, some systems—such as dialogue and hacking—don’t always integrate seamlessly with the core gameplay, leaving them feeling secondary rather than equally viable alternatives.
Despite these shortcomings, the game’s presentation remains consistently strong. The combination of stylized visuals, atmospheric lighting, and a standout electronic soundtrack creates a cohesive and memorable aesthetic. There’s a clear artistic vision driving the experience, and even when the gameplay falters, the world itself remains engaging. It’s the kind of game where mood and style are just as important as mechanics, and in that regard, it largely succeeds.
Ultimately, All Walls Must Fall is a game defined by its willingness to experiment. It takes risks that many strategy titles avoid, and while not all of those risks pay off, they result in an experience that feels genuinely fresh. The time manipulation system alone is enough to set it apart, offering a level of control and creativity that is rarely seen in the genre.
In the end, it’s a game that may not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for a more traditional or polished tactics experience. But for players who appreciate innovation and are willing to embrace its quirks, it offers something memorable and distinct. It’s not flawless, but it’s undeniably original, and that counts for a lot.
Rating: 7/10
Steam User 0
The game is awesome, I can make my grandpa say homoerotic stuff, kill Nemesis by just going back in time, and all the game is free. I still dislike the bitchass snon of a clown agent on the ending, but I really like the game a ton
Steam User 0
1. It's Fun
2. It's Free. Like totally, completely free. No Microtransaction ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
3. Once you manage to get a few campaign cycles in, and have everything unlocked, enjoy being basically untouchable.
Love it!
Steam User 0
Игра All Walls Must Fall – это стильный тактический экшн в сеттинге техно-нуарного Берлина 2089 года, где Холодная война так и не закончилась. Интересное смешение пошаговой тактики с элементами реального времени, требующее стратегического планирования и быстрого реагирования. Механика манипулирования временем добавляет глубины игровому процессу, позволяя продумывать каждый шаг и избегать нежелательных последствий.
Визуальный стиль, выполненный в минималистичной, но атмосферной стилистике, отлично дополняет гнетущую атмосферу мира, погрязшего в конфликтах. Саундтрек, состоящий из мрачных техно-композиций, создает нужное настроение.
Несмотря на интересную концепцию, игра может показаться сложной для освоения и иногда repetative. Но, если вы любите тактические игры с необычным сеттингом и готовы потратить время на изучение механик, All Walls Must Fall может предложить уникальный и запоминающийся опыт. Это игра для тех, кто ценит атмосферу и продуманность, а не бездумный экшн.
Steam User 0
It's a unique game which keeps introducing enemies that just ignore your abilities and also there should be an option to make the view permanent, which you get after a combat sequence where it shows all the kills. The story is interesting, but the gameplay is the same, just the objectives different. The abilities which you unlock are fun. I just couldn't keep doing the same things and all these new types of enemy just felt unfair, so I gave up. Also he is a snail walker