TASTEE: Lethal Tactics

If you've played Frozen Synapse before, then the core gameplay of TASTEE: Lethal Tactics will be easy enough for you to settle into. In this turn-based strategy, each turn represents five seconds of a fight between you and an enemy group of mercenaries (known as the Cartel) in a bid for you to try and kill one another. You have four distinct classes with their own strengths, such as the Sniper, who fares better in a fight the further away he or she is from their target, or the Grenadier, who excels in blowing stuff up. Beyond the simple four-class structure however, you have three characters for each class, and they all have their own abilities, such as Ares, who can track your enemies even after they've left your sight, or Linus, who can just walk right though any obstacle he encounters.

Using a combination of these rather unique characters, you must plan out and execute each mission with care; you can preview the outcome of your actions before ‘committing’ them, but once committed, the next five seconds are out of your hands, meaning that if you walk one of your men into the line of fire, you’ll need to pray that they survive to the next five second marker. It’s the knowledge that you could be walking your men, at any time, into an ambush that makes this game rather tense at times. It’s also what makes it fun and enjoyable, because the game doesn’t really shield you from the hard parts of the game.

Rather, it expects the player to learn quickly, rather than be guided through every tactic the game wants you to think of. One problem I have however is that, while each class does have its variable characters, I would have preferred maybe an extra class or two, rather than just four classes that, at times, can feel a little stiff in their usability. For instance, a stealth class that involves getting up close, or perhaps a more general assault class. As it is, each class feels unique, but there are no ‘balanced’ classes. It’s very hard for any of the classes to survive on their own, something that I feel could have been resolved with at least one ‘all-around’ class that can adapt to a limited extent, so you don’t feel locked to a certain play style if he survives.

Small concerns are all that harm this game, however. It’s a well-made tactical game that requires you to think before you act. And you won’t break the bank giving this one a go, either.

A Steam key of TASTEE: Lethal Tactics was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review