Formations are thus key to succeeding, and the player finds themselves using classic military tactics: establishing a front, flanking the enemy’s vanguard, catching a foe in a pincer. Attacks to the front of a unit have a much lower chance of hitting than those to the side all attacks are instantly counter-attacked, unless made to the rear, which are almost always sure hits. This especially matters due to the importance of unit facing, a system used in nearly every SRPG since. Winning comes from controlling the board, of course. You can control up to 12 units in battle at once, along with up to two “guest” characters who act on their own accord. Proper defensive formations and offensive maneuvers are mandatory. Like those games, the positioning of units is key. While these venerated hallmarks are the most obvious influences, it certainly has its own flavor.

CharactersĪs an SRPG set in a medieval European-influenced world, the comparisons to Fire Emblem and chess are unavoidable.

When the Duke is captured by Gargastan troops, young soldier Denim Powell, his sister Kachua and best friend Vice spearhead the rescue operation, and begin their journey into history. In the face of oppression, Duke Ronwey forms the Walstanian Resistance to fight for freedom. Concerned over Gargastan’s ambitions, the Bacrum – traditional elites of Valerian society – ally themselves with special forces from the Holy Lodis Empire and isolate themselves in the capital region. As the nationality with the greatest numbers, Gargastan begins a campaign against the Walstanian minority, wiping out villages and conscripting forced labor to feed its war machine. Taking advantage of the power vacuum, Hierophant Barbatos proclaims the independence of the Kingdom of Gargastan. After a quarter-century of peace, the king dies without leaving an heir. After centuries of fighting for dominance of the Valerian islands, the Gargastan, Bacrum, and Walstanian peoples were forcibly united by King Dolgare.

Tactics ogre dragoon