Recon Control First Look Video

Recon Control First Look Video

Recon Control by Dmitry Kozlov and GrabTheGames is a turn-based strategy and 2D platformer hybrid with a strong focus on combat. Players must lead a small special operations unit through 25 missions featuring hardcore turn-based battles. Your fighters can be trained and equipped, but it will take strategic thinking to keep them all alive. Check out the video below to see two of the missions in action

Jupiter Hell First Look Video

Jupiter Hell First Look Video

Jupiter Hell by ChaosForge and Hyperstrange is a turn-based shooter from the depths of cosmic hell. The game features modern 3D graphics but is built on a classic roguelike framework to deliver a tactical experience with real-time responsiveness. Customize your character with new weapons, items, and abilities and blast through the randomized levels as you face overwhelming demonic forces. Check out the video below to see the three character classes in action

Shadowrun Returns

Shadowrun Returns

The Shadowrun license lends itself perfectly to an in-depth and complex role-playing experience, but unfortunately, it feels like Shadowrun Returns just skims the surface. The story is interesting enough, and there are a handful of great characters to interact with, but at times, it does feel like the game was dumbed down a little too much for casual audiences. The 2D artwork looks great, and the soundtrack is very atmospheric, but we were left wanting more by the end of the 12-hour campaign.

Gameplay: The game is a lot of fun but not as in-depth as we had hoped.

Graphics: The 2D artwork looks great, but the 3D character models could have been better.

Sound: While it lacks voice acting, the soundtrack fits the game perfectly

Lost Dimension

Lost Dimension

As the team leader of S.E.A.L.E.D, you are tasked with taking down a madman who has aspirations of destroying the world. The task should be easy enough seeing as you are in command of an elite group with extraordinary powers, but sadly this doesn’t turn out to be the case. Instead, you are faced with a mysterious tower that is infested with strange enemies as well as the looming threat of traitors in your midst. Completing your mission will require plenty of strategic thinking as well as some hard sacrifices along the way. Although it is a console port, Lost Dimension is an addictive game with some great tactical elements and interesting party members. If you are a fan of turn-based tactical role playing games, then it should not be missed.

Gameplay: The short, but tactical missions makes for an addictive experience and the game also has a ton of replay value.

Graphics: It is a console port, so the visuals aren’t exactly bursting with detail, but everything looks decent enough in high definition.

Sound: Good voice acting and a solid soundtrack

Vigilantes By Timeslip Softworks

Vigilantes By Timeslip Softworks

After releasing Deadstone, one of the most enjoyable top down shooters of 2014, Timeslip Softworks is back with a Kickstarter for their latest title, Vigilantes. This time they have turned their attention to the turn-based strategy genre and have set their sights quite high. Vigilantes is influenced by genre classics from the 90s, such as Jagged Alliance, X-Com and Fallout, but breaks out of the mold with a unique theme and setting

Cherry Tree High Girls’ Fight

Cherry Tree High Girls’ Fight

Cherry Tree High Girl’s Fight is a 2D, turn-based, girl raising simulator with a card battle system for combat, which makes it a pretty niche title. It features a varied selection of girls from which to assemble your team, but lack of animations and a rather lackluster storyline detracts from the experience. The fights are also based a lot around luck, which can further frustrate players. However, anyone who is willing to overlook these flaws will find an enjoyable game with a charming cast of characters.

Gameplay: Raise the stats of your girls and then send them into card based battles for victory.

Graphics: Great artwork, but not many animations.

Sound: The soundtrack is catchy, but the game has no voice acting

PLANET STRONGHOLD: COLONIAL DEFENSE Out Now

PLANET STRONGHOLD: COLONIAL DEFENSE Out Now

Anyone who only watches Steam for new releases might have missed out on the launch of Planet Stronghold: Colonial Defense by Winter Wolves. This title marks their first foray into the sci-fi visual novel / collectible card game hybrid market and is set before the events of the original Planet Stronghold game. The game was released on January 25th, 2016 on the official website and is available for Windows, MAC and Linux

Advance Wars

Advance Wars

The Gameboy Advance is the last place I would have expected an engrossing, turn based war game, but once I started playing Advance Wars I was hooked. The visuals and audio is rather minimal, but the gameplay is addictive enough that you will hardly notice this. Even if you are not a fan of strategy games, this one might just change your mind.

Gameplay: Deeper than your average GBA game and incredibly addictive.

Graphics: Very minimal, but very cool unit designs.

Sound: Catchy but very repetitive

Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy

The fact that you have to buy both games separately is a bit of a kick in the teeth but playing Final Fantasy on PSP is as fun as it has always been. The game looks good on handheld wide screen and the simple gameplay makes it a fun title for long trips. Chances are if you are a fan you will already own a copy of this game in which case you might not want to shell out for this version.

Gameplay: Pure and simple fun.

Graphics: Nicely redrawn graphics.

Sound: Classic Final Fantasy fare

Spirit of War

Spirit of War

Turn-based strategy titles that are based on the First World War aren’t exactly known for their accessibility, especially when there are hexes involved, but Spirit of War manages to buck this trend. It has a wealth of units, plenty of maps and the skirmishes are quite addictive. Thanks to the lengthy solo campaign as well as the inclusion of hotseat multiplayer the game definitely provides value for money. There are a couple of niggles that prevent it from scoring higher, but overall I really enjoyed this title.

Gameplay: A nice selection of different units and gameplay that is very accessible to newcomers.

Graphics: Nothing too extravagant, but still has plenty of neat touches.

Sound: Unobtrusive music and decent sound effects.