Description Assume the role of Alphonse, a knight of Galicia, sent on a mission to investigate the intentions of the suspect governing body of the Holy Lodis Empire and solve the mystery of Ovis. Along the way, you will experience many trials and tribulations, but you must survive the unrelenting battles and cultivate your characters’ abilities to reveal your true destiny.
Summary: I purchased this game when it first came out, not really expecting much; I was shocked. After the relative disapointment of Golden Sun's quick ending and the knowledge that I would have to wait six months for the complete ending I needed some decent RPG. The game is masterful. There are nine different endings that I've played through and from the very beginning you start affecting the ending. You follow the story of a band of rogue characters that serve either no purpose but to follow you, their own, or secret objectives, as you try to find an ancient legendary spear. There are plenty of plot twists, secret characters, chance encounters that depend on what you've done in the other parts of the game and dozens of special characters with techniques that are original to them.
The quest mode is awesome, literally. There are five or six of them but you have to earn them. They start out pretty simple but eventually become harder. You have to set your goal to defeat the leader, the lower the number of turns the better. Should you defeat the leader in the specified number of turns you'll be handsomely rewarded with a rare item or weapon, some are rarer than others (i.e. I've finished the game nine times and still haven't earned the Cresent Bow). However your characters can't earn exp. in the quest mode. I wish that I knew someone with my feel for the game because I haven't had a chance to play the VS. mode or the trade mode which is yet other ways to earn rare items. Best yet as far as items go is there is an in built scavenger hunt game where every stage has hidden items and there is no limit as to how many items you can have.
Rating Reviewed by: Bill Graham(Unregistered User)
Review Date September 5, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Review NaN of 10
, from Phoenix
Price Paid:
$30.00
from Toys R Us
Summary: Sweet! Sweeter than a Baskins and Robbins custom sundae! Once again, amid a dozen or more recently released 16bit ports from days (and consoles) gone by, another title becomes available for the GBA that maximizes the use of the hardware and can put new generation full sized console RPGs to shame.
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis is an RPGer's dream. Do not let comparisons to Advance Wars scare you off. This is a true RPG, and in terms of the number one factor that makes an RPG shine, Tactics Ogre sets a new standard for RPG/Adventure gaming, whether it's on a handheld machine or not. I'm talking about character development, of course. And Tactics Ogre has deep, intelligent, multi-layered and well planned character development for (are you ready?) up to thirty-two characters at once!
Tactics Ogre does share a few things with Advance Wars. You move and plan your attacks on a 3D grid that 'lights up' to let you know where and how to move and attack. And you do have to plan how to position your fighters as well as which fighters to send into battle. However, you only fight with eight fighters at a time. And instead of tanks, rockets, helicopters, and submarines you use Knights, Wizards, Griffins, Dragons, Fairies, and more.
And Tactics Ogre is a bit different from standard RPG fare in other ways as well. You do not explore areas in the traditonal sense. There're no treasure chests to find, no hidden rooms, and no puzzles to be solved. Instead, you move a cursor over a map, and click on a destination. More often than not, a fight then ensues, played out on the 3D grid mentioned above. But not right away. You take your time preparing, checking characters' stats, gauging the terrain and weather, sizing up your enemies, and planning your method of attack. Is there a lot of water to contend with? Then Mermaids and Giant Octupi may serve you best. Does your quarry have a lot of movement capability? Then perhaps you should deploy your archers and winged fighters. Does the enemy party contain many magicians? Then you'd best counter with several healers. And so it goes.
Tactics:Ogre is a mental game. Time is not important. You are not required to beat any clocks. Playing Tactics:Ogre is about 2% on the main map, 3% cutscenes, 45% fighting battles, and 50% developing your characters. This game is a shining tribute to the programmer's art. It is truly extraordinary how the creators of Tactics Ogre have been able to manage such complexity within the GBA's limited controls. And they've done an excellent job of it. Tactics Ogre comes with a sixty-five page manual, and truth be told, you will need to read it. Managing thirty-two characters with such depth requires many screens and lots of numerical data and tables. And there's just no way you'll be able to guess your way through with trial and error. In fact, given the reality that most used GBA games available through retail outlets have no manual, I would have to recommend that you buy a new version. Assuming you can find a copy, that is.
Tactis Ogre is built around an original, excellently told and mature storyline involving religious persecution, betrayal, and lost and found honor. However, given the fact that some of the battles can take more than an hour, with thirty minutes per confrontation being very common, much of the story soon becomes forgotten.
There are many game options that allow you to speed things up once you've gotten used to all the menus and the general gameflow. But the meat and potatoes of Tactics Ogre are battle and character development, and you'll not want to lose out on the finer points. And to win, the finer points really do matter, so RTFM.
The game cart allows for three saves from the map screen, and one save of a battle in progress.
There are three major play modes, the main Story mode, a Quest mode, and a head to head/exchange mode.
This is one RPG that has almost infinite replay value. There are so many different character types, so much depth of development, and such a wealth of varied spells, weapons, and rare items, that you'll want to play it through time and time again. It is that good. This game can steal your life and eat all your batteries, so beware! Tactics Ogre is one of those rare games that has you thinking about it when you're working, dealing with family issues, trying to get to sleep, etc., so be forewarned.
If you seek a truly incredible gaming experience, then get Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis. It is one of a kind, and is an awesome deal for the money.
Summary: When I first stumbled upon this game, I was deep in depression due to the lack of good games on the GBA. So I bought this little cartridge, plugged it in, and indulged myself. At first, I thought it wouldn't be so good. I will still in a relationship with Final Fantasy tactics. But no sooner than an hour, I WAS HOOKED ON IT LIKE A DRUG. It took over my life! In the car, at school, at home, on weekends... THE GAMEPLAY JUST WOULDN'T STOP. And then when I think it's over, I replay it over and over again. In my opinion, the best cart to come along in some time. And don't think I'm a fanboy, this was my first Tactics Ogre title. Truly a gem.
Summary: Oh my lord this is THE BEST GAME EVER FOR THE GBA. It blows away any other game out there. My only question is, WHY DID ATLUS RELEASE SO FEW OF THESE!!! These games are like gems, the only store I found them in Mass. was some teeny store that had 6 copies. I consider myself absudely lucky to get my greedy paws on it. I didn't even like stategy games before now, but now i LOVE THEM! That said and done, I'll explain the game. Tactics Ogre is an amazing turn based stategy game. It has perfet balance, and perfect ... everything. GET THIS GAME NOW! .... ummmm...if you can find it!
Rating Reviewed by: T.Tashi Evil Sony Corporate Henchman(Unregistered User)
Review Date August 4, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Review NaN of 10
, from USA and Japan
Price Paid:
$40.00
from Toys R Us
Summary: This thing was about as hard to find as unshreded Enron documents. Toys R Us had one. Maybe the only one in the whole city. Anyway I finally got my henchman hands on the game everyone is talking about. Gwahaha!!
What is Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (furthermore known as TO:TKoL) about? I have no idea. A knight decides to defect for no other reason than to "find himself." =\ Treason at the very least. I say off with his head! But his superiors let him go, off to look for golden Mermaids. Hey I didn't say it was realistic. Although, the political intrigue is pretty thick. There's a spy for the Pope. While there is plenty of room for Catholic jokes these days I won't touch that one. The religion in this game is called Lodisism anyway. There's military troops from several countries all on covert missions so believe me when I say, after 14 hours I don't have the slightest clue what's going on. Fortunately the dialogue is well written and has my interest. IMHO, Final Fantasy Tactics it ain't. It's Tactics Orge. That's not a slam. Although they are both strategy RPGs, they are both deep, but in their own ways.
5 of 5
4 of 5
