PaybackTime 2

PaybackTime 2 is a turn-based tactical game distributed as shareware. Its mechanics are reminiscent of the combat found in X-COM, though its setting is a futuristic sport where teams of warriors battle for supremacy. Teams, referred to as units, engage in matches across various arenas.

Victory in a match provides currency and experience, resources used to enhance warriors, purchase gear, and recruit new members. The game supports multiplayer for up to four players locally, and includes an option for solo play against AI opponents with four selectable difficulty levels, making the challenge adjustable. While the shareware release restricts play to two participants and limits warriors and maps, the full version expands these options significantly.

Customization is a central feature. Players can field sizable teams and choose from pre-made units or assemble their own. Alliances are possible in games with multiple players. The full version further enables deep modification through included editors for weapons, items, and the 22 available maps.

A comprehensive manual, the Tactics File, guides players through team creation and combat fundamentals. The arsenal is extensive, featuring futuristic firearms, energy weapons, explosives, and melee gear, all documented in a separate file. Environmental destruction, such as blowing apart walls, is a key tactical element enabled by more powerful armaments.