Emberfall Tactics

Emberfall Tactics is the kind of game you plan to play for ten minutes and lose an hour to. You lead a party of misfit soldiers across a grid, positioning them around cover, elevation, and the weather, which genuinely changes how fights play out. Every character levels into a distinct role, so party building matters.

The writing is understated but warm, and the between-mission camp scenes make you care about the squad. Combat is deliberate without being slow, and the undo-move option on the current turn takes the sting out of a fat-finger tap.

Battery life takes a hit during long sessions, but that's the only real complaint. If you like your RPGs with a chess-like edge, this one earns its spot.

What we liked

• Terrain and weather that shape every fight
• Distinct classes worth building around
• Story that respects your intelligence