Demeo Battles Is Out Now

I keep wanting to say Demeos, which I think is Latin and literally translates to English as Demes. That has nothing to do with Resolution Games’ 2021 release for the Oculus Quest (/SteamVR) and later PSVR 2. However, we are going to talk about its sequel, Demeo Battles. A standard PC and VR title that was released yesterday (I could have had a review done) and I’m only getting around to it now because I have been busy. As a PC and VR crossover of PvP turn-based strategy play in a fantasy setting, Demeo Battles sets to expand on the previous title’s success.

Where you’d once fight alongside friends as you made your way through the dungeons in this Magic/D&D setting, you now go head-to-head trying to prove your tactical prowess. Players take command of a team consisting of two heroes and play a selection of action cards or minions to join the fight against player 2. Of course, heroes stay under the direct command of players while minions shout about bananas and go fight the opposing side’s heroes. Yes, I’m joking about the bananas.

Totaling 10 arenas to fight in, 7 playable heroes, more than 35 minions, over 80 action cards, and 40 single-player challenges, there is a lot to this PvP sequel. There are options to play 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 in mixed reality VR, reaching over from PC and VR via the Meta Quest platforms. Founder and CEO of Resolution Games, Tommy Palm said, “When we first envisioned Demeo, it felt as if we’d opened a box filled with possibilities. With today’s launch, we’re beginning to explore those possibilities well beyond the confines of the first game.”

Palm goes on to say: “While Demeo fans will find plenty of new strategies to discover as they try different mixes of maps, minions, and champions, Demeo Battles has been designed to welcome a much wider range of players into the franchise. With its combination of quick matches and considered strategy, Demeo Battles is prepared to deliver the thrill of victory (and the agony of defeat) to any fans of turn-based strategy who are looking to test their mettle against the competition.”

To alleviate fans’ questions about the differences, Palm continued, “Even though [Demeo Battles] is a competitive game, we knew that what makes Demeo work so well is the spirit of cooperation – and we didn’t want to lose that.” Wrapping up with, “The synergies between heroes is such a key to the magic players feel.

To make sure that [this] same energy is carried into Demeo Battles, every match is played by a team of two champions. Whether you’re teaming up with another player for true cooperative play in 2v2 or settling in for the solo control of 1v1, each side will control two characters so you can take advantage of everything their unique combination has to offer.”

As I’ve already said, I’d probably have done a review if I wasn’t busier than a mid-century strumpet charging a pound a minute to talk through their flap. An interesting concept to say the least, as it crosses not only VR and normal PC gameplay but does so in a competitive online multiplayer way too. It has been said that there are plans to bring Demeo Battles to the PS5 and PSVR2, as well as something else called Pico (another VR system), but this won’t happen until sometime in 2024. Demeo Battles is available now on Steam and Meta Quest for $19.99.