PC publisher tinyBuild is quickly making an expansion into mobile publishing, having already released reverse-platformer Spoiler Alert ($0.99) late last year. They have three titles in the works, a mix of ports and original titles coming up. Divide by Sheep was the most interesting game there. It’s a puzzle game where you have to move flocks of sheep between platforms, trying to get them to rafts. The platforms have spots for different amounts of sheep, and flocks can combine if there’s room for more sheep, or lose sheep if jumping to a platform with fewer sheep. Each raft awards a star for getting the correct number of sheep on it, so there’s some thought required to get every sheep in its proper place. Oh, and some traps will involve splitting sheep in half, which then get duct taped back together once on the raft. There’s a variety of objectives that pop up over time, and while there’s a kid-friendly focus as it deals with math, this one seemed interesting enough for all puzzle fans.
Additionally, the turn-based RPG Fearless Fantasy, which has been out on Steam, will be making its way to iOS in the coming months. It’s got a unique thme, and the gesture-based combat commands are being tweaked to work well on touchscreens,so RPG fans might want to keep an eye for that. Plus, Snail Bob 2, a puzzler based on a hit Flash game series where you have to manipulate in-world objects to lead Bob to safety, is en route for mobile in the coming months.
Next week's is Adventure Bar Story. Took me a while to decipher the hint, but I think I'm correct.
Oh, the Weigraf battle. Heheh, the feels, Shaun, the feels...
Although it may be celebrating its 20th birthday in just a couple years, Final Fantasy Tactics is unequivocally one of the greatest games ever made and the best Turn-Based Strategy RPG of all time.
^_^ If you disagree with the above, you are wrong. ^_^
My favorite game of all time. Thanks for the article Sean!
One of my fav game from the PSOne Era. I'm still sour that I can't redownload it on my iPhone 6, because I previously bought the iPad version, then I sold off my ipad...
I still remember being immediately sucked in by the beautiful FMV intro's music.
Then i found the game outrageously difficult from the start.
Until i realized i had to add units in the prep screen.
I tried to tackle the first mission with only Delita and Ramza for ten or more times before that.
Good ol' internetless days...
This is probably in my top 3 along with Metroid Prime and Killer 7.
And i loved the Matsuno-Yoshida-Sakimoto trio since.
Even Crimson Shroud is a little masterpiece.
Still wondering why it's not on the Appstore like Liberation Maiden.
Anyway, great read for one of the greatest games, Shaun.
Everything is spot on and passionate as always.
I didn't find the FF tropes that disturbing though.
Probsbly because i didn't notice them until i read this article.
My head was too busy having fun wrapping itself around the political plot.
Awesome review Shaun! For me FF Tactics is the best SRPG, it would be a dream theat Enix remake at least the PSP version of Tactics Ogre, as well as FF advance and A2 but FF tactics without doubt and being not 100% perfect port on iOS still is a masterpiece classic gem, I love role playing and strategy games, so since the first time this one got me totally up as the exclusive game it is.
Shaun please review Avernum Escape of the pit game.
Or Avadon 2 :)
Hold up. There are spiderweb software games on iOS? I haven't played his games in years, so I haven't seen the website, and honestly when I did I was so broke I think I only ever actually pad for one maye two off of steam a couple years ago, but I would pay to play an avernum game on iOS more than I would for an FF title, as I love western RPGs in comparison. You can't get a good, real rpg on iOS for free nowadays, western or otherwise... (MMO notwithstanding)
Yes Spiderweb have many of their main rpgs and I love it, check them out! Avadon 2 is my favorite!
Yes, but they're iPad-only. Good reason to get an iPad!
I've waited for Tactics ogre on iOS for a Loooooooooooooooong time!
How strange, I've spent the last couple of days trying to play this(and angrily failing). I was wondering if there would ever be an RPG reload done on it. I don't know exactly what it is about the game that prevents me from enjoying it. I want to enjoy it, I've completed the tutorial several times, I've spent a few hours reading an extremely detailed guide but still there is something not clicking. I think at this point, it's something simple, maybe I just need to see someone play the first hour of the game to see the specifics in action. Any know if there is a good tutorial video out there?
I'm sure there is, it's the biggest and most popular SRPG ever. Google it or hop on TubeYou (/sarcastic spelling - not a real site)
Great article. I loved this game too. For me, it was all about the job system and unlocking the new abilities and secrets, at the time the story didn't hit me so hard. I felt compelled to check this version, since I just played the original one and there are a few extras.
Fantastic article, Shaun! Thank you for the incoming reload update. Can't wait for next week. For FFT, though, my first experience was during my first year in college. My roommate's best friend would hang out all through the night playing this game. I had enjoyed watching/playing a little FFVII prior to that, but FFT eventually sang me to sleep every night.
Next, fondly remembering that, I purchased FFTA on a whim to play when I was at my third college, years later. And I put it long hours on that, really falling in love with that game in between classes. So, when this arrived for iOS, I grabbed it right away. However, I've found this to have a much steeper learning curve than FFTA. So, I've been grinding since I got it just to get my bearings. I do wish they could add a much more intuitive save system (like the latest Dragon Quest games) in an update. That might relieve some of the stress of playing and potentially losing a couple units.
Anyway, thanks for another great history lesson. Really looking forward to next week's because I know so little about its history and I'll keep it that way until Thursday.
Top notch write up. I've had this game for awhile, but just waiting to have a good chunk of time to devote to it.
I appreciate a lot about the game, but two issues stopped it from being one of my all-time greats.
1) As you mentioned, the game difficulty is entirely determined by how much grinding you're willing to do. Either you grind for hours at the start and most of the game is a cakewalk, or you go through the pattern of fair battles interspersed with battles you can't win, which force you to grind. There's little satisfaction gained from beating a battle that kicked your ass simply because you're now 5 levels higher.
2) The zodiac/gender system is annoying. There was no way I could remember all the permutations, but If you ignore it, you get situations where one of your team walks into a lethal double damage attack and it's time to reload.
Be careful about grinding too much in this game. Extra hit points are conferred to your characters with armor, not simply leveling up, and the better armors simply aren't available in shops until you progress through the story. The other side of this particular coin is that monster types and levels are determined by your party level. So, it's possible to get to level 20, say, and get attacked by a Minotaur who can insta-gib you because you just don't have the HP. You DO have to grind (Focus is your friend!) but you have to do it somewhat carefully.
Thanks for a great article. I'm looking forward to the podcast. Please keep up the good work.
One spinoff that will go down far into history.
Thanks for the article. I've never played FFT, and I was thinking of picking it up during the annual holiday sale. I bought enough other stuff to decide against it, but now I'll make sure to pick it up the next time one of their big sales comes around!
Regarding the Dorter Slums, I remember it was the final stage in the playable demo, and it completely sold me on the game at the time.
One of my all time favourite SRPG games.
Only Tactics Ogre or FFVII if ever done in iOS would better it.....maybe.
Yes! Can't wait for Adventure Bar Story! And I still haven't finished FFT. I need to dedicate a week to powering through, but some of the battles are just brutal.