bit-tech Shopping: Atlus Tactics Ogre (GBA)

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Great turn-based action

Weaknesses: Smaller-scale than the original Ogre Battle

Summary: Tactics Ogre for the GBA was a must-have for me as a fan of both the real-time strategy game Ogre Battle for SNES and turn-based strategy games like Fire Emblem. Tactics Ogre is really less like Ogre Battle and more like the Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics type games, since the real-time aspect of Ogre Battle really set it apart. That being sad, Tactics Ogre is a great game with a lot of depth, and most importantly, still includes class changes like the original. If you enjoy either Ogre Battle/Tactics Ogre games or turn-based strategy games, give this one a go.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Weeks

Strengths: Challenging battles, numerous classes, environments that enhance combat.

Weaknesses: Needs more enemy types and maybe some more techniques/spells.

Summary: TO:TKoL is a tactics game that manages to be fun, while avoiding the pitfalls that other games fall into. The battles, especially near the end of the game, are challenging enough to keep one coming back to them, while allowing for the usage of tactics to complete them. One such battle occurred near the end of the game, where you had to defeat a demon, and that demon could easily demolish your party. Each character has access to a variety of classes, and non-human creatures such as mermaids and fairies can join the party. You can only equip 4 abilities/spells to a character, but this is not a problem, as you do not need to use a large number of spells in the game. The terrain your characters walk upon adds power to elemental spells and also to defenses. Thus it adds to the tactics in the game. I would have liked to have seen more enemies in the game, but the game is still fun as it is. If you are looking for a fun Tactics game, then get this one, as it will provide you with hours of fun.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Another wonderful Atlus RPG, long RPG, great story

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This is another addition to the Ogre Battle series. This Atlus title is similiar to its predecessors in that the battle system is pretty much the same where you battle on a grid. This game is very indepth and may take a while to beat however this game is a very good RPG. Atlus did a wonderful job on this game. This strategy RPG is a must for RPG lovers!

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Good class system and decision-based plot

Weaknesses:

Summary: I love this game! If you like turn-based strategy RPGs with great class systems, challenging missions, and a game where your decisions actually matter then this is the game for you. It even rivals (and surpasses with regards to story in my opinion) Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. A bold statement, I know, but if you aren't a particularly vehement Final Fantasy fan I think you will agree with me. I highly reccommend this game!

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Deep gameplay and lost of it

Weaknesses: Sessions are long

Summary: Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis follows the tradition of other strategy rpgs such as the Final Fantasy Tactics series, and the Ogre Battle series. Tactics Ogre actually falls in the same universe as the Ogre Battle games, involving the religious Holy Lodis Empire. Unlike the most recent Ogre Battle games, Tactics Ogre is more about individual battles than territorial conflict. Tactics Ogre is a beautiful game. It takes the grid based battle and manages to add enough visual flair to make the game aesthetically pleasing. The areas of battle are varies and range from swamp, to snow covered field, to stoic ruins, and villages and towns. There is plenty of variety in both terrain visual and character graphics. Sound is equally appealing in Tactics Ogre, sound effects are about on par for the genre, they are good but not anything out of the ordinary. Musically it sits with the other Ogre games, excellent pieces of classically themed music. Gameplay in Tactics Ogre takes place on piece of terrain marked off by a grid. Each character can move a certain amount of spaces determined by their individual attributes. The amount of squares from which they can attack and likely hit percentage of those attacks is also determined by attributes. The type of terrain affects the number of squares that can be moved and effectiveness of attacks, both for the attacker and defender. Add in classes, races, character types and alignments and you have a host of issues from which to make tactical decisions in a battle. Thankfully it isn't too complicated to deal with, nor is it a chore to play. The deepness of the system allows the hardcore to get into the game, while allowing newcomers to get their feet wet. In the end a strategy rpg will be judged on the depth of its gameplay and strategy engine, as well as the quality of the story. Tactics Ogre has both, and while the story's intricacies can get bogged down, and the strategy is in depth, the game is rewarding. It is along game made for long gaming sessions.