First off, sorry it took me so long to get one of these out today. I've been quite sick (that's an understatement)
But now, let's get into...
1. The now customary set-up.
Fights in Tight Spaces, which I will be referring to as FiTS from here on out, puts you in the shoes of one Agent 11.
The best way I can describe them is as a mix between Reginald from I Expect You To Die (the handler for those who missed the name reveal in the third game), and Francis McQueen from Darkside Detective. (I will eventually review both of these games, but for now I'll just be doing roguelikes)
Personality wise at least. In terms of skill they're very much their own person. They're a secret(?) agent specializing in close quarters and mostly unarmed combat, even looking down on the use of firearms as they deem them too easy.
The game sees you "investigate" four organizations. Death's Head, a biker gang running weapon smuggling schemes. The Insiders, a large gang specializing in the prison system, to the point that inmates associated have managed to fully overthrow the guards in one. Jade Staff, a long lasting group of assassins, who managed to stay concealed for so long by destroying any communication networks once the information had been transmitted, even if it's a purely oral message. And i Completi, a splinter group who left the Italian Mafia and caters to the high echelons of criminal society.
But these groups are strong and numerous, how does one agent even stand a chance? Well, they're...
2. A certified one person army.
Like Scout, Agent 11 is a force of nature.
Outdated jokes aside, the combat in this game works so well because 11 is freakishly strong.
But just because 11 can and will bash someone's head in on their own motorcycle doesn't make this game easy. Quite the opposite actually.
11 is only freakishly strong if you're freakishly good at turn based strategy.
Combat works in a very easy to learn, hard to master style here. You get a set amount of momentum per turn, almost every action costs momentum to do, and you'd do well to spend it carefully. Since yes, 11 is a heavy hitter, so are all of their opponents. If you get too caught up in the spy movie-esque nature of this game, and blow all your momentum on attacks, without removing yourself from the line of fire, your run pretty much ends there.
I LOVE this. It strikes a perfect balance between making you feel cool when you succeed, and making you feel like a fool when you fail.
I don't really want to divulge more, since this game is so much fun to explore for yourself. Even with that said, I should still answer...
3. Is this game worth it?
YES.
I cannot stress how good this game is. If you have a system that can run it, and can afford it, get this game.
Still have doubts? There's a demo. Play it.
I value story more than gameplay, so for that reason this game isn't in my top ten. But gameplay wise, it very much is.
I'm calling this here, since I have nothing else productive to say. I'll just keep yelling at you to play this gem.
So, until next time- This game is a masterpiece of a roguelike. Alright, I'll go now.