Ironclad Tactics

Game Info

Strategy games have had a sweet spot within my gaming collection for years, thanks to my Dad, who has shown me that it takes true skill at mastering these games.  Ironclad Tactics is a very unique strategy games that mixes timed actions with a card deck system and it actually works really well.  The game is set around the 1860’s during the American Civil War, but with a very different history aspect to it.  The story is displayed in a comic book style following two main characters, Maxwell and Joseph who are employed by the United States Navy’s Bureau of Steam Engineering.  Maxwell and Joseph have been designing Ironclad robots to fight in the war and after the recent events at Battle of Fort Sumter, they realized that the Confederate forces have Ironclad units themselves.  This is where the story picks up throwing you into the thick of things and learning the mechanics of gameplay.

The card system is unique and requires you to build a deck consisting of 20 cards that will benefit your play style.  You will have cards that range from ironclad units, weapons to equip on those units, infantry men, movement cards, healing cards and many others.  There is a counter that is constantly moving clockwise to decide when the next move is up, so it requires you to be aware as you might be a move to late on deploying that needed unit.  The units on the battlefield will move a space depending on their speed rating after each turn of the time dial and after each turn the game will grant you and your opponent 1 AP point to use.  The AP points are to deploy cards and each card will have an AP number on them to signify the cost upon deployment.  You have to be aware of your current AP and how much you will need to accomplish your desired plan, such as deploying an ironclad and trying to equip it with a weapon or moving it to a different row on the battlefield.

There isn’t too much to talk about when controls are concerned as it only consists of minor movements to select the cards and where on the battlefield they are being placed.  Although, the controls can get frustrating, having you rush around to select units to deploy and move them around all within an allotted time frame.  The cards will be randomly pulled from your deck and placed in your viewing space and constantly move from left to right.  If there is a card you want to use that is closest to the right then you better think quick as it will disappear once the timer clicks over for a turn.  Since the cards are on a belt type system moving left to right, you have to be wary of what you can spare and what you absolutely need to win the battle.

Each mission you encounter, will require either you or the opponent to obtain a total of eight medals to win.  Some ironclads have two medals and some only have one, but it is all about strategy on deciding which units can be spared to stop enemy troops from scoring medals for themselves.  Once a unit crosses the end of the battlefield then the player will be awarded a number of medals depending on how many that unit had to offer.  This can make it stressful when the enemy launches three ironclads with two medals available if they cross your end of the battlefield, which will award them a net of six medals if they succeed.  Some missions can throw a little extra tactic in the map by adding mortars that can only be manned by infantry units.  Keep in mind that after each turn, all the units will advance forward and unless those infantry men are blocked in the mortar stations they will keep moving past it.  This is what frustrates me as you have to somehow plan on the enemy to try your same tactic and hope they deploy a bunch to stop you in your tracks once you reach the mortars.  Other missions can have areas that can be captured by infantry men to add more bonuses for your end level reward.  At the end of each mission you will be given bonus cards that are won from the match to add to your deck and there will be some that are only unlocked by meeting certain requirements within that battle.

There is a multiplayer option on Ironclad Tactics and I highly suggest unlocking more cards to build a better deck before attempting it.  There is also a co-op mode that you could use for anyone who is interested in teaming up for battle.  The competitive battles in multiplayer are a lot more intense and can keep you on your toes hoping that one card comes up so you can throw it down and take the win.

Like I said earlier I really like the comic style cutscenes that display the story, but the in-game visuals are nothing incredible.  I personally enjoy the in-game unit designs and card artwork since I myself play collectible card games.  Obviously there is no need to beef up the visual aspect of this game and I feel it fits the game style quite nicely.  The music is a nice touch and keeps you believing you are experiencing war way back when, also the sound effects are filled with metal clanks and steam rushes as you deploy units.

The Recommendation

Ironclad Tactics is a very well done card-based tactics game, very similar in the fashion of Plants Vs. Zombies.  I think anyone who wants a challenge in tactic based war with many unlockable cards to find would enjoy this game.  I do wish the timing system in between moves was a bit more defining or rather not so rushing for the players.  Like I said previously, you are constantly racing the clock to place your units on the field before the next move is up.  If you want something different than the majority of games releasing on PSN then I suggest you try out Ironclad Tactics for a new card-based Civil War experience.