As a seasoned tactics game enthusiast who’s seen more than a few campaigns unfold in grid-based landscapes, let me tell you that Tactical Breach Wizards has truly captured my heart. Coming from someone who’s spent countless hours strategizing and micromanaging units in the heat of battle, this game stands out like a beacon of smart design.
Some developers meticulously select project titles, focusing on the harmony of words, their symbolism, and the feelings they evoke. However, Suspicious Developments opted for a more straightforward approach with Tactical Breach Wizards, summarizing its essence in three simple terms: It’s a tactical game that involves breaching locations and features characters who are wizards, witches, or perhaps even a necromantic doctor with an… unusual patient care method (slip of the tongue).
Despite its seemingly straightforward premise – tactical combat with magical abilities – Tactical Breach Wizards proves to be meticulously designed and thoughtfully executed. It’s not only smart but also incredibly enjoyable, making it one of the most entertaining tactics games I’ve played in quite a while.
A witch, a psychic, and a priest walk into a bar
Tactical Breach Wizards adopts a light-hearted approach, encouraging its readers to follow suit. It’s an unusual detective story that revolves around a struggling private investigator and a naval psychic joining forces with a colorful array of characters in their battle against drug cults, corrupt officials, private armies, and the enigmatic force manipulating events from behind the scenes. One of the unique aspects of Tactical Breach Wizards is introducing readers to the term ‘defenestrate’, which plays a significant role in the strategies employed against wrongdoers of all sorts.
I’m rather picky when it comes to humor and nothing turns me off faster than having to sift through poorly constructed jokes trying too hard to be funny. Tactical Breach Wizards, however, doesn’t fall into that category, even though there are a few self-aware jokes that seem out of place. Instead, it revels in the absurd at every opportunity, from the quirky dialogue before missions begin to the unique ways you accomplish your objectives.
As a seasoned adventurer with years of puzzle-solving escapades under my belt, I can confidently say that this journey will be no walk in the park. Upon arriving at the mysterious location, we’ll undoubtedly engage in some playful banter to lighten the tension before diving headfirst into the heart of the action – the intricate puzzle-laden stages. Each stage holds its own set of challenges, ranging from tiny conundrums to labyrinthine puzzles that require a keen eye and quick wit to decipher.
Following the exploration and clearance of an area, you retreat to your base for analysis of the newfound information and planning of future strategies. Additionally, there’s a touch of personalization available, allowing you to enhance skills and modify their behavior as desired.
As a gamer, I’ve found each ally in this game to be uniquely skilled, with abilities that range from the ordinary to the downright peculiar, like Zan’s overwatch skill or Dessa the doctor who has to take lives to heal. It’s a common pitfall for ‘funny’ games to rely too heavily on quirky abilities without really utilizing them in an engaging way. However, Tactical Breach Wizards manages to steer clear of this issue, offering clever character and skill combinations that not only capitalize on the humor but also make it a vital part of gameplay rather than just a laugh-inducing gimmick.
I see you
As a devoted fan, I’d like to share my excitement about Tactical Breach Wizards! This game adds a unique twist to lines of sight, not just for deciding who I can attack, but also influencing the direction of an enemy’s movement. If they collide with a wall while taking extra damage or if I manage to hurl someone out a window, it’s nothing short of exhilarating! Moments like lining up a group of enemies and sending them tumbling through various windows with a single skill are pure joy, often accompanied by a triumphant “yes!” or even a loud “hell yeah”!
As a gamer, I’ve noticed that game designers cleverly craft stages for jaw-dropping moments, whether you’re taking down an entire police force at once or not. Early in this adventure, Jen and Zan find themselves navigating mirrored, glass-walled hallways. The challenge isn’t just about handling threats right in front of us, but also about staying alert for enemies lurking behind the panes. It’s an exhilarating experience!
I’m less fond of how some multi-target skills work, though. Take Jen’s Chain Bolt, for instance, one of the first such skills you get access to. You can pick two targets – more, as you unlock new perks – but the way Tactical Breach Wizards lets you pick those targets is strange and unpredictable. In one mission, the available targets changed every time I rewound. Some were blocked off, some only became target-able after I picked a different enemy first. I imagine it’s just a bug that can be fixed eventually, but it does make for an annoying little bump in the road.
As a fan, I’ve noticed that the strategy of inflicting additional damage through collisions often makes stages feel more like intricate puzzles with a singular optimal solution, rather than the free-form combat sandboxes Suspicious Developments promises. However, Tactical Breach Wizards are understanding and won’t penalize you for exploring different strategies to solve these problems. In fact, you’ll receive a small reward if you manage to complete a stage within a specific turn limit, but there’s no pressure or reprimand for taking a more leisurely approach and finishing a mission in 20 turns.
Not working against you? What a concept!
Breach Wizards’ optional goals exhibit leniency, given their challenging nature, which is commendable. For instance, if you manage to eliminate an entire room of enemies in a single turn, well done! You receive a confidence point, empowering Jen to don new outfits. Should this goal not be met, it’s no cause for concern. The outfits serve merely as an added amusement, and you can always revisit the stage later with enhanced abilities and bonuses that facilitate achieving such objectives.
Among Tactical Breach Wizards’ many appealing aspects, its standout feature lies in its innovative rewinding mechanism. This function allows you to undo any action taken before concluding your turn, offering a safety net against errors. The game also provides a heads-up before you accidentally end your turn, minimizing potential issues. This feature effectively addresses many of the challenges that often plague this genre.
As a gamer, stumbling onto the wrong square or picking the incorrect target can feel like a punch to the gut. But fear not, because in Tactical Breach Wizards, there’s an option to rewind! Slip up with a disastrously poor choice? Rewind! The beauty of this game lies in its design, making the rewind feature more about learning the intricacies than affecting the actual challenge. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes the gameplay smarter, not harder.
Among the tactically engaging games I’ve played recently, Tactical Breach Wizards stands out as both smart and fun. Several thoughtful elements alleviate typical frustrations found in this genre, while its flexible structure encourages exploration of unconventional strategies, even if there is generally one optimal route. It serves as an exemplary model for how tactics games should be crafted, and I eagerly anticipate revisiting it.
As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve played more games than I can count. When I was approached to review Tactical Breach Wizards, I was intrigued by its unique premise and eagerly accepted the offer. The game is set to launch on August 22, 2024, exclusively on Steam.
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2024-08-19 20:28