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Square Enix is on a streak of releasing cool tactical strategy games this year. Turn-based JRPG Triangle Strategy launched in March, while November sees the release of revamped classic RPG Tactics Ogre: Reborn. Tucked temptingly between the two is strategy RPG The DioField Chronicle, set to release on September 22. Smashing together elements of RTS and strategy games, The DioField Chronicle introduces what its creators call the "Real Time Tactical Battle" system, set in the midst of a medieval fantasy world.
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There’s a lot going on in the game that will feel familiar to players of RTS and strategy games, but the gameplay has a different feel that sets it apart from genre stalwarts, such as Fire Emblem. The game’s real-time system eschews both the turn-based approach and the movement grid in favor of an experience with a lot going on simultaneously across the map. The ability to carefully plan future moves is less important than paying attention to the live needs of units in different corners of the battlefield. One of the side-effects of flipping from turn-based to real-time is that there’s more pressure to keep on top of events as they unfold, and successfully employing MMO-style tactics such as flanking and ambushing enemy units is vital to success.
<img src="https://2085555.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2085555/Newsletter%2009.18.22/Diofield%202.jpg" alt="" />
Positioning of units is everything. A common play will be to pick one of each of the four character classes—sharpshooter, cavalier, soldier, and magicker— and deploy them in four squads to where they can do the most damage to your unfortunate opponents. The game won’t overwhelm you with enemies, but they can hit hard—and there’s a lot riding on each high-risk battle you engage in. There’s a ton of depth in the skill trees, leveling, and build outs for the characters, as well as additional characters you can add to the roll-out to widen your squad’s skillset. And, of course, there are some deliciously spectacular attacks to unleash as the mood takes you.
<img src="https://2085555.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2085555/Newsletter%2009.18.22/Diofield%203.jpg" alt="" />
The story itself leans on familiar themes of war and honor, the wellbeing of the nation and its people, and introspective protagonists questioning their worthiness to stand up for them. Cut-scene dialogue between the JRPG-influenced characters is inexplicably but charmingly conducted in English accents, and they all have very nice hair. The in-game art and UI is rendered to a comfortingly high level of quality, and there are plenty of zippy effects to indulge the eyes.
The DioField Chronicle is a worthy entrant to the strategy RPG genre, that will no doubt tempt fans looking for a new buzz and some cool gameplay twists. A free demo is available now for anyone wanting to check it out before jumping in all the way, and the full game launches on September 22.
<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1399080/The_DioField_Chronicle/">Pre-purchase The DioField Chronicle now on Steam</a>

The DioField Chronicle Kicks the Strategy RPG Genre Up a Gear