As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that Tactical Breach Wizards has certainly cast a spell on me. Coming from the same stable as Gunpoint and Heat Signature, I was already intrigued by the “Defenestration Trilogy”. But when they took their strategic prowess to the realm of turn-based tactics, I was hooked.
The game Suspicious Developments is appreciated for its penchant for depicting characters being tossed through windows. Notably, Tactical Breach Wizards serves as the third installment in their “Defenestration Trilogy,” following Gunpoint and Heat Signature – two challenging action-puzzle games. However, this time around, they’ve channeled their strategic prowess into the realm of turn-based tactics, creating a game that leans more towards MiMiMi than Firaxis in style.
In the realm of Tactical Breach Wizards, it bears a striking resemblance to our own world, but with an added twist: the presence of magic, wizards, warlocks, and even traffic-directing wizards! Here, magic is as ordinary as the morning coffee or the evening news. This isn’t like The Dresden Files, where magic hides in secrecy; instead, it’s integrated seamlessly into everyday life, just like our own mundane activities.
The narrative primarily revolves around two main characters, Zan and Jen. Zan is a former Black Ops expert with the unique ability to foresee events, which he employs to set up strategic traps reminiscent of overwatch positions. On the other hand, Jen is a tough-as-nails private investigator capable of generating shockwaves strong enough to move individuals around interior spaces, including hurling them out of windows if necessary. Interestingly, windows play a crucial role in many of your strategies, and later in the story, a character emerges who can summon one on command.
One significant difference between Tactical Breach Wizard and its predecessors lies in its reduced challenge level. Unlike games such as XCOM where challenges can be quite daunting and a wrong move could lead to failure, TBW offers a more relaxed experience. Players who have enjoyed games like Shadow Gambit or Chimera Squad will recognize that being overpowered adds a layer of fun, and the only way to truly lose is by missing an opportunity. However, even when opportunities are missed, TBW allows for unlimited free rewinds, eliminating the need for save-scumming and its associated frustration.
Typically, missions consist of progressively challenging rooms filled with enemies that resemble puzzles more than action scenarios. Upon shouting “Breach!”, you forcefully break through doors in a flash of magical sparks and wood shards, followed by eliminating whatever’s inside. Occasionally, you may encounter doors requiring sealing to prevent further reinforcements, and there might be boss battles. Regularly, you will find yourself completing additional objectives to gain extra XP for unlocking the abilities of your five recruitable characters.
If Tactical Breach Wizards’ captivating universe is its key asset, unfortunately, the narrative might be one of its drawbacks. While it’s not poorly crafted, the storyline struggles to keep up pace. The initial hostage rescue scenario that goes awry quickly transforms into a global journey aiming to combat the “Druid Mafia.” However, the unlikely duo of a tough-as-nails special forces soldier and a cranky detective often seems incongruous, leaving readers with a lingering sense that their partnership doesn’t quite fit together seamlessly.
This game stands out due to its simple yet impactful graphics, user-friendly controls, and clever level design. It’s not until you delve into the character-specific story missions, known as Anxiety Dreams, that you’ll truly feel pushed to your limits. These missions are reminiscent of Shadow Gambit’s training levels in their focus on a single character’s abilities, demanding that you master them fully. As you progress, you’ll also gain access to Proving Grounds missions, which provide the only significant challenge.
Tactical Breach Wizards isn’t a simple task, certainly, but if you’re familiar with XCOM and enjoy missing a nearly guaranteed hit at close range, it might seem overly simplified. Interestingly, if you find a mission challenging, you can simply move on to the next one or return later. However, bypassing difficult missions could leave you at a disadvantage in terms of power levels later on, so this is a decision you’ll need to consider carefully.
From Tactical Breach Wizards, I was pleasantly surprised to find it less brutal than anticipated. With its unique blend of humor (occasionally bordering on a Joss Whedon-esque wit) and casual approach towards difficulty and design, the game comes across as one that prioritizes fun above all else. Among Defenestration’s games, it seems this title is most likely to receive a sequel, given its intriguing world and the vast array of special moves and abilities that are only limited by one’s imagination.
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2024-08-26 23:16