Mainstream reviews for this game have been all over the place, so is is good or bad? My take... it's both, though with far more good. The rare "bad" moments really stand out though.
Dislaimer: don't expect a deep storyline in the vein of Fire Emblem. This game is more like early Advance Wars in that the plot isn't really the point.
The Good:
-The characters, from a gameplay perspective, are some of the best I've seen. Everyone is unique, but still manages to be useful and they're suprisingly well-balanced. (The only one I found to lean slightly towards Tier-Induced Scrappy was Scarecrow and only The Fox leaned slightly towards Game Breaker) There's a huge variety of weapons and all are useful, even the ones you wouldn't expect. (A Bannana Peel launcher? Huh, it's a mine that instantly halts an enemy for a turn and opens them up to double damage?! Randolph's main weapon is just a lure? Oh, I now know EXACTLY where the enemy is going to move, AND can expose their weak points easily?!)
-Core gameplay. Plays like a fusion of Valkyria Chronicles and classic Advance Wars grid-based tactics, with Overwatch and saving steam opening up a lot of strategic options.
-Replay value: Replaying a mission with a different team VASTLY alters how you have to approach it. You can play on extra modes for score mulipliers and a whole new experience.
-Multiplayer: The multiplayer is easily the best online Inteligent Systems has done since Days of Ruin, and the best online TBS you're likely to find.
The Bad:
-Some enemy types. Prowlers are way too hard to take down, Lurkers are often placed cheaply and there's only one good way (Pumpkin Stunner) to couter Goddamned Nettlers.
-Map design: Only applies to a few cases, but some maps feel just plain unfair, with impossible-to-see-coming ambushes, or no hiding spots from artillery.
-Unfair mechanics: Enemies can Overwatch around corners and even through walls while you can't do the same. There's no way to tell if an enemy is on Overwatch. Overwatch stun is luck-based, meaning good positioning can still not pay off and bad moves are sometimes rewarded if you're lucky enough.
Summary: This game isn't quite up there with Advance Wars and Fire Emblem yet, but with some polish it could be. I just hope it isn't forgotten before it gets a chance.
Decent game, but could use some polish
Mainstream reviews for this game have been all over the place, so is is good or bad? My take... it's both, though with far more good. The rare "bad" moments really stand out though.
Dislaimer: don't expect a deep storyline in the vein of Fire Emblem. This game is more like early Advance Wars in that the plot isn't really the point.
The Good:
-The characters, from a gameplay perspective, are some of the best I've seen. Everyone is unique, but still manages to be useful and they're suprisingly well-balanced. (The only one I found to lean slightly towards Tier-Induced Scrappy was Scarecrow and only The Fox leaned slightly towards Game Breaker) There's a huge variety of weapons and all are useful, even the ones you wouldn't expect. (A Bannana Peel launcher? Huh, it's a mine that instantly halts an enemy for a turn and opens them up to double damage?! Randolph's main weapon is just a lure? Oh, I now know EXACTLY where the enemy is going to move, AND can expose their weak points easily?!)
-Core gameplay. Plays like a fusion of Valkyria Chronicles and classic Advance Wars grid-based tactics, with Overwatch and saving steam opening up a lot of strategic options.
-Replay value: Replaying a mission with a different team VASTLY alters how you have to approach it. You can play on extra modes for score mulipliers and a whole new experience.
-Multiplayer: The multiplayer is easily the best online Inteligent Systems has done since Days of Ruin, and the best online TBS you're likely to find.
The Bad:
-Some enemy types. Prowlers are way too hard to take down, Lurkers are often placed cheaply and there's only one good way (Pumpkin Stunner) to couter Goddamned Nettlers.
-Map design: Only applies to a few cases, but some maps feel just plain unfair, with impossible-to-see-coming ambushes, or no hiding spots from artillery.
-Unfair mechanics: Enemies can Overwatch around corners and even through walls while you can't do the same. There's no way to tell if an enemy is on Overwatch. Overwatch stun is luck-based, meaning good positioning can still not pay off and bad moves are sometimes rewarded if you're lucky enough.
Summary: This game isn't quite up there with Advance Wars and Fire Emblem yet, but with some polish it could be. I just hope it isn't forgotten before it gets a chance.