According to game publisher Wizards of the Coast, the legacy began in 1974, when Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson first unleashed Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) as a fantasy table top role-playing game. Since then, the game has amassed a huge following that numbers in the millions. This resulted in spin offs from its original incarnation, into computer games, magazines and even movies!

The latest addition to the D&D series is none other than D&D Tactics, a rather graphically well designed but not exactly mind blowing turn-based Role Playing Game for the Playstation Portable (PSP). The game not only boasts of its own original storyline, but also, a whole new world designed from scratch to boot! But in terms of characters it doesn’t deviate from what fans are used to as Wikipedia states that the game retains “core classes from the D&D rulebook: the Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Wizard, as well as two non-core classes, the Psion and Psychic Warrior”.

Besides character classes, D&D Tactics, also follows the D&D 3.5 rule-set (things like the latest rules for D&D) which provides an even greater sense of familiarity for fans of the series.

In the game, players take on the role of a “player character” who’s caught between the battle of two dragons vying for the right to attain godhood. In short, it’s up to you to determine who’ll emerge the victor in this mystical battle of mythological proportions.

Besides the usual aspects like armour, weaponry and magic, players are also provided with the ability to have up to 6 members in the party depending on their quest (which we’ll elaborate further). Although players can have up to 11 characters as companions, switching members on a rotational basis is based on the tasks at hand.

Players are tasked with the campaign of completing the game’s many quests and side-quests. The game’s developers claim that there are over 30 quests and side-quests in the game. However, it’s extremely unlikely that players will get to experience all of them as decisions pertaining to the player’s alignment towards good or evil will determine which quests or side-quests he or she will undertake.

Gameplay

Before the campaign begins, users are granted the chance to either use one of the pre-generated characters from the “character library” or create their very own character as the “player” character of the game before selecting five other members to form your party for the beginning of the adventure, which is split into acts.

As mentioned earlier, players can have as many as 11 companions who you can recruit from the various places that will be revealed bit by bit on the world map depending on how you advance in the game. Note that each area has its own specialities, so if you’re in search of a cleric or paladin, then you’d probably want to look for them at Temples rather than say, the Thieves Guild which is where you’ll find rogues instead.

Moving onto the action, the turn-based system used is fairly straightforward and relatively easy to understand, though it’s somewhat troublesome to navigate thanks to the rather haphazard menu selections, whoever thought of a menu leading to another menu?

Nonetheless, players should take the time to think up strategies so as to maximise and minimise each character’s strengths and weaknesses respectively as this help to prevent unnecessary character deaths or speed up the adventure. For example, deciding to put your ranger upfront in battle might be considered a mistake, considering he or she is able to deal damage from range with his or her bow. However gamers should note that if your “player character” dies, then the game is automatically over.
Lastly, after every successful adventure, a 2D scene involving your “player character” will be played which can skipped or replayed at a later time as long as you’re at that specific location. Nevertheless it’s crucial that you watch and listen to it carefully as it’ll help you to make decisions later in the game (such as selecting which paths or side-quests to undertake), which can ultimately determine whether you’re good or evil.

Main Gripes

Well as they say, patience is indeed a virtue, especially since D&D Tactics’ turn-based system isn’t exactly a cause for frantic action. Besides the game’s relatively languid pace, the fact that characters seem to have problem hitting the enemy certainly doesn’t help with its cause.

Additionally the PSP’s thumbstick and item menu combine to provide a source of constant irritation especially when it comes to trading items between party members. Having to use the oversensitive thumbstick to help switch items between characters isn’t as easy as it should be and to be frank, can get pretty annoying.

Conclusion

Overall, D&D Tactics’ well designed graphics, retention of most of the things-such as character classes-that one would expect of a D&D series, along with its rather decent storylines will most definitely bode well with fans of the long running series and keep them entertained for hours on end.

However, for casual gamers who are searching for a game filled with high octane action rather than the slow moving turn-based system found in D&D Tactics, then it’ll probably be wiser choice for them to give the game a miss.

Platform: PSP
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Kuju Entertainment
Genre: Tactical RPG

Score:

Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Addictive Rating: 7/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10