Tactics Ogre: Reborn

Carefully considered updates have made this classic strategy RPG one of the very best in the genre. Tactics Ogre: Reborn successfully combines a complex set of strategy mechanics with an equally detailed storyline full of political intrigue. Players will engage in a series of grid-based strategy battles throughout the story, using unique named characters from the story or generic units that can be hired or captured from enemy forces. Controllable characters can wield melee and ranged weapons, along with spells and other unique attacks in battle. During gameplay and between missions, players will also be asked to make important decisions that will decide the fate of individual characters and affect the story. These changes can have far-reaching consequences, changing who joins you in battle, who lives and dies, and the fate of the nation of Valeria.

The tactical gameplay of Tactics Ogre: Reborn is excellent across the board. The different classes available to your characters all feel useful and distinct, and the limited abilities each character can equip during battle make them more personalized than in other versions of the game. The fights can be challenging, asking players to carefully consider how to use the tools at their disposal to win against more powerful opponents without feeling overwhelming. Many new elements added in the update, like the randomly spawning cards that temporarily boost a unit's stats, add in new strategic wrinkles that reward smart play. The story remains excellent, you're thrown into a chaotic political situation immediately, and the game does a good job of making the choices presented to you feel like they have a real weight to them. Few titles make the motivations of different political groups, from rebels to dictators to invaders, feel this realistic and complex. There's quite a lot of violence, often against innocent targets, but the cartoony visuals keep it from feeling too upsetting. Swearing and implications of sexual violence are also worth noting, and, combined, these elements may upset younger players despite the presentation. Overall, this is a fantastic update to a classic of the genre, and it's well worth the time of anyone interested in strategy role-playing games.