The imminent release ofTriangle Strategyhas many fans of similar strategy RPG titles excited. Development is fronted by producer Tomoya Asano, who previously worked onBravely DefaultandOctopath Traveler.Fans of the latter will notice obvious similarities between the 2018 game andTriangle Strategy, as the same"HD-2D" art styleis being deployed once again, but that presentation is where the similarities end.
Triangle Strategyis not a traditional turn-based RPG, and instead opts for a combat system that is a tactical, methodical affair on an isometric grid. The strategy RPG genre is nothing new, with its origins as far back as the 1980s. As the years roll on, its game design is becoming more refined. Developers from all over are adding their spin on the well-used mechanic, which allows players the opportunity to familiarize themselves with combat that’s decidedly slower than they may be used to.Triangle Strategysits on the shoulders of so many games before it that visiting a handful of great RPGs in preparation could heighten the experience whenTriangle Strategyarrives next month.
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Final Fantasy Tactics
The belovedFinal Fantasyseries is known for its epic storylines, quirky characters, and its Active Time Battle (ATB) combat. Injecting an element of timing into turn-based titles was a stroke of genius, and though it was ditched forFinal Fantasy 10, the tried-and-tested formula worked wonders. However, the series shifted focus temporarily betweenFinal Fantasy 7and8, as developer Square releasedFinal Fantasy Tacticsfor the west in January 1998. Its sequel,Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift,passed by somewhat unnoticed on the Nintendo DS, but the PlayStation original remains one of the most beloved RPGs on the system thatTriangle Strategylooks to be taking inspiration from.
Final Fantasy Tacticsis largely a relic of its time, though it received a PSP port calledWar of the Lionswith new characters and updated cutscenes in 2007. It’s the definitive way to play, andtryingFinal Fantasy Tacticswould be wise beforeTriangle Strategyreleases.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Straddling the line between what fansknow ofFire EmblemandPersona-inspired time mechanics,Fire Emblem: Three Housesarrived on Nintendo Switch to critical and commercial acclaim. The setting of Fodlan and Garreg Mach Monastery lends itself well to the story that unfolded over its 50-hour adventure, and though combat was altered slightly from the winning formula of old, grid-based movement and progression remained.
Those who played theTriangle Strategydemo announced at the February 2022 Nintendo Directwill find its combat slower and more deliberately paced.Fire Emblem: Three Housesis relaxing when the opportunity for character interactions presents itself, but the height of battle makes for some of the game’s most tense moments. By leading a class of plucky, courageous students through the toils of war, deception, and destruction,Fire Emblem: Three Housesfeels like a tactical RPG for the ages.
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The Banner Saga
A series consisting of three games released between 2014 and 2018,The Banner Sagais a superb example of tactical RPG gameplay merging with an intriguing story, wrapped in an art style that is wholly unique.Choices matter throughoutThe Banner Saga, and as the caravan of Varl and humans set off on a journey drenched in war, players get an experience that should linger long after the credits roll.
The Banner Sagatakes inspiration from tactical RPGs of old, includingFinal Fantasy Tactics, and adapts the winning formula. Units have dedicated, specialist abilities, and occupy more tiles on the battlefield according to their size. Deploying the bulky, giant-like Varl to the front lines and picking off foes with a skilled archer from afar will give the player a greater chance to succeed, and the somewhat limited grid space speeds up its genre’s often lumbering gameplay.The Banner Sagawas the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign, and players looking to jump intoTriangle Strategywould be wise to play through its excellent narrative.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM’s lineage stretches far beyond the release ofEnemy Unknownin 2012. As the series' beginnings are rooted in the mid 1990s,XCOM: Enemy Unknownis a re-imagining of the 1994 original, bringing the veteran franchise to modern audiences. Having the player assume the role of the commander of a specialist military outfit,XCOM: Enemy Unknownis an experience that would not work if the gameplay didn’t take advantage of tactical, strategy RPG mechanics.
While a significant portion of RPGs today are draped in a high fantasy setting,XCOM: Enemy Unknownfocuses on a worldwide alien invasion in the early years of the 21st Century. The presentation is a fresh change of pace, and offers something many other games in the genre don’t.TheXCOMseries has seen many quality entries, butEnemy Unknownis easily accessible and begins a whole new story. An alien invasion is hardly similar to the fantasy-focused setting ofTriangle Strategy, though this is perhaps why it’s a prime candidate to play before the latter releases in March.
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveleris a more traditional, turn-based affair, mimicking the likes ofDragon QuestandPokemon. The case to begin the 2018 release before playingTriangle Strategylies largely in its aesthetics, as the two use a strikingly similar presentation style to tell their tales.
Much of the excitement andcommercial success ofOctopath Travelerwas thanks to the way it looked, and the HD-2D approach to art design present throughout is stunning.Triangle Strategyis set to utilize the same philosophy, and matching the nostalgia-inspired character models with a tactical RPG combat system is surely a recipe for success. Each of the games' differing battle mechanics will ensure that players won’t be burned out by the timeTriangle Strategyreleases.
