Wintermoor Tactics Club
- September 10, 2020
- EVC Games
- 20h median play time
Wintermoor Tactics Club is perfect for newcomers to the genre, but doesn't offer much for experienced tactics players
In Wintermoor Tactics Club, compete in snowball fights and solve a mystery at a magical high school. Discover new friends and strategies as you lead your club to victory in tactical combat. Uncover the truth behind the school's strange competitions and protect your club from being disbanded.
Reviews
- Charming writing and lovable characters that create a cozy atmosphere.
- Engaging and light-hearted tactical gameplay that is accessible for newcomers.
- A well-crafted story that balances humor and heartfelt moments, making it relatable and enjoyable.
- Combat can feel too easy and lacks depth for experienced tactics players.
- Some characters and plot points may feel clichéd or underdeveloped.
- Limited replayability and a lack of challenging content may leave hardcore gamers wanting more.
- story272 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Wintermoor Tactics Club" is a charming and lighthearted narrative that blends themes of friendship, inclusivity, and the joys of tabletop gaming, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. While some characters may feel one-dimensional and certain plot twists are predictable, the overall writing is engaging, with humor and heartfelt moments that resonate with players. The game is primarily a visual novel with tactical elements, making it accessible and enjoyable for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling over complex gameplay.
“This is one of those rare games; a fast, fun, complete story that's lightweight enough to finish in a reasonable time, but heavyweight enough to challenge and engage.”
“The story is fun, the writing is witty, and the battles are cleverly done.”
“It is a true love letter to tabletop RPG fans, and the story, although not as complex as some classic RPGs, has a pretty unique setting and is so well-put together that you'll end up knowing every NPC by name and understanding why they are so important for the plot, which delivers a message about empathy and belonging in a sweet and heartwarming fashion.”
“A lot of plot twists were fairly obvious, later characters start and remain fairly one-dimensional, and the last two chapters are about 80% too eye-rollingly woke.”
“The story is somewhat exaggerated, but in all the good ways, offering interesting 'clubs' to fight and having quite a nice conclusion.”
“The over arching story is ok, but the in-game story (the D&D campaign) is a complete mess.”
- gameplay85 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Wintermoor Tactics Club is characterized by its accessible and streamlined turn-based tactical mechanics, which, while simple, offer enough depth for experimentation and strategy as players progress. The combat is engaging and complemented by a charming narrative, though some reviewers noted a lack of enemy variety and repetitive elements. Overall, the game strikes a balance between fun tactics and storytelling, making it enjoyable for both casual players and fans of the genre.
“Every combat makes use of its fun core mechanics to never get boring or repetitive, the story is always wanting you to find out what comes next.”
“The gameplay is really engaging and has several little intricacies which are fun to learn and master.”
“The tactics gameplay is streamlined and approachable, but still has plenty of opportunities to experiment with different strategies and builds, especially as you unlock more options in the late game.”
“The gameplay is quite simple, and there isn't much challenge, so don't come to this expecting a hardcore RPG experience.”
“The tactics gameplay feels underwhelming, with small, simple maps and a lack of options that limits actual tactics.”
“I wanted to like it, and I appreciate it as an artistic effort, but the gameplay was just not what I expected - it was too shallow - nor what I prefer.”
- humor43 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, often blending cozy vibes with witty dialogue and engaging character interactions. Players appreciate the lighthearted, relatable jokes and the thoughtful integration of humor into the narrative, making it enjoyable for both fans of tactical RPGs and those seeking a wholesome experience. While some humor may not resonate with everyone, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a delightful and funny experience.
“Very funny game with a thoughtful message, and the gameplay was fun too (if a little simple).”
“Pithy, cute, and often hilarious, Wintermoor Tactics Club provides a comfortable set of challenges and cozy setting for lovers of tactical RPGs to snack on.”
“The writing is legitimately funny at times, and the tactical puzzles are satisfying for a little while.”
- music30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its charm and ability to enhance the cozy atmosphere, though some find it repetitive over time. While the soundtrack features catchy tracks that fit the emotional tone of the game, it lacks ambient soundscapes, leading to a reliance on music alone. Overall, the music contributes positively to the experience, but it may not stand out as memorable for all players.
“The game is very charming, well-written, has solid art, and a lovely soundtrack that left me with a nostalgic feeling.”
“The soundtrack was pretty good too, especially when it switched to the '80s new wave' track.”
“The music, the characters, the writing... it's all been wonderful.”
“There are really no ambient soundscapes, leaving it all to the music instead, which is largely music tracks designated for certain emotions, with some catchy but repetitive battle tracks.”
“The soundtrack became repetitive fast and I muted the game after 2 hours.”
“Music was hit or miss, but ending fight music was an easy fave.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players praising its heartwarming story, engaging characters, and wholesome themes. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke genuine happiness and a sense of belonging, making it a delightful experience for fans of tactical RPGs and tabletop gaming. The narrative is described as touching and well-executed, providing a refreshing break from more violent or crude games, ultimately leaving players with a warm feeling and a desire to revisit the experience.
“The story, however, is just fantastic - comic, heartwarming without being sappy.”
“It is a true love letter to tabletop RPG fans, and the story, although not as complex as some classic RPGs, has a pretty unique setting and is so well-put together that you'll end up knowing every NPC by name and understanding why they are so important for the plot, which delivers a message about empathy and belonging in a sweet and heartwarming fashion.”
“The whole game revolves around these very personal and touching moments, and it definitely leaves a warm feeling in your heart!”
- graphics21 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, hand-drawn aesthetic that evokes a cozy, indie feel, reminiscent of classic animations. While the 2D art style and animations may appear somewhat stiff and simplistic, they effectively complement the engaging storytelling and character design. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the delightful artwork and character portraits, despite some noting a lack of detail.
“This is a great, light, cozy indie experience, that hits on some tactical play, good storytelling, and memorable aesthetics.”
“The menus and character sheets all look like they’re written out in a book, which blends nicely with the overall aesthetic.”
“The artwork is absolutely delightful, the writing is better than most RPGs, and the game lasts just about the right amount of time to avoid reaching the point where the limited mechanics would start to feel repetitive.”
“The art style and animation is 2D and largely stiff, focusing on poses to portray character.”
“At first glance, I could say that the graphics resembled an old Anastasia cartoon, but without attention to detail.”
“Wintermoor Tactics Club is not a game that will wow you with its combat system, art style, or storytelling.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Wintermoor Tactics Club is characterized by a lighthearted and whimsical tone, evoking a cozy winter campus vibe filled with friendship and adventure. While many players appreciate the charming art and overall feel, some critique the lack of depth in certain areas, particularly during interstitial quests, which can detract from the pacing and immersion. Overall, the game offers a simple yet effective atmosphere that resonates well with fans of lighthearted storytelling.
“Wintermoor Tactics Club is a lighthearted story about friendship that doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
“With a lighthearted atmosphere throughout all of its facets, I certainly felt like there was a world with characters fighting a problem and learning along the way.”
“An atmosphere here has vibes of a frosty morning on a winter student campus near Christmas holidays.”
“The second problem is a lack of atmosphere.”
“This is a problem because every interstitial quest involves walking all around the school and talking to people, and the lack of atmosphere makes these sections drag and ruins the pacing of the game.”
“If you're a D&D nerd, you may appreciate the atmosphere of the story, but you'll also notice how vastly more simplified Wintermoor Tactics Club's gameplay is compared to D&D.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is criticized for its low replayability, with many players noting that battles feel repetitive and lack challenge. While there are options to replay previous encounters for achievements or upgrades, these do not significantly enhance the experience, leading to a consensus that the game offers limited incentive for repeated play.
“Good game, though with limited replay value.”
“Not a ton of replay value except to try to get medals or upgrades/trophies perhaps.”
“9/10, only lowered due to low replayability (you can repeat prior battles with different units or abilities, but there is no reason to do so if you've already gotten the achievements).”
“If there is one weakness to this game, it is that it has little replay value, since the battles are always the same.”
“No replay value, but looks to be deliberately designed that way.”
“Still, there is no real challenge in the game, no replay value, and despite the producer’s best efforts, the encounters can feel somewhat repetitive.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some note it can feel tedious due to backtracking and mission repetition, many appreciate the enjoyable dialogue and rewarding nature of the tasks. The game is praised for its pacing, with some players feeling that the grinding is balanced by engaging gameplay and a charming setting.
“But that process is enjoyable and not tedious at all so far.”
“The in-game world is small enough that the 'missions' on the world map get a bit tedious, what with having to go from one place to another place, then back to the first place, but all the dialogue is so fun that it barely counts as a quibble.”
“A bit grindy in having to go from place to place every chapter to make sure you didn't miss anything, but that may be the completionist in me.”
“A lot of grinding but feels rewarding.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on low-end devices, allowing for extended play without performance issues. Players appreciate the ability to replay for additional achievements and the effective scoring system, with minimal problems that are resolved upon restarting.
“I like that it runs smoothly on my low-end device and that I can go back (after 22 hours of play and completion of the storyline) and play again to unlock additional achievements.”
“There's also a scoring system that gives medals based on mission performance.”
“But most of the time the game runs smoothly, and nothing persists past a restart.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the charming story, appealing character designs, and strong writing that enhance the overall experience. The integration of character growth alongside the puzzle-like combat is noted as particularly effective and engaging.
“The story is very cute; I love the character designs and writing.”
“The combat is more like a puzzle, but they're all well-done, and the character development running alongside it is phenomenal.”
- stability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates good stability, even on older hardware, with only minor lag experienced in the menu interface.
“As a bonus, it also runs great on my ancient, janky laptop. I did notice a little lag in the menu UI, but nothing terrible.”
Critic Reviews
Review – Wintermoor Tactics Club
Wintermoor Tactics Club could have made a profound political statement, but tries for intersectionality and misses, resulting in milquetoast dilution.
65%Wintermoor Tactics Club (Switch) Review
A decent school-themed tactics game that graduates without honors.
65%Wintermoor Tactics Club Review (PS4)
Just like its characters, Wintermoor Tactics Club has a lot of soul. It is not perfect by any means, but the turn-based combat proves to be fun, the RPG elements are well integrated, while the story is compelling and thoroughly enjoyable. Still, there is no real challenge in the game, no replay value and despite the producer’s best efforts, the encounters can feel somewhat repetitive. WintermoorTcatics Club is an indie game as all indie games should be: it is not flashy, overcomplicated, or very long, but manages to be fun and exciting without the AAA budget. It is a single-player experience that any RPG fan should experience.
80%