Jagged Alliance: Back in Action anticipation thread

I can't find any new threads about this game, and it is releasing tomorrow, so I thought I would create one. I was a big fan of Jagged Alliance 2. It had a lot of creative missions, interesting locations, and great tactical gameplay. We need more isometric tactical games, and this one honestly looks good from what I have seen. The biggest complaint is the change from turn-based gameplay to pausable real-time. I agree that they shouldn't have done that, but I don't think this will necessarily be a bad game because of it. I have played some great tactical games with pausable real-time, like UFO Aftermath and its sequels. The youtube videos I have seen look great. I will be keeping my eye on this game, and probably buying it if it turns out well enough. Anyone else with me on this?

Demo was average at best. I want my AP back, game is WAY too changed, not to mention the camera stinks. Game does not deserve the JA title.

Might buy this on a $5 sale but that's all its worth.

Demo showed off very poor gameplay. I'm hoping the real game stomps it but that seems unlikely at this point. You can download the demo on steam btw to try it yourself.

No thanks, Ill stick with good old turn based JA2 and the 1.13 mod.

i agree here... removing the AP really isn't a good idea. This changes the game too much, they should have just made a brand new game instead of remaking a classic, and maybe ruining it forever. Seems like a easy cash in using the Jagged alliance name

It sounds like you guys are too hung up on the changes to give the game a chance. I will try the demo and report back here. It would be nice if anyone reading this thread, who has never played a Jagged Alliance game before, would try the demo and post on it. Let's get some objective opinions.

The demo was awful. bitComposer completely butchered Jagged Alliance 2 mechanics instead of improving it.

It sounds like you guys are too hung up on the changes to give the game a chance. I will try the demo and report back here. It would be nice if anyone reading this thread, who has never played a Jagged Alliance game before, would try the demo and post on it. Let's get some objective opinions.

Falconoffury

The game just wasnt particulary well designed. And lacks the personality that made the originals so good.

I have nothing against real time combat done well, unfortunately the RTwP in Back in Action was horribly done. There is a reason most tactical games and RPGs are turn based as opposed to real time. It simply put works much better, and isnt almost guaranteed to be a frustrating mess.

Edit: Not to mention the lack of line of sight (all enemies are visible, even if none of your mercs see them), the interface sucks, the health system sucks, the game looked bland.

I'm hearing a lot of opinions, but not much explanation as to how you all formed those opinions. What makes the implementation of the combat "horrible" for starters?

Loved the old JA games, not sure about thsi one though. More then likely will be a buy during a steam sale

I'm hearing a lot of opinions, but not much explanation as to how you all formed those opinions. What makes the implementation of the combat "horrible" for starters?

Falconoffury

Clunkiness and AI issues for most of the part. Turn based games offer far more control over the situation than RTwP games. There is also the removal of fog of war, and a terrible health system with its insta heals.

As for lack of personality, just look at this

Character portraits look so lifeless compared to what they looked like in Jagged Alliance 2.

Thank you, Maroxad. You make some interesting points. The portraits look particularly bad. The eyes are literally the same for every merc.

While I *did* play the original Jagged Alliance, I never got to far into it, so I think I can almost qualify as a non-Jagged Alliance player.

I actually just finished writing up my feelings about the demo over on my blog:

Impressions of Jagged Alliance: Back in Action Demo

The TL;DR version is basically that I found it incredibly tough going to get into the demo. The tutorial does a poor job of preparing you for the actual demo mission and I found the game incredibly unforgiving and requiring an insane amount of micro management in order to not get brutally murdered by a hail of hot lead every thirty seconds.

Clunkiness and AI issues for most of the part. Turn based games offer far more control over the situation than RTwP games. There is also the removal of fog of war, and a terrible health system with its insta heals.

As for lack of personality, just look at this

Character portraits look so lifeless compared to what they looked like in Jagged Alliance 2.

Maroxad

Wow... just, wow. Those portraits look like they traced over the Jagged Alliance 2 portraits using a disabled 1-handed monkey. Got no hopes for this game at this point.

Jagged Alliance online is really awesome in its current beta for what it's worth. Have yet to try JA:BiA full game.