Block Fortress 2: Brilliant Foundation, Still Under Construction

Block Fortress 2 hits you with a strange mix of nostalgia and ambition. It’s the kind of game that feels like a long-lost favourite from your teenage years—but it’s also clearly trying to be something bigger than just a mobile-to-PC port. At its best, it delivers a rewarding loop of planning, building, and direct combat. At its worst, it shows the rough seams of early access, unrefined UI, and balancing problems that push players toward one optimal strategy.

What’s clear from the first hour is that the team behind it hasn’t lost the thread. For players who sunk time into Block Fortress War or the original mobile game, this sequel brings those ideas into a far more complex and open format. You start with a barren map and the tools to build a base however you like. You place turrets, generate power, prepare for environmental hazards, and manage your limited resources. When the wave begins, you drop into first- or third-person view and try to survive. It’s all still here and if anything, it’s layered with even more mechanics than before.

That complexity is what’s got longtime fans excited. The game could be described as Minecraft meets Sanctum 2. You’re not just placing towers; you’re constantly reacting. Snowy planets slow your defences unless you heat them. Meteors can fall on moon-like maps. You’ve got to account for wave composition, enemy types, and whether your resource generators are vulnerable. The systems feed into each other – when it works, it feels clever, but when it doesn’t, it feels like the game is actively resisting your attempts to play it.

The base-building mechanics are deep and functional. Many turrets and blocks combine to create layered defences, with barracks, infantry, and strategic choke points all playing a role. The progression system – unlocking gear, new block types, and faction bonuses – is worthy of praise. There’s also a planetary system where each world offers unique conditions and currencies, which adds long-term strategy to what would otherwise be a series of standalone missions.

But balance is an issue. Many turrets feel too weak or have such short ranges that they’re effectively useless. The result is building a central tower stacked with high-level laser turrets because it’s the only thing that reliably works. It’s not just a preference, it’s a design flaw. It can often feel like you’re punished for trying anything that isn’t the optimal strategy. That limits the creativity the game otherwise encourages.

Performance and UI are an issue in need of some TLC. Menus are clunky. Commands can be buried three layers deep, and I encountered a menu bug where trying to move a unit opens a cascade of overlapping interfaces. There’s no tutorial to help you navigate any of this. And while the game is stable for most players, heavy combat waves or particle-heavy effects can tank your framerate. If you’re playing on mid-range hardware, you’ll likely notice it.

Still, despite the flaws, I had a good time. Most of the Steam reviews are positive, with recurring praise for the devs. They’re active, responsive, and already rolling out balance tweaks. Fans of the mobile titles are hopeful this is just the beginning of something bigger. Some have even said they’d gladly pay for a PC port of Block Fortress War and that nostalgia is clearly fuelling a lot of goodwill here.

Block Fortress 2 is short and it doesn’t take long to see all the game has to offer. Once the core loop is cracked, there’s not much left to challenge you. The game was fun at first, but even hard mode becomes trivial once you understand it. That’s not a death sentence, but it does raise questions about long-term replayability.

So where does that leave Block Fortress 2 right now? It’s ambitious, imaginative, and clearly made by people who care. It’s also unpolished in key areas. If you can tolerate awkward menus, balance quirks, and a general lack of handholding, there’s a deeply satisfying strategy game underneath. But if you’re expecting something sleek and tightly designed, you may want to wait and see where the devs take it next.

For the right kind of player, someone who doesn’t mind fighting the interface to get to the good stuff, it’s already worth picking up. Everyone else should keep it on the radar. It’s not finished, but it’s heading in the right direction.