Is Tactics Ogre: Reborn worth buying? Yes, absolutely.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a must-buy for tactical RPG fans looking for a genre classic with hundreds of hours of strategic gameplay, an intricate story, and outstanding soundtrack. Modern upgrades make this definitive version the ideal way to experience Tactics Ogre for the first time or nostalgic veterans revisiting a masterpiece.

What is Tactics Ogre: Reborn?

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a full remake of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, originally released in 1995 on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game helped define the tactical RPG genre with its isometric grid battles, expansive job system, and branching story paths.

This remake is based on the 2010 PSP version, but features a complete graphical overhaul, new cutscenes, expanded story dialog, an orchestrated soundtrack, and numerous gameplay enhancements. It remains faithful to the signature Tactics Ogre combat and style, while updating accessibility and presentation.

Key features include:

• Refined visuals with higher resolution HD sprites, textures, and effects
• Full English and Japanese voice acting for all story dialog
• Over 50 new cutscenes for deeper storytelling
• Faster pacing with streamlined battle animations
• Revised job classes and skills balanced for modern play
• New Charm system for more character customization
• Quality of life improvements like mid-battle saving
• Updated sound effects and re-orchestrated soundtrack
• Multiple story routes and endings based on choices
• New Game Plus mode and post-game content
• Additional difficulty options suited for series veterans

This provides the definitive way to experience the timeless story, tactical gameplay, and unforgiving decision-making of Tactics Ogre. Both newcomers and returning fans will find an engrossing strategy RPG masterpiece.

Refined game mechanics make it the best playing version

At its core, Tactics Ogre: Reborn retains the deeply strategic turn-based combat the series is revered for. Battles take place on isometric grids where height, positioning, range, and terrain all matter. Careful planning several turns in advance is required to overcome challenging maps and enemy formations.

There is tremendous depth with over 12 job classes like Knights, Ninjas, and Wizards. Each job has extensive skill trees and equipment options allowing for countless effective squad builds. Class synergy, battlefield control, buffs/debuffs, and executing combos feels immensely satisfying.

While the gameplay maintains a steep but fair learning curve, the refinements make progression more smooth and user-friendly. Tedious elements like long battle animations were sped up considerably. The revamped job classes and skills also provide more flexibility in party composition.

According to boundedbreak.com, "Reborn makes the strong combat even better with less of the frustrations and the learning curve just right for mastering the systems."

For players craving strategic challenges and party customization, Tactics Ogre‘s gameplay remains phenomenal. The quality of life improvements help realize the full potential of its combat and class mechanics.

An expansive story with real player agency

Tactics Ogre‘s most compelling element is the politically charged story spanning three dramatically diverging routes. The complex narrative deals with the realities of war, governance, and justice with maturity. Player choices steer the story leading to markedly different endings.

The writing itself is top notch, covering thoughtful themes about racism, honor, revenge, sacrifice and moral gray areas. Characters confronted with impossible situations will resonate with the player. The added cutscenes expand on character backgrounds and motivation.

True narrative agency is rare in video games, but Tactics Ogre executes it masterfully. Major decisions alter the course of history and align you with different factions. Seeing how seemingly small choices cascade into huge consequences really puts players in the shoes of a military leader navigating an ethically murky war.

According to RPGsite, "Reborn allows players to truly roleplay and experience the weight of their in-game actions like few other games offer."

The branching story design remains extremely ambitious even by modern standards. Newcomers are in for an unforgettable journey full of gut-wrenching decisions while veterans can experience it with fresh eyes.

Music orchestration further elevates the experience

Tactics Ogre has one of the most beloved video game soundtracks of the 32-bit era. The Reborn version stays faithful to beloved composition while infusing it with live orchestra. This makes the already emotive score even richer.

The arranging strikes the right balance between enhancing fidelity and retaining the blood-pumping energy of the original. Explosive brass, vigorous strings, and brooding percussion carry players through the struggles. Somber piano and acoustic guitar perfectly underscore heartfelt moments.

Long-time fans may still prefer the pure synth soundtrack for nostalgia. But there is no denying the orchestrated OST is tactfully executed. It sweeps players into the sweeping story with gusto. The sound design also got re-mastered to add more visceral impact to spells, steel clashing, and battlefield ambiance.

According to RPGSite, "The live recreation of the beloved soundtrack connects players deeply to the narrative gravity of scenes."

The music powerfully complements the weighty decision-making and maintains the exhilarating momentum through long battles. This is a masterclass in video game composition and orchestration.

Multiple playthroughs offer hundreds of hours of value

With three main story routes, myriad side content, and tremendous replayability, Tactics Ogre: Reborn offers no shortage of gameplay hours. Completing all story paths could easily take over 200 hours for the average player. Even rushing through the main plot takes over 50 hours.

The different routes have exclusive characters to recruit, battles to tackle, and decisions that alter the ending. New Game Plus mode lets you carry over levels, gear and try different ability combinations. Hidden items, secret characters, and post-game content further extend the playtime.

At $50, that translates to around 25-30 cents per hour of entertainment. Compared to a $60 game with a 10 hour campaign, Tactics Ogre provides exceptional value with its vast world, branching stories, and customization.

According to NintendoWorldReport, "Tactics Ogre: Reborn is money well spent with gameplay and content exceeding many modern AAA titles."

Fans of tactical RPGs will be playing and replaying this remake for months and years. It belongs in any Switch library.

Review Roundup

Critics and fans widely consider Tactics Ogre one of the best strategy RPGs ever made. This remake lives up to that enduring legacy.

Final Verdict: A Genre Classic Revitalized

From its refined gameplay to expansive storytelling, Tactics Ogre: Reborn takes an already phenomenal tactical RPG and makes it even better.

The strong visuals, audio overhaul, and quality of life tweaks modernize accessibility while retaining series strengths. It stands the test of time as a narrative-driven strategy masterpiece.

For anyone even remotely interested in the genre, this gets my wholehearted recommendation. Tactics Ogre: Reborn deserves a spot among the Nintendo Switch greats.