Ripstone Games and Auroch Digital released the very first gameplay trailer for Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics. The game was originally announced back in March of 2018, and then in July Ripstone and Auruch Digital announced that Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics would be launching in the fall for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC, and Xbox One. After months of waiting with nail-biting anticipation, the first gameplay trailer has finally emerged.
The video covers a walkthrough of the gameplay mechanics with design director Tomas Rawlings giving gamers the heads-up about the ins and outs of the tactical maneuvers that will be at your disposal, as well as a background on the game’s lore and settings.
You can check out the near-10 minute video below.
As explained in the video, the story centers around the alternate history that explores the outcome if the Nazis did manage to delve into the occult and unlocked the mysteries within the extra-dimensional darkness, unlocking and harnessing the powers granted to them by Cthulhu.
The mission starts with one of the early missions where you take on the roles of Mademoiselle Dubois and Corporal Singh. The duo will need to rendezvous with additional members of Charlie Company, consisting of Captain Harri and Sergeant Carter.
The game plays out much like Firaxis’ XCOM. In the explore mode you can move around in real-time just until you encounter enemy units. Once enemies are encountered, the game transitions into a turn-based mode. The exploration mode is mirrored after role-playing games, so you’ll be able to examine the environments, check for clues and scour the surroundings, not unlike the upcoming TBS title Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden.
Much like XCOM, there’s a fog of war and you’ll need to move around the map to push back the shroud. One new feature added to Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics that you don’t get in many other turn-based titles is the ability to move your unit and also choose the direction they face, which helps with how to position how they’ll be able to respond to enemy units or how to use the overwtach feature.
The enemy can utilize the shroud to fire at your units from the comfort of the fog. You’ll need to use the wards to push out the shroud and uncover the enemy positions.
The game also features a momentum feature, so that it’s a forward-loop mechanic where the better you do the more momentum you build, and the better you’ll be able to perform during combat. Additional momentum will allow you to perform additional actions during a turn.
The game also features a luck meter that helps mitigate incoming damage. Very similar to Nathan Drake’s luck in Uncharted, once your luck runs out you’ll begin taking permanent health damage.
It doesn’t look like Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics will reinvent the wheel when it comes to turn-based strategy games, but if you are interested in the title you can look to pick up a copy later this year for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. For more info on the game feel free to visit the official website.
