March of Giants Preview (Closed Alpha Impressions)

On August 30, Amazon Games Montreal revealed its upcoming title, March of Giants, where players step into the role of the titular towering Giants — massive commanders who lead waves of soldiers across dynamic battlefields.

At its core, March of Giants is a 4v4 MOBA, but it has a unique twist due to the involvement of significant RTS-like elements. You can micro the armies at your feet and build structures, called Battleworks, which include the likes of bunkers and trenches.

While the game draws visual and thematic inspiration from World War I, its larger-than-life scale evokes imagery akin to Dr. Manhattan dominating the Vietnam War in Watchmen.

Amazon Games Montreal was founded five years ago by Creative Director Xavier Marquis, specifically to create March of Giants. The team includes former devs behind the tactical shooter, Rainbow Sixe Siege.

Closed Alpha Dates and Times

The March of Giants Closed Alpha is taking place over two weeks, with the second week having longer hours.

This first Closed Alpha is only available for North America and English.

Week 1 (September 2-7)

• Weekdays = 8PM - 12AM ET | 5PM - 9PM PT
• Weekend = 10AM - 3AM ET | 7AM - Midnight PT

Week 2 (September 8-14)

• Weekdays = 6PM - 3AM ET | 3PM - Midnight PT
• Weekend = 10AM - 3AM ET | 7AM - Midnight PT

How To Get Invited

To join the March of Giants Closed Alpha, head to their official Steam playtest page to Request Access.

If accepted, you'll receive an email with the title, "You've been invited to help test March of Giants".

So far, it seems to have a pretty fast turnaround time, and you'll even get three friend invites to assemble your full squad.

So far, March of Giants shows promise in delivering a unique experience in a genre that many have written off as "figured out".

They've nailed the worldbuilding with top-notch art direction and sound design that oozes personality. For example, rather than the usual MOBA announcer, you have hectic radio comms like you have your own command center in your ear.

As far as the giants themselves go, it's a diverse roster. You have options ranging from Olympian-esque gods to massive monsters that are essentially kaiju.

In terms of abilities and kit, they often play into the RTS elements. The ranged support, Brother Light, can convert enemy soldiers to his side. Meanwhile, the tanky Blacksmith gains building materials every time she hits an enemy giant or building.

These dynamic aspects allow March of Giants to stand on its own. It's certainly worth checking out if you're looking for a new MOBA or RTS.

Like any other Closed Alpha, some areas could be improved and polished. For instance, it takes a while to understand how controlling your soldiers works, both from a mechanical and visual clarity standpoint. Getting a feel for how to consistently kill the little guys when they're at your feet also takes some getting used to.

The RTS elements of building structures can also create pacing issues — laning phases can sometimes reach awkward stalemates that feel drawn-out rather than intense. It'd be cool to see more offensive Battleworks that push the pace rather than slow it down.

We're still just a few hours in, so check back for more thoughts once the Closed Alpha ends!