Your turn to try a different strategy

TPC

HE fact this spin-off of the much-loved bug-killing Gears Of War franchise is, for the time being at least, PC-only tells you all you need to know. This is steadier mouse-and-keyboard fuel, not throw-the-controller-at-the-screen-ina-hissy-fit fodder. And the switch to turnbased action is a welcome, if limited, education in strategy-heavy gaming.

Microsoft’s revolutionary thirdperson action franchise is all about cinematic set pieces, gunplay and hammy dialogue. Some of that survives the transition but where

Gears Tactics excels is with the gameplay, which channels the ballistic strategy of tabletop games such as Warhammer 40,000. This is no bad thing and when treated as an entry point for strategy games, Tactics ticks all the right ‘ease them in’ boxes.

Played from a bird’s-eye view, you bark commands to a squad of human soldiers taking on Locust hostiles. Each squad mate can perform three actions (take cover, shoot enemies, enter overwatch to shoot anything that moves). Low cover will let you fire but only provide minimal protection, while high cover will keep you safe but limit your line of sight. It’s good to see a hallmark of the franchise retained with maximum effect. That’s also true of the gore that’s dished out in spades here. Things fall apart deeper into the game with battles feeling similar to what’s gone before and squad management becoming akin to cut and paste for a range of new skills and kit. But as an introduction to turn-based strategy games you couldn’t ask for more, even if veterans should seek out XCOM: Chimera Squad for more of a challenge.