Jagged Alliance 2

This game is one of those that you cant stop playing once you start. Tons of options for your characters as you go through the non-linear story line. This is $$ Well spent you cant go wrong with this game. Also there is a great mod out for it called the v1.13 mod that really makes this game complete.

If you haven't played it, get it now. God, I miss this game. I've played it so often now a new playthrough has nothing to offer, to the point I remember where the cover spots and loot items are, not to mention the "recruit for a day for the kit" tricks and character synergies/conflicts. Or how to answer each starting quiz question to get the exact custom merc I want. Someone really needs to make another one of these - but the IP seems to have had a rocky ride. Hopefully this version is compatible with the great community mods that are still out there, which adds replay value

Jagged Alliance 2 is as good as turn-based strategy games get. Already the first JA game gave me nights of great gaming fun, as the game featured truly interesting mercenaries with own personalities, allowing the player to create a team with different specialities (explosives, marksman, doctor, etc.). JA 2 takes this successful storyline, but adds to it a much advanced gameplay. Turn-based strategy fights had never been better - even more successful RPGs like the Fallout series did not match the handling and functionalities of the JA2 battles (e.g. night missions, crouching/swimming/climbing, very intuitive shooting). Enjoy this pearl!

If you've ever seen the films "The Dogs of War" or "The Wild Geese" you already know what Jagged Alliance 2 is all about. You are a mercenary commander with a contract to free the tropical state of Arulco from the tyranny of a brutal dictator. To that end, you are given a sum of starting money, access to soldiers for hire, and an online (virtual) equipment store. The rest is up to you. The game is played on two levels. On the strategic level, you move your units on the map of Arulco, which is divided into numerous sectors, some of which contain valuable assets such as towns, airports and mines. At any time you can switch to the tactical level. Here you are confined to the sector your mercenaries are currently located in. If enemies are present, the game switches to turn-based mode, and this is where this game truly shines. Here you battle your enemies turn by turn in detailed combat. Everything influences the success of your mercenaries, from their abilities to the condition of their weapons to their stance and the time of day. But the game doesn't stop there. It als contains a deep role-playing game aspect that has your mercenaries gain experience and level up. You can train local militias to aid you in the defense of your conquered sectors. You can seize vehicles to travel around the country quicker. You can repair your equipment or built new gadgets. etc. etc. Jagged Alliance is one of the most ingenious game designs ever devised, the this second installment represents the very best the entire genre of turn-based tactis has to offer. A timeless classic that has not in 13 years been met, much less surpassed.

Just looking at these screenshots makes me wanna cry. Those were the days... Being a teenager with no sorrows but the usual lovesickness, coming home from school, playing this wonderful game... No need to say much about it, though. If it isn't perfect today, it surely was back then. It's just so sad that I'll never be able to play it again for the very first time.