Comments on: Pitch: Tactical Breach Wizards

By: M

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 01:08:13 +0000

What is it with you and throwing people out windows???

…I love it.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 23:20:03 +0000

Yes. All of my yes! I want to play this already based on the theme alone. My one hope is that this game would be able to run on a standard laptop so that I don’t have to worry about it being able to be run on ….. my standard non-gaming laptop.

Suggestion wise, what about a Summoner that uses grenades to perform the summoning function? Like a grenadier that has one time use, throwaway summons that do an effect and then disappear? Or upgrade to be more persistent?
The Grenade-o-Mancer or the Blast Summoner?

By: Magma Hunter

Magma Hunter — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:31:53 +0000

on one end, this looks great so far…
on the other, I feel bad for the windows in Tom’s games

By: Kirk

Kirk — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 23:15:05 +0000

I’ll be happy so long as male wizards have their level reflected in the length of their beards.

By: Shaun Cheah

Shaun Cheah — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 07:43:42 +0000

“- Agnostic”

By: Guy

Guy — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 19:00:14 +0000

I swear if this ends up never becoming a game I will be heavily upset.

By: Skoll

Skoll — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 14:43:35 +0000

Owning two of your prior games, please do this. I need tactical wizard action in my life.

By: Maskedbus

Maskedbus — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 19:05:02 +0000

If you are low on funds; Kickstarter? I’m sure all of earth wants to see this. The comedy would be a nice return, i think there is a distict lack of it in my playthrough of Heat Sig. Like most people, i like the art, and please, please bring this to life, but don’t rush it either, no-one wants a flop of a game.

By: Emmit

Emmit — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 23:08:32 +0000

Well after GunPoint I am definitely following what you are doing.

And yay ! I also think that there is a lot of space in the XCOM-subgenre.

I liked Massive Chalice a lot (at least enough to finish it) because while it was a flawed game, it had some interesting ideas in this subgenre where there are very few games.

I love the artstyle ! Already more interesting than the 2 new XCOM games !

I am curious to see how the simultaneous turn idea turns out.

By: AndyDenton

AndyDenton — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 18:40:37 +0000

Sounds pretty cool, especially if it embraces the simulationist streak that we’ve seen in your games before.
Re the posts about the changes you made to Heat Signature “The Fleshstripper is a new unique weapon that fires the same acid used as currency in the Drift –” I can’t help but think that would be an awesome way of implementing a Xenomorph style acid blooded alien outbreaks for abandoned ship… It would have to eat through walls though :).

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:28:55 +0000

Looks really good, it’s always great to see a new angle on John’s artwork.

The gameplay look’s a lot like DoorKickers too!

By: Nerf Herder

Nerf Herder — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 04:25:46 +0000

Great concept overall, my favourite thing so far though is the way you shot that man backwards through the doorway at top left.
I imagine him just holding that pose as he skips along the ground several times and settles in a small cloud of concrete dust or something.

Design question: A small room is obviously a perfect fit for this game idea but do you think this kind of xcom movement could ever be used in an larger, more open world?
I don’t think I have seen a game do that before and I am curious if there is a solid reason why or if its just not the done thing.
Or could you maybe talk about your thoughts on this type of movement (pros & cons) in a blog post perhaps?

Keep up the great work, I think this should be a game that exists.

P.s. Please make your next game about hitmen and heists and call it Pro’s & Con’s.

By: probably a robot

probably a robot — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 00:58:20 +0000

It’s rare that I find someone who so regularly makes anything with an aesthetic and functionality that I find both immediately appealing and also inspirational, but when it happens it’s usually your fault. Best of luck on the road taking this from “amazing concept” to “amazing game”. And for what little it’s worth: if you make a Mac version I’ll buy you a drink (and also a copy of the game).

By: Anthony Aiello

Anthony Aiello — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 21:38:32 +0000

I really like the idea of this. Do make it, please.

By: Epigraph

Epigraph — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 04:16:20 +0000

Supernatural Weapons And Thaumaturgy and xcom style tactics where the whole turn is clear has my interest. Very cool pitch.

By: John A. Tate

John A. Tate — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 22:20:41 +0000

Taking inspiration from frozen synapse is about the best choice you could make. That game wasn’t particularly broad as such, but the simultaneous turns works really well.

If I might suggest, given the grid based nature, you might want to look into Atlas Reactor as well! I’m not a personal fan of it, but the core gameplay loop is very well done.

By: Yasss

Yasss — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 21:26:34 +0000

Just take my money now. The character descriptions alone sold me. I really hope you run with the idea!

By: Norgg

Norgg — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 14:29:07 +0000

I want this, but also the game I keep misreading it as: Tactical Beach Wizards.

By: A Concerned Dwarf

A Concerned Dwarf — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 10:07:34 +0000

I for one dinnae about this. The foundations of our society were built by COAL MINERS, not feckin astral wind turbines and adamantium reactors.

I say we sod this hogwash and MAKE MORIA GREAT AGAIN.

By: Z

Sat, 03 Feb 2018 23:58:51 +0000

Oh, and with the incredible success of Bright this theme should have broader appeal than it would have otherwise

By: Z

Sat, 03 Feb 2018 23:22:35 +0000

Perhaps the rollings back could be a thing done by spending some wizardry resource (Time Mana tm)

Perhaps the player is diagetic, overseeing the whole game play through a crystal ball

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 20:35:07 +0000

I love the art design, the whole theme! and honestly, I was kind of disappointed by xcom2… it didn’t resonate with me and I never finished it, despite loving the previous xcom. But yeah, why aren’t there more cool indie xcoms?! this would sit brilliantly along side banner saga, xenonauts and the like. please, please, please make this happen!!!

By: Tome Francis

Tome Francis — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 16:08:02 +0000

Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn!!!

By: Swanky Swanky Bro

Swanky Swanky Bro — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:25:10 +0000

Lots of new ground here for weapon types,magic seals, jujitsu.
You’ve definitely secured my purchase!

By: Agent-KI7KO

Agent-KI7KO — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 14:17:09 +0000

SWAT: Staves, Wands, and Tofas. (Or Tactics)

By: Eriq

Eriq — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 08:22:38 +0000

This looks absolutely amazing. I’m already in love with the theme. I really hope this idea pans out because you’ve got a guaranteed day-one purchase from me.

By: Extra Hero

Extra Hero — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 08:10:39 +0000

Oh my god yes! Yes. All the yes.

By: Colt

Colt — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 07:56:27 +0000

As a fan of your games, Frozen Synapse, and this theme… what an AWESOME blend! I would absolutely love to see this continue into full development. Hoping to see more of TBW in the future, Tom!

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 07:06:54 +0000

The theme is cool, but the rewindable-turn tactics is what really excites me about this. Misclicks, misreading info, and misunderstanding mechanics are the worst parts of strategy games. Losing randomness on the player’s turn is a small price to pay to get rid of all that.

By: discitizen

discitizen — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 05:52:36 +0000

You also need a shaman with totem door ram.

By: Doodledibob

Doodledibob — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 04:07:58 +0000

I really like this idea of a modern-combat-magic themed puzzle game. If you end up making this, I’d buy this.

By: DrCryllus

DrCryllus — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 03:56:38 +0000

Put Briefly: Yes please!

By: Philip Haubrich

Philip Haubrich — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 03:42:15 +0000

Merchandise it. I too would buy a Tactical Breach Wizards lunchbox.

By: BurningHeron

BurningHeron — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 03:32:10 +0000

I agree there should be more indie XCOM-likes, but honestly, I’d buy a lunchbox if it had TACTICAL BREACH WIZARDS plastered on the lid.

By: SaintHF

SaintHF — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 03:27:32 +0000

I will happily pay full price for an isometrical top-down tactical Co-Op shooter set in an Urban Fantasy world where the police have a Special Wizardry And Tactics team.

I mean, if the Tactical Strategy idea doesn’t pan out. Either way, please for the love of god make this happen.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 02:29:35 +0000

Will you be opening submissions for music and art like you did with your previous games?

By: Sindri

Sindri — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 02:12:39 +0000

I love everything about this. Where do I throw my money?

By: Sightless

Sightless — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 01:55:10 +0000

An XCOM inspired game with a beautiful artstyle like that, with some great humor in it as well? Yes please.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:34:35 +0000

This is great. My friends and I used to joke about this when playing some older D&D based games about this. Having someone open a door while your breaching wizard readied some kind of crowd control, a blinding light, or covering the floor in grease or such, was the only way to get through them on harder difficulties. You’ve also got two genres with an abundance of cliches and tropes to draw on for scenarios. We’ve got to keep the streets clean of unlicensed necromancy.

By: Ribonizer

Ribonizer — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 21:41:27 +0000

YES!!!!!!

This sounds brilliant and I really like the idea of a room by room thing. The part of X-com I dislike the most of the inching around slowly so you don’t run into multiple pods and get your Star character killed because you discovered a pod at the worst time possible.

Being able to deal with room by room, and feel more like more tighter tactical battles is very appealing to me.

And the theme is absolutely brilliant.

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 21:19:37 +0000

Neat concept in a genre I never tire of. Would love to see more.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:49:40 +0000

Oooh. I’ve been looking for a Harry Dresden like video game for a while.

By: Kelvin

Kelvin — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:36:27 +0000

If I may use a quote from the internet.

“Good, but I can’t help but laugh whenever I look at those mages. They’re both completely serious and utterly ridiculous at the same time. I love it. Good work as always.?”

– TacoTown, Syrsa – Edmyron – Mage Party, Youtube

By: Kirk Merrington

Kirk Merrington — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:22:04 +0000

I love this concept because it gets my imagination bubbling.
But it leaves me with so many questions.
For example, will it strictly inspired by fantasy RPG magic or will Real World influences come in? Because one of the first things that popped into my head was “Catholic Battlewitch with Rosary Bead Garotte”

By: Melee Hero

Melee Hero — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:17:31 +0000

If there’s a Muscle Wizard that can only cast FIST I”m 100%

By: Light My Fire

Light My Fire — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:06:56 +0000

The only problem I see is that you’ve set the bar too high with Pyro skill descriptors. Seems to really capture the feel of the game, but the others aren’t there yet.

(Also, it reminds me of the time that my wife and I thought we’d be clever by making our melee characters in Divinity:OS zombies, which heal from poison and take damage from healing. We giggled with glee at how clever we were, with visions of us mopping up bad guys in the middle of poison clouds, healing as they fell around us. Unfortunately we neglected to take into account how highly flammable poison clouds are…)

By: FinalFrog

FinalFrog — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:05:51 +0000

This sounds amazing but I don’t know if we have the words to describe the aesthetic. Modernpunk? Tacticalpunk? Gunpunk?

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 19:35:58 +0000

I don’t think it’d be a proper Tom Francis game without excessive defenestration, so it clearly ticks that box.

For what it’s worth, I was giggling uncontrollably over the concept art descriptions.

By: Amzin

Amzin — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 18:54:15 +0000

This looks amazing. I too wish there were more tactics games and I love the concept here. I almost burst out laughing (in flames?) reading the Tier One Pyro sheet.

By: Eldridge Misnomer

Eldridge Misnomer — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 18:38:40 +0000

“Covering Fire: covers everyone in actual fire.” Brilliant.
Sounds like a really nifty idea, and the art is great.