Pendulous

Pendulous

A turn-based strategy game of territory control and tactical supremacy

In an abstract world of expanding territories and strategic conquest, every decision shapes the flow of battle. Command armies, secure supply lines, and outmaneuver your opponent in this deeply strategic yet elegantly simple game of positional warfare.

Key Features

• Pure Strategy, Zero Luck - Every battle outcome is deterministic, victory comes through superior tactics, not chance
• Dynamic Territory Control - Watch as the battlefield ebbs and flows with each strategic decision
• Supply Line Warfare - Protect your supply networks or watch your territory crumble
• Multiple AI Personalities - Face off against four distinct AI difficulties, from predictable to erratic
• Endless Replayability - Generate unique battlefields or share your favorite maps using seed codes (Pro)

Game Screen Layout

The main display shows:

• Colored squares representing territory ownership
• Darker colors indicating unsupplied areas
• Building sprites showing cities
• Tank sprites showing armies

The status bar displays:

• Territory control ratio (blue/red bar)
• Player resources and army counts
• Current attack/defense values

Controls

Basic Navigation:

• Arrow Keys: Move cursor
• O or C key: Perform action
• X key: End your turn

Menu Access:

• P key: Open pause menu
• ESC key: Return to title screen

Deep Strategic Gameplay

Territory Management

Control the battlefield through careful expansion and consolidation. Each region you command:

• Generates resources based on connected size
• Contributes to your army capacity
• Must maintain supply connections to cities
• Becomes vulnerable if cut off from supply
• Can be recaptured if left unsupplied
• Affects your overall territory score
• Influences resource generation rates

Combat System

Every battle is decided by smart positioning and tactical superiority:

• Base attack and defense values for all units
• Support bonuses from adjacent friendly armies
• Enhanced defense from city fortifications
• Deterministic outcomes based on total strength
• Tactical army positioning for maximum effect
• Supporting fire from nearby units
• Special city capture mechanics
• Combat calculation factors:
  • Base attack and defense values
  • Adjacent unit support bonuses
  • Territory defensive bonuses
  • Supply status effects
  • City fortification modifiers

Resource Economy

Master the flow of resources each turn:

• Base income every turn
• Bonus resources from territory size:
  • Based on number of controlled cells
  • Only counts supplied territory
  • Scales with game progression
• Additional income from controlled cities
• Strategic spending choices (1 resource each):
  • Place new armies
  • Relocate existing forces
  • Launch attacks
• Resource caps based on territory control
• Army limits tied to territory size

Supply Line Mechanics

Supply is the lifeblood of your empire:

• All territory must connect to your cities
• Cut-off regions become unsupplied
• Darker colors indicate unsupplied areas
• One turn to reconnect before vulnerability
• Enemy forces can claim unsupplied regions
• Supply lines can be severed by enemy attacks
• Critical strategic consideration in all moves
• Cities act as supply hubs
• Territory must be contiguous to maintain supply

Pro Version Features

Map Types

• Random
  • Unpredictable landscapes demanding adaptable strategies
  • Different every game
  • Tests strategic flexibility
  • Rewards quick adaptation
• Continents
  • Large landmasses encouraging grand campaigns
  • Major territory blocks
  • Strategic chokepoints
  • Rewards systematic expansion
• Islands
  • Archipelago warfare with crucial chokepoints
  • Isolated territories
  • Naval-style strategy
  • Critical crossing points
• Mirror
  • Symmetrical layouts
  • Perfect for tournaments
  • True test of skill
  • Balanced starting positions

Combat Styles

• Dynamic
  • Aggressive gameplay focused
  • Fast attacks
  • Reduced defensive bonuses
  • Increased resource generation
  • No defensive support stacking
  • +3 base resources per turn
• Fluid
  • Light defensive bonuses
  • Balanced resources
  • Mobile warfare focus
  • One level of defensive support
  • +1 base resources per turn
• Balance
  • Standard defense rules
  • Classic strategic warfare
  • Even offense/defense
  • Two levels of defensive support
  • Standard resource rate
• Static
  • Strong defensive positions
  • Territory holding focus
  • Two levels of defensive support
  • Standard resource rate
  • Emphasis on position holding
• Hardened
  • Maximum defensive warfare
  • Fortress-like cities
  • Three levels of defensive support
  • -1 base resources per turn
  • Siege warfare focus

AI Difficulty Options

• Easy
  • Focuses on expansion
  • Basic strategy implementation
  • Good for learning
  • High randomization factor
  • Prioritizes immediate gains
• Medium
  • Balanced play style
  • Decent tactical decisions
  • Competitive challenge
  • Moderate randomization
  • Considers multiple factors
• Hard
  • Advanced positioning
  • Efficient attacks
  • Strong strategic play
  • Low randomization
  • Optimized decision making
• Erratic
  • Unpredictable choices
  • Surprising tactics
  • Unique challenge
  • Very high randomization
  • Can make brilliant or poor moves

City Configuration

Choose cities per player (2-8):

• 2-3 Cities
  • Quick, aggressive games
  • Direct confrontation
  • Simple supply lines
  • Fast-paced matches
• 4-5 Cities
  • Balanced gameplay
  • Multiple fronts
  • Strategic depth
  • Standard game length
• 6-8 Cities
  • Complex campaign
  • Supply line challenges
  • Maximum strategic options
  • Extended game length

Army Scale Options

Select your preferred army size (3x-9x):

• 3x Multiplier
  • Tight, tactical battles
  • Every unit critical
  • Quick, decisive games
• 5x Multiplier
  • Standard balanced gameplay
  • Moderate force sizes
  • Strategic flexibility
• 7x Multiplier
  • Larger operations possible
  • Strategic reserves
  • Extended campaigns
• 9x Multiplier
  • Massive army potential
  • Grand strategy focus
  • Epic-scale battles

Map Seed System

• Save and share specific map layouts
• Practice particular scenarios
• Create tournament configurations
• Build shared challenges
• Perfect for community events
• Replay favorite map configurations

Free version includes core gameplay with standard settings for balanced matches

Victory Conditions

Multiple paths to victory:

• Capture all enemy cities
• Force enemy surrender
• Maintain highest territory score
• Establish strategic dominance

Technical Details

• Platform: PICO-8 fantasy console
• Players: Single-player vs AI or local 2-player
• Controls: 2 action buttons + directional input
• Resolution: Classic 128x128 pixel display
• Interface: Clean, minimalist design
• Visual Clarity: Color-coded territories and status indicators

Historical Legacy

Pendulous (2025) reimagines the groundbreaking 1994 PC strategy game for a new era:

• Original creator Ken Carlino at the helm
• Complete redesign for PICO-8
• Modernized mechanics
• Streamlined systems
• Enhanced strategic depth
• Deterministic combat replacing random outcomes
• Expanded map generation systems
• Position-based AI system

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Published by Pixarra Inc.

"Where supply lines become battle lines, and every move shifts the balance of power."