Triangle Strategy is a fascinating tactics game that manages to make your choices matter, even if the persuasion process is a bit flawed. You’ll spend quite some time thinking about what to do in both combat and debates, and the HD 2D visuals are delightful to look at.
Triangle Strategy
Developer: Artdink
Price: $60
Platform: Nintendo Switch (reviewed)
MonsterVine was provided with a Switch code for review
I’ve been pretty interested in Triangle Strategy since it was announced at a Nintendo Direct last year (I even previewed the first demo,) as the idea of changing a storyline through your party voting in a democratic process is unique, to say the least. Now that the full game is here, I’ve had the chance to see how well this project has turned out. For the most part, it rules, outside of some balancing and persuasion issues. Otherwise, it really is what I was hoping for.
In Triangle Strategy, you play as the young Lord Seranoa of Wolffort. Seranoa is set to marry Frederica, a young woman from the neighboring land of Aesfrost, to further unite the Kingdom of Glenbrook with Aesfrost and the other land, Hyzante. Things go south and the Saltiron War of 30 years past threatens to recommence as the nations find themselves at one another’s throats. It’s a rather thrilling story that got me invested within the first couple of hours. There’s a lot to take in at first, but once you start to get deeper into the game, everything makes sense and becomes easy to remember.
The characters are one of the stronger aspects of Triangle Strategy, with the main cast and many of the optional characters standing out as characters worth following. The relationships between the various units are built upon in optional side-cutscenes, which add depth and charm to most of the cast.
“I like this simplicity, because as fun as it can be to make crazy powerful classes, it’s nice to have a simpler, canon class now and then.“
How the story plays out is partially up to you, as you will face many choices that your core seven characters will vote on. You might have to decide between sheltering or giving up a refugee who is also a dear friend, and it’s rarely black-or-white. Do you fight off the invaders to protect your friend at the expense of your citizens, or give up your friend and your morals for the good of your House? Each party member has their own thoughts, and you can try to convince them using the information you gather in the town.
It’s an awesome system, outside of how influenced it is by largely invisible Conviction stats. If your specific stats, increased by doing pretty much anything, aren’t high enough, even your genuinely convincing arguments won’t sway your vassals. I was unable to pursue the option I wanted because, even though I had all the right answers, my stats weren’t high enough. I get that this makes it so you can’t always decide the path of the story, but when people aren’t convinced despite saying they pretty much are, it feels unfair.
Gameplay is primarily split into three categories: exploration, the previously mentioned persuasion segments, and combat. Combat is like most strategy RPGs that you may be accustomed to. Everyone’s on a grid and depending on unit Speed, you take turns moving and attacking until your foes are decimated (or other special conditions are fulfilled.) There’s a wide variety of unit classes and skills to use, though keep in mind that you can’t change a unit’s default class; you can upgrade it, but that’s all. I like this simplicity, because as fun as it can be to make crazy powerful classes, it’s nice to have a simpler, canon class now and then.
For the first half of the game, the level scaling is excellent, but it quickly outpaces you, even if you do the optional Mind Battles to level up. Thankfully, all EXP and items earned during battles you lose are kept, which means less grinding after failing a mission, but I wish the latter half of the game kept the pace up with its “Recommended Level” being high enough to be challenging but possible. Combat itself is quite enjoyable and strategic, though, so SRPG fans will likely have a blast. I spent a fair amount of time thinking of what to do next, which I always love in this sort of title.
“Visually, the HD 2D style is always a delight to experience. The artwork for all the major characters are gorgeous too and manages to express the characters’ personalities in a glance.“
Outside of combat, you primarily explore towns to gather information and to find items for upgrades. You can increase your Class rank and Weapon rank using money and materials, and these make your characters significantly more capable, making exploration worthwhile. I like that your sprite changes with these upgrades; it’s a small touch but it makes each upgrade feel more major.
Visually, the HD 2D style is always a delight to experience. The artwork for all the major characters are gorgeous too and manages to express the characters’ personalities in a glance. The voice acting is really back and forth. Some of it, like Benedict’s delivery, is excellent and befitting of the characters, while other voices are stilted and weird. You can jump through dialogue after reading it though, so if you don’t like it, you can skip most of it. The music is quite hefty and royal-sounding, with many memorable tracks that set the tone of each narrative beat nicely.
The Final Word
Triangle Strategy is a great SRPG that balances an enthralling story with overall fun gameplay. It could use a bit of balancing and the persuasion system doesn’t always work as you hope, but for the most part, this unique title stands out as a strong tactics game that makes your choices feel truly weighty.
MonsterVine Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
