Imagine if Pokémon was like FF Tactics...wait- Pokémon Conquest already exists.
That comparison still works tho, it is a combination that works very well. Collecting creatures that you can swap around for different combat scenarios is very engaging. They just really nailed the core gameplay on every level. All the different buffs, positioning, spells, elements, chaining attacks together, it just works really really well. I never felt lost, or confused about why a thing happened. Normally there's a pretty simple reason for each situation that can occur, and that makes gameplay glide along smoothly.
Hell, it took me four months of playing this game off and on before I beat it—something that I never do. If I stop playing a game for whatever reason, it usually goes unfinished. Not this one though. I kept coming back, because it's just so damn fun. And every time I did, the core mechanics were never lost on me. It was like I had never even stopped playing. I think that goes to show how well-crafted this game's mechanics are.
I really enjoy the smaller, shorter maps—compared to something like Fire Emblem, you can play through several chapters without feeling tired or burnt-out. I don't think it's necessarily better than how FE does it, it's just different, but I like that approach.
I will say I wasn't exactly engaged with the story. It wasn't bad, but because of the game's nature, every plotline feels like a sidequest. Which is...very strange? Although I'm not against the idea, I kinda like it. You're constantly jumping between different plot points at your discretion and skill level—it was like I was trying to piece together a puzzle that was slowly deconstructing itself as I built it. There were some standout moments I really enjoyed, like Payachin's storyline, or that moment with Peony and Claudia near the end. Although I will mention there was a surprising amount of burying gays, or queer people just flat-out being villains. Definitely a strike against the game for sure.
Anyway yeah, Fae tactics was pretty good. Give it a shot if you're in the mood for a tactics game with monster taming.
That comparison still works tho, it is a combination that works very well. Collecting creatures that you can swap around for different combat scenarios is very engaging. They just really nailed the core gameplay on every level. All the different buffs, positioning, spells, elements, chaining attacks together, it just works really really well. I never felt lost, or confused about why a thing happened. Normally there's a pretty simple reason for each situation that can occur, and that makes gameplay glide along smoothly.
Hell, it took me four months of playing this game off and on before I beat it—something that I never do. If I stop playing a game for whatever reason, it usually goes unfinished. Not this one though. I kept coming back, because it's just so damn fun. And every time I did, the core mechanics were never lost on me. It was like I had never even stopped playing. I think that goes to show how well-crafted this game's mechanics are.
I really enjoy the smaller, shorter maps—compared to something like Fire Emblem, you can play through several chapters without feeling tired or burnt-out. I don't think it's necessarily better than how FE does it, it's just different, but I like that approach.
I will say I wasn't exactly engaged with the story. It wasn't bad, but because of the game's nature, every plotline feels like a sidequest. Which is...very strange? Although I'm not against the idea, I kinda like it. You're constantly jumping between different plot points at your discretion and skill level—it was like I was trying to piece together a puzzle that was slowly deconstructing itself as I built it. There were some standout moments I really enjoyed, like Payachin's storyline, or that moment with Peony and Claudia near the end. Although I will mention there was a surprising amount of burying gays, or queer people just flat-out being villains. Definitely a strike against the game for sure.
Anyway yeah, Fae tactics was pretty good. Give it a shot if you're in the mood for a tactics game with monster taming.