Tales & Tactics

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 805 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • replayability
Tales & Tactics Game Cover
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"Tales & Tactics" is a single-player roguelike strategy game with squad-based autobattler elements, offering a relaxed pace for players to learn the mechanics and strategize. The game features a complex unlock system that allows for depth and challenge at one's own pace, and follows the story of a hero on their journey to victory in the Grand Tournament.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 805 reviews
gameplay59 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions
  • Engaging and charming gameplay that balances between relaxing and challenging.
  • Offers a wide variety of characters, items, and traits, allowing for diverse strategies and combinations.
  • Regular updates from the developers show commitment to improving the game and adding new content.
  • Some balancing issues exist, with certain traits and units feeling overpowered or underwhelming.
  • The game can feel repetitive after unlocking all content, with limited variety in events and encounters.
  • Performance issues on lower-end systems can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay162 mentions

    The gameplay of this auto-battler combines familiar mechanics from the genre with innovative roguelike elements, offering a satisfying and addictive loop that encourages replayability through various unlocks and character customization. While the complexity may initially overwhelm some players, the intuitive design allows for a smooth learning curve, making it accessible for newcomers. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, and certain mechanics may feel overly reliant on RNG, which could detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay loop is a lot of fun and there are plenty of unlocks, achievements, and PvP levels to give you an excuse to keep playing.”
    • “The myriad combinations and strategies available ensure that every single run feels like a unique adventure, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “With its engaging gameplay, rich content, and replayability, it stands out as a top choice for fans of both single-player and multiplayer auto-battlers.”
    • “On the downside, after unlocking all the gameplay features, the events can start to feel a bit repetitive.”
    • “What this results in is a lack of engagement with what is ostensibly the primary gameplay of an autobattler.”
    • “In this one, I can't help but feel like the devs saw mechanics from other games they liked and wanted to implement, but didn't really grasp how or why they worked the way they did.”
  • graphics46 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming art style and cute character designs, while others criticize the visuals as bland, functional, or reminiscent of mobile games. Many users note issues with performance, such as freezing and low graphic fidelity, and express a desire for improved polish and clarity in the UI and overall design. Despite these graphical shortcomings, some players find the gameplay engaging enough to overlook the visual flaws.

    • “The gameplay and the visuals are quite pleasing, and the devs seem to really care about the game (which is always a plus).”
    • “The art style takes some getting used to and likely will not appeal to as broad an audience as the other major PvP auto-battlers.”
    • “The aesthetics and looks of this game are pretty on point for a cool fantasy game.”
    • “My choice is either constant freezing or reducing the graphic fidelity to something so blurry, I'd rather play with my window after rain.”
    • “The graphics of a mobile game yet my PC hasn't gotten this hot in years...”
    • “A lot of the UI and graphic design is still in need of major polish.”
  • replayability46 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by a variety of modes, impactful decisions, and extensive customization options. Players appreciate the depth of gameplay, numerous characters, and challenge modes that contribute to a rich experience, making it a standout choice in the genre. However, some users note that replayability may diminish after a certain number of hours due to limited unit selection and variability.

    • “Overall, Tales & Tactics offers tons of content, customization options, and replayability.”
    • “With its engaging gameplay, rich content, and replayability, it stands out as a top choice for fans of both single-player and multiplayer auto-battlers.”
    • “The fact that the game has tons of replayability makes it a gem!”
    • “There's a ton there to experiment with and learn to master right now, but it loses replayability after about 12 or so hours due to limited unit selection.”
    • “I will say the gameplay loop isn't much longer than 5-15 hours, so beware if you care about replayability.”
    • “It does lack long-term replayability right now.”
  • story35 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the character backstories and engaging dialogue, while others find it linear and lacking depth. Many reviewers express a desire for more content, such as expansions or additional quests, to enhance the narrative experience. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a refreshing addition to the auto-battler genre, but it may not satisfy those looking for a more intricate or cohesive plot.

    • “The story is really engrossing, there are no typos, and each character has their own major backstory, and each interaction has a full set of dialogue, along with rivals and friends that you make during each run.”
    • “It's a breath of fresh air from League of Legends' TFT; this is different. I love the story aspect to each run, keeping even the vanilla playthrough very enjoyable.”
    • “The depth of gameplay is great, it's accessible for newer players, and the learning curve is shorter than most other autobattlers because the storytelling aspect frames everything so well.”
    • “There is no overall story to keep you engaged, so you have to enjoy doing runs, just like Slay the Spire.”
    • “The art is terrible and so is the 'story'.”
    • “Every story segment in the Slay the Spire-like quest path has the exact same pattern to it.”
  • optimization17 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. While some have noted improvements since early access, others report significant frame rate drops and UI clunkiness that detracts from the experience. Players recommend waiting for further optimization, especially for those with less powerful hardware.

    • “At the beginning of early access, the game had some performance problems (with some GPU), but these have long since been fixed.”
    • “One or two performance issues but nothing that makes the game unplayable, and definitely tolerable for an early access title.”
    • “Game feels complete enough to enjoy with a lot of variety & gives you as much info as you could possibly want on your units/unit performance.”
    • “The idea is amazing, but the UI is pretty clunky and the optimization is quite bad.”
    • “Regarding performance, I have had trouble running the game mirrored between two screens set to 2560x1440 with a mix of low (AA/shadow) and high settings, on a rig running Windows 10 Home with a Ryzen 5650/GPU 3070, which should be able to handle a stable 60 FPS but has seen dips as low as single-digit frames in busy Act 3 fights.”
    • “From UI buttons that don't always function, to having to check options every launch to see what reverted to default this time (seemingly random!), to consumable items that don't work correctly, to disappearing equipment (which appears equipped as a hex icon, but disappears from the inspect menu and doesn't function anymore), to lackluster optimization (30/60 FPS capped, with dips and sometimes single-digit frames on a mix of low and high settings on a Ryzen 5650/3070 GPU setup)...”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it immersive and a standout feature that enhances gameplay, while others describe it as grating, annoying, and in need of an overhaul. Many users report that the music loops too quickly and can be distracting, leading them to mute the game or play their own background music instead. Overall, the soundtrack appears to lack consistency in quality, with some appreciating its effort and others deeming it mediocre.

    • “The music is fantastic, adding an immersive layer to the experience that enhances every battle and exploration.”
    • “It’s clear that a lot of care went into the soundtrack, making it a standout feature of the game.”
    • “I personally enjoy the graphical style, music, and voice acting (even in its limited capacity).”
    • “The main music theme (when building your army) is so bad that I had to mute the game.”
    • “The music needs an overhaul.”
    • “The music is serviceable, but it loops way too quickly.”
  • stability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report a smooth experience, particularly on the Steam Deck and lower-end laptops, many others encounter significant bugs and clunky interfaces. Despite these issues, some users express understanding given the game's recent release and early access status, suggesting that improvements are expected as development continues.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “Tales & Tactics runs great, no bugs, and the gameplay is a fantastic scaffolding to be built upon.”
    • “Great job by the devs so far for a bug-free early access game as well.”
    • “Still buggy, still unbalanced, still weirdly RNG-dependent.”
    • “It's fun when it works, but my experience has been buggy as hell.”
    • “More than buggy, it's just rough around the edges.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Reviews on the grinding aspect of the game are mixed; while some players appreciate the depth and variety that encourages grinding for content and strategies, others find the experience tedious and overly time-consuming, particularly criticizing the fast maxing of levels and the repetitive nature of certain mechanics. The balance between enjoyable grinding and frustrating tedium seems to vary significantly among players, with some feeling that the grind detracts from the overall experience.

    • “After 6 hours, all the in-game level-ups and roguelite elements are maxed. I get that some people don't like grinding, but holy crap, that was fast!”
    • “The grinding in this game is surprisingly rewarding; it keeps you engaged and motivated to push through.”
    • “I appreciate how the grind feels meaningful, with each level-up providing a real sense of progression.”
    • “After 6 hours, all the in-game level-ups/roguelike elements are maxed. I get that some people don't like grinding, but holy crap, that fast and it's maxed?”
    • “I just don't care to play a roguelike that wastes my time that way with 90% of the game being boring grinding.”
    • “Absolute garbage where progress is gated behind dozens of hours of grinding metaprogression.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The game is praised for its clever and charming humor, featuring witty writing and amusing naming conventions that consistently elicit laughter. Players appreciate the depth of humor intertwined with gameplay elements, enhancing the overall experience and replayability.

    • “Good sense of humor and style.”
    • “A great roguelike auto-battler with that Yogs sense of humor.”
    • “I found the writing to be very funny.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a charming and cozy ambiance that evokes classic fantasy themes, enhanced by engaging melodies and rhythms. Players appreciate the satisfying blend of evolving gameplay and customizable difficulty, which creates an enjoyable experience reminiscent of classic D&D encounters and auto chess mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is immersive and inviting, making it a delightful setting for solo play.

    • “The melodies and rhythms perfectly match the game's atmosphere, creating an engaging and enjoyable audio experience that keeps you hooked.”
    • “Team 9 created something special here, with elements of classic D&D encounters, TFT without a solved meta, constantly evolving gameplay that can be customized to your difficulty preferences, and a charming and cozy atmosphere that feels like sitting down for a classic fantasy party builder, with the enjoyable auto chess style that is adapted perfectly for solo play.”
    • “The art, atmosphere, and little rogue-lite auto battler adventures are satisfying and engaging without being overwhelming.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected from a game of this genre.”
    • “While the gameplay has its moments, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to draw me into the world.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Users highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting its ability to evoke strong feelings, particularly through its wholesome community, which adds a layer of heartbreak to the overall experience.

    • “That's the heartbreaking part.”
    • “And the most wholesome Discord community!”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for its lack of polish and depth, with users noting poor voice acting and unvaried narration that detracts from the experience. However, some players appreciate the fun character designs, suggesting a mixed reception overall.

    • “The character designs are incredibly fun and vibrant, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
    • “I love how the character development allows for deep emotional connections, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.”
    • “The variety in character designs adds a playful element to the game, making it visually engaging and enjoyable.”
    • “The UI is lacking some major polish, the sound is lackluster, the narrator is just some guy and has no variation in his lines, and the character design is just horrible.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with any of the characters.”
    • “The choices you make don't seem to impact the characters in any meaningful way, leaving their arcs feeling flat and unengaging.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model of "Tales & Tactics" is viewed positively, as it allows players to enjoy the auto-battler genre in a single-player format without the typical pay-to-win pitfalls associated with many multiplayer games.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

20hMedian play time
33hAverage play time
8-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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