TUSSLE WORKS is a free to play strategy auto-battler built around assembling teams of windup machines for automated combat. Players purchase contraptions during a shop phase, arrange them on a bench, and watch as the machines battle opposing ghost teams controlled by the game. The Wildwork Pack expands the available roster with twelve plant and garden themed machines that integrate directly into every run.
Gameplay
Core play centers on resource management and positioning. Each machine carries attack and health values along with special abilities triggered by conditions such as battle start, hurt, scrap, or ally attacks. Resources like Cogs fuel purchases while Plating and Spark provide defensive or supportive effects. The Wildwork Pack introduces options such as the Acorn Tank that gains plating at the start of battle and the Mulch Mill that generates bonus Cogs at the end of each turn.
Machines range from common to epic rarities and appear in the shop pool once the pack is owned. No additional downloads are required, and the new units follow the same rules as the base roster. Abilities emphasize synergy, with effects like the Burst Pod spawning Scraplings on break or the Trellis Titan granting block to all allies at the start of combat. The system rewards careful bench arrangement and timely upgrades during shop phases.
Game Modes
Seven distinct modes support different play styles. Solo mode involves completing a series of ten tussles against increasingly difficult ghost teams. Tag team allows cooperative 2v2 relay battles where players alternate control or share a bench. Ranked ladder provides competitive progression with matchmaking based on performance.
Additional modes include The Gauntlet for endurance testing and Daily Tussle, which grants every player access to the complete machine roster for limited daily runs. All modes use the same core shop and battle loop, ensuring the Wildwork Pack machines remain relevant across solo, cooperative, and competitive sessions. Async elements let players face recorded ghost teams from other accounts without live opponents.
Machine Collection and Progression
The base game features two hundred ten hand drawn machines. Ownership of the Wildwork Pack permanently adds its twelve units to the shop rotation in supported modes. Collection building occurs naturally through repeated runs as players unlock and experiment with new combinations. Machines retain fixed costs and abilities regardless of pack ownership, preserving balance across the player base.
Progression ties to account level rather than individual purchases. The web version of the game syncs unlocks automatically, allowing seamless continuation between platforms. No power ceiling increases from the pack alone, as every machine still requires Cogs to field and operates under identical combat rules.
Is It Worth Playing?
TUSSLE WORKS suits players who enjoy strategic auto-battlers with short session lengths and deep customization through machine selection. The free to play model removes barriers to entry while the Wildwork Pack offers immediate variety for those seeking new synergies in the plant themed lineup. Daily Tussle provides a no commitment way to test the full roster before committing to any purchase.
Support continues through regular content additions such as additional packs that expand the machine pool without altering core balance. The ranked ladder and multiple modes accommodate both casual experimentation and competitive grinding. Those who appreciate hand crafted pixel art and methodical bench building will find consistent engagement across the verified game modes.
