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Square Enix has had a huge hand in the tactical strategy genre with games like Tactics Ogre, Frontline Missionand Final Fantasy Tactics. Square Enix’s HD 2D line of games gave an opportunity, once again, to bring a fresh new take on the genre, and that resulted in the best strategy game of 2022. Triangle Strategy feels like a game that could have been released during the golden age of RPGs, and it packs an absolutely epic story along with some strategic combat that puts a fun twist on character classes. With Triangle Strategy now on PC as well as Nintendo Switch, it’s easier than ever to dive into the epic tactical adventure.
Triangle Strategy takes place on the continent of Norzelia which is divided into three powerful countries; the Kingdom of Glenbrook, the Great Duchy of Aesfrost, and the Holy State of Hyzante. Like any good tactical RPG, Triangle Strategythe scenario of war is on the brink of war. Players take on the role of a young lord of Glenbrook named Serenoa Wolffort. As tensions flare across the continent, Serenoa finds himself a key figure in the war, and the decisions he and his party make shape how the story plays out.
The story of Triangle Strategy is absolutely slow burning. The game deliberately takes its time to build Norzelia’s political situation, gradually introducing more characters and building a plot in the process. There is a huge emphasis on political and personal relationships.
What’s really interesting here, though, is how those political ideas tie into the story itself.
Serenoa makes various decisions throughout the story, and his choices fall into three ideological categories: Utility, Morality, and Freedom. They are also referred to as “Convictions” and basically related to the whole “triangle strategy” naming convention. Every choice you make in these categories gives you an invisible stat boost to that specific category, and this can shape how you interact with the world, the characters you can recruit, and how easily you can convince your advisors of key decisions.
While there are many small choices, the really weighty decisions come through the Scales of Convictions. In these sections, each of the main party members will vote for a specific election, and beforehand you can gather information and try to sway them one way or another. These decisions split the story in wildly different ways, ultimately resulting in four different endings.
While the story is an absolutely important focus in Triangle Strategy, the combat system is perhaps even more engaging. Basically, each unit has its own class, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, which means you have to learn how to use them all properly. For example, Erador is a strong frontline fighter who can protect others, while Jens is a support unit who can lay down traps and ladders to help shape the battlefield. There are no classes to unlock, but progression for individual units is satisfying enough as is.
Triangle Strategy introduces some unique combat elements that can also affect your strategy. The biggest of these is the next attack system, letting you unleash an extra attack if one of your units is on the opposite side of an enemy. This puts a lot of emphasis on unit positioning, but enemies can do exactly the same thing, so it’s important to keep track of their positioning as well.
Triangle Strategy also have various environmental effects that can change the flow of combat, such as grass being set on fire or lightning spreading through a puddle. You can often take advantage of these environmental effects by using elemental spells. In addition to all of this, many of the game’s maps feature unique mechanics or elements, such as one battle inside a mine that allows you to use carts to move quickly … and run over people.
Of course, the last thing that needs to be mentioned Triangle Strategy is the phenomenal presentation, as it is easily the best looking HD 2D game to date. The game’s sprite work looks gorgeous, especially when set against the equally gorgeous environments and lighting effects.
Although the PC version doesn’t add big new features, it does Triangle Strategy looks even more impressive visually, increasing the presentation to 4K and 60fps. That may seem excessive for a slow tactical strategy game, but playing Triangle Strategy on a computer is definitely a treat.
2022 was a big year for RPGs and strategy games, but Triangle Strategy still stands out as one of the most unique experiences of the year. Anyone who’s a fan of strategy or political stories will find a lot to love, and multiple playthroughs can feel noticeably different. hopefully, Triangle Strategy is an indication that Square Enix has more plans for the strategy genre.
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