Jagged Alliance: Back in Action

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action is a highly modified remake of the 1999’s Jagged Alliance 2, considered one of the best tactical turn-based game in the history of video games. The developers implemented many changes to the gameplay formula, the most prominent being the replacement of the turn-based mechanics with the real-time skirmish system.

Plot

In the game, a player assumes the role of a mercenary hired to overthrow Queen Deidranna, who rules a small country of Arulco. Enrico Chivaldori (player’s employer) once ruled this land; however, the current dictator has deprived him of his crown and established the reign of terror. In order to free the citizens of Arulco, one has to assemble a team of perfectly trained professionals and carry out consecutive tasks that eventually lead to the queen’s downfall. Jagged Alliance: Back in Action features most of the missions and characters one might remember from the game’s original release – and that is some good news as Jagged Alliance 2 offered a diversified set of characters, and it would be a shame if one did not get the chance to, yet again, see them in action.

Mechanics

All the characters one gets to control exhibit their own unique sets of features and abilities that can be developed thanks to the experience they obtain on the battlefields. Players can also boost their team member’s stats with new equipment (e.g. weapons and armor). Interestingly enough, developers introduced many changes to the gameplay, the most controversial being the abandonment of the turn-based mechanics and replacing it with a real-time system – this, however, does not change the game into a typical RTS, as the implemented system is based on planning actions simultaneously for multiple characters. At the bottom of the screen, one has access to a small menu, with a section dedicated to each character. Through this menu, a player can schedule his orders – this allows for a quick assessment of the designed action sequences. By dragging the icons, one can easily modify these sequences. Moreover, players get at their disposal a wide range of commands with which they can order their soldiers to climb, crawl, and aim at specific enemies’ body parts.

The game offers a non-linear campaign. Arulco is divided into 50 sectors that the player has to conquer. An important aspect of the game is the interaction with the natives, as they can offer their help or even join player’s team. For attacking a sector, a player receives a certain amount of money (it differs depending on the sector one chooses to attack), which affects further activities such as recruiting new team members and purchasing better gear.

Last updated on July 19, 2017