Of all the unexpected and welcome revivals in the modern gaming era, few have been as distinct and visually arresting as Square Enix’s “HD-2D” aesthetic. Beginning with Octopath Traveler, this style masterfully blends nostalgic pixel-art sprites and environments with contemporary high-definition effects, dynamic lighting, and detailed 3D geometry. It was a formula ripe for application across genres, and in 2022, it was applied to one of gaming’s most revered and niche genres: the tactical RPG. The result was Triangle Strategy, a game that not only serves as a stunning homage to classics like Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre but also confidently carves its own identity. Its score—its rating, its reception, its very essence—is a multifaceted subject, reflecting a triumph in artistic vision, narrative ambition, and deep tactical gameplay, albeit with some of the inherent friction such ambition can create.
From the outset, Triangle Strategy’s most immediate and universally acclaimed aspect is its presentation. The HD-2D engine, refined since Octopath Traveler, is nothing short of breathtaking here. The game’s world is built with a palpable sense of depth and scale. Tiny pixelated soldiers march across vast, sun-drenched desert bridges, their shadows stretching and contracting with the time of day. The glittering snow of the Aesfrosti mountains crunches underfoot, and the opulent halls of the Glenbrook palace are rendered with a stunning sense of grandeur, all thanks to the interplay of light, particle effects, and meticulously crafted diorama-like environments. The soundtrack, composed by Akira Senju, is a masterclass in orchestral scoring that complements the visuals perfectly. It ranges from stirring, vocal-led anthems for pivotal story moments to tense, intricate battle themes that heighten the strategic tension. On a purely sensory level, Triangle Strategy earns a near-perfect score, setting a new benchmark for how retro-inspired aesthetics can be modernized.
However, a beautiful shell means little without a compelling core, and here Triangle Strategy makes its boldest—and most divisive—gambit: its narrative structure. The game tells a gritty, politically charged story of war, resource scarcity, and moral compromise between three nations vying for control of the precious resource salt and, later, iron. The protagonist, Serenoa Wolffort, is less a traditional hero and more a vessel for the player’s conscience. The story frequently pauses at key junctures to present the player with a monumental choice, often with no clear “good” option.
This is where the game’s titular “Triangle” strategy comes into play. Serenoa does not decide alone. He must consult his companions, each with their own convictions (Utility, Morality, Liberty), and persuade them to see his chosen path. This is done through a fascinating voting mechanic, where the player must use information gathered from exploration and conversations to sway key characters. This system is the game’s narrative heartbeat. It forces the player to engage with the world and its characters on a deeper level, understanding their motivations and biases. The branching paths and multiple endings provide immense replayability, making subsequent playthroughs genuinely different in both story and which characters one recruits.
For some players, this heavy emphasis on dialogue and political maneuvering was a drag on the pace. The game is undoubtedly talky, with long stretches between battles that feel more like a visual novel than a traditional TRPG. This is the primary source of any critique against it. Yet, for others, this deep, deliberate storytelling is its greatest strength. It builds a world that feels real, lived-in, and worth fighting for. The stakes are personal and philosophical, not just about saving the world from a nebulous evil. In this regard, its narrative score is high for ambition and execution of its unique systems, but marked down slightly by those who found the pacing slow.
The true test of any tactics game is its combat, and Triangle Strategy’s is meticulously crafted and satisfyingly challenging. It stands on the shoulders of giants by adopting a turn-based, grid-based system where positioning is everything. The “Brave” and “Default” system from Octopath is reimagined here; characters can “Wait” to store a turn, allowing them to act twice in a later round—a simple yet profoundly impactful tactical layer. The environmental synergy is superb. Mages can cast rain to douse enemies, which a lightning mage can then electrocute, or a fire mage can create a wall of flames on oily ground. Pushing enemies off cliffs or into each other for collateral damage never loses its thrill.
The game avoids common pitfalls of the genre through excellent balance. There is no generic “overpowered” unit; every character has a distinct and vital role. The quiet healer, the sturdy vanguard, the trickster who can swap positions with foes—all are useful. Maps are designed not as flat plains but as multi-tiered, complex puzzles with specific victory conditions beyond mere annihilation. This demands constant adaptation and strategic thinking, rewarding cleverness over brute force. The difficulty, particularly on Hard, is punishing but fair, making every victory feel earned. The combat system is a resounding success, a near-perfect evolution of the genre’s foundational principles.
So, what is the final score for Triangle Strategy? It is not a game without flaws, but its flaws are intrinsically tied to its greatest ambitions. The slow-burn, dialogue-heavy narrative will not be for everyone, but it serves a purpose far deeper than most games in its genre dare to attempt. It is a game that asks you to think, to persuade, and to wrestle with ethics, not just outside of battle but as the core of its identity.
When weighed against its achievements—the stunning HD-2D presentation, the masterful orchestral score, the deep and rewarding tactical combat, and the courage to tell a mature, branching story—any criticisms largely fade into matters of personal taste. Triangle Strategy is a bold, confident, and masterfully executed title that successfully resurrects the spirit of the golden age of tactical RPGs while innovating upon it in significant ways. It is a must-play for any fan of the genre and a shining example of the HD-2D style’s potential. It earns its high marks not by being flawless, but by being fearless.
