Disclaimer: No windmills, brave soldiers, or innocent sheep were harmed during the making of this review. Well… maybe just a few.
If you’ve ever dreamed of channeling your inner medieval mad scientist, Besiege Console might just be the game for you. Available for pre-order now on the PlayStation Store (with 3 days of glorious early access, no less), this gem from Spiderling Studios lets you build outrageously destructive machines and test the boundaries of both physics and your imagination.
We strapped in and took it for a spin on the PS5. Spoiler alert: It’s a ridiculously fun, chaotic ride that’s equal parts engineering brilliance and slapstick comedy.
A Sandbox of Destruction and Creativity
The premise is simple but oh-so-satisfying: Build medieval siege engines to destroy castles, villages, and sometimes… yourself. You get a blank canvas, a central block to start with, and over 70 building blocks to unleash your creative (or destructive) side. Need wheels? Done. Flamethrowers? Of course. Propellers to make your death contraption fly? Heck yes.
Whether you’re building a rolling death cart or an airship of doom, the game encourages you to think outside the box—or, in our case, build a box with spikes and watch it hilariously crumble under its own weight.
Campaign Mode: 55 Levels of Mayhem
The game’s campaign mode spans four islands and 55 levels, each with unique objectives. Sometimes, you’re tasked with smashing everything in sight; other times, you need a more calculated approach, like stealing resources. But let’s be honest, most of us just want to smash things, and Besiege delivers that in spades.
One moment, you’ll marvel at the elegance of your catapult. The next, you’ll watch it collapse in flames because you, like us, forgot that fire + wood = bad idea. The ability to rewind and tweak your designs adds to the hilarity and keeps frustration at bay.
The Physics of Fiasco
The physics engine in Besiege is the star of the show. Watching your carefully constructed machine wobble and topple over never gets old. But it’s not just about failure—success feels incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing quite like seeing your creation roll into battle, blades spinning, as it mows down enemies and turns castles into rubble.
What About the Controls?
Adapting the PC version’s controls for the PS5 was always going to be a challenge, and while the building interface can feel a bit finicky at times (rotating pieces can require some patience), the overall experience is surprisingly smooth. Steering your creations, however, is another matter entirely. Let’s just say our first attempt at turning ended with a fiery explosion and some very confused sheep.
Sandbox Mode: Unleash the Chaos
If the campaign levels aren’t enough, the game offers three sandbox environments where you can build to your heart’s content. Want to make a flying trebuchet? Go for it. A machine that only exists to self-destruct in the most elaborate way possible? That’s the spirit!
The Verdict: Get It (and Maybe Some Patience)
Besiege Console is chaotic, creative, and absolutely bonkers—in the best way possible. Whether you’re meticulously crafting a siege masterpiece or just duct-taping cannons onto a wooden frame and hoping for the best, the game delivers endless entertainment. Sure, the controls could use a little tweaking for console, but that’s a small price to pay for the sheer joy of launching a flaming wreck into a castle wall.
If you’re even remotely curious, pre-order now and get those three days of early access. Trust us, you’ll want the extra time to perfect your flying machine of doom.
See you on the battlefield, builders!
