The Nintendo Swap has no scarcity of tactical RPGs. (I don’t suppose something on the earth has a scarcity of tactical RPGs.) And I’m cool with that. However how does an indie developer assist their entry stand out within the style? Within the case of Arcadian Atlas, it’s the soundtrack of all issues.
I’m going to start out there, as a result of it truly is probably the most distinct side of the sport. Though set in a typical fantasy world, the soundtrack is mild jazz—like a ’70s-’80s film rating from John Barry. It’s an attention-grabbing alternative, making a bizarre disconnect between what we’re listening to and what we’re seeing. That truly drives up curiosity within the early phases of the sport. As soon as I grew used to it, nevertheless, the gameplay itself wasn’t as efficient at carrying me by means of.
Arcadia is getting ready to civil conflict because the king’s dying attracts close to. The Queen-to-be could have nefarious plans, inflicting a cut up between our two heroes, the siblings Desmond and Vashti. One stays allegiant to the throne, whereas the opposite makes an attempt to guard the exiled princesses: Lucretia and Annalise.
It’s an intriguing story that saved me invested till it took a bizarre flip on the finish. Not a foul flip, per se, simply an surprising one.
As you’d count on from a tactical RPG, Arcadian Atlas strikes you round a map for story improvement and fight. Unlocking new areas additionally unlocks new gadgets to buy and troopers to recruit, and people recruits turn out to be a key component on the battle maps.
Though there are a number of most important characters you should utilize in your social gathering, they often both aren’t sufficient or they’re not what it is advisable spherical out your capabilities. So, you may recruit and degree up mercenaries that will help you in your manner. This prices cash, nevertheless, and that’s not straightforward to return by. Consequently, you’ll progress by balancing out your recruits and conserving everybody correctly geared up with upgraded weapons and armor. I needed to depend on my soldiers-for-hire extra typically than I’d have anticipated.
Leveling up is the primary key to development. Arcadian Atlas does offer you some sidequests to maintain the method attention-grabbing, however you’ll nonetheless must replay battle maps to realize some additional expertise and money. Principally, you’ll want to do that proper after finishing the map the primary time. Unit placement and enemies will change, however it nonetheless forces redundancy that slows development greater than I’d like, particularly within the early phases.
The fight gameplay itself is pretty customary, however entertaining. You’ll start by choosing and inserting your items, then making the most of terrain and abilities to—in flip—isolate and remove your foes. Enemies will virtually at all times take a number of hits, so buffing and therapeutic your items whereas debuffing the enemy is the one manner by means of. Your incapacitated troopers have to be revived inside a couple of turns otherwise you lose them. In fact, you too can simply full the extent earlier than that occurs.
The sport has over 150 fight abilities to be taught throughout 12 unlockable soldier courses. It’s rather a lot to deal with as you’re employed by means of the talent timber, however it’s by no means overwhelming. I felt accountable for my social gathering from begin to end.
The sport’s retro visuals are superb, working effectively in each docked and handheld mode. Stock and unit screens are straightforward to learn, though the dialogue textual content is a bit small.
Sure maps are tougher to see than others due to the lack to shift the digicam, nevertheless.
All of this combines to supply appropriate filler because the AAA Swap releases decelerate forward of Nintendo’s new console announcement. Arcadian Atlas possible gained’t prime your listing of all-time nice tactical RPGs. However for those who’d relatively spend your time on a brand new recreation than replaying those which might be on that listing, Desmond and Vashti just do sufficient to make this an journey price taking.