Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
A reimagined tactical RPG set in war-torn Valeria.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together hit the PlayStation Portable in 2010, a remake of a 1995 Super Famicom game that was itself the second installment in the Ogre Battle series. Square Enix handled both development and publishing. The core tactical role-playing gameplay—turn-based battles on grids, character classes—stayed intact, but the remake added equipment crafting, a way to jump back to earlier story decision points, and multiplayer options. The plot, which follows Denam Pavel as he fights in a civil war tearing apart the kingdom of Valeria, got extra scenes and characters to flesh it out.
The project began after Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions came out in 2007, and it took four years to finish. Original artist Hiroshi Minagawa directed it, bringing back most of the original team, including writer and designer Yasumi Matsuno, plus composers Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata. Akihiko Yoshida, the original artist, supervised the art direction, while Tsubasa Masao redesigned many characters. Alexander O. Smith and Joseph Reeder, who had worked with Matsuno on Ivalice-set games, handled the English localization. In Japan, free downloadable content tied to the new gameplay systems came out after launch, and that content was bundled into the Western release. Sales were strong in both Japan and North America, and critics gave it a warm reception.
A remaster called Tactics Ogre: Reborn arrived on November 11, 2022, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows. It reworked battle mechanics, remastered the sound and music, and added full English and Japanese voice acting.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
- Developer
- Square Enix
- Producer
- Eisuke Yokoyama
- Director
- Hiroshi Minagawa
- Designer
- Yasumi Matsuno
- Artist
- Akihiko Yoshida · Tsubasa Masao
- Programmer
- Takashi Katano
- Composer
- Hitoshi Sakimoto · Masaharu Iwata
- Series
- Ogre Battle
- Platforms
- Let Us Cling Together / PlayStation Portable / Reborn / Nintendo Switch / PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Windows
- Released
- Let Us Cling TogetherJP · November 11, 2010 · NA · February 15, 2011 · AUS · February 24, 2011 · EU · February 25, 2011RebornWW · November 11, 2022
- Genre
- Tactical role-playing
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game is set in the island kingdom of Valeria, once united under Dynast-King Dorgalua Oberyth but fractured after his death. Three ethnic groups—the aristocratic Bakram, the populous Galgastani, and the oppressed Walister—vie for control. The narrative follows Walister resistance members Denam Pavel, his sister Catiua, and childhood friend Vyce as they rebel with the aid of a Xenobian mercenary group. The storyline branches based on player choices, leading to different character interactions and endings.
Gameplay is turn-based on grid-based levels, with units controlled by the player or AI. Turn order depends on speed and weight, while terrain, weather, and character class affect movement and range. New features include the Chariot system, which allows undoing up to fifty turns, and the World system, which lets players revisit narrative decision points after completing the campaign once. Multiplayer lets players download AI-controlled teams created by others for arena battles.
Development began in May 2007 after the release of Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions. Director Hiroshi Minagawa reassembled much of the original staff, including writer Yasumi Matsuno, artist Akihiko Yoshida, and composers Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata. The English localization was handled by Alexander O. Smith and Joseph Reeder. The game took four years to complete, with one year spent gathering staff and three years in development.
Reader's Guide
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is significant as a faithful yet expanded remake of a classic tactical RPG, developed by many of the original creators. Its release on the PSP aimed to provide an intimate viewing experience for players with busy schedules. The game was conceived after the success of Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, and its development involved reassembling the original staff, including writer Yasumi Matsuno, who initially declined but joined after the plan shifted to include modern changes. The remake sold strongly in Japan and North America and received positive reviews from journalists. Its legacy includes a remastered version, Tactics Ogre: Reborn, released in 2022 for multiple platforms, which features revised battle mechanics, remastered sound and music, and full voice acting. The game's Chariot and World systems were notable innovations that allowed players to undo moves and explore alternate story paths without restarting, influencing later tactical RPG design.
Did You Know?
- The Chariot system allows players to undo up to fifty turns during a battle.
- Downloadable content based around new gameplay systems was released for free in Japan and bundled into the Western release.
More in Role-Playing Games of the 2010s, Part 4 1-24
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