Triangle Strategy Review

Initial release date: March 4, 2022

Steam release date: October 13, 2022

Developers: Square Enix, Artdink

Composer: Akira Senju

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows

Publisher: Square Enix

Genres: Tactical role-playing game, Simulation video game

Mode: Single-player video game

"Review Copy Provided By Square-Enix"

2022 has truly been the year of the tactical games genre, we’ve seen so many games in the genre come out this year such as Tactics Ogre and The DioField Chroncle, and even Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Front Mission 1st Remake, Brigandine: The Legend of Runseria, and the critically acclaimed Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. Triangle Strategy was a heavy hitter earlier this year for the Nintendo Switch and after over half a year, has been finally released for Steam. If you managed to miss out on this game during it’s initial run, then now is the time to dive in and experience a modern-day masterpiece!

Triangle Strategy takes place on the continent of Norzelia during a time of peace between its three kingdoms. The newest Lord of House Wolffort, Serenoa, has made it his life’s mission to preserve the peace and relationships between the three kingdoms. Little does Lord Serenoa know of the strings of fate being tugged and the impending political turmoil and war that lie on the horizon that will forever change the lives of all involved forever.

One of the major complaints about Triangle Strategy was in how much story there was within the game, even more so than the norm for a game in the strategy genre, and while I can understand that to a degree it ultimately doesn’t make much sense given how well written and fleshed out the characters and world of Norzelia are. This may not be plot wise on the level of Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Ogre, but it is none the less a truly mesmerizing tale that will grip you and hold on all the way till its finale.

Gameplay wise, Triangle Strategy has a lot going on within it to keep you busy during the games 35–40-hour campaign. Everything you would expect from a traditional tactical game is here and with an added level of polish as the game incorporates the best aspects of games like Disgaea, Runseria, and Final Fantasy Tactics in not just it’s grid-based combat, but also in its method of resource management and squadron management along with the game’s out of battle experiences. Battles play out in a similar manner to Final Fantasy Tactics with you being able to move about the grid and selecting your actions and finalizing where you want to turn your party member at the end of their turn. Each of your party members on the field have varying classes and capabilities and at no point will any of them ever feel like they are able to solo the opposition as they can individually be wiped out if you aren’t careful in how you utilize them.

Serenoa is your main character and is a Lord character that utilizes sword-based combat. He doesn’t have anything that makes him particularly standout, but as he levels up, he will gain abilities such as being able to pull off counter attacks and stun attacks as well as gain some ranged attacks that will help make him an all arounder. Alongside Serenoa are other party members that range from your standard knights, mages, archers, healers, monks, ninjas, and more. Quietus abilities are worth investing in as they allow you to perform insanely powerful moves at any point that will help turn the tide of battle in your favor. Some Quietus abilities include being able to restore half health to any of your units regardless of location as well as being able to have them freely move with a free turn. Being able to configure your units for each battle and playing them strategically is key here.

Outside of battle are various sidequests and story segments that help deeper the lore of the story being told and helps give each character further development as it allows you insight into their perspectives and viewpoints. One of the things I love about this game is in how it has Serenoa offer up to his party the option to vote on the critical decisions at various points within the story. These votes alter the course of the story and offer various branching pathways. You’re also able to attempt to sway party before each vote is cast. You can also shop in towns and do a few fetch quests here and there.

I played Triangle Strategy on my Steam Deck and let me tell you, this game looks absolutely STUNNING on Deck! While the Steam Deck may not have the vibrancy of the Nintendo Switch OLED, it nonetheless does supreme justice to this game with its beautiful HD-2D graphical style. Regardless of playing this portably or docked to a tv or monitor, Playing Triangle Strategy on Deck is just an absolute treat! Battery life wise, I was able to play the game for up to 2 and a half hours on default settings with screen brightness at medium which is adequate time to get in 2-3 major battles and do some character development.

I don’t really have anything to complain about when it comes to Triangle Strategy other than the fact you will often feel underleveled regardless of what you do quite often within the game unless you make it a point to partake in every side mission that you can to grind your units to the proper levels. This can become tedious, especially in mid and late game encounters with how long the battle can last being upwards of an hour or more.

Triangle Strategy is one of the best tactics games to come out this year and one of the best tactics games I’ve ever played. The game gives you some of the best tactical combat around that’s insanely polished and one of the most gripping narratives I’ve experienced since Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. If you’re looking for your next TRPG fix then Triangle Strategy is the game you need to be playing!