The imminent release of Triangle Strategy has many fans of similar strategy RPG titles excited. Development is fronted by producer Tomoya Asano, who previously worked on Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler. Fans of the latter will notice obvious similarities between the 2018 game and Triangle Strategy, as the same "HD-2D" art style is being deployed once again, but that presentation is where the similarities end.
Triangle Strategy is not a traditional turn-based RPG, and instead opts for a combat system that is a tactical, methodical affair on an isometric grid. The strategy RPG genre is nothing new, with its origins as far back as the 1980s. As the years roll on, its game design is becoming more refined. Developers from all over are adding their spin on the well-used mechanic, which allows players the opportunity to familiarize themselves with combat that's decidedly slower than they may be used to. Triangle Strategy sits on the shoulders of so many games before it that visiting a handful of great RPGs in preparation could heighten the experience when Triangle Strategy arrives next month.
Final Fantasy Tactics
The beloved Final Fantasy series is known for its epic storylines, quirky characters, and its Active Time Battle (ATB) combat. Injecting an element of timing into turn-based titles was a stroke of genius, and though it was ditched for Final Fantasy 10, the tried-and-tested formula worked wonders. However, the series shifted focus temporarily between Final Fantasy 7 and 8, as developer Square released Final Fantasy Tactics for the west in January 1998. Its sequel, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, passed by somewhat unnoticed on the Nintendo DS, but the PlayStation original remains one of the most beloved RPGs on the system that Triangle Strategy looks to be taking inspiration from.
Final Fantasy Tactics is largely a relic of its time, though it received a PSP port called War of the Lions with new characters and updated cutscenes in 2007. It's the definitive way to play, and trying Final Fantasy Tactics would be wise before Triangle Strategy releases.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Straddling the line between what fans know of Fire Emblem and Persona-inspired time mechanics, Fire Emblem: Three Houses arrived on Nintendo Switch to critical and commercial acclaim. The setting of Fodlan and Garreg Mach Monastery lends itself well to the story that unfolded over its 50-hour adventure, and though combat was altered slightly from the winning formula of old, grid-based movement and progression remained.
Those who played the Triangle Strategy demo announced at the February 2022 Nintendo Direct will find its combat slower and more deliberately paced. Fire Emblem: Three Houses is relaxing when the opportunity for character interactions presents itself, but the height of battle makes for some of the game's most tense moments. By leading a class of plucky, courageous students through the toils of war, deception, and destruction, Fire Emblem: Three Houses feels like a tactical RPG for the ages.
The Banner Saga
A series consisting of three games released between 2014 and 2018, The Banner Saga is a superb example of tactical RPG gameplay merging with an intriguing story, wrapped in an art style that is wholly unique. Choices matter throughout The Banner Saga, and as the caravan of Varl and humans set off on a journey drenched in war, players get an experience that should linger long after the credits roll.
The Banner Saga takes inspiration from tactical RPGs of old, including Final Fantasy Tactics, and adapts the winning formula. Units have dedicated, specialist abilities, and occupy more tiles on the battlefield according to their size. Deploying the bulky, giant-like Varl to the front lines and picking off foes with a skilled archer from afar will give the player a greater chance to succeed, and the somewhat limited grid space speeds up its genre's often lumbering gameplay. The Banner Saga was the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign, and players looking to jump into Triangle Strategy would be wise to play through its excellent narrative.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM's lineage stretches far beyond the release of Enemy Unknown in 2012. As the series' beginnings are rooted in the mid 1990s, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a re-imagining of the 1994 original, bringing the veteran franchise to modern audiences. Having the player assume the role of the commander of a specialist military outfit, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an experience that would not work if the gameplay didn't take advantage of tactical, strategy RPG mechanics.
While a significant portion of RPGs today are draped in a high fantasy setting, XCOM: Enemy Unknown focuses on a worldwide alien invasion in the early years of the 21st Century. The presentation is a fresh change of pace, and offers something many other games in the genre don't. The XCOM series has seen many quality entries, but Enemy Unknown is easily accessible and begins a whole new story. An alien invasion is hardly similar to the fantasy-focused setting of Triangle Strategy, though this is perhaps why it's a prime candidate to play before the latter releases in March.
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler is a more traditional, turn-based affair, mimicking the likes of Dragon Quest and Pokemon. The case to begin the 2018 release before playing Triangle Strategy lies largely in its aesthetics, as the two use a strikingly similar presentation style to tell their tales.
Much of the excitement and commercial success of Octopath Traveler was thanks to the way it looked, and the HD-2D approach to art design present throughout is stunning. Triangle Strategy is set to utilize the same philosophy, and matching the nostalgia-inspired character models with a tactical RPG combat system is surely a recipe for success. Each of the games' differing battle mechanics will ensure that players won't be burned out by the time Triangle Strategy releases.
Triangle Strategy is scheduled to release on March 4 for Switch.