PGC NEWS

Tactical RPGs (S-RPGs) offer a unique blend of strategic combat and character-driven narratives, often drawing comparisons to both Western RPGs and Japanese RPGs (J-RPGs). While J-RPGs frequently rely on turn-based combat systems, S-RPGs expand this concept by introducing grid-based battlefields and larger squads, requiring players to carefully consider positioning, unit abilities, and enemy movements. Games like Fire Emblem and Langrisser exemplify the genre’s strengths, demanding both tactical acumen and strategic thinking. Tears of Avia, developed by CooCooSqueaky Games and published by PQube Limited, attempts to carve its own niche within this space but unfortunately falls short of its potential.

A Generic Story and Repetitive Gameplay

Tears of Avia presents a predictable narrative centered around a group of young heroes uniting to combat a looming darkness and save the world. While narrative depth isn’t always a requirement for enjoyable tactical gameplay, the story here lacks any compelling twists or memorable characters, failing to engage the player beyond the surface level.

The core gameplay loop follows the standard S-RPG formula. Players navigate a central hub town, select missions that unlock progressively through the story, and can replay previous missions to grind for experience and loot. Each mission takes place on a grid-based map where the player controls a customizable party of characters, engaging in turn-based combat with enemy forces.

Character selection screen

However, unlike other S-RPGs that offer varied objectives like assassinating enemy commanders, defending key locations, or escorting units, Tears of Avia features a monotonous “defeat all enemies” objective for every mission. This repetitive structure quickly becomes tedious, lacking the strategic diversity that defines the genre’s best examples.

Further hindering the experience is the game’s poor balance. Certain character classes are overwhelmingly powerful, rendering other classes almost obsolete. This imbalance, coupled with a haphazard loot system that can drop high-level gear early in the game, removes any sense of progression or strategic team building.

Gameplay screenshot

The user experience (UX) also suffers from clunky design choices. Simple actions often require multiple button presses and confirmations, adding unnecessary friction to an already complex gameplay loop. In a genre that relies on numerous actions per turn across multiple units, this cumbersome interface quickly becomes frustrating.

Lackluster Visuals and Inconsistent Design

Visually, Tears of Avia initially presents a decent aesthetic with anime-inspired character designs and 3D models for both environments and characters. However, the game’s technical shortcomings quickly become apparent. Limited animations result in stiff and lifeless combat sequences, lacking the dynamism expected from modern tactical RPGs.

In-game environment

The environments are equally disappointing. A limited number of bland maps are reused frequently, and the use of black backgrounds to fill empty space creates a jarring visual effect, lacking depth and perspective. Even the UI elements, icons, and character portraits exhibit inconsistent quality, suggesting a rushed development process or a lack of cohesive artistic direction.

Combat screenshot

Conclusion

Tears of Avia attempts to deliver a tactical RPG experience but ultimately fails to capture the essence of the genre. A bland story, repetitive gameplay, poor balance, and underwhelming visuals combine to create a frustrating and ultimately forgettable experience. While the game shows glimpses of potential, its numerous flaws prevent it from standing alongside other notable titles in the S-RPG landscape. Players seeking a truly engaging and strategically rich tactical RPG would be better served exploring other options.