Fans of the eye-catching retro footage of Square Enix’s JRPG Cruiser is envisaged as a follow-up of sorts to the Nintendo Switch in 2022. The new game, which is under the working title of Project Triangle Strategy, was built from the same 2D-meets-3D shape as its predecessor. A demo is now available on the Switch eShop and you can view the images in the announcement trailer below.
This time the focus is on tactical role-playing: the combat system sees players move along a grid and take turns to attack. Additional game mechanics allow you to place your units on higher terrain, giving you the advantage of greater range. You can also flank enemies on both sides and strike from behind with powerful follow-up attacks. While elementary chain reactions, ranging from fire and ice to lightning, can be used to change the environment and defeat enemies. It should all feel familiar to old school tactical game lovers or to anyone who has tried their hand Final Fantasy Tactics.
The story, meanwhile, revolves around a battle between three nations fighting to take control of the declining resources of salt and iron. As with Octopath, it sounds like you’re going to take control of a group of characters, but this time there’s something called the balance of belief (divided between utility, morality, and freedom) that can affect everyone. Hence the all-caps “TRIANGLE” of the title. If you are not quite sure what it all means, just jump in and take the demo for a spin.