Tahira: Echoes of the Astral Empire

 PC
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Nov 7, 2016
    80
    Excellent turn-based strategy, which is more than just an imitation of Banner Saga. Pity that a well-driven story ends so suddenly, but perhaps we will see a continuation. [Issue#267]
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  2. Ragequit.gr
    Sep 19, 2016
    79
    Despite its problems, Tahira: Echoes of the Astral Empire is a charming strategy game that will keep you entertained for several hours. If you like lengthy turn-based battles then you must give it a try, definitely.
  3. Destructoid
    Sep 11, 2016
    65
    I'm so torn on Tahira: Echoes of the Astral Empire. It's easily one of the most mechanically sound entries into the genre I have played in quite some time, but it barely lets the players experiment with its mechanics. It feels like having some of the best tools on the market and no supplies to build anything with.
  5. Riot Pixels
    Nov 7, 2016
    64
    A simplified version of The Banner Saga with a couple of cool ideas and boatload of mistakes in game design.
  6. Kill Screen
    Sep 16, 2016
    51
    A competently executed tactical RPG with a jejune script and stylized window dressing.
  7. Games.cz
    Oct 13, 2016
    50
    Basically a good tactical turn-based game what suffers with monotony, a small amount of content in fights and a boring story.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. iseeall
    Jan 19, 2017
    7
    A TBS close to Banner Saga both in gameplay and in graphics. Somewhat simplified and too linear but I actually liked it more than Banner Saga,A TBS close to Banner Saga both in gameplay and in graphics. Somewhat simplified and too linear but I actually liked it more than Banner Saga, and I didn't like Banner Saga much.

    The good:
    - the combat system works well.
    - great tutorial, you learn the game easily
    - unique ambush mechanic

    The so-so:
    - the graphics are mostly fine, flat 2D with contours, in pale colors, but the faces of characters with strong emotions are unpleasant
    - i found the story too wordy (and I hate fantasy), but still it's much easier to read than the one in Banner Saga
    - the combat interface and the unit control could be better. E.g. the diamond-shape menu for actions is too small. Maybe it should have been a separate panel somewhere at the bottom of the screen. Also, mouse-over does nothing. For tooltips you need to select things (did they design this primarily for tablets? Huge fonts of the dialogs suggest that)
    - no party or resources management which is fine with me but may seem as simplification of Banner Saga by some

    The bad:
    - too few unit types with too few special abilities
    - can't customize units (e.g. can't change their gear, no new abilities as they level up)
    - the story is linear, your choices in dialogs hardly matter. Basically it's a linear sequence of pre-designed battles, connected by lengthy dialogs and a moving red path along the world map
    - some of the battles are too alike

    Quite frankly, it deserves a 6.5, but I'll just round that up to 7. If you like TBS games, buy it, it's pretty solid despite its flaws.    … Full Review »
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