Turn-based tactics

Turn-based tactics (TBT), or tactical turn-based (TTB), is a computer and video game genre of strategy games that through stop-action simulates the considerations and circumstances of operational warfare and military tactics in generally small-scale confrontations as opposed to more strategic considerations of turn-based strategy (TBS) games. Turn-based tactics games feature turn-based tactical combat.

Genre characteristics

Silent Storm

Steel Panthers: World at War!

The gameplay of turn-based tactics games is the stop-action counterpart to those of the real-time tactics genre and as such is characterized by the expectation of players to complete their tasks using only the combat forces provided to them and usually by the provision of a realistic (or at least believable) representation of military tactics and operations. This contrasts with other current wargame genres: for instance, in large-scale turn-based strategy games battles are generally abstracted and the gameplay close to that of related board games, and real-time strategy games de-emphasize realism and focus on the collection and conversion of resources into production capacities which manufacture combat units thereafter used in generally highly stylised confrontations. In contrast, turn-based tactics games' military tactical and realistic focus, emphasis on executing intricate and well thought through plans and comparatively short risk/reward cycle usually provide a distinctly more immediate, intense, careful and meticulous experience of battlefield tactics and mêlée than strategy games of other genres.

As suggested by the genre's name, also fundamental to turn-based tactics is turn-based gameplay. The genre has its roots in tactical and miniature wargaming, the recreation of battle scenarios using miniatures or even simple paper chits using relatively intricate rules. Compared to other strategy games, games of the turn-based tactics genre often have distinctly detailed and complex environments due to the tactical implications of elevation, hard cover and line of sight. Further, in most turn-based tactics games a player's force is maintained between battles. This allows units to become more proficient as they gain more battle experience and coupled with the often small and specialised squads used, can even encourage an affinity between the player and his or her troops, breaking down the stereotypical anonymity of the expendable, mass-produced units found in strategic games.

Types

Tactical wargames

Main article Tactical wargame

Tactical wargames are a type of wargames (board game or video game) that models military conflict at a tactical level, i.e. units range from individual vehicles and squads to platoons or companies. These units are rated based on types and ranges of individual weaponry.

Tactical role-playing games

Main article Tactical role-playing game

This sub-genre is principally used to refer to RPG-derived games as an alternative to the traditional turn-based system. In such titles, the system has been tailored to incorporate role-playing game characteristics. The term "tactical" was not widely used to describe such titles until Final Fantasy Tactics was released, where it popularized the genre in North America, although games such as Shining Force were part of the genre years beforehand.

Genre blurring

Some CRPGs, such as The Temple of Elemental Evil, Pyrrhic Tales: Prelude to Darkness and the Gold Box games of the late '80s and early '90s, also feature tactical turn-based combat.

Some turn-based tactics titles, such as Jagged Alliance 2 and the X-COM series, feature a strategic layer in addition to a tactical combat layer.

Examples

PC

• Avalon Hill's Squad Leader
• Battle Isle series
• Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
• Fantasy Wars
• Silent Storm series
• Steel Panthers series
• X-COM series
• Jagged Alliance series
• Heroes Of Might & Magic series

Consoles

• Dynasty Tactics series
• Final Fantasy Tactics
• Fire Emblem series
• Nintendo Wars series
• Tactics Ogre series

See also

• List of turn-based tactics video games