Advertisement
Advertisement
How Many Dudes? is a strategy game where the player’s influence is concentrated entirely in preparation rather than execution. Each playthrough is structured as a run consisting of multiple automated battles. The player assembles an army of units and sends them into combat without direct control over actions once fighting begins. Progress depends on how well earlier decisions align with later challenges. The game encourages careful planning and acceptance of failure as part of learning.
At the start of every run, players are presented with a limited set of options that define the initial direction of their strategy. Choosing which dudes to recruit and how to position them establishes the foundation for all future encounters. Because early resources are scarce, players must commit to a direction without knowing exactly what challenges will follow. This uncertainty creates tension between flexible setups and specialized builds. Once combat begins, outcomes reflect how well the chosen structure holds under pressure.
As the run advances, players receive new opportunities to modify their army. These moments of choice are spaced between battles and become increasingly important as difficulty rises. Adaptation is possible, but never complete, since resources and options remain limited. The core decisions that shape progression include:
Each of these decisions carries long-term consequences. Poor alignment between army composition and enemy scaling often becomes apparent several stages later, when correction is no longer possible.
Enemy encounters are organized to gradually expose weaknesses in the player’s strategy. Early battles are forgiving and allow observation, while later stages apply sustained pressure. Boss encounters serve as evaluation points that test whether the army can scale beyond its initial design. Because combat is automated, the primary feedback loop occurs after battles conclude. Players assess losses, identify failure points, and determine whether remaining options can compensate for structural flaws.
Outside individual runs, How Many Dudes? features persistent unlocks that expand the pool of available options. New dudes and modifiers increase strategic variety but do not simplify decision-making. Each run still requires adaptation to changing circumstances. Unlocks provide tools, not solutions, ensuring that planning remains central regardless of progression level.