Kalypso Media and bitComposer Games have released more information on the ‘Plan & Go’ combat system for the upcoming PC strategy title — Jagged Alliance: Back in Action. Scheduled for release in Q1 2012, Jagged Alliance: Back in Action is the remake of the famous 1999 strategy classic, Jagged Alliance 2, and will take players back to the fictitious island of Arulco, where a ruthless dictator has seized power. Hire the best mercenaries in the world to recapture the country zone-by-zone whilst receiving help from the local rebel militia forces.
Today’s screenshot and developer diary release detail Jagged Alliance: Back in Action’s new “Plan ‘n Go” system, which allows players to tactically plan their assaults against enemy objectives. The new system allows for the player to switch between real-time play, and a waypoint-styled movement and combat, for ultimate battlefield flexibility. [Editor: Guys, this is nothing new – this was already in X-Com: Apocalypse and the UFO Trilogy (Afterlight, Aftershock, Aftermath), as well as several other games. Doesn’t mean it can’t be good, but touting it as innovative when it was clearly inspired by games in the same genre is a bit much.]
Jagged Alliance: Back in Action is set to continue to offer the popular mix of sophisticated tactics, RPG and business simulation which made the classic predecessor so special. The player will be able to form elite squads from among over 60 diverse and unique merc characters, and send them on various missions. The new ‘Plan & Go’ combat system skilfully combines dynamic real-time gameplay with turn-based elements.
Great, now make an X-Com based on this rather than Bioshock and we’re good to go! :)