The Lamplighters League

The Lamplighters League is a tactical RPG set in an alternate history, between the first and second world wars. The game was developed by Harebrained Schemes, also responsible for the warmly received Shadowrun trilogy and BattleTech.

Plot

The Lamplighters League is set in an alternate 1930s. For millennia, the sinister Banished Court cult has been searching for artifacts it could use to take over the world. Their plans, however, are constantly being thwarted by the titular Lamplighters League, composed of the greatest heroes in human history.

That's at least how it used to be, as centuries of battling cultists have severely thinned the organization's ranks. This forced the League to lower their requirements, its ranks now filled with rogues, crooks and other outcasts any self-respecting hero would despise. Now, however, it's up to them to stop the villains and face ancient powers beyond their imagination.

Mechanics

The Lamplighters League is a rather unusual tactical RPG. On one hand, it features well-known and loved turn-based combat during which we command a squad of different characters. Each playable character has their own talents and skills, with appropriate use of them being the key to victory.

Developing the League's base is also reminiscent of other, similar games. Upgrading our headquarters is necessary to unlock many new abilities and acquire better gear, which is crucial when facing increasingly tougher cultists and other enemies.

In addition to all these aspects, however (which have been previously featured in games such as XCOM), The Lamplighters League also offers real-time gameplay reminiscent of the Commandos series. Combat is always turn-based, but between encounters we move around the map in real-time, like in classic RPGs.

This not only lets us position ourselves before the battle begins, but even makes it possible to skip some battles altogether. Our squad can sneak behind the enemies or quietly eliminate all weaker opponents.