Good things come in threes in Square Enix’s tactical RPG

Developer

Square Enix, Artdink

Publisher

Square Enix

Format 

Switch

Origin Japan

Release March 4

Even without that ridiculous Ronseal title, we can’t help but notice patterns of threes in Triangle Strategy. Its medieval realm of Norzelia is home to three nations (the prosperous Kingdom Of Glenbrook, the industrious Archdukedom Of Aesfrost, and the Holy State Of Hyzante) once at war with one another, but which have held an uneasy truce for the past three decades. In particular, Glenbrook is served by three high houses, including House Wolffort, of which young swordsman Serenoa, the protagonist, is to become the next lord. And for those curious to find out whether this is a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy Tactics, the free prologue demo grants access to the first three chapters.

There are certainly similarities with that cult PlayStation classic, as well as subsequent Nintendo handheld instalments – notably the rotatable isometric perspective, which lends itself well to Square Enix’s trademarked HD-2D aesthetic. Turns in battle are dictated by a unit’s speed, while positioning also factors in the direction you’re facing, as you take care not to leave your back exposed to critical hits. Ironically, there’s no explicit weapon triangle, even if units do have weaknesses and resistances, perhaps to avoid comparison with Fire Emblem – and on that note, there’s no permadeath either. The majority of our first few hours with the game is a surprisingly slow burn, with less marshalling of troops than you might expect, in favour of absorbing Norzelian lore, as we’re invited to familiarise ourselves with a large cast belonging to multiple dynastic families. Of particular significance is Serenoa’s arranged marriage to Frederica, the eldest daughter of the Aesfrost dukedom, in a bid to strengthen ties between their respective nations.