Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis

Set as a prequel to Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together and part of the larger Ogre Battle Saga, Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis is a tactical RPG set in the oppressed island nation of Ovis. The protagonist, Alphonse Loeher, is a knight in the Order of the Sacred Flame, sent to Ovis with his commander and friend, Rictor Lasanti. As the story progresses, Alphonse uncovers the dark truths of Ovis’s plight, leading him to question his loyalty to Lodis.

Throughout the game, Alphonse's journey reveals the sinister ambitions of Naris Batraal and the dark power of the sacred spear, Longicolnis, essential to defeat the fallen angel, Shaher. The player's choices influence the narrative significantly, resulting in multiple possible endings.

Characters

• Alphonse Loeher: The protagonist, a knight from Lodis.
• Eleanor Olato: An orphaned girl who saves Alphonse and becomes his ally and love interest.
• Cybil Alinda: An agent of the Hand of the Pope who recruits Alphonse for her cause.
• Rictor Lasanti: Alphonse's friend and commander, with hidden motives linked to his father's power play.
• Naris Batraal: The regent of Ovis's northern region and antagonist with a hidden alliance with Shaher.

Gameplay

The game features a strategic field-and-class based combat system. Players begin with a small army, which can grow significantly as the game progresses. Characters have unique attributes such as strength, intelligence, agility, alignment, and element. Emblems earned through specific feats can affect character statistics and class progression.

Playable units are divided into humans, demi-humans, dragons, beasts, undead, transcended beings, and netherworld denizens. Humans have interchangeable jobs, while other categories have more fixed roles. Battles are conducted on a grid-based field with various terrains and movement types. Combat involves a mix of melee and ranged attacks, with units acting in phases until victory conditions are met.

Development and Release

The Knight of Lodis began production after Quest Corporation learned about the Game Boy Advance. The game aimed to replicate the gameplay and graphic style of Tactics Ogre while making the storyline more approachable. Composers Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata returned to create the game's music, facing new challenges with the GBA hardware.

Reception

The game received positive reviews for its graphics, gameplay, and storyline. It sold strongly in Japan, reaching top sales charts. Review aggregates from GameRankings and Metacritic show scores of 83% and 88/100, respectively. Critics praised its deep tactical gameplay, though some noted its high difficulty and dated design elements.

Legacy

The Knight of Lodis inspired various guidebooks and manga anthologies in Japan. It was the last game developed by Quest before being absorbed by Square, where the team later created Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

Trivia:

• The Knight of Lodis and Legend of Ogre Battle Gaiden: Prince of Zenobia are the only titles in the series not released on an alternate console or through renewed distribution.
• The game's box art features the Longicolnis and Eleanor's Pearl Necklace, important story items.
• This is the only game in the series where demi-humans, like mermaids, play a central role in the story.