Squeenix TRIANGLE STRATEGY - tactical RPG from Octopath Traveler devs

[gamerguy]

Slowly trudging along between my RL bs... I am only in chapter 2, but I am enjoying the story. I'm not an expert on narrative, but the conflicts are simple and believable enough that I'm not feeling like I have to escape them with the start button.

Which is good, because aside from the battle in each chapter, there is a LOT of story. I don't see the consequences of my dialog choices yet, but I can tell I'm making them, and that is cool. I'm not a completionist, and love the idea of a different unresearched (by me) outcome every time I play down the road.

Characters are easy to keep track of, as they are introduced in the context of the houses and kingdoms. Their fantastic art, and the distinct voice acting also defines these characters in my mind so I actually remember them. It's also kinda cool to see traditional storytelling techniques from other mediums. Sinister looking brows and expressions, pale faces, and voices to match both.

I'm also a big fan of this contextual 'profile' button. It's a nice way to get the knowledge my character already has, but without weighing down the narrative with silly details that really would be out of place in the discussion. It's also a great way to get a quick reminder of who's who.


Very cool so far (ch2 hehe)

 

[Reinhardt]

how many grown up and grimdark it is? i want something tactical but not too dark, something more uplifting.

 

[Incognito]

So I'm enjoying some tactics games lately... and decided to force myself to slow down, read, and enjoy a story for once.

Just some initial impressions. I am in love with the art design. The sprites specifically and their animations are awesome. I'm already in love with the characters, and I don't even know anything about them yet.

The text is super small for me. I'm 45, and my eyes are starting to give out a little for reading. I might have to wait till I can get my switch plugged into my tv again (i'm in the middle of a move).

I had to learn about the switch's zoom function to continue. It's actually a pretty well implemented feature of the console, but it is an extra step to just read.

I am still on a launch switch though. I bet the OLED model is better, but I can't imagine playing this game on a switch lite without reading glasses.

Heh, I'm 45 too and won't play anything on an undocked Switch. It's fine for more action oriented games, but RPGS such as Triangle, Bravely Default, Xenoblade or Fire Emblem, the font is just too small.

 

[Abu Antar]

how many grown up and grimdark it is? i want something tactical but not too dark, something more uplifting.

Grimdark visual novel x tactical rpg.

 

[Reinhardt]

Grimdark visual novel

hard pass then. thanks.

 

[spekkio]

Gave up on this one for same reason I gave up on Vestaria Saga 2 recently. After about 1 hour long (!) text dump without any gameplay, I realized that the devs were just crazy. And went back to more sane japtacticals.

 

[gamerguy]

Heh, I'm 45 too and won't play anything on an undocked Switch. It's fine for more action oriented games, but RPGS such as Triangle, Bravely Default, Xenoblade or Fire Emblem, the font is just too small.

It's not like there isn't room on the screen for a larger font, either.


Will be a non-issue tomorrow when my TV is unpacked.

 

[gamerguy]

Things are starting a little slow, but a quick web search says it picks up. I'm probably half the problem here... so much reading.

Spoiler

I headed to Aesfrost in ch.3 and it's a very confusing state. Everything is supposed to be based on merit, not lineage... except everyone is judged by lineage.

Your promised lady isn't respected for her role, because her mom was a whore and not a lady.

Which is it?

I like the training missions in the encampment. I haven't replayed them, but it seems like you can. Maybe for more xp or if you are feeling combat starved and want some fun.

Coming right from fire emblem engage, the combat is... how do I put this... slower. Units don't counter attack, so it's tougher for me to exploit the range of enemies to control the map.

I like that units are stronger together, and I feel like I want to take the fight to the enemy as a team. HP pools allow for many attacks against a single unit, and there is less cannon fodder than FE.

I'm just starting to unlock abilities, and am looking forward to this stuff. From what I remember from ff tactics games on psx and gba, this synergy, and accessories is where this game would shine.

 

[gamerguy]

chapter 5... ok this reading stuff is pretty cool

 

[mediocrepoet]

chapter 5... ok this reading stuff is pretty cool

The game is ridiculously narrative heavy, but it didn't seem quite as bad to me when I set it to autoadvance and just basically watched those pieces like a movie. Still, my preference is for more game in my games, but this is about as good as it gets imo as far as diving into storyfaggotry goes.

 

[gamerguy]

Yeah, the plot conflicts aren't stupid, and I care about the characters. There are pros and cons to the story paths instead of binary good/evil.

The formulaic gameplay loop is comforting, and the tactics are fun.

I'm only 12 hours in so far(ch7/2), but I'm glad I pulled the trigger.

 

[Sentinel]

Denuvo removed on PC.

 

[Rean]

Caught this trash on Steam reviews.

Only deserves this brilliant response:

 

[Sentinel]

He isn't wrong.

 

[gamerguy]

Chapter X... starting to get bored of the story... caring less about the characters.

It seems like I'm earning lots of abilities. I'm upgrading my character, their weapons, and changing to new classes, but... it's the same? I'm failing to see anything fun to exploit so far. HP pools are so large, even if I did freeze a square, then melt it and the enemy is still standing in the same spot to electricute, it's a small bit of damage.

something fun will occur to me, I'm sure of it... only ten or so chapters to go... Zzzz

 

[GhostCow]

It's really not a very good game. The story isn't anything special and it's far too verbose. On top on that there is 0 build porn. Shit game. Play a good SRPG like Troubleshooter gamerguy

 

[gamerguy]

thanks i'll throw it on the list

it looks like they pulled it off the eshop so I'll have to play it in the masturbatorium surrounded by mountain dew cans


this is why digital libraries are shit... everything disappears

 

[gamerguy]

On Ch. 16... I'm liking the story still. Sure, it's not perfect, but while looking at the 'path' screen and seeing all the branches, I honestly can't help but be impressed.

If the combat were better, I might jump right back into another playthrough. Not that the combat is bad by any means. Maybe the lack of 'build porn' is a good thing from a balance/design perspective.

I did finally feel like I was developing my characters in the back half of the game... but any choice on my part was only to decide *which* characters get developed, not how.

If this game had branching character development like different jobs, to the extent of the story branching, I think the game would benefit a great deal. Though the weapon upgrades sort of offer some choice here. I think there could be more interesting accessories too.

Last stretch.

 

[Delterius]

so is this the new final fantasy tactics / tactics ogre

 

[gamerguy]

yeah... i actually bought the new ogre remaster too, but I dunno if I can do two of these in a row


probably do Everspace, advance wars, zelda first

 

[gamerguy]

Damn, brutal story to the end. I must say I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think I will hold on to this cart. I'm done with it for now, but there's lots of videogame left there, from the other story paths and characters I didn't develop.

I'd have to say I liked the combat in FE:E much more. Not that it's a competition. This game had serviceable, smart tactics. I like the height aspects of maps. Nothing ever jumped out to me as an exploitable rad strategy, but that probably appeals to some people.

Cool game.

edit: oh cool, NG+ too

 

[Yosharian]

Starting playing this, it's quite fun.

edit: oh cool, NG+ too

Are you unaware of how the NG+ works? It's like a whole thing the second and third times you play through the game, apparently. It works differently, the story is presented differently and it's there's a much bigger focus on the combat. The combat doesn't really take off properly until the second playthrough.

That's what some reviewers said anyway

 

[gamerguy]

Starting playing this, it's quite fun.

edit: oh cool, NG+ too

Are you unaware of how the NG+ works? It's like a whole thing the second and third times you play through the game, apparently. It works differently, the story is presented differently and it's there's a much bigger focus on the combat. The combat doesn't really take off properly until the second playthrough.

That's what some reviewers said anyway

hmm, that's cool... I might check it out some... the ng+ info screen says you get conviction data and more path info too

Everspace is still in the mail anyway... I probably have a day or two

edit:

Spoiler

oh wow, there are sub stats for conviction too... morality, utility and liberty... there's a lot of meat under the hood you don't see the first playthrough

 

[gamerguy]

wow, ng+ seems like a big jump in difficulty... my dumb ass already wiped twice on chapter 1

 

[Raghar]

So how is it? Is it better than ELEX?