Templar Battleforce

Don't sleep on this if you're a fan of squad based tactical combat games. Enormous attention to detail was paid when designing the game. It is very challenging deep into the campaign. Early on, Brutal difficulty feels merely challenging but eventually you will be forced to re-read and re-learn the finer points of game rules and tailor your strategy accordingly. Fortunately, the player is never locked into their level-up choices (skills, stats, special abilities) because they can be re-specced at will between missions. This costs nothing and eventually becomes part of the challenge on harder difficulties. The special abilities and equipment tree has to be unlocked progressively. Before higher tier abilities are unlocked, it makes sense to specialize a Templar one way but with better unlocks and more skill points to burn, re-speccing the same Templar using different talents becomes a game within a game. In my experience, this is especially true when abilities become available that can reduce enemy movement or otherwise cause a significant jump in buffs/debuffs. The tree itself is enormous and seems overwhelming but most "nodes" in the tree are quite cheap so it is possible to make progress quickly. Some of the higher tier nodes unlock only moderate gains as well, so diverting attention to cheaper nodes affecting other classes can better strengthen the team as a whole. During missions, the most pressing concern is whether to make progress rapidly and risk overheating in a rough spot, or deliberately adopting a slow pace, letting enemies pile up (and even trip over each other and get in each others way) but keeping overheating at bay while making progress and racking up an impressive kill count. Overheating can affect Templar builds depending on difficulty. Brutal and above (recommended if you are familiar with turn based combat games) and the heat damage can cost you dearly if you let it spiral out of control. The choice of how hard and fast to go also depends on the teams abilities and sometimes my own skills using them. On easier difficulties the game is more approachable for casual players who want to whack and sack hordes of Xenos using different classes and abilities, or haven't got time to get bogged down in tough and dirty trench warfare. If you're put off by complexity and difficulty, rest assured that there is a difficulty level for you. All in all, if you're in the mood for some very well designed turn-based combat, this is one of the best games in the genre. It follows the thread all the way from Laser Squad and it's fascinating to experience the evolution of tactical turn based games. While it lacks the humor or flash of some of the other greats and has no strategy layer or base management, it has enough meat on the bone in the campaign missions to satisfy even the die-hards. Highly recommended, esp. if you want a challenge.

Developed and published by Trese Brothers, Templar Battleforce is a tactical turn-based RPG that combines methodical combat, squad customization, and an engaging science fiction narrative into a highly rewarding strategy experience. Set within the expansive Star Traders universe, the game places players in command of the elite Templar Knights, humanity's most formidable warriors, as they defend scattered colonies from overwhelming alien threats and internal conflicts. Rather than focusing on cinematic storytelling, the narrative unfolds through missions, dialogue, and evolving battlefield situations, allowing players to gradually uncover the political struggles and dangers facing civilization. This approach creates a believable setting that complements the game's emphasis on tactical decision-making and strategic leadership. The heart of the experience lies in its carefully designed combat system, where every encounter requires thoughtful planning instead of quick reactions. Each Templar pilot operates a powerful Leviathan battle suit equipped with unique weapons and specialized abilities, turning every battlefield into a strategic puzzle. Positioning, movement, defensive formations, and proper use of skills all play critical roles in determining success. Enemy forces become increasingly varied as the campaign progresses, forcing players to adapt rather than rely on a single winning strategy. Missions remain engaging thanks to changing objectives that include defending key locations, escorting allies, surviving overwhelming attacks, and eliminating dangerous targets. The game's difficulty can be demanding, especially on higher settings, but victories feel genuinely earned because success comes from mastering its mechanics rather than exploiting simple tactics. One of Templar Battleforce's greatest strengths is its extensive character progression and squad-building system. Players can recruit and develop multiple Templar classes, each filling distinct battlefield roles ranging from heavily armored frontline fighters to long-range specialists, engineers, scouts, and support units. Every soldier gains experience, unlocks powerful abilities, and can be customized through equipment and talent choices, creating nearly endless possibilities for squad composition. This flexibility encourages experimentation throughout multiple campaigns, as different team builds can dramatically change how battles are approached. The progression system is satisfying because every upgrade has meaningful tactical value instead of simply increasing numerical statistics, making each new ability feel impactful during combat. Beyond its strategic gameplay, the game offers an impressive amount of content that provides lasting value. The lengthy campaign features dozens of handcrafted missions that steadily introduce new enemies, environments, and gameplay mechanics without becoming repetitive. Players who enjoy replayability will appreciate the numerous difficulty settings and the opportunity to approach each campaign with different squad combinations and tactical philosophies. Despite its relatively modest presentation, the game delivers a surprising amount of depth, with systems that continue revealing new strategic possibilities long after the opening missions. This balance between accessibility and complexity allows newcomers to gradually learn its mechanics while giving experienced strategy fans plenty of opportunities to optimize their tactics. Visually, Templar Battleforce favors practicality over spectacle. Its 2D graphics may not rival modern high-budget strategy games, but the art direction effectively communicates the gritty science fiction atmosphere while keeping battlefields easy to read during intense engagements. Unit designs, weapon effects, and environmental details successfully establish the militaristic tone without distracting from gameplay. The soundtrack and sound effects reinforce the tension of combat, adding weight to every v…

It's Warhammer 40K! You're Space Marines! The resemblance is uncanny. But.....It's a brilliant game, lots of upgrade options for individual units and highly addictive. I recommend it!