Jagged Alliance 3

Last updated

Jagged Alliance 3
Jagged Alliance 3 cover art.jpg
Developer(s) Haemimont Games
Publisher(s) THQ Nordic
Director(s)
  • Boyan Ivanov
  • Boian Spasov
Producer(s)
  • Bisser Dyankov
  • Pavel Peychev
Designer(s)
  • Boyan Ivanov
  • Boian Spasov
Artist(s)
  • Nelson Inomvan
  • Dimitar Nikolov
Writer(s)
  • Ian Currie
  • Daniel McClure
Composer(s) George Strezov
Series Jagged Alliance
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows
  • July 14, 2023
  • PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X/S
  • November 16, 2023
Genre(s) Tactical role-playing, turn-based tactics
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Jagged Alliance 3 is a tactical role-playing video game developed by Haemimont Games and published by THQ Nordic. The game was released for Windows on July 14, 2023. The game was also released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on November 16, 2023. It is the first mainline entry in the Jagged Alliance series since Jagged Alliance 2 (1999).

Contents

Gameplay

Played from an isometric perspective, Jagged Alliance 3 is a turn-based tactics video game in which the player issues commands to a squad of mercenaries. Each member of the player's squad has their own unique backstories and personalities. The game features a roster of 40 mercenaries, including several returning characters such as Vicki Waters, Ivan Dolvich and Fidel Dahan. [1] Weapons can be customized and the mercenaries can aim at individual body parts of an enemy. [2] They can also be looted for their resources. [3] Players can access a dynamic campaign map, which will provide more context about each individual turn-based battle, and how the enemy forces react to them as they attempt to retake these territories. [2] Players will gain intel as they progress, thus unlocking additional side missions and opportunities. [4] As the mercenaries level up, they will also unlock new skills and abilities. [5] The game features a cooperative multiplayer mode. [6]

Plot

The fictional country of Grand Chien has been in chaos following the kidnapping of its president by a rogue paramilitary force known as "the Legion". [7] With their remaining resources, the president's daughter hires a group of elite mercenaries with help from the Adonis Corporation, who will attempt to rescue the president and bring order to the country. At one point, it is discovered the leader of "the Legion" a.k.a. the Major is a former mercenary.

Development

Jagged Alliance 3 was first announced in 2004. Strategy First and Game Factory Interactive initially partnered with Russian studio MiST Land South to produce a sequel to the game. However, a year later, Strategy First withdrew the title from MiST Land South and began developing the title internally. In December 2006, Strategy First outsourced Jagged Alliance 3 again. The publisher, along with Russian developers Akella and F3games, were to create the game, setting an approximate release date of late 2008. As of October 2008 the game had been delayed again and Akella's website was displaying a release date of Q1 2010, but the studio also stopped developing the game in 2009. [7]

On March 9, 2010, German outfit bitComposer Games (now bitComposer Entertainment AG) picked up the rights to the PC strategy series and started "preliminary development" on the third full game for release in 2011. [8] In August 2015, Nordic Games acquired the rights from bitComposer. On September 17, 2021, during the THQ Nordic 10th Anniversary Digital Showcase Jagged Alliance 3 was announced for PC, now in development by Haemimont Games, the developer of the Tropico series. Haemimont Games initially pitched a spin-off project to THQ Nordic, but the publisher was very impressed by the studio's work and instead recruited them to create a mainline sequel instead. THQ Nordic recognized that previous attempts at reviving the series had received a very mixed reception and Jagged Alliance 3 was designed to cater to the "hardcore" fans of the series. [9] Unlike other strategy games such as the XCOM series, Jagged Alliance 3 will not inform players regarding the chance to hit an opponent or their responses to attack. The team believed the franchise should be about responding to unpredictable and chaotic combat situations, and an over-abundance of information may cause players to be too cautious and calculating. [4] The game was released on July 14, 2023, for Windows, and on November 16, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. [10] [11] Modding tools were released for the game in February 2024. [12]

Reception

Jagged Alliance 3 received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic. [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>XCOM</i> Video game series

XCOM is a science fiction video game franchise featuring an elite international organization tasked with countering alien invasions of Earth. The series began with the strategy video game X-COM: UFO Defense created by Julian Gollop's Mythos Games and MicroProse in 1994. The original lineup by MicroProse included six published and at least two canceled games, as well as two novels. The X-COM series, in particular its original entry, achieved a sizable cult following and has influenced many other video games; including the creation of a number of clones, spiritual successors, and unofficial remakes.

<i>Jagged Alliance</i> (series) Video game series

Jagged Alliance is a series of turn-based tactics video games. The first games in the series were released for DOS. From Jagged Alliance 2 on, the games were developed using DirectX for native Windows operation. Jagged Alliance 2 was also released for Linux and is available on Steam and on GOG.com for Windows.

Tactical role-playing games, also known as strategy role-playing games and in Japan as simulation RPGs, are a video game genre that combines core elements of role-playing video games with those of tactical strategy video games. The formats of tactical RPGs are much like traditional tabletop role-playing games and strategy games in appearance, pacing, and rule structure. Likewise, early tabletop role-playing games are descended from skirmish wargames such as Chainmail, which were primarily concerned with combat.

NovaLogic, Inc. was a software developer and publisher established in 1985 and based in Calabasas, California. The company was founded by CEO John A. Garcia. Garcia's background in computer software started in Southern California in the early 1980s, when he worked at Datasoft. The company was known for their Voxel Space engine, which was utilized in franchises such as the Comanche and Delta Force series. In October 2016, NovaLogic's assets were bought out by THQ Nordic and is currently an inactive label for the company.

<i>Jagged Alliance 2</i> 1999 video game

Jagged Alliance 2 is a tactical role-playing game for PC, released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows and later ported to Linux by Tribsoft. It is the third entry in the Jagged Alliance series. The game was followed by the expansion Unfinished Business in 2000. Two commercial versions of the mod Wildfire were released in 2004 in the form of expansion packs. The core game and the Unfinished Business expansion were combined and released under the title Jagged Alliance 2 Gold Pack in 2002.

<i>Neighbours from Hell</i> 2003 video game

Neighbours from Hell, known in the United States as Neighbors from Hell, is a puzzle strategy game for GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Nintendo DS, Android, and iOS. In Europe, it was released for Windows on June 20, 2003, and the GameCube and Xbox on March 4, 2005. The game was released for Windows in the United States on September 22, 2003.

<i>Destroy All Humans!</i> Video game series

Destroy All Humans! is an open world action-adventure video game franchise that is designed as a parody of Cold War-era alien invasion films. Destroy All Humans! and Destroy All Humans! 2 were released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox; Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed was released for the Wii; and Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon was released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. A remake of the original game and its sequel were developed by Black Forest Games and were released in 2020 and 2022, respectively.

<i>Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games</i> 1996 video game

Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games is a 1996 tactical role-playing game developed and published by Sir-Tech and a sequel to Jagged Alliance.

Red Faction is a series of shooter video games developed by Volition and owned by Plaion. Originating in 2001, the Red Faction games have spanned Microsoft Windows, macOS and consoles, including the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Original developers Volition have retained the rights to the series since 2020, with no updates provided on whether a future fifth game is in the works or may be so in the future.

THQ Nordic GmbH is an Austrian video game publisher based in Vienna. Formed in 2011, it is a publishing subsidiary of Embracer Group. Originally named Nordic Games, as was the parent company, both companies were renamed THQ Nordic in August 2016 after the parent company had acquired the "THQ" trademark in 2014.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated</i> 2020 video game

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is a 2020 platform game developed by Purple Lamp Studios and published by THQ Nordic. Based on the Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, it is a remake of the console versions of Heavy Iron Studios' SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom (2003). It is the first major game in the series since SpongeBob HeroPants (2015) and the first since the death of the show's creator Stephen Hillenburg in 2018. The game was released on June 23, 2020 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Stadia. A version for mobile devices was released on January 21, 2021.

In the video game industry, 2021 saw the release of many new titles. The numerous delays in software and hardware releases due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted development schedules, leading to several games being delayed into 2022 or even postponed indefinitely. Additionally, computer and console hardware were impacted by the combined effects of a semiconductor shortage and a rising growth of bitcoin mining that strained the supply of critical components.

In the video game industry, 2022 saw the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry, slowing hardware sales for most of the year as well as development delays for major titles. The industry continued its trend of acquisitions and mergers, highlighted by Microsoft announcing its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion. The industry as a whole continued to deal with issues such as workplace harassment and discrimination, alongside crunch periods, leading to at least the quality assurance staff at three separate studios to vote to unionize.

In the video game industry, 2023 saw significant changes within larger publishers and developers. Microsoft, after having satisfied worldwide regulatory bodies, completed its US$69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, making them the third largest game publisher in the world. Embracer Group, which had been in an acquisition spree over the previous few years, had an estimated $2 billion deal fall through, causing many of the studios under Embracer to either lay off staff or close entirely. Similar layoffs were seen at Unity, Amazon, ByteDance, Epic Games, Bungie, and Ubisoft, leading to over 9,000 jobs lost in the industry in 2023 and part of a larger trend of layoffs at technology companies in 2023.

<i>Marvels Midnight Suns</i> 2022 video game

Marvel's Midnight Suns is a 2022 tactical role-playing game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K. The game features comic book characters from multiple Marvel Comics properties, such as Midnight Sons, Avengers, X-Men, and Runaways. Players are able to create their own superhero named "The Hunter" with a choice of over 40 different powers.

<i>Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed</i> 2022 remake of the 2006 video game

Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Black Forest Games and published by THQ Nordic. The game is a remake of the 2006 original game, the sequel to the remake of Destroy All Humans!, and the sixth installment in the Destroy All Humans! franchise.

<i>Jagged Alliance: Rage!</i> 2018 video game

Jagged Alliance: Rage! is a turn-based tactics video game developed by Cliffhanger Productions and published by HandyGames for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in December 2018. It is part of the Jagged Alliance series.

References

  1. ↑ Blake, Vikki (September 18, 2021). "Jagged Alliance 3 is coming "soon" to PC". Eurogamer . Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Smith, Graham (August 13, 2022). "Jagged Alliance 3's new trailer shows a few seconds of the only feature I care about". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  3. ↑ Macgregor, Jody (September 18, 2021). "Jagged Alliance 3 announced, please let it not suck". PC Gamer . Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Savage, Phil (August 12, 2022). "Jagged Alliance 3 wants to escape the spectre of XCOM by never telling you the odds". PC Gamer . Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  5. ↑ S. Good, Owen (September 17, 2021). "Jagged Alliance 3 brings PC tactics series back after 23 years". Polygon . Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 12, 2022). "Jagged Alliance 3 – THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2022 trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Nunneley, Stephanny (September 18, 2021). "Jagged Alliance 3 is in development again and coming to PC 'soon'". VG247 . Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  8. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (March 9, 2010). "Jagged Alliance 3 back on track". GameSpot . Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  9. ↑ Smith, Graham (September 17, 2021). "Jagged Alliance 3 is coming from the developers of Surviving Mars". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  10. ↑ Wales, Matt (May 17, 2023). "Nearly 20 years after its announcement, Jagged Alliance 3 has a release date". Eurogamer . Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Jagged Alliance 3 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, and Xbox One launches November 16". Gematsu. September 13, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ Lane, Rick (February 8, 2024). "Jagged Alliance 3 promises to let you 'rebuild most aspects of the game' using all-new rulesets and mod tools". PC Gamer . Future plc . Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Jagged Alliance 3". Metacritic . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Jagged Alliance 3 Reviews". OpenCritic. July 18, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  15. ↑ Hafer, Leana (July 14, 2023). "Jagged Alliance 3 Review". IGN . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  16. ↑ Taranson, Dominic (July 13, 2023). "Jagged Alliance 3 review". PC Gamer . Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  17. ↑ Denzer, TJ (July 13, 2023). "Jagged Alliance 3 review: Pretty dang smooth, actually". Shacknews . Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  18. ↑ Cattanach, Finlay (July 13, 2023). "Jagged Alliance 3 review - A diamond with some jagged edges". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.