Title: The Lamplighters League
Genre: Turn-based tactics, action-adventure
Developer: Harebrained Schemes
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: October 2023
Embark on a thrilling adventure as the Lamplighters League, a group of skilled agents tasked with protecting the world from supernatural threats. Explore diverse environments, engage in tactical turn-based combat, and unravel a captivating conspiracy that spans the globe. Recruit a team of misfits with unique abilities and unforgettable personalities, and chase the Banished Court to the ends of the earth in a mix of real-time infiltration, turn-based tactical combat, and a character-driven story of adventure and intrigue.
Sneak, steal, and shoot your way through a world of pulp adventure in The Lamplighters League! Globetrot across a variety of exciting locales around the world and outwit your enemies in strategic turn-based combat – and, if you play your cards right, you might just save the world.
Harebrained Schemes, the creators of The Shadowrun Trilogy and BATTLETECH, bring you an all-new world set in an alternate 1930s, where a tyrannical cult called the Banished Court stands on the cusp of world domination. For millennia, all that stood between this sinister cabal and their plans were a band of heroic scholars known as the Lamplighters League.
Unfortunately, the best of the best are all gone, so now it’s up to the best of the worst.
Recruit a team of misfits and scoundrels with unique abilities and unforgettable personalities, and chase the Banished Court to the ends of the earth in a mix of real-time infiltration, turn-based tactical combat, and a character-driven story of adventure and intrigue.
Strategy Meets Story, in Style
- Control a team of unique, dynamic characters and get to know their signature tactical abilities and roles in the team. Learn their stories and the world they inhabit by taking them on missions – every misfit brings their own style to the fight through unique moves that can turn the tide of combat.
- Explore a variety of thrilling locales and survey the battlefield before things heat up: sneak past enemies in real-time infiltration gameplay, pick off the stragglers quickly and quietly, and position your squad to get an edge for the fight.
- Use every advantage and dirty trick your agents have up their sleeves in exciting, turn-based combat. Add advanced abilities, gear, and augmentations to your agents to keep pace with the growing threat of the Banished Court!
Race Against the Countdown to Doomsday
- Chase the Banished Court through an alternate-history world of the 1930s, from dockyards and deserts to jungles both urban and wild. Manage your choices at a global level and try to prevent your enemy from advancing their twisted schemes!
- Recruit new allies from the best of the worst: scour the globe for outlaws and outcasts and bring them onto your side before the Banished Court catches them first!
- Every mission earns your team new resources and grows their abilities – but be careful, stress and injury can take their toll!
Positive Aspects:
- Unique blend of real-time recon and turn-based combat: Utilize stealth takedowns to weaken enemies before engaging in strategic turn-based battles.
- Varied and memorable cast: Recruit a diverse team of agents with unique abilities and personalities, each adding their own flair to the game.
- Engaging storyline and world-building: Immerse yourself in a captivating narrative filled with intrigue and supernatural elements.
- Compelling progression system: Enhance your agents’ abilities and unlock new gear to tackle increasingly challenging missions.
- Captivating soundtrack: Immerse yourself in an orchestral score that complements the game’s atmosphere perfectly.
Negative Aspects:
- Occasional technical hiccups: Some players have reported minor performance issues and bugs.
- Repetitive mission structure: While the overall mission design is solid, some repetitive elements may hinder long-term engagement.
- Lack of enemy diversity: While enemy types are varied, some players may find combat encounters to lack the strategic depth they desire.
Reasons to Play:
- Fans of turn-based tactical games: The game offers a unique and engaging take on the genre, with a satisfying blend of stealth and strategic combat.
- Appreciating of pulp fiction and supernatural themes: The game’s setting and storytelling evoke a sense of pulp adventure, appealing to fans of the genre.
- Seeking a deep and rewarding progression system: The game provides ample opportunities to upgrade your agents and gear, offering a sense of progression.
- Enjoying a rich narrative experience: The game’s story is compelling and engaging, with a cast of memorable characters.
Reasons to Be Cautious:
- Uncertainty about repetition: Some players may find the mission structure repetitive, potentially reducing long-term engagement.
- Lack of enemy diversity: While enemy types are varied, some players may crave more strategic depth in combat encounters.
- Potential for technical issues: Some players have reported minor performance issues and bugs.
Ratings:
- PC Gamer: 7/10
- IGN: 7.5/10
Overall, The Lamplighters League is a solid and engaging turn-based tactics game with a unique blend of real-time recon and strategic combat. It offers a captivating storyline, memorable characters, and a rewarding progression system. However, some players may find the mission structure repetitive and the enemy variety lacking. Those who are drawn to pulp fiction, supernatural themes, and deep character customization will likely find the game enjoyable. Players who prioritize enemy variety and tactical complexity may find the game less appealing.