I love Turn Based Map Grid Combat! Have since I began playing Shining Force on the SEGA Genesis in the early 90's. In addition to the Turn Based Map Grid Combat, there is some degree of a Rock/Paper/Scissors element regarding weapon types versus armor types. A few other tactical applications work in combat also, Examples include: 1-Stratergizing to provoke or prevent counter attacks 2-Targeting weak spots on monsters(but not on humans) 3-Terrain features can cause attack/defense modifiers 4-Different spells can cause status effects and/or be empowered or hindered by prior spell effects of terrain modifiers I have played a few hours and finished multiple battles when I wrote this review. I am thoroughly pleased with the purchase and look forward to playing more. One word of caution, the first fight in the game is not the beginning of the story. The first fight starts you off with characters around level 25 and good gear against similar opponents. I think it is to give players a chance to see what their characters can become with different skills as they evolve through the game. Not sure that was the best idea, I see the value in doing so but it makes the learning curve a little steep in the first fight compared to starting people off at a low level and learning bits and pieces at a time. None the less, I'm still delighted I purchased this.
I am a big fan of D&D 3.5 over 5E but this was very disappointing. The movement in combat was terrbile compared to games that have a clear grid system like in the tabletop version or any X-Com clone game. The movement kept provoking attacks of opportunity against my characters. I damn well know how AoO work, I am a reach weapon specialist in tabletop but the movement without a true grid in this game is terrible and not precise. The game is also terrbile at blocking your view of where everyone is with tress/leaves covering the battlefield above the combattants. Walls block view also. I played and loved 3rd ed for over 20 years now and loved the tabletop exp but don't plan to spend another hour on this computer version, at least not for however long it takers to forget how terrible it handles movement without a true grid.
