First released in 1994 by Sir-Tech, Jagged Alliance is a classic PC game which features tactical, turn-based gameplay in controlling a squad of mercenaries against various enemies across numerous maps. Kalypso Media and bitTech have sought to remake the sequel to that game, Jagged Alliance 2, and bring it into the modern age with 3D graphics and a completely new UI (as well as some other surprises). The biggest change between this game and the original is that the new version is played in real-time with paused, turn-based gameplay. Some have criticized this, but it really helps keep the game moving as well as satisfy that need for turn-based, classic action. I prefer to move my troops into position, switch to turn-based and plan everything out, then hit spacebar once again to disengage the pause and watch my actions unfold.
The game features a lot of employable mercenaries, each has their own personality and some don’t like one another, and there is a ton of equipment to purchase, both from an “online” store and local merchants, and outfit your troops with. In the preview build I played, there were definitely some frustrating AI issues to overcome, but I kept going back for more – that is a testament to the game’s lasting fun factor. I, for one, am very excited to see what the retail build ends up like when the game is released on February 14th, 2012.
If you are a fan of tactical PC games, I think you will enjoy it.
