Fae Tactics

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 600 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Fae Tactics Game Cover
Endlessfluff Games' Fae Tactics invites players to a mysterious world of magic, monsters and turn-based combat. Is the magic real or just fairy dust? Our review.
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Fae Tactics is a tactical RPG that follows a young magic user named Peony. You'll explore a vibrant world, battling enemies and making allies along the way. The game features strategic turn-based combat, resource management, and elements of storytelling for a rich, immersive gameplay experience.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 600 reviews
story128 positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions
  • Charming graphics and engaging characters that evoke nostalgia for classic tactical RPGs.
  • Innovative combat mechanics that emphasize strategy and adaptability, allowing for diverse team compositions.
  • A well-crafted story with emotional depth and character arcs that keep players invested.
  • Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, with some boss battles feeling unfair and requiring specific strategies to win.
  • The AI for NPC allies can be unreliable, leading to potential mission failures if they act recklessly.
  • Lack of customization options for characters and summons, which may disappoint players looking for deeper RPG mechanics.
  • story502 mentions

    The story in "Fae Tactics" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its depth and character development, particularly the journey of the protagonist, Peony, as she searches for her mother. While some find the narrative to be somewhat non-linear and episodic, leading to occasional confusion, others enjoy the engaging character arcs and emotional moments that unfold throughout the game. Overall, the story is described as charming and enjoyable, though it may not be groundbreaking, and it effectively complements the tactical gameplay.

    • “The story is touching, characters are lovable, and the gameplay is on point.”
    • “The art and aesthetic are great, the story and characters are excellent and well designed, the world is interesting and compelling, and the combat is the right balance of fun and challenging.”
    • “The story follows Peony, a 15-year-old girl who leaves her mountain village in search of her mother (who left without saying goodbye).”
    • “The story is patchwork and generic.”
    • “The story isn't anything to write home about, but I don't think that hampers the experience in any way.”
    • “The story is kinda forgettable.”
  • gameplay274 mentions

    The gameplay of "Fae Tactics" is praised for its depth and variety, offering a blend of simple mechanics that evolve into complex strategies, making it accessible yet challenging for players. While the game introduces numerous mechanics that can initially overwhelm, it gradually eases players into its systems, allowing for engaging tactical combat and diverse team compositions. However, some players note issues with clarity in mechanics and pacing, suggesting that while the core gameplay is strong, it could benefit from better explanations and quality-of-life improvements.

    • “Genuinely one of the best strategy games I've played; it has depth and so many different gameplay styles and synergies.”
    • “Fae Tactics successfully boils the tactics RPG genre down to its essential elements and creates a deep and engaging system that emphasizes adapting to challenges while using all of the mechanics at your disposal.”
    • “The gameplay quickly devolves into a game of having your tank main character cover literally everyone and summon every turn, or they'll explode into treats.”
    • “A really beautiful game that is heavily weighed down by poor gameplay design decisions.”
    • “There are a few frustrations with the gameplay though.”
    • “The game could really benefit from some sort of reference or glossary to unintuitive mechanics.”
  • music112 mentions

    The music in the game receives widespread praise for its catchy and diverse soundtrack, which effectively enhances the overall atmosphere and mood. Many reviewers highlight the nostalgic quality of the music, reminiscent of classic RPGs, while some note that certain tracks stand out as particularly memorable. However, a few critiques mention that the music can become repetitive over time, and there are calls for more variety in the soundtrack.

    • “All this is wrapped up by a beautiful soundtrack, with catchy and very diverse tunes.”
    • “The music is evocative and the world obviously has a lot of love and care put into it.”
    • “The art style is amazing, the story is creative and unique, the soundtrack slaps and the combat system is simple to understand but hard to master.”
    • “The music is beyond annoying.”
    • “The game has almost no plot, the characters are generic, the combat is mediocre, the music is average and the graphics are okay at best.”
    • “The music is more hit than miss, with a couple of songs I really liked (shoutout to Pichon’s theme), but ultimately it didn’t feel that amazing.”
  • graphics100 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and meticulous animations, evoking nostalgia for classic tactical RPGs. Many reviewers highlighted the art and aesthetic as standout features, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience, despite some mixed opinions on the overall quality and depth of the graphics. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant draw, enhancing both the gameplay and storytelling elements.

    • “The art and aesthetic is great, the story and characters are excellent and well designed, the world is interesting and compelling, and the combat is the right balance of fun and challenging.”
    • “Fae Tactics' artwork is no slouch either, presenting us with meticulous pixel art for the environments and units.”
    • “The graphical presentation is colorful and expressive and fluid, and it really draws you into the game's setting.”
    • “The game has almost no plot, the characters are generic, the combat is mediocre, the music is average and the graphics are ok at best.”
    • “Frankly, I did not expect much when I saw the graphics of the game.”
    • “Graphics... these are honestly not very good.”
  • grinding38 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it tedious and overly time-consuming, others appreciate that it can be minimized with strategic play. Many express frustration with the slow pace of combat and the necessity of grinding for certain items or levels, while a few highlight that the game allows for progression without extensive grinding. Overall, the experience can feel grindy, particularly in later stages, but some players manage to enjoy the game without relying heavily on grinding mechanics.

    • “Currently stuck on day 37, in between two missions that I have no hope of clearing without yet another grinding session that would waste several in-game days.”
    • “There's no story to speak of here and a relative lack of unit variety, so it gets pretty grindy over time, particularly when forcing you to complete multiple maps' worth of fights back to back or replay a map when one of numerous units gets knocked out.”
    • “The story is not compelling enough to keep me going grinding, which feels like the same battle over and over again.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its blend of heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments, with a touching story and lovable characters that create a fulfilling experience. Players appreciate the balance of fun and introspection, alongside moments of sorrow and tension, all enhanced by beautiful audio-visual elements. Overall, the game delivers a rich emotional journey that resonates well, despite some minor gameplay issues.

    • “Heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments abound.”
    • “The story is touching, characters are lovable, and the gameplay is on point.”
    • “There are moments of fun, there are jokes, there are gags… but there are also moments of introspection, moments of sorrow, moments of tension and fear, and beautiful heartwarming moments.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky art style and clever references, particularly to 80s movies, which many players found amusing. While the tonal shifts between gag humor and serious moments can be jarring, the game still manages to deliver entertaining scenarios, such as the unexpected wimpiness of newly recruited NPCs. Overall, the humor adds charm and keeps the gameplay engaging, though some players felt it could be hit or miss.

    • “They get away with so much because of the art style; it's actually funny.”
    • “The devs also put in a lot of references to weird things like 80s movies, which were pretty funny to recognize.”
    • “It’s actually very funny that some NPCs join your team later on, and as soon as they join you, they suddenly become very wimpy and die in like two hits.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its innovative mechanics, customizable teams, and multiple story routes, allowing players to experience different outcomes and challenges. With features like new game+ and various endings, it encourages exploration and experimentation, making each playthrough enjoyable and distinct. Overall, players appreciate the depth and content that enhance the game's longevity.

    • “Very innovative SRPG with lots of replayability and customization.”
    • “Despite its faults, this is a labor of love, jam-packed with content, challenge, unit variety, and even replay value with 3 secret characters and multiple endings.”
    • “While I do like the availability for multiple endings for party members, this seems built to be a New Game+ thing more than anything, which could be fine to promote replayability.”
    • “40 hours for a playthrough is absolutely perfect for this kind of game in my opinion, and it has quite a bit of replay value since your route through the story can change and you keep your levels and such in New Game+.”
  • character development7 mentions

    The game features memorable characters with decent development, enhanced by charming art and design that complement its darker narrative. While not heavily story-driven, it offers a satisfying exploration of character personalities and relationships, with animations that effectively highlight their traits. Players are encouraged to engage with all characters to fully appreciate their development throughout the game.

    • “It does some really unique things with the tactical RPG formula, and the art style and character designs are a charming overlay to a dark story.”
    • “Memorable characters that get decent character development.”
    • “This is not the most story-heavy game, but it provides a nice sprinkle to know the characters and the world better, with the animations being flashy when needed but subtle most of the time to accentuate the character designs and the colorful art.”
    • “Much like everyone else said, character development takes some time, and I'd personally suggest trying to nab all the characters before going down the story.”
    • “This is not the most story-heavy game, but it is a nice sprinkle to know the characters and the world better, with the animations being flashy when needed but subtle most of the time to accentuate the character designs and the colorful art.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report that while the game is generally enjoyable, it suffers from a range of bugs and glitches, particularly in audio and combat mechanics. Stability issues are noted as a concern, though some players find them infrequent.

    • “I've encountered some glitches with the audio as well.”
    • “It's fun enough but still super buggy.”
    • “Too many weird combat glitches.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere in Fae Tactics is highly praised for its unique approach, successfully creating a distinct vibe rather than mimicking other games. The soundtrack is particularly noted for enhancing the overall experience, contributing to an enjoyable and immersive environment.

    • “This is very successful in its goals in part because, unlike a lot of these games, it is not attempting to evoke the same vibe and atmosphere as others.”
    • “Fae Tactic's soundtrack is atmospheric and absolutely enjoyable.”
    • “This game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninspired.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and lifeless, lacking the depth and immersion that one would expect from a game of this genre.”
    • “Despite its ambitious design, the game struggles to establish a cohesive atmosphere, resulting in a disjointed experience.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that character optimization is secondary to strategic decision-making during battles, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies to counter specific enemies rather than merely leveling up characters. Each encounter requires thoughtful planning, making optimization a dynamic and situational aspect of gameplay.

    • “Actual strategy during battle is far more important than character optimization, and each battle is going to require some strategic thinking instead of just serving as a level check.”
    • “There are lots of decisions to be made, and optimization is crucial based on the enemies you face.”
    • “Actual strategy during battle is far more important than character optimization, and each battle is going to require some strategy instead of just serving as a level check.”
    • “There are lots of decisions to be made, and optimization is heavily based on the enemies.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game's monetization strategy features family-friendly advertising, appealing to a broader audience while maintaining a positive image.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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Play time

41hMedian play time
33hAverage play time
19-53hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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