Yeah, this was worth bringing back again
It’s hard to really stress how incredible Tactics Ogre‘s legacy is. Originally debuting in 1995 in Japan, it gained a lot of traction in 1997 on PlayStation with a North American release. While I can distinctly point to January of 1998, and Final Fantasy Tactics, as the time where I went “yeah, I’m pretty into SRPGs,” Tactics Ogre really was the genesis of it, beyond what I had dabbled in before it. It was the talk of my friend groups, and got so many people into the genre. So when, out of nowhere, I learned that it was coming back in 2022 (beyond the PSP edition) as Tactics Ogre: Reborn, I was ecstatic.
Yes, let’s rediscover one of the most interesting SRPGs ever made, through a modern lens, with a completely new audience in play. This “final trailer” that arrived today on Square Enix’s YouTube shows off what we can expect before it hits on PC, Switch, PS4, and PS5 on November 11. It’s basically an overview of the themes and mechanics of the game, but if you want to completely skip most of the story beats (as vague as they may be), I recommend watching everything 1:30 on.
As a reiteration, here’s everything Square Enix is touting as new:
“Based on the 2010 release, the game features improved graphics and sound, as well as updated game design, bringing to life a new Tactics Ogre that remains true to its roots. Tactics Ogre veterans will experience a game that surpasses their fondest memories, while players new to Tactics Ogre will discover a game unlike any they’ve ever played. Reborn and deeper than ever, the game enables players to immerse themselves in the world and intrigue of Tactics Ogre like never before.”
To stress again: definitely put this on your radar. Tactics Ogre is an evergreen story, and one that should live on through as many platforms as possible. The easier it is to experience this vision, the better: especially given that the PSP storefront is dead. Thankfully, at the very least, PSP copies are fairly cheap, running folks around $40 on average.
See, I’m already prepping you for picking up every version of this game early!
