Tactical Breach Wizards

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 13,316 reviews

story3k positive mentions

grinding44 negative mentions

The game features a unique and charming art style with low-poly graphics that enhance the gameplay experience and support its humor and narrative.
Gameplay is engaging and well-balanced, with a unique rewind mechanic that encourages creative problem-solving and experimentation.
The writing is exceptional, blending humor and depth, with well-developed characters and engaging dialogue that enhances the overall narrative experience.

Some players find the graphics lack detail and polish, with certain scenes being forgettable and not visually impressive.
The dialogue can be hit or miss, with some jokes feeling forced or unfunny, detracting from the overall experience.
While the game offers replayability, it lacks the procedural generation and infinite replayability found in similar titles, leading to a somewhat brief experience.

story
6,674 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
54%
1%
The story of "Tactical Breach Wizards" is a surprisingly engaging blend of humor and depth, featuring a cast of well-developed characters navigating a globe-trotting conspiracy. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and clever writing, which enhance the overall experience, making it both entertaining and emotionally resonant. While the main narrative is linear and straightforward, it is complemented by optional missions and challenges that add replayability and allow for creative problem-solving in gameplay.
- “The story and dialogue were much better than one might expect.”
- “The writing is exceptional and the way the story unfolds is well-paced and enjoyable.”
- “The story is engaging, but also funny.”
- “The story is a little all over the place, but you can skip it all and just play if you want to.”
- “The story kind of drags on especially when the character progression may put you off.”
- “The story is quite simple and generic in themes, where it shines is how the characters act and coexist.”
gameplay
4,650 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The gameplay of "Tactical Breach Wizards" is widely praised for its engaging mechanics that blend tactical strategy with puzzle-solving elements, reminiscent of games like "Into the Breach" and "XCOM." Players appreciate the unique rewind mechanic, which allows for experimentation without penalty, enhancing the overall experience by encouraging creative problem-solving. The game features a variety of characters with distinct abilities, ensuring that each encounter feels fresh and challenging, while the witty writing and humor further enrich the gameplay experience.
- “Gameplay is amazing, the main rewind/foresee gimmick is so nice to play around with, you get to see 'is this a horrible idea or a genius strategy?' happen in seconds instead of however long it would take to reset the entire level.”
- “The gameplay is fun and smart, flexible and dynamic, while feeling balanced.”
- “The gameplay is absorbing, well balanced, challenging and satisfying.”
- “The gameplay is basically a trial-and-error exercise of testing out a combination of actions (that are poorly communicated by the UI), assessing the result, and rewinding and repeating until it works.”
- “But if you are expecting an XCOM derivative or a classic turn-based tactical game from a gameplay perspective, then you will probably be disappointed.”
- “The rewind mechanic works a lot better than I expected; encounters still feel challenging even with the ability to redo your turn as many times as you want.”
humor
3,588 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in *Tactical Breach Wizards* is widely praised for its clever writing and engaging dialogue, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Reviewers highlight the balance between lightheartedness and serious themes, with characters that are both funny and relatable, contributing to a rich narrative experience. The game's witty banter and humorous situations are noted as standout features, making it a delightful blend of tactical gameplay and comedy.
- “The dialogue is exactly the kind of funny, snappy wit needed to break up the difficult combats and more serious plot and personal elements present in the game.”
- “I was originally hoping for more XCOM, and was surprised to find that not only was it more XCOM, but I was invested in the story and laughing at the dialogue from start to finish.”
- “The writing is funny while also being serious when it needs to in most cases.”
- “And the dialogues are a slog of unfunny jokes you have to wade through.”
- “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, and every other line is an unnecessary quirky one-liner.”
- “Only big issue I have is the dialogue writing; it's not Forspoken level but more 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.”
graphics
912 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which blends low-poly aesthetics with vibrant colors and clever design. Reviewers appreciate the clarity and readability of the visuals, which enhance the gameplay experience without overwhelming players. While some note that the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they effectively support the game's humor and narrative, making it visually appealing and engaging.
- “The art style is unique, and the animation is buttery smooth.”
- “The graphics are minimalistic, yet so beautiful.”
- “The art style is strikingly unique and a gorgeous take on cell shading with lower fidelity geometry.”
- “The low poly graphics are charming, but sometimes it feels like things lack detail and polish, with certain scenes being quite forgetful.”
- “If you're looking to learn something about visuals, the game isn't going to give you a lot.”
- “In terms of graphics, you get what you see.”
music
330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
48%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others note its repetitiveness and lack of variety. Some players found the soundtrack engaging and fitting for the game's tone, contributing to an immersive atmosphere, while others felt it was generic and forgettable. Overall, the music is generally considered good, but there are calls for more diverse tracks to prevent it from becoming monotonous during extended play sessions.
- “A wonderfully charming experience crafted with an absolutely astounding amount of care, from the gameplay balance of the various characters, enemies, and encounters, to the soundtrack that gets you in the urban fantasy headspace, to the charming writing and worldbuilding that leaves you craving more at every moment.”
- “The soundtrack has a nice beat to it and is fitting with the scenes and combat it's used in.”
- “The music is great, too; I particularly enjoyed how there are tracks for both the planning/dialogue before a breach, and after.”
- “The music is pretty bland and repetitive.”
- “The lackluster soundtrack is completely forgettable.”
- “The music, however, is so whatever that I almost forgot it existed—failing really hard at setting up the desired atmosphere.”
emotional
304 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its exceptional balance of humor and heartfelt storytelling, with players noting that it effectively tackles serious themes while maintaining a lighthearted tone. Characters are well-developed, with engaging arcs that resonate deeply, leading to moments that are both funny and touching. Overall, the writing is described as witty and insightful, making the emotional beats impactful without feeling forced, resulting in a game that is both entertaining and emotionally engaging.
- “The interplay between characters and their struggles to understand themselves and each other is fun and heartwarming, and the game deals with serious personal themes without pushing them under the rug.”
- “But it's also got so much heart - some of the expertly written character moments hit so hard I welled up, and the geopolitical layer is better than most airport novels, is paced perfectly, and stays engaging the entire time.”
- “The writing does a great job of balancing levity and seriousness such that the two aspects enhance each other, rather than compete for the emotional real estate.”
replayability
292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
5%
The game offers a solid level of replayability, primarily through optional objectives, different character combinations, and a level editor that allows for user-generated content. While it lacks the procedural generation and infinite replayability found in titles like XCOM, many players appreciate the engaging puzzles and challenges that encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it strikes a balance between a satisfying single experience and enough content to warrant revisiting.
- “One of the few games that has true replayability.”
- “Brilliant game with awesome gameplay, brilliant story and lots of replayability.”
- “I just finished the game, but there's a good deal of replayability; there are plenty of optional goals to go back to and complete, and even after that there's a level editor, as well as the option to go back and get silly and experimental.”
- “Do note you'll probably have less replay value than a game like XCOM, because there isn't any RNG or procedurally-generated levels.”
- “In the end it doesn't have much in terms of replayability, but that one playthrough is really satisfying.”
- “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.”
character development
214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting a surprising depth and emotional resonance that enhances the overall narrative. The characters are described as unique and well-defined, with engaging dialogue and meaningful arcs that evolve throughout the story. Additionally, the attention to detail in character design complements the humor and stakes of the plot, making the characters feel alive and relatable.
- “I’m amazed at how well this game manages to balance out the ability to be silly and funny all the time, while also telling a great story with proper character development, serious stakes, and drama.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
optimization
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
46%
9%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly even on low-end hardware and maintaining high frame rates without significant bugs or performance issues. Players appreciate the low poly art style, which contributes to its performance efficiency, and the forgiving gameplay mechanics that allow for strategic experimentation. However, some users noted that controller support could be improved, and there are minor concerns regarding battery usage on portable devices.
- “I can also add that it runs smoothly on a really low-end computer (old Ryzen 5 2400G CPU with an integrated GPU) with max graphics, which is neat.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “I did find the controller scheme to be somewhat confusing and unoptimized.”
- “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.”
grinding
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
8%
88%
Reviews indicate that while grinding can be enjoyable for achievement hunters, it often leads to tedious gameplay, especially on higher difficulties. Many players appreciate the game's ability to intersperse engaging dialogue and challenges that prevent grinding from feeling monotonous, though some still find certain mechanics and lengthy levels can become repetitive. Overall, the game is praised for its creativity and fun, but it may require patience during extended play sessions.
- “No grinding, no sweating, just fun.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Cons are that the gameplay can occasionally feel like a bit of a slog (where the gameplay is taking a while and I just want more story), and there is a power combo that's incredibly overpowered but tedious to use.”
- “I also played through the entire campaign on hard, which I found to be a little less enjoyable and a little more tedious.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
26%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its light-hearted yet deep tone, engaging worldbuilding, and enjoyable details that enhance immersion. Players appreciate the blend of humor, art, and character interactions, which contribute to a fun and chill experience. However, some critiques mention a lack of impactful music that detracts from the overall atmosphere.
- “Light-hearted but deep, great style, great atmosphere, and a blast to play.”
- “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.”
- “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 music, however, is so whatever that I almost forgot it existed—failing really hard at setting up the desired atmosphere.”
- “I felt like this game had no atmosphere or immersion for that reason.”
- “But the faction that really blew me away with their appearance and atmosphere was the chapel levels.”
stability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
7%
47%
Overall, the game demonstrates impressive stability, with users reporting minimal to no bugs, crashes, or freezes during gameplay, particularly on the Steam Deck. While some minor visual glitches and sound issues were noted, they did not significantly detract from the overall experience, which is described as smooth and enjoyable. The game's solid performance and bug-free environment have been praised as a testament to its quality.
- “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.”
- “No glitches and/or bugs so far, which is rare these days.”
- “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 fonts are a bit too small and the button sounds appear to not load correctly and just sound like static glitches to me.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics and a really cool aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
7%
71%
Tactical Breach Wizards is praised for its player-friendly monetization approach, featuring no microtransactions or predatory practices. The game's honest advertising effectively communicates its value, contributing to a polished and enjoyable experience without any player-hostile behavior. Overall, it exemplifies a successful model for monetization in 2024.
- “The game is polished, stable, and bug-free, with no microtransactions.”
- “There are no microtransactions or any player-hostile behavior.”
- “The game is polished, stable, and bug-free, with no microtransactions.”
- “Refunded based on incorrect advertising.”
- “No microtransactions, FOMO, or weird monetization practices either.”
- “The game's advertising is brutally honest.”