Tactical Breach Wizards weaves engaging tactics with lively dialogue

An arcane combo of witty dialogue, turn-based tactics, and magical friendship.

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[Sukasa]

Played the betas. Excellent game, absolutely can recommend as a day-one buy, The dialogue had me laughing essentially all the way through, and the game throws just enough new gameplay at you through the story that by the time a mechanic just barely starts to smell, you're done with it and on to newer, more interesting challenges.

 

[Starouscz]

How does the dialogues compare to the old monkey island ?

 

[42Kodiak42]

How does the dialogues compare to the old monkey island ?

I'm a bit too young to compare it to old monkey island, but if you've played Gunpoint or Heat Signature, the writing is a refinement on Tom's style of humor. It's better, not ground-breaking, but still better.

 

[Voldenuit]

I loved Gunpoint, it was fun to play and had witty, engaging writing. I also love tactical combat games, from classics like Breach, X-COM: UFO Defense and Terror From the Deep, to lesser known titles like Gorky 17, to more modern takes like Into the Breach, Northguard and Invisible Inc (it's such a shame that Endless Dungeon was apparently a big disappointment).

Tactical Breach Wizards is going on my shortlist, but right now I'm prepping for the Rainbow 6 Siege x Arknights collab coming soon (Ela is apparently going to be very good, and Iana looks very mechanically interesting, but I hear she's not very useful), and ZZZ's latest Camellia Golden Week event has introduced a Crypt of the Necrodancer style rhythm/puzzle mini-game.

So little time, so many games. I still need to crunch through the final levels of Kill The Crows (Wild West style 2D horde shooter) and Power of Ten (Star Control 2 inspired 2D space combat/exploration). Black Myth: Wukong also just dropped this week, and looks great, but I don't have the time/energy to devote to a game of its scope right now. Oh, and I still need to finish Another Crab's Treasure (the Crab Souls game).

 

[Rockchurch]

Windows only, no Mac, no Switch.

Tempted to buy it just to help (in tiny way) the game become successful enough to make it to a platform I game on.

 

[TheManIsANobody]

I hope they get the game steamdeck certified. I was ready to buy this but it's not. I don't want to play a game that needs the trackpads or uses the analog stick to control a mouse cursor. It's just not for me

 

[HiroTheProtagonist]

I hope they get the game steamdeck certified. I was ready to buy this but it's not. I don't want to play a game that needs the trackpads or uses the analog stick to control a mouse cursor. It's just not for me

Just because a game isn't "certified" doesn't mean it won't work. I routinely play Street Fighter 4 on my Deck despite the page saying "unsupported" (though the in-game benchmarker detects SteamOS as Windows 8 for some reason).

As for the cursor, it probably depends more on whether the game has native controller support than anything else. Plenty of games with cursors shift to object-oriented navigation when a gamepad is detected.

 

[tzu13]

Looks great. Can't wait to try. Loved their other games. Also don't overlook it comes bundled with Cobalt Core right now, which if you already own (I do - another gem) will straight up save you about $4 USD off the list price of this game

 

[TheManIsANobody]

Just because a game isn't "certified" doesn't mean it won't work. I routinely play Street Fighter 4 on my Deck despite the page saying "unsupported" (though the in-game benchmarker detects SteamOS as Windows 8 for some reason).

As for the cursor, it probably depends more on whether the game has native controller support than anything else. Plenty of games with cursors shift to object-oriented navigation when a gamepad is detected.

Oh, I'm sure it works fine. I'm just not going to play a game that has to have a mouse cursor moved around on screen. That kind of input device just isn't for me on a game console (I am not a PC gamer and never have been, but do love the steamdeck for the awesome indies on steam).

The Steam Deck's trackpads help a lot here, though you can use the sticks on any controller if you're willing to nudge them around a lot inside a UI that was very much meant for a cursor.

This just isn't for me for controls, and that's fine. It's a preference I have.

 

[Tofystedeth]

I was sold on it months ago with the "Navy Seer" pun.

 

[Stuntbutt]

Windows only, no Mac, no Switch.

Tempted to buy it just to help (in tiny way) the game become successful enough to make it to a platform I game on.

This.

Modern game development platforms have better tools than ever - largely straightforward - for cross-OS compilation. I'm sad when new, exciting games don't do this.

It's a Step 0 Design Choice, like accessibility, that's expensive and tedious to tack on at the end of a project. If you choose this at the start, it's a minimal headache.

 

[JFTestudo]

Windows only, no Mac, no Switch.

Tempted to buy it just to help (in tiny way) the game become successful enough to make it to a platform I game on.

To be fair, it's a pretty small team, and they really polished the heck out of this thing -- their first priority was definitely about getting the game right first, and then maybe port it later.

I'm sure that if it hits with enough people, they'll get it out on other platforms. Gunpoint, if memory serves, went along those lines where it released on Steam, and then they added Mac and Linux versions after. Heat Signature is only available on Windows, but I don't think it did as well.

However, the dev team doesn't have any track record for console releases, so, who knows if they'll be a Switch version. I suppose if this does REALLY well and/or a publisher is willing to throw a ton of money at them...

 

[grommit!]

It's a Step 0 Design Choice, like accessibility, that's expensive and tedious to tack on at the end of a project. If you choose this at the start, it's a minimal headache.

This is a $20 indie game made by a tiny team (literally a handful of people), not a $70 "AAAA" game.

However, the dev team doesn't have any track record for console releases, so, who knows if they'll be a Switch version. I suppose if this does REALLY well and/or a publisher is willing to throw a ton of money at them...

IIRC, the only programmer (as opposed to level designer, artist etc) is Tom Francis, so just getting the game out was a challenge.

 

[Tofystedeth]

This is a $20 indie game made by a tiny team (literally a handful of people), not a $70 "AAAA" game.

IIRC, the only programmer (as opposed to level designer, artist etc) is Tom Francis, so just getting the game out was a challenge.

Yeah, porting to consoles is not necessarily easy, even in modern times, compared to just developing for PC/Linux. Take for instance the Godot engine which a ton of neat games have been made for. It doesn't have any first party templates for exporting to consoles (outside of SteamDeck which just uses the Linux one) and it's much more involved and often ends up getting a third party company with existing porting expertise to handle it.
https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/platform/consoles.html

 

[TylerH]

Is this a single player game only, or can it be played with friends (e.g. each friend controlling a different character)? Something like this sounds like it would be a great isometric alternative to games like Wildermyth, but it's not mentioned anywhere in the article (or the video) that I can see whether it's a solo endeavor or if there's co-op available.

 

[plarstic]

Have bought the game off the weight of this review and my appreciation of Gunpoint and am mightily pleased with the first couple of hours. The decision paralysis frustration I have with strategy games is gone because I can try whatever I like and simply rewind, enjoying the variations until I get one I'm happy with. Am also loving the freakin' cool vibe of militarised wizards because of course that would happen.

 

[HiroTheProtagonist]

Is this a single player game only, or can it be played with friends (e.g. each friend controlling a different character)? Something like this sounds like it would be a great isometric alternative to games like Wildermyth, but it's not mentioned anywhere in the article (or the video) that I can see whether it's a solo endeavor or if there's co-op available.

According to the Steam page, it's single-player only. Co-op would be cool, but it would probably have complicated development a lot.

 

[plarstic]

Is this a single player game only, or can it be played with friends (e.g. each friend controlling a different character)? Something like this sounds like it would be a great isometric alternative to games like Wildermyth, but it's not mentioned anywhere in the article (or the video) that I can see whether it's a solo endeavor or if there's co-op available.

Single-player only. You couldn't even reasonably hand over the controller between friends to control the separate characters as the core gameplay loop weaves the characters movement together so fast. Think of it like a fun XCOM, where one person controls a whole team, and the number and composition of characters in that team can grow and shrink and change.

 

[Tofystedeth]

Single-player only. You couldn't even reasonably hand over the controller between friends to control the separate characters as the core gameplay loop weaves the characters movement together so fast. Think of it like a fun XCOM, where one person controls a whole team, and the number and composition of characters in that team can grow and shrink and change.

So, XCOM?

 

[Yarrum]

If you own their previous games (Gunpoint and Heat Signature), scroll down the Steam page as they have a complete your bundle option that gives a 25% discount (base version only) making it under £13 here in the UK.

 

[gheritt]

So, XCOM?

Super small battlefields. More like a puzzle game than XCOM.

 

[xoa]

I remember seeing concept artwork, or people just having fun, with "tactical wizards" absolute ages ago and thinking it'd be a neat game. What a pleasant surprise to see it actually is/became one! Good for them, and given how I've enjoyed similar seeming genre indy games like Invisible Inc in the past could be up my alley. However:

To be fair, it's a pretty small team, and they really polished the heck out of this thing -- their first priority was definitely about getting the game right first, and then maybe port it later.

I'm sure that if it hits with enough people, they'll get it out on other platforms. Gunpoint, if memory serves, went along those lines where it released on Steam, and then they added Mac and Linux versions after. Heat Signature is only available on Windows, but I don't think it did as well.

However, the dev team doesn't have any track record for console releases, so, who knows if they'll be a Switch version. I suppose if this does REALLY well and/or a publisher is willing to throw a ton of money at them...

I have mixed feelings about it, even for a "small team". But without getting into the often retread platform issues, a bigger sin to me is no GOG version. Having a game like this be Windows only at this point does feel a little archaic vs at least getting it officially tested with stuff like Proton on release, but still picking one OS platform has been a long time thing. But also tying it to one single more locked down distribution platform like Steam is imho not excusable at this point. I don't hate Steam or anything by any means, but in terms of longevity I want single player games like this in particular on GOG so I can download standard zips of them and have them myself forever. That's a real shame and probably enough to put me off of it.

 

[shoe]

How's it compare with Door Kickers?

 

[nancy-drew]

Long-time fan of Suspicious Developments (Heat Signature is one of the greatest games ever made). This is absolutely, totally one of my new favorite games of all time. Loving it so far.

 

[Socks Mingus]

Good opportunity to share a favorite podcast: Crate & Crowbar, on which the dev Tom F is a sporadic but rather insightful participant (most recent appearance on January's "Between a Ballsack and a Tardigrade").

I remember seeing concept artwork, or people just having fun, with "tactical wizards" absolute ages ago and thinking it'd be a neat game. What a pleasant surprise to see it actually is/became one! Good for them, and given how I've enjoyed similar seeming genre indy games like Invisible Inc in the past could be up my alley. However:

I have mixed feelings about it, even for a "small team". But without getting into the often retread platform issues, a bigger sin to me is no GOG version. Having a game like this be Windows only at this point does feel a little archaic vs at least getting it officially tested with stuff like Proton on release, but still picking one OS platform has been a long time thing. But also tying it to one single more locked down distribution platform like Steam is imho not excusable at this point. I don't hate Steam or anything by any means, but in terms of longevity I want single player games like this in particular on GOG so I can download standard zips of them and have them myself forever. That's a real shame and probably enough to put me off of it.

Humble appears to have Gunpoint and Heat Signature available DRM Free *- possible Tactical Breach Wizards will end up there eventually?

*(unless this is some sneaky way of describing the Steam install as DRM Free?)

 

[Deuterium-Snowflake]

Heat Signature is only available on Windows, but I don't think it did as well.

Awww, that's sad to hear. Heat Signature is fantastic.

 

[graylshaped]

Have bought the game off the weight of this review and my appreciation of Gunpoint and am mightily pleased with the first couple of hours. The decision paralysis frustration I have with strategy games is gone because I can try whatever I like and simply rewind, enjoying the variations until I get one I'm happy with. Am also loving the freakin' cool vibe of militarised wizards because of course that would happen.

Reminds me I’m a book or two behind on the Dresden series..,

 

[stubblepoo]

I was sold on it months ago with the "Navy Seer" pun.

I've looked at this for a solid 45 seconds and just can't see the pun.
please help an idiot out.

 

[bitwiseshiftleft]

Windows only, no Mac, no Switch.

Tempted to buy it just to help (in tiny way) the game become successful enough to make it to a platform I game on.

You could also see if your Mac will run the free demo in Whisky or whatever Windows emulator. It's not as good as first-party support but worth a shot if you think you'd like the game, especially since it doesn't look too taxing graphics-wise.

 

[Constant Variable]

I've looked at this for a solid 45 seconds and just can't see the pun.
please help an idiot out.

I’m guessing “Navy SEAL”, but I might be barking up the wrong tree.

 

[technophile]

Super small battlefields. More like a puzzle game than XCOM.

Yeah I get "Into the Breach" vibes from the article moreso than XCOM. It's much more fluidly animated than ITB and the infinite rewinds is different from either unless you save scum, of course.

XCOM: Chimera Squad might be a bit closer of an example, although again you don't have the infinite rewinds there.

 

[DovePig]

Windows only, no Mac, no Switch.

FYI, the demo works perfectly fine under Wine (Whisky) Rosetta emulation even on M1 Mac 16GB. 60 fps stable in FHD. Haven't tried in 4K yet, but my guess is it wouldn't be much different – the graphics are pretty simple (if really nice).

ETA: Works just fine in 4K. I'd guess it should run nicely under emulation even on the very basic M1 8GB.

And yes, looks like a pretty cool game. The banter in between missions is nice.

 

[Tofystedeth]

Yeah I get "Into the Breach" vibes from the article moreso than XCOM. It's much more fluidly animated than ITB and the infinite rewinds is different from either unless you save scum, of course.

XCOM: Chimera Squad might be a bit closer of an example, although again you don't have the infinite rewinds there.

Yeah, Into the Breach mixed with Chimera Squad is a pretty good description of it.

(my original snark post was because the entire sentence "It's like a fun XCOM where" completely described XCOM. They didn't include any distinguishing features, other than the subjective fun.)

 

[Yarrum]

I have mixed feelings about it, even for a "small team". But without getting into the often retread platform issues, a bigger sin to me is no GOG version. Having a game like this be Windows only at this point does feel a little archaic vs at least getting it officially tested with stuff like Proton on release, but still picking one OS platform has been a long time thing. But also tying it to one single more locked down distribution platform like Steam is imho not excusable at this point. I don't hate Steam or anything by any means, but in terms of longevity I want single player games like this in particular on GOG so I can download standard zips of them and have them myself forever. That's a real shame and probably enough to put me off of it.

Whilst a GOG version would have been nice, I wouldn't say it's inexcusable there is no GOG version as the majority of small indie games don't release on GOG for whatever reason - they don't like DRM-free (doesn't look like TBW is DRM-free on Steam so that could be a reason?), don't have the resources to maintain multiple builds (GOG and EGS require some more work than just a Steam build), don't feel it's worth it (they take the same cut as Steam and have less sales) or may not make the curation thresholds for the stores.

It's not like the devs other games were on GOG either - his games aren't even on authorised key sites, and are only available via Steam and Humble.

From the games credits looks like the dev team only has six people and a couple of consultants, so the likely reason is they just don't have the resources to support multiple stores.

 

[technophile]

(my original snark post was because the entire sentence "It's like a fun XCOM where" completely described XCOM. They didn't include any distinguishing features, other than the subjective fun.)

Oh yeah, totally. XCOM is fun. It's just fun in the same way as Dwarf Fortress a lot of times, where eventually you get overwhelmed by the complexity/enemies and lose in new and interesting ways.

 

[sk404]

This game is excellent and well worth checking out! Definitely scratches that XCOM itch but the dialog is top notch.

 

[MrScruff]

So I watched the trailer last night, nearly fell out of my chair laughing because it was dumb in all the right ways and bought the game minutes later.

I'd say this game is far closer to Invisible, Inc. than XCOM, to the point that your feelings about Invisible, Inc. could be the sole metric to determine whether you try this game. That said, I think this game wears it slightly better.

I really appreciate that there's no penalty for being an idiot because I do that a lot in this type of game. Sometimes on purpose. And it's nice to be able to say, "Yeah, that idea worked, but can I win harder?" on the same turn.

 

[Voldenuit]

If you own their previous games (Gunpoint and Heat Signature), scroll down the Steam page as they have a complete your bundle option that gives a 25% discount (base version only) making it under £13 here in the UK.

Thanks for the heads up!

I only had Gunpoint, but still saved -15% on TBW. Heat Signature looks really interesting, too.
Also picked up Depersonalization while I was at it, a cutesy pixelart Lovecraftian RPG. Have seen some streamers play it, and it looked interesting.

 

[Nuclearfuzzbomber]

Save Scumming as gameplay. My favorite!