Tactics Ogre Reborn Review (Switch, also on PS4, PS5, PC) | Backlog Battle

[@BacklogBattle]

Like what you've seen? Buy it here and support the channel! Console (physical): amzn.to/3DdteW6 PC: greenmangaming.sjv.io/P07MXz

[@neil4692]

Regarding Skills: It is not just the ones you can equip in the menu, so many different weapons and gear have skills attached to them for you to build your army the way you want to. For example, you can equip a cudgel that has +2 range for magic then stack Engulf 2 on top to that which extends it around 4 - 6 or you can have two weapons both with parry on stacking the chances you will parry, have a parry and counterattack the list goes on and on.

[@BacklogBattle]

I want to say that I touched upon this in my preview of the game, the fact that weapons and armor have been retuned as well. All things considered, that vid was pretty comprehensive lol

[@HybridAngelZero]

This is a very clear labor of love from the devs, they could have put the PSP in an emulator and sold it on modern platforms and it would have been a fine release, but the fact that devs from the original team wanted to go back and think how they could make a classic better is really inspiring.

[@neil4692]

It didn't just make the systems within the game easier to understand which is a common negative for most people in Matsuno games (I like them) but they did it in a way that still get all the complexity that they originally had but in a way that it is simple for new players to grasp. When games think they need to get rid of these very in depth systems for approachability (Diofield), Tactics Ogre Reborn shows you it is just a matter of how you present the systems that you can have the depth of them while being not daunting for new people.

[@themoeboy]

Thanks for this, now my backlog grows

[@BacklogBattle]

Very on-brand for this channel and our community! 👍

[@sukamadik5983]

@@BacklogBattle I would recommend you to change your name to Infinit Backlog if the name wasn't already taken😅

[@BacklogBattle]

@@sukamadik5983 it actually is

[@samfrito]

Brilliant review, my friend. The classic SJRPGist in me loves to hear care was given to bring Tactics Orge back. Glad you made it a point to delve deep and give it your all. So, you've got quite a few games under your belt in just these last few weeks. Way to go.

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

The entire gameplay system was rebalanced, voice acting was added, music remastered, many quality of life improvements (crafting is better, less grindy) among many other things. Glad that this definitive version of a master piece is back on almost all platforms!

[@allthatishere]

Man, this game is so nostalgic to me! I've played the original and the PSP version, and I'll definitely give this one a shot, too. And just wow, the music sounds even better! Thanks for the review Alex, it's always appreciated.

[@alexrababah9500]

As with the last time this masterpiece was re-released, it has gone up to the top of my list of games to play again.

[@creationzikaz4836]

I doubt they updated each sprite individually. A mass filter was likely applied to all the sprites at once is much more likely.

[@BacklogBattle]

There’s a lot more thought put into it than that. From an interview: “Initially when we remade the pixel art, we were thinking about how to show it on new modern technology with high-resolution screens. That was the main goal: to show the power and beauty of the original pixel art on modern technology without them looking terrible. If you just took, for example, the SNES or the PSP graphics as they were and threw them up on a high-resolution modern monitor, they would just look like a mosaic. You'd be unable to make anything out. We really did our best to make sure that the new art would - on new monitors, on new technology - be displayed nicely. We put in tons of really small pixels and really small dots to achieve that effect. The thing is we designed them for most modern monitors that people would be using. But if you're seeing it on a small screen, or maybe a trailer, it could look a little bit strangely smooth. But I think if you played it on your home console or on a standard monitor, you would not feel any oddness to the movement. It would all seem right. I mean, we could make it as smooth as we wanted to. We could just have spent lots of hours and made it extremely smooth and nice, but we wanted to make sure it retained the original's feel and style. We’re constantly looking at the original and comparing it to the new version, and checking back and forth to make sure that the new art that we're making still retains the qualities of the old.”

[@DanielSantosAnalysis]

I was a little concerned about how drastic the changes turned out to be in this version, it makes me feel as if this isn't truly the "definitive" version. That said it seems like a great game, I will definitely be picking it up.

[@Dracobyte]

According to the Coffee Potato channel, it is the definitive version.

[@notyoursavior78]

@@Dracobyte Coffee Potato that was the guy playing the portable version of a Gaiden I actually knew never existed. I am wondering if this is the definitive version b/c the OG PSP wasn't.

[@neil4692]

It is pretty much the Definitive version. Every change that has been made is not only what we wanted but they went even farther in making the systems even better. Coffee Potato, a guy who has spent the past decade on the PSP version highlights it all in his review so I do highly suggest for you to check his review out (and all his other Reborn content). This has basically got the RE1 treatment for us.

[@notyoursavior78]

@@neil4692 I'll def look into it then. They fucked up the PSP version but I feel like the modding and how the time passes made it better. Yasumi Matsuno was like I want my name on this too as I created it. I am a dork/drunk who finding all these old games, but I can't believe I never realized Tristan from Ogre Battle had his own Neo Geo portable game iirc. That Potato guy, rules.

[@neil4692]

They took a lot of ideas from the One Vision Mod as well. Sometimes as a base or just functioning in the same way. It is great seeing devs acknowledge modders work and not just thinking they know better.

[@teddycheddar1114]

Turns out the REAL tactics ogre was the friends we made along the way.

[@JD-dm1uj]

Easily one of the best reviews of TO on all of YT!

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you so much!

[@MrDarksol]

It is nice that the game got a very very good coat of paint as well as a lot of good updates in terms of how it's functioned. I remembered playing the PSP version and I was so turned off by what I was trying to do. The game just felt very overwhelming and huge especially in comparison to when I played like say fire emblem or even Disgaea. Like I get that's the whole point of tactics over but calm down lol. It still feels like that it is exactly that just a bit more streamlined in reborn to a degree and at least it's a bit more manageable than the PSP version. However since we've been getting so many medieval strategy RPG'S, I'm basically just gonna skip this and jump straight into my love of giant robots because in this specific month we're supposed to be getting the front mission remake specifically the 1st one. However this was a very solid review in spite of the very very fast premiere lol. Good job Alex!

[@BigCowProductions]

Look up Coffee Potato's videos. You'll change your mind 😉

[@MrDarksol]

@@BigCowProductions Yeah I've heard about that guy before, came across his stuff and it is pretty interesting but tactics Orge is still not my thing.

[@soratheorangejuicemascot5809]

7:48 I do hope that it doesn't make the game play in a "Simon say's" loop where using the cards are the most viable choice to the point that other options are obsolete.

[@BacklogBattle]

The cards are a bit complex, but it isn’t the only viable way to win battles. You can stack 4 crit chance buff cards to really ensure massive crit chance, but the likelihood of that happening all the time is pretty slim. That said, it does feel satisfying to get these and pummel enemies with your buffs!

[@soratheorangejuicemascot5809]

@@BacklogBattle if the use of card buffs can be played around in a different way, that might be an interesting stuff.

[@BacklogBattle]

Yea you can only hold 4 at a time, so you can’t keep getting them. One gets replaced if you do pick a 5th one up. This applies to enemies too.

[@user-un-known]

Cards do nothing if you ain't got stats/skills on your units to make proper use of them. The damage calculation adheres to PSP version rather than original, so all that scaling is nullified if your unit is just not prepared for the job. Hell, the buffs from items now last the whole battle if you want all the edge.

[@soratheorangejuicemascot5809]

@@user-un-known I see. That is something I really have to try.

[@MAGACOPP]

I grew up always thinking this was the prequel to Final Fantasy Tactics.

[@Orinmaxden]

I played SNES Ogre Battle and loved it. I went though the game so many times playing good, and evil, and trying to get different characters. I played Ogre Battle 64 and loved it. Played FF Tactics and loved it. I played this back in the day and hated it. I couldn't get into it. I remember throwing lots of rocks at people and doing training a lot to try and level but there was something about this game. So is it the exact same? Or have they make any improvements to the battle system? Oh and I want to add that I WANT to love this game. It was a long time ago so maybe I should just try again.

[@BacklogBattle]

It might look like the PSP version, but it’s got a completely different progression and battle system. That said, it’s still just as difficult, if not more so, than the PSP version.

[@Orinmaxden]

@@BacklogBattle not sure if it makes a difference but I played the PS1 version. I still have it.

[@BacklogBattle]

@@Orinmaxden I don’t think it does, though this one is a bit easier to understand in a few ways. Still, it’s a commitment.

[@jdhcdfdfnikki3233]

@@Orinmaxden its different. You could overlevel now you cant. Enemies match your level

[@michaeldelloro3148]

As a square-enix fan on switch, I just hope their 2023 releases are more spread out across the year.

[@GeminiSunrise06]

Very great review! I'm gonna pick it in the futur

[@BacklogBattle]

Hope you have fun with it!

[@shadows.in.the.hourglass]

Anyone have a link to comparing differences between the PS4 and PS5 version?

[@BacklogBattle]

Really no difference, but the PS5 version may perform better. Though I should point out that if the game already runs at 60fps on Switch at its resolution, I'd imagine choosing one over the other would be just splitting hairs.

[@WitchDoctor87]

My only complaint is it doesn't have the turn map feature. It actually really bothers me that the map can't be turned.

[@jdhcdfdfnikki3233]

Left and right on L3

[@9sunskungfu]

Are the skills as aesthetically pleasing as FF tactics ?

[@miguelbastida2899]

Hi do you know if you can transfer ps4 progress to the ps5 version?

[@Haladoonmods]

I hope they don't do Union Levels for FFT when they get that remastered. I always over-leveled and invited enemy humans to my crew with good gear, stole their gear and dismissed them. I personally don't like caps, but I can see why they did that in this game I suppose. I never beat Tactics Ogre, but played a good amount on PSP.

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

I wouldn't be sure Union Levels would be a thing for the original FFT considering single levels don't give you a whole lot outside of a tiny bit of HP/MP and maybe an invisible attack/defense boost. With the HP numbers being way higher here, single levels probably help a ton more. Not to mention that'd be a really really really bad band-aid on the Calculator/Orator class being OP when its abilities target Levels.

[@DozenMarks]

Given that FFT also is just a single story playthrough without branching paths or a post-game method of going back and doing the other routes and everything on the same save file, there's much less of a chance of a mechanic like this being added there. It's still possible I suppose, but I'd say it's highly unlikely.

[@JMrealgamer]

I want to get this so bad! Gonna get it!

[@BacklogBattle]

Maybe if you do, use the links in the pinned post! #shamelessplug

[@blakeparks4042]

I got the physical PS4 version. Is there any difference between the PS4 and PS5 versions? If not I could save some room on the PS5 SSD and play the PS4 copy from my external hard drive

[@lobesteral]

I’m definitely not that great when it comes to tactical role playing games, but I’m definitely excited to check this game out in the future!

[@BacklogBattle]

If I can do it and I’m relatively a newbie, you can too! Just be patient with the game and yourself and you got this!

[@inrptn]

That newly redone soundtrack does sound excellent!

[@BacklogBattle]

Right? I actually was surprised how different some of the songs sounded!

[@JustJulyo]

Why do great games constantly come out during a release of a much highly anticipated game?

[@BacklogBattle]

Because holidays™️!

[@notyoursavior78]

Thanks for the review dude! You lost me a little when you said you never played the series, but that's whatever. Can't play everything. I wish you well and you do promote a very nice community. I am not even subscribed to yet (but I see your community posts all the time). There's a piece of algorithm I guess. Never even rang the damn bell. Not trying to sound dismissive. Your community posts are always really nice and trying to foster a community and say how more reviews are coming. It's really chill.

[@BacklogBattle]

Heyas! Thanks for the comment! Honestly, this is my third script and I scrapped my previous ones because I really felt a lot of pressure to get this review right. Not just for the long time fans, but also anyone who’s a fan of the genre. I’m actually really happy with the reception of this video and I do hope that despite how needy this game can be that people do try it! Probably the best version of Tactics Ogre yet! Also, thank you for checking the videos and posts out even if you’re not subbed! I’m trying my best to cultivate a really friendly community here, so I’m glad it’s being acknowledged!

[@notyoursavior78]

@@BacklogBattle Your review was better than I gave it credit for initially. That's what I get for witing that up close to 3am heh. You did explain some differences from the PSP version. I'll keep an eye on the game going forward. Well have a good day.

[@inuart19]

in your opinion, do you think the switch version is "the best vesion"? im still thinking in what platform play the game (i have all consoles and pc gamer). i know the portabiliy is a good feature but if the ps5 or pc version "looks better" i think that would be my choice

[@BacklogBattle]

I was only able to play the Switch version, but I didn’t really have any major performance issues while playing it. It was very stable at 60fps

[@RaifSeverence]

Since this isn't a graphically intense game (like say DioField or Triangle Strat) you probably can't go wrong on any version you pick up.

[@Terron29]

Great review of a fantastic game. I actually love the union level cap. It stops me from out levelling while NOT denying me the grind lol. I like to grind but hate when I outlevel the challenge :)

[@palepants9475]

The most jarring thing for me is the incredible, long sleek bodies on the cover art contrasted with the short, stubby looking sprites.

[@sukamadik5983]

I might add it to my backlog later on cuz I'm already getting a disturbing amount of games between now and March.

[@hufemasters]

I hope this motivates squareenix to do something similar to ff tactics, with better sprites hopefully

[@BacklogBattle]

Judging from the critical acclaim and the widespread positive feedback from the community, I’d wager they’re probably considering it

[@ZeNex74]

Will add to my backlog but not sure I can commit to it for a while. Its a big game it seems

[@BacklogBattle]

It is! 100 hours for me

[@ZeNex74]

year later i got new for £18, still dont think i can commit as the man who always drops games after 30hrs, lets see if i decide to open it and try@@BacklogBattle

[@kasperpedersen6672]

Great review, of which I agree on many point as a fellow game reviewer. I greatly enjoyed this game, while the " Guest" AI was indeed " Dumb as a sack of Rocks". Definitely not a game to be missed, even in these AAA times

[@Dracobyte]

I never imagine that we will see another Ogre Battle/Tactics Ogre game in the Year of our Lord 2022. Yet here we are, enjoying this masterpiece again on moder platforms. Thank you for this review!

[@VF19SExcalibur]

Its like a Necropost, so good that every ten years someone revives it.

[@notyoursavior78]

Don't we want a new one and not just another remake/remade? But I do agree. Really surprised this one came out. I am curious.

[@VF19SExcalibur]

@@notyoursavior78 Hopefully this shows SQENX there's still interest, we've waited years for a new entry

[@notyoursavior78]

@@VF19SExcalibur It seems to be rating well too. I liked the older Star Oceans (even 4), but really surprised that Star Ocean 6 came out at all. Metacritic hasn't give it a high rating but even Gamefaqs has generally liked it. I just haven't bothered with some b/c I don't trust these newer rpgs lately haha and I find my own stuff that is more obscure.

[@Sh3ail]

I've always wanted to play this when it was on PSP. Glad I didn't cuz this looks better.

[@lazarusblackwell6988]

I need this game.

[@pekomsneko7667]

for newbie here train Birdman to oure archer he is pretty op

[@BacklogBattle]

Canopus is great!

[@yagami999913]

This is the FINEST S-rpg experience to ever exist to this day ! The amount of improvements and attention to small details by the devs in the gameplay mechanics is outright SCARY ! Everything you'd expect from a remake like this and then some.

[@BacklogBattle]

I’m really happy that everyone gets to experience this game! It’s not often that we get treats like these, especially for tactical RPG fans!

[@roguerifter9724]

I wish they would give Ogre Battle some attention instead of just focusing on the Tactics Ogre part of the franchise.

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

I'm honestly sick of the immense hate smoothing filters get, to the point where people attacked a game that literally didn't have them just because the graphics were re-drawn. I loved it in the Mega Man X Legacy Collection and will happily use it again in the Battle Network one. Not to mention people went apeshit when the game's entire art style is simply a proto-Final Fantasy Tactics, especially Advance's sprite work, to the point where even *this* remake looks like I'm looking at an FFTA remaster as much as it is Tactics Ogre originally. I will also say...not exactly a review for people who don't know nor have played the older releases, huh?

[@BacklogBattle]

Whenever the argument against smoothing comes out, I always think of my time working with images. While pixelation initially seems like a good idea, the end result on large screens just makes it look like a mosaic. And remaking the artwork to have more detail just negates the reason for the remake, especially if that work could’ve just been put to good use on a new game, which is a whole other can of worms. To your latter point, what made the video feel more catered towards folks who’ve played the game before? I think the points I made of the game upending genre conventions and being challenging for any type of gamer seems to be the main driving point in the overall narrative. I’d like to hear your thoughts so I can improve on this if it is indeed an issue.

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

@@BacklogBattle Actually, I think I might be mistaken on that second point. I think my mind was focused on "wait a minute I heard there was a crafting system that got changed, but I heard nothing about that at all in this review." I do technically own the PSP game, but I never actually bothered to touch it and it'll probably stay that way since I'm gonna get this likely on Switch.

[@tyrellimmel5669]

The old version of this game was amazing. This version had some new improvements that are good, but they have messed up more than they have improved in my opinion. They put a level cap in so people can't gain levels. They took out random battles too which makes it incredibly hard to get beasts of any kind on your team. That is the biggest things I can complain about at this time. Kinda makes the game suck.

[@Herf18]

agreed

[@kelsonlewis9252]

Really? I like the new leveling system, this feels like a superior version in every way so far to me and I have played all releases. Currently with the cap it lets you over level several levels higher than the enemies, it just doesn't let you get insanely powerful.

[@2265Hello]

Personally the level cap is fine it’s a non issue since so many strategies and team comps are still viable. Monsters are in the wild woods and tend to spawn at certain levels mainly dragons, gryphons, and fairies.

[@Sinn0100]

Do you know what Tactics Ogre: Reborn/Let Us Cling Together is actually based on? There is a reason the game is the best of its genre and in terms of storytelling not even Final Fantasy XVI comes close (and that game is incredible). Many say that it is based off the real world War of The Roses which is true...but that is not the entire story. No, Final Fantasy Tactics: Let Us Cling Together (or Reborn) is based on something much more current and a fair bit darker than even the War of Roses. It mirrors the 1990 Yugoslavia War and Syrian Civil War. It is a dark period of human history that is seldom talked about and its gritty, realistic take is something most developers today fear to tread. The game was a must play on the original Playstation and still remains as the undisputed king of strategy JRPGs. Addendum- I'm about to start my playthrough again...I stopped because so many games for the Xbox Series X, PS5, and Switch were coming out that I got swamped. I just finished Final Fantasy XVI and I'm ready to continue again. I beat Final Fantasy Tactics: Let Us Cling Together in 1997 (both lawful and chaotic) and I will do so before this Summer has ended. I have 10 days...;)

[@MAGACOPP]

FF16 is not the same genre as TO.

[@Sinn0100]

@@MAGACOPP I never said or implied it was.

[@robleenheer1]

Reminds me of vandal hearts on psx.....

[@rahimimahmud]

At least i will buy it from the used copy

[@wingn3849]

Final Fantasy Tactics Reborn please?

[@rogerchandler2241]

Also ps5 not just PS4

[@BacklogBattle]

Done and fixed!

[@Dracobyte]

With a free upgrade!

[@rogerchandler2241]

@@BacklogBattle smile hopefully was not being rude I know you're professional just preordered ps5 version of tactics ogre reborn

[@BacklogBattle]

@@rogerchandler2241 not at all! I really appreciate it!

[@rogerchandler2241]

@@wolf0491 probably right but i think same prive

[@coconutologist]

I watched your Q&A. You do not look over 40.

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you 😅

[@YiG_switch]

@@BacklogBattle over 40!! Holy crap!! I’m 48 and I’m falling apart

[@rodneywarren1905]

I am NOT a huge fan of this remaster/remake. It killed me that they removed random battles from all the maps. Training is okay but you don't get money or items from training, and you cannot recruit units. The best part of the psp version was all the random battles with various units. Plus there is no transparency in what skills you will gain from leveling in a class. Overall it feels like one step forward and two steps backward.

[@2265Hello]

The second part is more of just the pain of old rpgs of which you can Google what skills you get now. Random battles seem to be regulated to dungeons though they seem to have set unit spawn types which makes recruiting easier, example in the wildwoods in chapter two one floor can have all dragons on one battle and when you redo the dungeon it can change to a mix of dragons fairies and other units.

[@bortobor7]

DIEGO GALET AZELSTAN

[@sukamadik5983]

First I guess 🥇

[@zlarez4485]

4 Hours iunto the game and I have to say Im really disappointed. It just feels boring. The class system is pointless, since characters cannot combine skills of different classes. The level cap ruins the flow of the game. The training battles are a waste of time since there is no money or units to be gained. The character models have nothing in common with the artwork and it is really difficult to tell friend from foe based on models. There is tactical depth for sure, but everything else is just boring. In the end it feels worse that triangle strategy in every aspect.

[@zyver6784]

im playing this and valkyrie elysium both steam version tomorrow Coz if we talking about backlog.. im a veteran of not finishing games 🥸

[@BacklogBattle]

I have a friend who has about 5000 Steam games that he hasn’t finished lol

[@DozenMarks]

@@BacklogBattle It's those damn sales, I tell ya. I've a friend with a similar Steam Library.

[@BacklogBattle]

@@DozenMarks and humble bundles too haha