Jagged Alliance 3

A legendary, ancient series is back and better than ever with more firepower and personality than Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Daniel Craig rolled into one.

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The country of Grand Chien is thrown into chaos when the elected president goes missing and the paramilitary force known as "the Legion" seizes control. Hire mercenaries, meet interesting characters, and fight in tactically deep turn-based combat in this true successor to a beloved franchise.

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Play Modes

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,411 reviews

gameplay259 positive mentions

optimization25 negative mentions

Captures the essence and humor of the original Jagged Alliance games while modernizing gameplay mechanics.
Engaging tactical combat with a variety of mercenaries, each with unique personalities and skills.
Rich world with numerous quests, character interactions, and a satisfying progression system.

AI can be inconsistent, often leading to frustrating encounters where enemies behave unpredictably.
The inventory management system is clunky and can become tedious, especially with larger squads.
Some players may find the difficulty spikes and RNG elements frustrating, leading to frequent save scumming.

gameplay
931 mentions
28 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Jagged Alliance 3" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging tactical combat and nostalgic elements reminiscent of the original series, while others criticize its simplifications and inconsistencies compared to previous titles. Players appreciate the humor, character interactions, and the depth of strategic gameplay, but some find the mechanics, particularly stealth and AI behavior, lacking or frustrating. Overall, the game offers a blend of classic and modern mechanics, appealing to both veterans and newcomers, though it may require patience to fully grasp its systems.
- “Feels like Jagged Alliance 2 and 2.5, great gameplay, requires thinking.”
- “The gameplay is solid and I can honestly say I didn't ever get bored with it, specifically.”
- “The gameplay mechanics feel so appropriate to the series and it is an absolute joy to play a proper sequel to Jagged Alliance 2 after 25 years.”
- “Between the non-integrated inventory, high merc upkeeps, esoteric game mechanisms with no explanations, boring and repeated gameplay, as well as rampant save scumming, I would say this is a miss.”
- “The gameplay gets pretty repetitive; you kill all enemies and then walk around looting the area.”
- “With its lackluster gameplay, technical issues, and missed opportunities, Jagged Alliance 3 fails to live up to the legacy of the franchise, leaving fans feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.”
story
832 mentions
31 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in "Jagged Alliance 3" is generally well-received, featuring a mix of engaging plotlines, humorous dialogue, and memorable characters that evoke the spirit of classic action films. While some players find the main narrative somewhat predictable and cliché, the abundance of side quests and the impact of player choices add depth and replayability to the experience. Overall, the game successfully combines tactical gameplay with a rich narrative, though some players note issues with quest design and pacing that can detract from the immersion.
- “The story is surprisingly good, with twists and decisions that feel like they matter.”
- “The writing is exceptional, filled with witty dialogue and unexpected plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat throughout your journey.”
- “The characters and story writing make me laugh each time I play.”
- “The story in the game takes place in Africa, but in terms of the story, the characters and dialogues are mediocre.”
- “The story is very expendable, revolving around a bunch of mercenaries sent to an island to help free it, and it feels quite generic.”
- “The main quest line to free the president does not even seem like the most important mission for about 85% of the game.”
humor
413 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Jagged Alliance 3" is a blend of nostalgic, campy, and sometimes cringeworthy elements, reminiscent of 80s and 90s action movies. While many players appreciate the quirky character interactions and witty banter, some find the humor hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling forced or outdated. Overall, the game successfully captures the light-hearted spirit of its predecessors, offering a mix of absurdity and charm that enhances the tactical gameplay experience.
- “The humor in the game really isn't there.”
- “The characters are fun and varied, the voice acting is good and the lines are funny and well written.”
- “The game has a surprising amount of sexual innuendo but if you take it for the crude humor it is meant to be it is easily overlooked in this tremendous strategy sim.”
- “I'll admit that not all of it is that funny (not offensive to me, but just unfunny), but it's all keeping in tone of the series.”
- “Sure, it's not eye-bashingly gorgeous, some of the humor is cringey, and some of the models and UI elements could be a little better.”
graphics
371 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in Jagged Alliance 3 have received a significant upgrade compared to its predecessors, showcasing a modern aesthetic that balances nostalgia with contemporary design elements. While many players appreciate the detailed environments and character models, some have noted performance issues and a lack of optimization, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.
- “The graphics and locations are excellently done, varied, and each has its own features that directly impact the combat.”
- “The graphics have received a significant upgrade, and the attention to detail in character models, environments, and weapons is remarkable.”
- “With its engaging combat, strategic depth, stunning visuals, and a faithful nod to its predecessor, Jagged Alliance 3 sets a new benchmark for turn-based strategy games.”
- “The graphics are decent, but I feel like fun gameplay has been overlooked in favor of AAA graphics.”
- “Sorry, but only refurbishing graphics is not enough if you can't beat a 25-year-old game.”
- “Once again, graphics triumph over gameplay - like a dozen predecessors and clones that tried to replicate tactical turn-based experience in 3D, this game sacrifices what made JA2 stand the test of time to deliver okay-ish visuals.”
music
144 mentions
51 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its robust and atmospheric soundtrack that evokes nostalgia from previous installments, particularly "Jagged Alliance 2." While some players find the music memorable and fitting for the game's setting, others feel it lacks the iconic quality of earlier titles or becomes repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, though a few players opted to mute it in favor of their own music.
- “And ah, the music - they really made an effort here.”
- “The music, especially, is magnificent, sometimes drawing on previous themes (combining an orchestra with slide guitar), then bringing new flavors and feels, all of which add to and complement the atmosphere perfectly.”
- “A big shout out to George Strezov and everybody involved with creating the soundtrack for this game, it's mind-blowingly great.”
- “The music is forgettable.”
- “Soundtrack: mediocre, boring after a while.”
- “Music is underwhelming and annoying at times; I turned it off and play my own music in the background, playing the JA2 OST in the background elevates the nostalgia to a whole new level.”
optimization
101 mentions
17 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues such as frame rate drops, stuttering, and crashes, particularly on higher settings or with numerous enemies on screen. While some users report smooth performance on mid to high-end PCs, others highlight significant overheating concerns and the need for further optimization to enhance stability and gameplay experience. Despite these challenges, many players still find the game enjoyable, suggesting that with future updates, the optimization could improve.
- “It's also damn good on the visual side, almost without any performance issues.”
- “Performance has been good, no weird crashing.”
- “I haven't had any performance issues personally and the game's resolution is great, the user interface is perfect (in my opinion) and above all, the devs did a really good job in making a fun game.”
- “However, it's worth noting that during my playthrough (at the release), the performance of the game left much to be desired.”
- “The game is incredibly poorly optimized, bordering on a possible lawsuit due to the game putting the player's hardware at risk of getting damaged.”
- “From frequent crashes and game-breaking bugs to poor optimization and long loading times, the game feels unfinished and lacking in polish.”
replayability
91 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game boasts significant replayability due to its diverse cast of mercenaries, various tactical approaches, and the impact of player choices on outcomes. Many players appreciate the modding support, which further enhances replay value by allowing for unique experiences and customizations. While some critiques mention limitations in complexity compared to predecessors, the overall consensus is that the game offers ample opportunities for varied playthroughs and strategies.
- “Its replayability is a testament to its depth, providing fresh experiences with every new journey.”
- “The game has a good replay value, because there are many choices, time-dependent missions, side missions, and play styles.”
- “What really gives this a ton of replayability is the variety of mercs, each of which has their own special trait or ability.”
- “In the end, I don't see a lot of replayability.”
- “The game (both the global map as well as the tactical sector maps) are also far less open than what we're used to from Jagged Alliance 2, severely limiting replayability.”
- “Because all in all it's just a crappy bugged game with little to no replayability, only consisting of grinding the same forces armed with the same weapons all the time.”
atmosphere
76 mentions
53 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant graphics, engaging music, and humorous character interactions, successfully capturing the charm and feel of the original Jagged Alliance series. While some players note a lighter, more cartoonish tone compared to previous installments, many appreciate the detailed environments and immersive sound design that enhance the overall experience. However, a few critiques mention that certain elements may not fully replicate the gritty atmosphere of earlier games, leaving some fans longing for the original's depth.
- “Some not so successful attempts have been made over the years, but this one pretty much nails the atmosphere and charm of the old game.”
- “The lush environments, detailed character models, and atmospheric effects further enhance the gaming experience.”
- “Right from the beginning, the atmosphere and the interesting personalities of your mercs will suck you in.”
- “The graphics are a bit cartoonish compared to the gritty style of JA2, and the whole atmosphere is much lighter and more optimistic in general.”
- “What I really disliked, though, is the atmosphere.”
- “On the atmosphere of deadly games, which, unfortunately, isn't present here.”
grinding
59 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages where inventory management, combat, and micromanagement become cumbersome. While some enjoy the strategic elements and humor, many express frustration with the lack of engaging mechanics, leading to a grindy experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. The combat and logistics often feel overly drawn out, making the game less enjoyable as it progresses.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The battle squads are brain dead though, so fighting the battles is boring and tedious.”
- “After getting the first Winchester/G98, it becomes repetitive and tedious relatively fast.”
- “The turn-based combat is tedious, especially when friendly AI is involved.”
stability
56 mentions
23 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report a generally solid experience with few major bugs, others encounter frequent freezes and glitches that significantly impact gameplay. Some users appreciate the game's smooth performance on platforms like the Steam Deck, but issues such as unresponsive AI and inconsistent mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these problems, several reviews highlight the game's artistic visuals and commend its relatively bug-free launch compared to other recent titles.
- “Mostly bug free and complete from day one, that alone deserves some kind of award these days.”
- “It looks great, it runs great, I ran into very few bugs.”
- “The game seems to be also bug free, which is quite an amazing accomplishment in today's games.”
- “The only problem is that the development is abandoned since version 1.5.1 (February 2024) and some secondary areas of the game are clearly unpolished (especially the inventory can be a headache) but the game itself is stable; the main areas of gameplay are really strong, the visuals and sounds are very artistic and you can see a lot of care on them, and very few bugs and glitches can be seen, and in almost every case, are cosmetic.”
- “The game itself seems quite fun and good, but constant freezes make it almost unplayable.”
- “A buggy mess, especially on Steam Deck.”
emotional
20 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting that well-developed characters and impactful dialogue create memorable experiences that can evoke nostalgia and genuine feelings of loss. The stakes are heightened by the potential for character deaths, which resonate deeply with players, making strategic decisions feel significant. Overall, the combination of heartfelt storytelling and community engagement fosters a strong emotional connection to the game.
- “They made a sequel to a core classic game that actually made me cry with manic nostalgia.”
- “The well-developed characters add depth and emotional investment to the story, making each interaction feel meaningful.”
- “I emotionally connect very well with most characters, the playable ones as well as the NPCs.”
character development
16 mentions
31 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the unique interactions, rich dialogues, and character design reminiscent of 80s and 90s action movies, others find the progression and depth lacking or uninspired. The perk system adds a layer of customization, but some players feel that the overall character development does not meet expectations, especially for those seeking a strong narrative focus. Overall, the game excels in character design and mechanics but falls short in delivering a compelling character development experience.
- “Character development: characters are very well-developed, featuring unique interactions, rich dialogues, and spontaneous responses.”
- “Excellent turn-based fighting with character development and map conquest.”
- “For people who've never played the series before: think X-COM with character development & hard as nails.”
- “The bad: if you are playing this for plot or character development, you will be disappointed.”
- “Not many games manage to pull that sort of characterization off, especially when there's little to no actual character development.”
- “Underwhelming character development and progression.”
monetization
15 mentions
13 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been positively received, with reviewers praising its lack of microtransactions and dismissing it as a mere cash grab. Many fans feel that the game is a genuine passion project that honors the legacy of the original titles, offering a rich experience without the pitfalls of exploitative monetization strategies commonly seen in modern gaming. Overall, it is viewed as a refreshing return to form for the franchise, focusing on quality and nostalgia rather than profit-driven tactics.
- “One commendable aspect is the absence of microtransactions, a welcome rarity in modern gaming.”
- “There are no in-game purchases.”
- “Kind of felt like a cash grab since I feel like they got the game in, but decided not to fill it out too much.”
- “The game almost feels like a cash grab.”
- “If you are worried that this is yet another cash grab under the Jagged Alliance franchise, then do not be afraid.”