![]() The result is a cerebral feast, one that should satisfy strategy players of all skill levels. Rather than dive into its Final Fantasy branding for a new strategy game, Square has put out something totally free of it with Triangle Strategy. Reviewed on Nintendo Switch with a copy provided by the publisher.Square Enix is mainly known for its traditional JRPGs, but fans of the old school Final Fantasy Tactics games are aware that the publisher can put out a pretty good strategy title when it puts its mind to it. Duking it out on the battlefield is a joy, and the voting process for major story-changing decisions is an inspired spin on simply selecting a given story route, but it’s a shame there isn’t a solid roster of empathetic characters backing up this whole ordeal. Leading characters are easy to root for in the opening hours, but it’s a shame Square Enix takes so damn long to develop actual personalities outside of politicking for the majority of them. So while Triangle Strategy soars in its actual strategic battles, it stumbles a little elsewhere. ![]() The infrequent nature of actual battles in Triangle Strategy will no doubt frustrate some, especially considering they’re inarguably the best part of Square Enix’s game. This isn’t like XCOM, which puts strategic warfare first with the story developing in the background, but rather a tall tale of Serenoa and company trying to defend their home from encroaching forces, peppered with turn-based battles at specific points. Strategy battles themselves are actually somewhat limited in Triangle Strategy’s extensive runtime. ‘Normal’ difficulty walks an excellent line between being challenging and frustrating, as each enemy presents an obstacle to be conquered that won’t just bite the dust in one hit, and ally health is limited to prevent one character eviscerating legions of enemy troops on their own. Variables make things a whole lot more exciting, like puddles in damp weather becoming electrified with lightning-based magic to deal huge damage, or initiating a chain attack by positioning two characters either side of an enemy unit and striking out as one. Triangle Strategy’s combat is pretty simple: move your unit, whack an enemy unit. You’ll control swordsmen like Serenoa, stalwart shield bearers like Erador, fiery magicians like Frederica, rapid cavalry units like Roland, and many more, all of whom can shape each battle in infinite possibilities. When diplomacy gives way to combat, Square Enix’s game plays out as a turn-based strategy game, with each character bringing their own unique abilities and traits to bear against enemy foot soldiers and characters on the battlefield. Only a certain few party members can vote in these proceedings, but Triangle Strategy’s combat roster is much more expansive. You’ll need to take stock of the situation, become invested in the land of Norzelia through Triangle Strategy, and pick the appropriate conversation options to win people over to vote with you. If you want a decision to go a certain way, you’re going to have to talk to everyone who wants to vote for the opposite, and win them over to vote on your side. You’d expect to be simply presented with a few options on screen and make your decision there during critical story moments, but Triangle Strategy makes it so all your allies have a voice, and they’re going to be voting one way or another depending on their own convictions. It’s actually a clever twist on the usual JRPG decisions. Decisions might have you questioning whether to be an accomplice in illegal trade, or turn the perpetrators over to the ruling faction, for example, or select which nation to turn to for military aid when the going gets tough. Periodically, Square Enix’s game rolls out the Scales of Conviction when there’s a big decision to be made, so the whole party can chip in and vote for a direction to take. Still, Triangle Strategy does present some painstaking decisions.
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