(Image: https://p0.pikist.com/photos/662/145/daisies-summer-flowers-nature-green-bloom-tea-coffee-morning-thumbnail.jpg)The primary story of Triangle Strategy follows the young lord Serenoa Wolffort as he takes over the noble house of Wolffort and accepts his betrothal to Frederica Aesfrost. Serenoa must act as the mediator between three lands, the Kingdom of Glenbrook, the Grand Dutchy of Aesfrost, and the Holy State of Hyzante, which were all once at war, but now enjoying a fragile time of peace. The three lands have come together to open a mine that will help each area flourish, but tension remains high, with many eager for an excuse to return to confl
After being both impressed yet underwhelmed by the ambition of Octopath Traveller, Triangle Strategy feels like a more focused outing that knows exactly what it can do well and builds upon it in countless ways. The characters are great, the combat is satisfying, and the world building thus far is absolutely stellar. If the full game continues to build upon this brilliance we could be looking at one of the year’s most unexpected surprises.
Each character possesses certain skills, like a second action movement, better speed, or a mount. When characters attack an enemy and have a friendly team member on the opposite side of their target, the team member is given an action of opportunity, encouraging players to strategically place their units for optimal damage. Characters can also use the terrain of the battle map for advantage, with the high ground boosting certain attacks of either the player's units or the opposing force's fighters. While the combat in Triangle Strategy can feel like an engaging game of chess, there is also limited opportunity to practice early in the game, which may be frustrating for those who prefer a more fast-paced RPG experie
The gameplay of Triangle Strategy is made up of three primary phases: narrative, exploration, and combat. The exploration mechanic opens specific locations up for players to wander as Lord Serenoa. During this time, players will look for items scattered around the maps, communicate with NPCs and main characters, and discover information that is important to the narrative. Finding the information in the form of notes of hearsay from NPCs is a crucial task during this phase of gameplay, as it often gives players sway in decision-making later in the story. These discoveries can even allow players to persuade characters to their cause during voting sessions, which are used to determine the course of the overarching st
With the responsibility of running a base combined with the top-down, turn-based combat of engaging in missions with a team of troopers, the XCOM games provided the overview-style of an RTS with the thrill and pace of more action-focused excursions. The upcoming Star Wars game would do well to incorporate a similar structure, giving players multiple aspects to focus on and engage w
Once the game is finally released, gamers will also be able to venture into the frigid mountains of Aesfrost as well as brave the harsh deserts of Hyzante. Given the absolutely stunning environments released so far, Norzelia is shaping up to a completely breathtaking world of
The story setting of XCOM 2 could be particularly useful for a Star Wars strategy game. Set 20 years after its predecessor XCOM: Enemy Unknown , XCOM 2 follows the fortunes of humanity after its defeat at the hands of its alien adversary. As opposed to the ally and resource-rich version that players encounter in the previous game, XCOM 2 shows a much different form of humanity – leaderless, fractured, and operating in an alien-occupied environment. Playing as a rag-tag group of rebels against a more powerful foe is a familiar state of affairs in the Star Wars universe, and could offer an interesting option for the setting of the new strategy g After being somewhat underwhelmed by the sheer level of content and broader focus of Octopath Traveller, Triangle Strategy feels like a more mature, nuanced tale that encapsulates classical fantasy tropes with a level of melodrama that feels equal parts Final Fantasy and Game of Thrones. While the continent of Norzelia is rife with magical spells and mythical creatures, the people who call it home are subject to societal struggles that are far too real. Games in this genre often feel outlandish, so this is no small achievement.
While I can’t delve too deeply into the narrative as part of this preview, I can say that Triangle Strategy does an excellent job of introducing its cast of characters while making them matter. Serenoa is far too young for the post he’s been appointed but will do anything for his people, while Frederica is walking into a relationship amidst a nation who views her people with a level of racial hate that is often vitriolic. Other characters like Roland also shine, a prince who resents the people dying in the face of his own protection. The crown weighs heavy, and the SLG game maps isn’t afraid to force difficult decisions upon you. You will learn to love all of these people, even if the English voice acting has a habit of veering into pantomime territory. Serenoa is particularly awful, to the point where I found myself guffawing at the screen as lines were delivered with the enthusiasm of a plasticine potato.