November 2011 News #1

The latest turn based tactical level video game news! Even the stuff Andriasang turns its nose up on! The only web site on the planet that covers both console and PC turn based tactics games! Why both camps largely ignore each other like the other doesn't exist is beyond me.

New SD Gundam G Generation 3D screenshots. We get a good look at some of the combat screens. It looks like there will be timing prompts to get bonus accuracy or damage or something. This is also the first G Gen game to feature seishins (spirit commands), probably as an attempt to make G Gen more appealing to the larger SRW playerbase. You'll be able to take on optional missions for funds. There's a skill point-like system called 'break trigger' or 'challenge mission'. It looks like break trigger is the easier skill point to achieve, while challenge mission is a harder version of the skill point. While G Gen 3D still retains some of the series quirks, it seems like the most SRW-like title yet, which should help broaden its target audience. Unfortunately the 3DS region lock will continue to be a sore point for the system. (note: my analysis may be completely wrong since I don't read fluent Japanese)

Here's an article going into detail on Rainbow Moon, a PSN exclusive SRPG. It's made by the developers of Soldner-X and X2, quite a change from shoot em ups to tactical RPGs. It looks like it will be more RPG than tactics game, so FFT and TO fans should start rejoicing. "It’s a strategy role-playing game (or, for short, “SRPG”) with a strong emphasis on exploration, character development and turn-based battles." Nothing about an SRPG means it has to be a traditional RPG with a turn based grid slapped on it like FFT and TO. Fire Emblem and Super Robot Wars are both SRPGs that follow a linear campaign with little or no exploration and grinding, not to mention they usually have useful scoring systems. However, there is a "ranking" tab on the Rainbow Moon official site, so we'll have to see what they come up with.

Article on Unity of Command, a turn based operational level game. While I don't usually cover operational or strategic level strategy games, this one stands out as having a very smart AI and a good mix of tactical action and operational style supply and support lines.

Panzer Corps DLC #1 is out.

Battle Academy: Operation Sealion expansion announced.

Frozen Synapse is coming to iPhone/iPad in 2012.