Casus Belli – a multiplayer browser game that combines genres of space simulation and tactical strategy. The developer of Casus Belli is the British studio Infinitios.
The game's plot unfolds around our time, but with one significant difference – aliens have not yet arrived on Earth (or they have, but we are not aware of it yet). In Casus Belli, however, governments of various states are quite successfully in contact with the aliens, whom everyone calls "Informants." The guests from other planets have not come for no reason, but with an important goal – to share knowledge and technology with their rational brethren. The first ones to make contact with the "Informants" were employees of the organization "Casus Belli" – a special unit of the UN Security Council. The aliens informed Earthlings that an armada of the so-called "Hunters" – representatives of an aggressive space race – is approaching the planet. The "Hunters" roam from planet to planet, destroying any sentient life they encounter. Humanity, unable to rejoice at the unexpected meeting with benevolent aliens, begins to prepare for its first-ever space war.
Based on the technologies obtained from the "Informants," spacecraft and weapons of destructive power began to be developed. In a rush mode, pilots were trained, bases and research complexes were built. Earth was engulfed in a general mobilization, but not everyone believed in the sincerity of the aliens. The "Informants" did not explain why they are at war with the "Hunters" and why they should be considered friends instead of the infamous "Hunters." People feared that the "Informants" were simply using them in a war in which the human race had no stake. But all questions faded when the "Hunters" indeed appeared in the Solar System. The situation began to unfold exactly as the "Informants" had predicted.
In the ongoing space struggle, players must take the controls of one of the newest ships developed based on the "Informants'" technologies. By participating in the fight against the "Hunters," gamers earn experience points to unlock new ship models, as well as credits, which are needed to acquire ships. Battles are presented in short sessions and take place on 2D maps. Despite the lack of modern graphics, Casus Belli boasts highly accurate physics – playing is not only fun but also quite challenging. Players must calculate flight trajectories, determine interception points for ships and projectiles, and much more.
After defeating an opponent, players can head to the hangar – to modify an existing ship or purchase a completely new, more powerful, and versatile one. The most interesting aspect of Casus Belli lies in the composition of the countries with whom the "Informants" shared their technologies. In addition to the USA, Russia, and China, there is one more country with a two-colored flag. No, it is not Poland, as everyone knows from the Poland Ball comics that "Poland cannot do space." Ukraine – that is the fourth country capable of developing spacecraft. One can only be pleased for our nearest neighbors, but the choice, as you agree, is somewhat strange. This can be explained only by the fact that the Infinitios team includes developers from the Independent.