Tactical Breach Wizards

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 10,922 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Tactical Breach Wizards Game Cover
Starting at $15.29Buy now
Get on Steam

"Tactical Breach Wizards" is a turn-based tactics game where you lead a team of renegade wizards in kevlar to unravel a conspiracy plot. Each wizard has unique abilities, and you can combo spells for satisfying results. With a story-driven campaign of about 14 hours, you can experiment freely and rewind mistakes, allowing for creative problem-solving.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,922 reviews
story2,400 positive mentions
grinding39 negative mentions
  • story5,409 mentions

    The story of "Tactical Breach Wizards" is a delightful blend of humor and depth, featuring a cast of quirky characters navigating a whimsical yet serious plot centered around preventing a global conflict. Players are drawn into a well-crafted narrative that intertwines character development with engaging gameplay, utilizing clever dialogue and a unique investigation mechanic to enhance the storytelling experience. While the main plot is straightforward, it is enriched by unexpected twists and emotional moments, making it a standout element of the game.

    • “The story keeps you wanting more.”
    • “The writing is genuinely excellent with a cohesive plot and tight, witty dialogue set in an intriguing world.”
    • “The story on the other hand, devolves into constantly calling the 'religious right' fascists, calling 'centrist dads' fascist enablers, and other similar junk that makes it very clear their target audience is determined by political stance.”
    • “I've not finished the story yet, and while it's nothing terribly special so far, the world building and character development makes up for what the story lacks.”
    • “The story is fairly simple and straightforward, but has both charm and heart as your rag-tag band of wizard commandos crack wise while trying to save the world.”
  • gameplay3,806 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tactical Breach Wizards" is widely praised for its engaging and innovative mechanics, blending tactical turn-based strategy with puzzle-like elements reminiscent of games like "Into the Breach." Players appreciate the rewind mechanic, which allows for experimentation without penalty, making the game accessible while still offering depth and complexity as new abilities and challenges are introduced. The combination of clever writing, unique character abilities, and a humorous narrative enhances the overall experience, making it a standout title in the tactical genre.

    • “The gameplay itself is a sort of puzzle-y micro-tactics game.”
    • “The tactical gameplay is very solid and fun to figure out and execute.”
    • “Rock solid tactics gameplay and just, really truly funny writing.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, but the writing is what makes it truly great.”
    • “The gameplay is very puzzle-like (more like 'into the breach' and less like 'xcom') the world building was fantastic and very well thought out, every aspect of the magic and the characters abilities were drawn to their logical conclusion in unique ways which is often missing in magical stories.”
    • “The gameplay is simple in mechanics, but pretty deep and complex, while keeping various twists to keep it fresh throughout the campaign.”
  • humor2,955 mentions

    The humor in "Tactical Breach Wizards" is widely praised for its clever writing and engaging dialogue, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to balance humor with serious themes, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. While some players may find the humor subjective, the overall consensus is that it successfully enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The dialogue is consistently funny and probably one of the best written games I've played in some time.”
    • “The banter is on point and I end up smiling and laughing multiple times every time I play.”
    • “The writing is sharp and frequently hilarious.”
    • “Only big issue I have is the dialogue writing; it's not Forspoken level but more in the quirky D&D character sort of area, with unfunny jokes that interrupt exposition and descriptions of items with zany lines. I don't hate that style, but there's an art to it, and I really don't think the game does it well.”
    • “The main character is a prissy girl boss, and everything she says is supposed to be funny (I think), but it comes off as holier-than-thou and condescending, with every other line being an unnecessary quirky one-liner.”
    • “And the dialogues are a slog of unfunny jokes you have to wade through.”
  • graphics757 mentions

    The graphics of "Tactical Breach Wizards" are characterized by a charming low-poly aesthetic that prioritizes visual clarity and style over hyper-realism, resulting in a vibrant and engaging art style. Players appreciate the unique blend of modern military and fantasy elements, with many noting the graphics enhance the overall gameplay experience without being graphically intensive. While some find the visuals simple, they are generally praised for their cohesiveness and ability to convey character and humor effectively.

    • “The art style is strikingly unique and a gorgeous take on cell shading with lower fidelity geometry.”
    • “The visuals are amazing, the audio is great, the story is engaging and funny, and the gameplay is excellent.”
    • “The art style is so aesthetically pleasing, varied, and very clearly designed to show you interesting differentiation of characters and environments.”
    • “As for the art style, however, I'm not a fan.”
    • “It's inoffensive at best, but at worst can feel somewhat sterile, similar to Heat Signature (though thankfully, this game's graphics still manage to be more expressive than Heat Signature).”
    • “The low poly graphics are charming, but sometimes it feels like things lack detail and polish, with certain scenes being quite forgettable.”
  • music261 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, while others criticize its repetitiveness and lack of variety. Some players found the soundtrack engaging and fitting for the game's tone, while others felt it became monotonous over time, suggesting a need for more diverse tracks. Overall, the music is generally considered good but could benefit from additional variety to maintain player interest throughout longer sessions.

    • “An absolute 10/10 game, an amazing concept combining magic, turn-based combat, and excellent music composition - all put together in a stunning way - has made this one of my favorite games of the past 5 years.”
    • “The music is, much like Tom Francis's other games, superb.”
    • “The visuals are stylish, the music and sound effects are weighty, the characters are all very well written, and as the tone of the story shifted and the gravity of their situation became apparent, I found myself caring about these individuals and their world.”
    • “Music loops too soon (would probably require double the soundtrack for it not to feel repetitive, or something that changes it each time it's played within the same hour).”
    • “The music is pretty bland and repetitive.”
    • “The lackluster soundtrack is completely forgettable.”
  • replayability257 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting that while it offers engaging gameplay and optional challenges, it lacks the depth of procedural generation or a "new game+" feature. Many appreciate the inclusion of a level editor and user-generated content, which significantly enhances replay value, while others feel the linear nature and finite campaign limit its overall replayability. Overall, players find enough incentive in optional objectives and character unlocks to justify multiple playthroughs, though it may not reach the replayability heights of similar titles.

    • “In long: this game is a well-written, highly replayable isometric turn-based tactics game from an indie developer renowned for excellent games.”
    • “With lots of creative powers to play around with and dozens of ways to solve missions, it's highly enjoyable and very replayable.”
    • “The optional objectives, challenge missions, and player-created levels also add a lot of replayability.”
    • “This is a linear game with limited replayability and more of a puzzle/tactics than a strategy game and you should be aware of that.”
    • “The only (very mild) downside is that the game appears somewhat brief, and won't be particularly replayable, but for a top-shelf experience, the price is a steal.”
    • “I was a bit disappointed to learn it doesn't have procedural levels for replayability.”
  • emotional247 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its engaging and heartfelt storytelling, which balances humor with serious themes, resulting in a surprisingly touching experience. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and their emotional arcs, often finding themselves invested in their journeys and relationships. The writing is noted for its clever wit and ability to evoke genuine laughter and tears, making the game both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

    • “The story is quirky, dialogue witty, and the characters are oddly heartwarming on occasion.”
    • “It's funny, heartfelt, tackles big issues, and develops the characters well.”
    • “The heartfelt story of Dall and her goal to rise up against a fascist regime kept me engaged and rooting for her every step of the way.”
  • character development162 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably strong, with players appreciating the depth and emotional arcs of the characters throughout the story. The witty dialogue and unique character designs enhance the overall experience, making the characters feel alive and relatable. Many reviews highlight the successful integration of character development with gameplay mechanics, resulting in a memorable and engaging narrative.

    • “The five main characters go through a surprising amount of meaningful and satisfying character development over the course of the story, and everything wraps up with a bow in the end--and you get some say in that ending, too.”
    • “Characters even undergo an appreciable amount of character development, something I genuinely was not expecting from my tactics game but is incredibly appreciated.”
    • “The game strikes an excellent balance of incorporating humor - lots of it - without undermining the stakes of the narrative and the impact of key moments of character development.”
    • “There’s a lot of tongue-in-cheek quippy banter that just doesn’t seem to mesh well with the times the game tries to tell a serious story with serious character development.”
    • “While the game is overall light and humorous, these topics are treated with the weight they deserve, and working through real emotions is what drives the character development of your little group of friends.”
    • “I've not finished the story yet, and while it's nothing terribly special so far, the world building and character development makes up for what the story lacks.”
  • optimization62 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance across various hardware, including lower-end systems, with many players reporting solid frame rates and minimal bugs. The turn-based combat system allows for strategic experimentation without penalty, enhancing the gameplay experience. However, some users noted issues with controller support and battery consumption, suggesting room for improvement in those areas.

    • “The turn-based combat system and ability to rewind up to your last completed turn allows you to look for optimization in your strategy and try crazy stuff just to see if it works without fear of failing the level.”
    • “The game's pace is very forgiving - you can rewind time all the way to the beginning of the round, so you basically fine-tune your round performance until you are satisfied with the result.”
    • “It's a tight tactical game that scratches that optimization itch with low commitment and seamless re-dos within a turn, so you can try several different options and pick your favorite.”
    • “Only areas I'd really point out for improvement are controller support and minor optimization.”
    • “On the optimization side, playing it burns through the battery way faster than I'd expect for a game like this; not sure what's happening there.”
    • “I did find the controller scheme to be somewhat confusing/unoptimized.”
  • grinding42 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while the game offers engaging gameplay and well-crafted dialogue, it can become tedious, especially during longer sessions or on higher difficulty levels. Players appreciate the lack of traditional grinding mechanics, but some find certain aspects, like menu navigation and repetitive actions, to be unnecessarily laborious. Overall, the game is best enjoyed in short bursts to avoid monotony, with a focus on creativity and strategy rather than grinding.

    • “No grinding, no sweating, just fun.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Somehow gets grindy in the endgame.”
    • “I found the difficulty to be manageable but tedious, likely because I played on the hardest difficulty, but I still thought it was worth mentioning.”
    • “My only gripe with the game at the moment is that if you've made a ton of moves in a given turn, but maybe want to redo your turn as a whole, your only option is just repeatedly clicking rewind, which can get tedious when some levels can have you do up to 10+ moves in a turn.”
  • atmosphere31 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging worldbuilding, humor, and attention to detail, creating a fun and immersive experience. Players appreciate the combination of great dialogue, art, and level design that contribute to a chill yet captivating vibe. However, some reviewers noted a lack of immersion in certain aspects, particularly criticizing the music for failing to enhance the overall atmosphere.

    • “The little details, from the arcane-modern equipment the wizards carry to the snippets of funny dialogue really all work together to create an atmosphere that is very enjoyable to partake in.”
    • “The worldbuilding and atmosphere are great.”
    • “I felt like this game had no atmosphere or immersion for that reason.”
    • “The music, however, is so whatever that I almost forgot it existed—failing really hard at setting up the desired atmosphere.”
    • “Just a blast to play, from the characters, the puzzles and the atmosphere, you feel the immense amount of passion and talent that went into the game.”
  • stability29 mentions

    Overall, "Tactical Breach Wizards" is praised for its stability, with many users reporting a bug-free experience, smooth performance, and no crashes or freezes. While some minor visual glitches and sound issues were noted, they did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. The game runs particularly well on the Steam Deck, further enhancing its appeal.

    • “No glitches and/or bugs so far, which is rare these days.”
    • “The fact it’s mostly bug free is a testament to what they’ve achieved here, and an absolute joy to play on Steam Deck.”
    • “Add in great tactical gameplay in a tight, clean, bug-free package... love it.”
    • “The fonts are a bit too small and the button sounds appear to not load correctly and just sound like static glitches to me.”
    • “Currently the store page for the demo is buggy - try the following (credit to [url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/1043810/discussions/0/7404569906649223815/]discussions forum[/url]):”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and a really cool aesthetic, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    The game is praised for its player-friendly monetization approach, featuring no microtransactions or predatory practices. Its advertising is described as brutally honest and accurately reflects the game's quality, contributing to a positive player experience without relying on misleading tactics. Overall, it is seen as a successful example of a game that values its players while maintaining a fair pricing strategy.

    • “There are no microtransactions or any player-hostile behavior.”
    • “The game respects players by avoiding any form of monetization that could be seen as exploitative.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no microtransactions, making the experience fair and enjoyable.”
    • “No microtransactions, FOMO, or weird monetization bullshit either.”
    • “Refunded based on incorrect advertising.”
    • “The game's advertising is brutally honest.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Tactical Breach Wizards

Play time

20hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
12-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 64 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games