Another intriguing title I want to introduce today is Stratagem Lost, an SRPG in the style of Fire Emblem, developed by Hybrid Fiction Games, a two-person team based out of South Carolina. What immediately stands out in this strategy RPG is the unique art style, blending Pop Art, Expressionism, and comic book visuals that seem to come alive during character battles.
Beyond the striking visuals, Stratagem Lost includes many of the features that have made this genre a fan favorite: tactical combat on grid-based maps, the ability to forge bonds between characters, which then unlock shared skills and various bonuses. There’s still some work to be done by the American duo, as no official release date has been set.
However, just a few days ago, they announced that a playable demo will launch on October 14, 2024, on PC via Steam. In the meantime, check out the overview below, along with some screenshots and the trailer.
About This Game
Our rightful sovereign gone. Apathy prowls the land. War has left us crippled. Some scars are here to stay.
Tensions between the last two nations left will soon burst. Conspiracies. Drafts. Sabotage. All unseen to the naked eye.
Screams in the night herald the death of us. We’re not the future. Just what’s left.
- Free-form Turn-based Tactics
Command a team of colorful characters in turn-based battles! Characters can flexibly attack, move, use skills — in any order, as long as they have the stamina to do so. Throw units around the map, use Positive Marks to enhance and unlock skills, and take advantage of the varied traits that your units have!
- Avant-Garde Punk Presentation
Inspired by expressionist art and punk aesthetics, the world of Stratagem Lost comes to life through its twilight punk art direction. Feast your eyes on grungy, stylish visuals in every aspect of the game! Battles play out with striking illustrations, cutscenes are imbued with vivid imagery — everything is cranked up a notch.
- Hard Rockin’ Soundtrack
Taking a page out of dynamic musical genres like alternative rock and nu metal, Stratagem Lost’s soundtrack enhances the game’s outspoken, bold attitude. Live guitars are used to take the music to the next level!
- All-Star Voice Cast
Stratagem Lost sports a prodigious lineup of voice actors from animation and video game industries, making each character feel alive!
- Expansive Character Customization
Stratagem Lost features an abundant cast of characters, each with their own unique design, gameplay, and voice. Characters can establish Comrade Duos with one another, allowing them to share skills, enabling boundless team building. Each character can also sport multiple color palettes for some fun visual flair!
- Some Deal in Goods, Some in Bullets
Recruit a varied assortment of mercenaries to assist your units in battle! Mercenaries can block attacks, energize your units, and disrupt enemies. Higher ranked mercenaries even come with their own iconic skills, drastically altering the course of the fight. Be wary, such power… always comes at a price.
- A Tale of Intrigue and Paranoia
The world of Stratagem Lost is somber, unnerving. Explore the mystery that has stricken a nation ravaged by war, living in constant disorder. Delusion, obsession, nirvana — all vices are revealed through the gripping narrative.
- Unforgettable Allies
During breaks in the story, you’ll have Off-Time Segments, where you get to know your allies! Each character has a unique story to tell, offering insight into themselves and the world around you. Interactions with characters also result in new skills being unlocked! Each Off-Time Segment is a choice, one that connects your tools in combat to your knowledge of your units.Features:
- 25+ memorable chapters!
- 200+ skills in total!
- Varied map objectives like defend the point, deliver the payload, and escape.
- Snappy, kinetic combat flow despite being turn-based. Much care was put into keeping things stylish while respecting the player’s time.
- Players are rewarded for keeping units alive and playing optimally.
- Glossary and tutorials designed to ease players into deep mechanics.
- A playable dog! Rottweiler, to be specific.
- Character driven narrative, no one remains the same from start to finish.
- Paradise, Oblivion, Death — All the same, in the end…
