Storybook Tactics, by developer Mercury Wave, is a strategy RPG in a similar vein as games like Ogre Tactics and Final Fantasy Tactics (one of the very best games to ever be released). Now, I haven’t played every single XBLIG title out there, but I believe this may be the first SRPG on the XBLIG channel making this game a unique proposition for any fans of the genre. That is of course, if it’s any good.

Here’s what I can say about Storybook Tactics: the game accurately mimics the great SRPGs of the past. If you’re at all familiar with previous SRPG games then you’ll feel right at home with Storybook Tactics. Of course, being that the game is an XBLIG title you shouldn’t necessarily expect the same level of polish that mainstream SRPG games enjoy for obvious reasons.

Still, despite that, everything works well. Your characters take turns moving around on a grid and attacking using an AP (action point) system that’s not terribly uncommon within the genre. From what I was able to play, each character is given 5 AP per turn which can be used to move, attack, defend or meditate. While the former three actions are self explanatory, the meditate is simply a device so that you can regain MP at the end of each turn using any left over AP you might have.

Of course, one thing you’ll instantly notice about the game is it’s unique art style. Yes, everything looks like blocks with heads attached to them. It doesn’t really look all that bad, although some of the attacking movements could definitely have been given a bit more polish, especially when it comes to magic. Spells like “flare” or ‘fireball” look woefully plain compared to what you’d expect.

There’s really not much more for me to say about the game. It has unique classes, a overarching story, a world map that’s reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics. Overall it seems like a great way to spend an afternoon if you’re a fan of the SRPG genre, especially given it’s “indie friendly” price point.

Storybook Tactics is available right now via the XBLIG channel for a scant 80 MS points. While I can’t say just how in depth the game is given my relatively short time with it, I can say that the game seems to be worth the money based on what I was able to experience.

[This is not a review. This is a "first impressions" piece based on less than an hour of gameplay.]

[Buy/Try, Mercury Wave]

Screenshots