Missile Command Delta Reinvents Classic Gameplay but Trips Over Its Own Storytelling
Missile Command Delta: When Clever Gameplay Meets a So-So Story
Missile Command Delta is Atari’s fresh spin on the 1980 classic Missile Command, turning the frantic missile defense arcade game into a turn-based tactical puzzle. Sounds cool, right? Well, yes and no. While the gameplay shines with a smart, hex-based system, the narrative wrapping it all feels a bit tired and unnecessary.
- A new take on classic Missile Command gameplay with turn-based tactics
- Players defend cities on a hex board using missile cards with varying effects
- The game includes a first-person mystery story set in an abandoned military bunker
- The story and mystery elements fall flat compared to the strong core gameplay
- A missed opportunity to keep the focus on the clever puzzle mechanics
Gameplay: A Tactical Puzzle Gem
Missile Command Delta reimagines the original arcade hit as a turn-based game played on a hexagonal grid. Instead of frantic real-time missile shooting, you get to plan your defense carefully. Each turn, you see enemy missile paths and can launch up to three defensive missiles from your deck. These missiles come in various types, some detonating immediately, others after a delay, creating blast zones that can take out multiple incoming threats. This system is elegant and strategic, making every move feel meaningful.
The design works equally well in training missions with preset enemy attacks and in more open-ended challenges. It’s a clever way to modernize a game whose original controls didn’t translate well to modern controllers. If only the game stuck to this.
The Narrative: An Unnecessary Distraction
Here’s where Missile Command Delta loses some points. The developers decided to wrap this smart puzzle game inside a first-person mystery story. You play as a teen exploring an abandoned military bunker decades after its use, amid a vague geopolitical conflict. The story unfolds through searching for items and reading memos, in a style that feels very familiar—and frankly, uninspired.
This framing might have worked better if it leaned into a specific era or vibe, like the ‘80s kids’ adventure movies or WarGames, which the story nods to. But instead, the mystery feels like a generic indie game trope, dragging down the experience. It interrupts the pacing and makes you wish you could just get back to the missile puzzles.
Final Thoughts
Missile Command Delta is a great example of how not every game needs a story, especially not a tired first-person mystery. The core tactical puzzle gameplay is original, engaging, and worthy of more focus. The added narrative feels like a dilution, showing a lack of confidence in the game’s main idea.
If you’re into tactical puzzles and classic arcade remakes, give the missile defense part a shot. Just be ready to tolerate—or skip—the story bits.
For a closer look, check out the trailer here:
