Tactics Ogre: The Knights of Lodis
Score: 90% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Atlus Developer: Quest Media: Cart/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Miscellaneous
Graphics & Sound: I have to admit, my amazement at the graphical capabilities of the GBA only lasted so long. The first round of launch games really showed off the system, and things just keep getting better. But, Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis has really renewed my belief that GBA will eventually be able to provide all the visual pizzazz of PSOne and then some. This game looks exactly like what we experienced on PSOne with Tactics Ogre back in 1998. Or back on to Super Nintendo in 1995, if you really want to be old-school. The small screen does nothing to diminish the effects in battle or the fighting action, except maybe for the legibility of text in places. But, to take the thrill of this great Strategy RPG into a portable is just too damn cool. Instead of some watered-down version, this really plays with all the depth you'd want on a bigger console, with the possible exception of music. The music and sound is unfortunately more limited because of the media involved. Cart versus CD, you know? Even so, playing through Tactics Ogre, it's easy to forget you're holding a Game Boy Advance.
Gameplay: It's all about the gameplay, man! Anyone familiar with this franchise might have told you that Tactics Ogre graphics wouldn't be a huge challenge to translate to GBA, given the simple visuals this game used from the beginning, but that gameplay would suffer. The depth of Tactics Ogre has always been its biggest draw. Where it differs from other RPG titles is the pacing and structure of battles. Instead of progressive, cutting-edge graphics with fancy 3D animation and dynamic lighting, Tactics Ogre gives you much more of a chess board approach. Basically, in the beginning of a battle you choose the players who will enter the field according to individual strengths and the contribution to your team. You deploy troops, some who will fight independently and some whom you control. Each side takes turns positioning troops on the field and directing them to attack, defend or use an item. The battle progresses until one side is victorious. Between battles, a story develops, according to choices you make in interactions with NPC's or party members. Honestly, the story can seem to take a back seat to the combat, so fans of the latest style of RPG, what may come to be known as the 'Cinematic RPG,' probably won't like the very combat-heavy action in Tactics Ogre. What's to like? Well, the insane amount of depth in this game means I can't even scratch the surface with a short description, but a starting point might be some vital stats. There are 3 game modes, Quest Mode (unlockable adventures you can accept to obtain special items or other rewards), VS Mode (2-Player competition using the Game Link Cable), and Exchange Mode (lets you trade items from the game with a friend, also using the Game Link Cable. Quest Mode is engrossing and along with the central adventure, could soak up your time to the tune of 40-50 hours, easily. When you get done picking up your jaw (yeah that's a lot of batteries!) I remind you that these 3 are IN ADDITION to the central game! So, you get to go through a huge amount of game, unlocking various Quests you can take on later, and still have VS or Exchange Mode to goof around with when your friend is handy with a Game Link Cable. Freaky-huge game. Basically, the style of play is very measured and one has to be detail-oriented and prepared to micro-manage the heck out of a party, but the mix of Strategy and traditional RPG has great appeal for those on either side (pure RTS or RPG) who are looking for something different. The story is great, and leads you in different directions depending on choices you make, which encourages replay, but the combat will keep you playing, and playing, and playing, and-
Difficulty: One point that has to be made about Tactics Ogre is that some people will be turned off by the learning curve if they have never played before. Established games like this tend to be deceptively simple for those who have some history with them on another console or platform, and any RPG is going to have some unique things that take time to grok. But, the problem isn't getting started, because the manual gives nice step-by-step instructions on how to begin. The mind-blowing moment is about 4-5 hours into the game when you go back to the manual or consult the excellent in-game help system and realize you haven't even scratched the surface. Casual gamers may not find this a game they can easily jump into, but the reward for sticking to your guns and learning the ins and outs of Tactics Ogre is worth the effort.
Game Mechanics: It is interesting to look at the way a console game with at least a few more buttons was translated to the GBA. In fact, all the functionality has been preserved by using the shoulder buttons for some of the in-game menus, scrolling camera effects on the battlefield, and various menu selections in the World Map. Tactics Ogre demands a great deal of management for party members and items, so the interface and control layout could easily make or break things. I found the control scheme works very well, and little touches like being able to quickly cycle through characters on the battlefield instead of having to use an active pointer to choose your next move helps make complex actions easier. The battle controls are well thought-out, and you can see as much or as little of the character details during battles, turn off the help messages and limit information passed to you during battles to speed them up. The key things you'll do are manage characters in battle and outfit or modify them after battle on the World Map. Things you're able to do are change character class, depending on experience, outfit characters with different items, armor and weapons, teach them new spells and position them on the battlefield for maximum effect. An intricate display during battle shows you things like terrain, weather conditions and the odds a character will be successful in his or her attack or spell. If you thought managing a standard RPG battle was challenging, you won't believe the amount of blood, sweat and tears you'll expend during the typical Tactics Ogre battle. Everything from the character's mood to his alignment and elemental bent will effect his performance on the battlefield, so it really can be overwhelming at first until you figure out all the little details by practice and play-time. This is a wonderful game, and for fans of Strategy RPGs or the Tactics Ogre franchise, this Cart will be selling some GBA units. The quality of production, attention to detail, great story and depth along with the multiple modes available really push this one over the edge. If you're looking for something deeper than most Platformer titles can provide, this may be exactly what the doctor ordered. But, be aware that when they say deep, they definitely mean deep!
-Fridtjof, GameVortex Communications AKA Matt Paddock
The Sum of All Fears Tang Tang