Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
" Tactical strategy game with deep squad management and engaging combat but plagued by technical issues "
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel Review
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel offers a unique blend of tactical isometric combat set in the Fallout universe, emphasizing squad-based strategy and resource management. Players appreciate its tight gameplay mechanics, including inventory, recruits, weapons, and vehicles, which contribute to an engaging tactical experience. The storyline, featuring the Brotherhood portrayed with a dark, USSR-like atmosphere and voiced by R. Lee Ermey, adds depth and memorable character interactions.
However, the game struggles with technical issues, such as frustrating camera angles and pathfinding errors that can disrupt combat flow. The world map travel is repetitive, with frequent low-reward encounters, and combat slows significantly in later missions due to AI processing delays. These flaws detract from the overall experience and may discourage long-term play despite the game's strong tactical foundations and narrative elements.
Highlights
Players praise Fallout Tactics for its solid isometric tactical combat, considered one of the best alongside classics like Jagged Alliance 2. The detailed inventory and squad management systems enhance gameplay depth. The storyline stands out with its dark tone and memorable voice acting by R. Lee Ermey, adding authenticity and humor. The game also features abundant loot and a challenging difficulty level, appealing to fans of hardcore tactical RPGs.
Additionally, the game runs relatively well on various systems and offers replayability, especially for those who enjoy strategic challenges.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the frustrating isometric camera and movement mechanics that often misinterpret player commands, causing characters to behave unpredictably. Traveling on the world map becomes tedious due to numerous low-value random encounters. Combat encounters in later missions suffer from severe slowdowns, with enemy AI taking excessive time to calculate movements, leading to prolonged mission durations. Technical issues such as game soft-locks and crashes further impact the experience. Some players also find the game’s story non-canonical and less engaging compared to other Fallout titles, reducing its appeal for series purists.
Pros
- • Tight and engaging tactical combat mechanics that challenge strategic thinking.
- • Deep inventory and squad management systems enhance gameplay complexity.
- • Memorable storyline with dark themes and strong voice acting by R. Lee Ermey.
- • Abundant loot system rewarding exploration and combat success.
- • Challenging difficulty mode that appeals to hardcore tactical RPG fans.
- • Runs relatively well on multiple platforms with minor configuration tweaks.
- • Good replayability due to varied squad compositions and tactical approaches.
Cons
- • Frustrating isometric camera and pathfinding issues disrupt combat flow.
- • World map travel is tedious with repetitive, low-reward random encounters.
- • Severe combat slowdowns in later missions due to AI processing delays.
- • Game soft-locks and crashes affect stability and player progress.
- • Non-canonical story reduces appeal for Fallout series purists.
- • Combat mechanics sometimes misinterpret player commands causing frustration.
- • Long enemy turns extend mission length excessively.
Rating Criteria
Tactical Squad-Based Combat comes to the Fallout® Universe! You are the wretched refuse. You may be born from dirt, but we will forge you into steel. You will learn to bend; if not you, will you break. In these dark times, the Brotherhood - your Brotherhood - is all that stands between the rekindled flame of civilization and the howling,...
