Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
One of the more revealing artistic barometers of our industry is the remake. In the past, offering a hurried port adorned with a bit of perfunctory content was the norm. However, contemporary gamers are seeing an increasing number of praiseworthy revitalizations which offer an attentive upgrade to the source material. Such is the case with the recent PSP release of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together. Whereas Playstation owners were once given a mediocre reconstruction of the Japan-only SNES cartridge, director Yasumi Matsuno (Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story) and staff returned to give the title a meticulous makeover- rendering all previous iterations into mere curios.
With the exception of the game’s diminutive sprite-based units, few elements of Let Us Cling Together divulge its fifteen-year existence. Players assume the role of Denam Powell, a young insurgent who aims the stabilize the precarious balance of power which exists between Valeria’s clashing ethnic factions. Recalling the weighty moral dilemmas found in modern role-playing titles, Tactics Ogre‘s trajectory is guided by periodic branching points in the story. Smartly, the title avoids the obvious good/evil dichotomy common to many titles. With an individual’s objectives competing with group goals, and allegiance often pitted against morality, simple decisions are a rarity. Likewise, many of the game’s villains are pleasingly multifaceted. Sure, there are a few vile vermin- but occasionally, an antagonist’s motivation are divulged through a sympathetic backstory.
One of the near-collective criticisms of the original Tactics Ogre was the title’s unwavering difficulty, where a single miscalculation could lead to a loss on the battlefield. Cleverly, Let Us Cling Together furnishes gamers a robust set of advantageous (and optional) tools. With the power of the chariot tarot, players can leap back up to fifty turns, to alter their strategies. Additionally, the game’s Warren Report serves as an invaluable field guide, offering a comprehensive amount of data and advice. There’s even assistance in the form of detailed tickertape description when players move the cursor over a unit. Once the world tarot option is unlocked, players can return to pivotal junctions in the game’s storyline, to see the effects of an alternate decision.
During combat, a number of insightful changes have been made as well. In the original game, players were compelled to utilize their secondary units, or else they’d be enemy fodder when a full twelve-player skirmish took place. Now, victory bolsters up an entire class; once a single archer reaches level 15, every other archer will be promoted to the same echelon. Tempering this advantage, Let Us Cling Together has overhauled its skill system, awarding battle points after each victory. While this skill-based currency endows units with new abilities- such as counterattacks, extended spell ranges, and powerful sneak attacks, there are restrictions on how many capacities can be assigned to each combatant. Eventually, characters who persist with a particular weapon will unlock finishing moves which allow a satisfying coup de grace on adversaries.
For SRPG neophytes, learning the complexities of Tactics Ogre turn-based battle system is a substantial undertaking. Beyond controlling up to a dozen combatants in the field, players have to content with variables such as unit direction, elevation, and range of attack. Those accustomed to the immaculate grid-based battles on the genre, need to dutifully monitor their attack percentages- lest they launch an wayward projectile or spell into a friendly unit. With far-reaching ranged attacks fairly mobile units, the equilibrium of battle can be delightfully precarious. Regretfully, guest units are prone to making imprudent decisions, often impetuously rushing full-health foes instead of vanquishing injured opponents or healing gravely wounded allies.
Visually, the title’s character portraits are emotively rendered, complementing the game’s proficiently penned dialog. Equally as adept are Tactics Ogre menu system and spell effects. The former retains responsiveness despite being downright sumptuous, while the later offers a variety of well-animated, luminous effects. Less satisfying are the game’s squatty battlefield units, whose small size can prohibit players for immediately distinguishing each character’s class. Let Us Cling Together‘s symphonic soundtrack may be the game’s true highlight- with crystal clear production and evocative refrains, the title’s tracks are some of the best output heard from a portable game.
Between the brilliance of its source material and a slavish devotion to improvement, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together deserves a place in every SRPG aficionado’s library. By taking the time and effort to redesign the original game’s minor blemishes, the developers have created a shining exemplar of how a remake should be handled. I’m hoping both consumers and the industry takes vigilant notice; interactive media certainly deserves the same preservation efforts devoted to other mediums.
’bout time. =)
Good score for a great game.
Agreed, all remakes should be as good as this one. I’ve put over 100 hours in the PS1 game and now at least 30 into this.
Thanks for the spoiler-less review. I really appreciate it. I read something on another website (good and bad endings) that made me so pissed, I almost didn’t red this review.
I always hear nothing but praise for TO; I might have to take the plunge soon.
Whatever happened to the Wii remake that was once rumored?
Jeanne D’Arc,FF Tactics and this is all I need for my PSP. Everything else is gravy.
sounds great. Too bad the PSP’s days are numbered.Lets hope this works on NGPs.
You didn’t mention how the story to fixed to tie up a few loose ends. That alone makes this the best version, IMO.
One of the best games I have played. Totally agree with your review, Deagle.
Why couldn’t this be a $20 DLC title for XBLA?
Yasumi Matsuno is one of the greatest designers of all time. I bought this one on launch day and I totally love it. The changes are great, I like every single one of them.
Almost as much ass-kissing as Jeremy Parrish. Why the A- though?
Good review, just a bit behind schedule (it came out a month ago).
Reviews seem to LOVE this game.
Man, you’re really making me want a PSP. With the price drop, I think I might get one.
For the past two week, I’ve been clinging to my PSP. This game is amazing.
I’m glad they put some effort into to the remake. ALL PSP ports should do the same.
I’m really shocked this didn’t get an “A”. I’ve heard it was a perfect SRPG.
I always heard it was just a PSP remake. Where did you hear that?
Good review Deagle. But if you’re not into SRPGs would you still like this?
You guys better we right about this one. I just took the $40 gamble!
You should there’s a lot of really great games on it. Well worth the investment to play on the go.
Yep, that would have been ideal. You’d think they could spread out the cost across multiple platforms.
I could be in the minority here, but I always thought TO was too complex for it’s own good. Managing 12 units at a time, skills, classes was all a bit much for me.
No I feel the same. I like strategy but I don’t like monitoring a bunch on units. Especially when they die, their removed from the game.
After hearing so many good things, I really want to try this.