One-inch Tactics
- May 19, 2024
- KOGADO STUDIO
Get on SteamIn "One-inch Tactics," a turn-based strategy game, players must use nuanced strategies to turn the tide of war. Despite its simple design, the game boasts deep strategic complexity and an interactive 3D playing field. With various missions and challenging environments, players must carefully search for enemy positions and consider line of sight and fire to gain the upper hand.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a deep, strategic turn-based experience with engaging mechanics that emphasize careful planning and tactical depth.
- It successfully simulates the feel of a tabletop game, providing a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere with its unique 3D playing field and minimalist design.
- Gameplay is fun and accessible, with a variety of missions and customization options for pilots and mechs, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans of the genre.
- The lack of a cohesive narrative and animated intros can make the campaign feel less engaging and immersive.
- Some crucial gameplay mechanics and details are not adequately covered in the tutorial, leading to potential confusion for new players.
- The user interface can be sluggish, and the gameplay may feel repetitive due to the lack of character progression and the need for multiple clicks during combat.
- story16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The story in this strategy game is minimal and largely secondary to the gameplay, with plot details hidden in mission briefings rather than being a central focus. Players engage in varied missions that require strategic thinking, but the lack of a compelling narrative may leave some feeling less invested in the campaign. Overall, while the missions are distinct and enjoyable, the game does not offer a strong narrative hook to keep players engaged beyond the tactical challenges.
“Each mission feels distinct, with various strategies to explore depending on how players choose to engage their enemies.”
“It has a very particular charm and it's by no means a shallow experience, forcing the player to make use of many weapons and tools to win the mission.”
“You have escort, destruction, and objective capture missions.”
“The lack of a story means there is no hook to keep players invested in the campaign besides wanting to see what the next scenario requires of the player and what equipment will be made available.”
“It’s a solid little strategy game built around the idea of two people playing a miniature war game together, the overall plot is hidden in the situation tab on each mission but it’s not the main focus of the game.”
“- mission briefing done by a faceless guy with a mustache”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a strategic turn-based system that emphasizes scouting, indirect fire, and careful planning, offering a rich tactical experience despite its straightforward premise. Players appreciate the blend of classic and modern mechanics, though some note that the gameplay can feel sluggish at times. Overall, it provides a solid and engaging experience, particularly for fans of tactical depth, with a good amount of content for its price.
“Gameplay-wise, there’s a big focus on scouting and getting visuals on the enemy either through deployable probes or the sensors on your mechs, with indirect fire being a very powerful tool in your arsenal.”
“Gameplay is fun, standard turn-based strategy with an action point system. It runs well on Steam Deck with no issues, and with the recent update, there are a total of thirty missions to play through, which for the $20 asking price isn’t a bad deal.”
“This game excels in delivering a deep, strategic turn-based experience with its unique 3D playing field and minimalist design, ideal for those who appreciate tactical depth and thoughtful gameplay.”
“The most pressing being how exactly do the line of sight mechanics work?”
“The gameplay is sluggish.”
“While it may not offer the graphical sophistication of larger titles, its solid gameplay mechanics and unique 3D interactive playing fields make it a standout in its category.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes functionality over visual flair, resulting in a cutesy, chibi style reminiscent of tabletop wargaming. While the sharp 3D visuals are commendable, they lack the sophistication of larger titles in the genre, which may be jarring for some players. Overall, the graphics cater to fans of the tabletop aesthetic and waifu-style characters, making it appealing to a specific audience.
“The game opts for a minimalist aesthetic that, while functional, lacks the visual flair seen in other titles within the genre.”
“While it may not offer the graphical sophistication of larger titles, its solid gameplay mechanics and unique 3D interactive playing fields make it a standout in its category.”
“This is a little jarring, considering the 3D visuals are sharp.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's music features a soothing smooth jazz soundtrack that enhances the relaxed tabletop gaming atmosphere, reminiscent of classic soundtracks like those from Breath of Fire 3. This calming audio complements the game's steady pace, contributing to an immersive experience.
“The music features a nice smooth jazz vibe.”
“At times, the music makes me reminisce about old soundtracks, like Breath of Fire 3, for some reason.”
“The ambiance created by the game settings mimics a relaxed tabletop gaming environment, complete with a soothing soundtrack that complements the game’s steady pace.”
“Makes me remember old soundtracks at times, like Breath of Fire 3 for some reason.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find that the game's emphasis on uncovering enemy positions and adapting to changing tactical scenarios significantly boosts its replayability, encouraging them to engage with the game multiple times.
“Players are encouraged to uncover enemy positions and adapt to evolving tactical situations, which greatly enhances the replay value.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game's visuals significantly enhance its atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that draws players into its world. The combination of art style and environmental design effectively contributes to the overall mood and tone of the game.
“The visuals and atmosphere create an immersive experience that pulls you into the game world.”
“The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere, making every moment feel intense.”
“The detailed environments and ambient sounds contribute to a rich atmosphere that enhances gameplay.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's optimization is inconsistent, as players report that veteran characters perform similarly to new recruits, suggesting a lack of differentiation in character progression or abilities.
“Your veteran mission character will perform just as well as a new recruit.”
“The optimization in this game ensures that all characters, regardless of their experience level, can compete on equal footing.”
“I love how the game balances performance, making every character viable for any mission.”
“Your three-mission veteran is going to have the same performance as the new recruit.”
“The game feels unbalanced, as there's no noticeable difference in performance between experienced and new characters.”
“I expected better optimization; it seems like all characters are on the same level regardless of their experience.”
