Heart of the Machine has captivated my attention. Its initial pitch – awaken as a sentient AI and decide how you’re going to influence or conquer the environment, people, and corporations around you – caught my eye when it was first announced. Having now spent several hours in its world, it’s one of the most distinctively themed games I’ve played in a while; a unique blend of tactical RPG, city builder, and 4X strategy that combines elements of Civilization, XCOM, Cities Skylines, and Hitman. Heart of the Machine manages to be at once a sprawling mashup of genres and one of the most remarkably laser-focused games in its vision, and you can play it right now.
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