We Are Surrounded is a strategy auto-battler that blends elements of indie RPGs, casual simulation, and tactical planning on PC. Players command a party of four heroes across six distinct floating islands while facing waves of monsters that swarm from every direction. The core appeal lies in positioning and preparation rather than direct control, allowing the action to unfold automatically once the plan is set.
Gameplay
Before each encounter, players position rally points for individual heroes or establish a single route for the entire party to follow as a group. The Warrior charges into melee with abilities like Whirlwind and Battle Cry, the Ranger provides ranged support through Barrage of Arrows and Boss Shredder, the Mage unleashes area effects such as Meteor, Frost Nova, and Chain Lightning, and the Summoner deploys creatures including wolves, stone golems, wisps, shade archers, and ember drakes. Once the fight begins, the heroes operate independently while players observe from a zoomed-out perspective that shows the full horde. A live damage chart tracks contributions in real time, and the view can be paused, followed on any hero, or zoomed for closer inspection at any moment.
Progression carries forward across runs even after defeat. Victories and losses alike reward copper, silver, and gold that fund upgrades between attempts. Five separate upgrade trees cover the party's Banner and each hero individually, offering a total of 213 options that unlock new skills, increase power, add revives, and introduce coin hoards. This system ensures that repeated attempts on challenging islands gradually become more manageable as permanent improvements accumulate. The pixel-art presentation emphasizes bright visual effects during combat, while an original soundtrack and all synthesized sound effects support the focused, overhead view of the action.
Game Modes
The primary experience revolves around sequential runs across the six islands, where each attempt builds on the last through retained loot and upgrades. Players select or progress through Bone Meadow, Hollow Grove, Goblin Warcamp, Withered Moor, Sunscour Dunes, and The Nightwaste, facing themed enemy hordes and a unique boss on every island. Boss encounters incorporate distinct mechanics, such as a swallowing tongue, sand ambushes, or summoning additional forces from the shadows. The structure encourages repeated playthroughs as upgrades transform overwhelming defenses into swift victories, with the option to pause and analyze performance providing ongoing tactical refinement.
Key Features and Progression
Four heroes bring specialized roles that complement one another in the auto-battler format. Rally points and group routes allow precise control over movement and engagement without micromanaging attacks. The upgrade system spans five trees with extensive options for customization, ensuring variety across multiple runs. Retained loot after failure means every attempt contributes to long-term strength, while the ability to pause, follow heroes, and review damage data supports detailed strategy adjustments. The bright pixel-art style and synthesized audio create a cohesive presentation suited to observing large-scale horde battles from above.
Is It Worth Playing?
We Are Surrounded suits players who enjoy strategic planning and auto-battler mechanics in a single-player format. The combination of hero placement, persistent upgrades, and island-based progression offers clear goals and measurable improvement over time. Those drawn to indie strategy titles with RPG elements and simulation aspects will find the focused loop of planning fights and watching them resolve rewarding, particularly when experimenting with different rally setups and upgrade paths. The game emphasizes thoughtful preparation over reflexes, making it accessible for casual sessions while providing depth for repeated attempts on tougher islands and bosses.
