I mentioned it some time ago and included it in one of the early episodes of Indie Showcase, and now I’ve finally had the chance to try Fight Life: Vanguard. This tactical RPG, developed by StartImpulse and Two Cakes Studio, has a retro charm that strongly reminds me of classic Amiga titles.
The game is structured into chapters, where you can initially choose the character from one of the five available base classes:
- Worker: Equipped with a pitchfork, this unit can later evolve into a Spear Unit and progress along that line of specialized units.
- Militia: Starting with a simple club and makeshift shield, the Militia can develop into an advanced melee unit, gaining durability and combat prowess.
- Savage: The classic berserker, beginning with an axe and evolving into units focused on maximizing damage and reducing enemy defenses.
- Neophyte: The mage, capable of evolving into either a damage-dealing or support-focused unit.
- Hunter: The archer, who can advance into more specialized ranged units or take the rogue path, emphasizing agility and precision.
At the beginning of the adventure—or rather, the first chapter—you can choose only one unit from those listed above and dive into the game, where you’ll be assigned two additional characters. Starting from the second chapter, however, you’ll have full control over your team selection.
In terms of gameplay, Fight Life: Vanguard offers real-time exploration. In the demo, this exploration is fairly minimal, with only a few chests to discover here and there and enemy parties to encounter. Initially, these enemies consist of wolves and spiders, so having more variety in exploration activities could certainly enhance the experience.
Once you engage an enemy, the combat system unfolds on hexagonal grids. Units can either use their attacks, end their turn to restore some armor points or use the “hold position” command to counterattack the first incoming enemy strike. Melee units can restrict enemy movement, which allows for strategies that protect the mages and archers positioned in the backline.
Throughout each chapter, health points are not restored, making it essential to carefully consider each move. While the early fights aren’t particularly challenging, from chapter two onward, each action will need more strategic thought. Fight Life: Vanguard doesn’t have a release date yet, but a demo is available on Steam. Check out my first-look gameplay to get a clearer idea of this tactical RPG!
