The Magic of Tactical Breach Wizards
Wizards, Wizards, and, uh, Baymax?
Hey everyone, and welcome back to One More Turn. This week I’m taking a look at one of my favourite strategy titles of this year, and some big updates in Magic The Gathering and Disney Lorcana.
Tactical Wizard
You ever see the Will Smith Netflix movie, Bright? I saw the first half and turned it off, but I really liked the idea of mixing magical, almost high-fantasy vibes with something more contemporary - something other than whatever the rest of that movie was.
It’s probably why I like Star Wars and Destiny’s mix of magic and technology, and in Tactical Breach Wizards, I’ve found something that transposes that expertly to a turn-based setting.
The latest game from Suspicious Developments, Tactical Breach Wizards’ world is one of familiarity and blended with magic - a bit like a grittier Harry Potter universe that wasn’t created by a mould monster.
It’s a world where spellcasters run the gamut from traffic wardens to elite operatives, and the story puts you in the shoes of the latter.
You’ll use spells to breach open doors like a magic-infused SWAT team, with squad members that have sniper rifles, chain lightning, and the power to raise the dead.
It’s all shot through with a wonderfully silly sense of humour, and gets progressively more puzzle-like with each level thanks to the ability to rewind a turn. That gives it a sort of ‘Rube Goldberg’ machine sense of action and reaction, as you push one domino to see what happens, winding it back when it inevitably goes awry and your Witch sends the wrong enemy out of a window.
It’s so much fun to play, and I can’t recommend it enough - especially at under £20 on Steam.
Card Corner
This week in Card Corner there’s much to cover, and coincidentally I’m going to be playing a lot of Magic The Gathering for my stag do this weekend, so let’s start there.
Magic’s next set, Foundations, might be the best point to jump in if you’re a new player (perhaps inspired by your favourite newsletter, eh?).
It launches in a couple of weeks and shakes up the starter set that’s been the same format for a couple of years, introducing a new tutorial for new players, as well as a load of good card reprints for anyone curious about building their first deck.
I’m going to preorder myself the new Starter Collection, which includes a whopping 350 cards, and maybe finally get to play in a tournament.
Elsewhere, Disney Lorcana is about to drop its sixth set. For the uninitiated, The House of Mouse’s card game is a fantastic way to introduce card gaming to a partner or younger player. Its mechanics are beginner-friendly, plus there’s the small matter of a treasure trove of popular characters, moments, and songs included.
I reviewed the Gateway Starter Set, and it’s my favourite card game beginner’s guide. So what’s new in set six, Azurite Sea?
Honestly, the big draw for me is Big Hero 6. Disney’s forgotten classic is represented by a series of new cards, but they’re also joined by the Rescue Rangers, and Hades from Hercules among plenty more.
Whether you play the game or not, it’s so cool to collect these cards, especially since my son is 5 and has become a huge Disney fan. We just love opening packs together!
Recommended Reading
My friend Issy was lucky enough to chat to District 9 Director Neill Blomkamp about his new game, Off The Grid, for Rolling Stone - I’m not jealous at all!
Quite fortuitously, as I shove Catan into my bag (I’ve never played it before but have been desperate to do so), this retrospective of the game at GamesRadar from Katie Wickens has just gone up - and it’s well worth a read.
End Step
In case you missed it, I’m getting married next week, but I’ll do my best to get the newsletter live on Friday regardless. I’m also starting a new job afterwards, returning to Reach PLC as the new Gaming Lead for the Daily Star. Will I get to write about cards and tabletop games? Here’s hoping!
Finally, just wanted to say a huge thank you as we’ve hit over 50 subscribers to One More Turn now and it warms my heart that so many of you read each week - and we’re just getting started!
Have a great weekend, all!