However, behind the diplomacy is a truce on shaky foundations, tensions and resentments simmering beneath the surface.

Not that you should expect sex and violence in a PEGI-12 game (that said, marking character deaths with their sprites collapsed in a pool of blood leaves an impact) but the world-building is layered with a rich intricate web of history and politics between the game’s three nations – the feudal kingdom of Glenbrook, the industrious classless duchy of Aesfrost, and the theocratic state of Hyzante – where you’re even privy to finding out individual character motivations beyond your protagonist’s perspective.Īfter a period known as the Saltiron War ravaged the continent of Norzelia, peace came to the three nations for 30 years. Sure, there may be magic spells and an elegant narrator, but Triangle Strategy feels less inspired by JRPG tropes than it is by Game Of Thrones. While there’s charm to the pixel art, an overall earthy palette also makes this a more grounded affair.

While we’ll be getting more of this aesthetic in 2022, including Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake and Live A Live, Triangle Strategy feels uniquely suited to it as an isometric 3D game with a fully rotatable camera, harking back to a transitional period when Japanese developers continued using 2D sprites while adapting to 3D environments, such as Square Enix’s own Xenogears and, of course, Final Fantasy Tactics. READ MORE: ‘Total War: Warhammer 3’ feels like a return to classic RTS storytellingįour years since the release of the equally hilarious-named Octopath Traveler, it’s only the second game to make use of Square Enix’s patented HD-2D art style, as classical 16-bit-style pixel art combines with modern lighting, particle and water effects that’s just a delight to behold.So it was only a matter of time before Square Enix dipped back into the genre, and if you’ll forgive its terrible title, then Triangle Strategy is a worthy retro-inspired spiritual successor to the likes of Final Fantasy Tactics that takes a modern approach with deep narrative choices. Judging by the success of the Fire Emblem series, there’s a healthy appetite for more tactical RPGs.

Triangle strategy project