Fight Life: Vanguard is a turn-based strategy RPG where players command a mercenary squad guided by a betrayed god. Recruit allies, fortify your team, and face the encroaching darkness, blending squad-building, tactical battles, and narrative depth in a world gripped by a mythic struggle.

Comparable to games like Wartales or Bravely Default II, Fight Life: Vanguard boasts multiple hex-based maps to explore to complement the moment-to-moment tactical turn-based battles players will experience during their playthrough. They can immerse themselves in its rich lore while meeting and interacting with diverse characters along the way, whom they can potentially recruit to their squad.

Strategy across chapters

Fight Life: Vanguard expands traditional turn-based combat with strategic squad management and narrative progression across four chapters. Players recruit adventurers, nurture growth, and craft evolving tactics as recruits become heroes. With the Divine Spirit’s last stand shaping events, every battle and choice carries lasting consequences for survival and story.

During combat, you can employ various actions as the commander of your squad, depending on how the fight unfolds. You can launch an offensive using basic attacks and skills, or stand at guard against incoming enemy attacks. The latter is directly linked to a defense bar, which needs to be constantly recharged, to allow you to keep reducing direct damage, and you can do this by skipping turns.

Gear loadouts also play a big role in determining how well you will tackle each encounter. Aside from weapons and armor, support items like rings provide bonuses, and potions help restore your HP, defense bar, and stamina. Single-use scrolls let you cast magic spells, which can turn the tide in tough situations. There’s plenty of loot to find throughout your journey to help you plan and prepare for encounters.

That said, while the game offers deep tactics and meaningful character growth, its steep learning curve might challenge newcomers unfamiliar with the genre. However, for fans of turn-based strategy and squad management, the game’s tactical depth, compelling narrative, and progression systems provide a highly rewarding experience.

For tactical RPG enthusiasts

Fight Life: Vanguard mixes strategy, storytelling, and squad-building, set within a mythic world of betrayal and resilience. While it might not appeal to those seeking quick or casual play, for enthusiasts of strategic combat and narrative-driven RPGs, it offers a powerful and engaging adventure playthrough.