TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children Reviews

Great game amazing combat and customization

How did I miss that one. Not a fan of the artstyle, however the gameplay is amazing. XCom++

TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children is a gritty, narrative-driven tactical RPG that plunges players into a dark, post-apocalyptic world where survival depends on strategy, resource management, and tough moral choices. Developed by DeskWorks, the game distinguishes itself through its mature storytelling, deep combat mechanics, and a world that feels both bleak and richly detailed. Set in a future ravaged by war and environmental collapse, players command a squad of mercenaries undertaking dangerous missions amid the ruins of civilization. The combination of tactical combat and layered narrative creates an intense and immersive experience that challenges both the player’s strategic thinking and their emotional engagement. The storyline in TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children is one of its strongest elements. It follows a group of “Troubleshooters” navigating a harsh world where factions vie for control, and the remnants of humanity struggle to rebuild. The narrative is delivered through well-written dialogue, mission briefings, and in-game events that reveal the grim realities of life in this fractured society. Unlike many tactical RPGs that focus solely on combat, this game places a strong emphasis on character development and ethical dilemmas, forcing players to make decisions that have far-reaching consequences. The dark tone and mature themes, including loss, desperation, and betrayal, are handled with nuance, creating a compelling emotional backdrop for the gameplay. Combat in TROUBLESHOOTER is turn-based and tactical, requiring careful positioning, effective use of cover, and strategic skill usage. Each squad member has a unique set of abilities and customizable equipment, allowing players to tailor their team to their preferred playstyle. The variety of enemies—ranging from hostile survivors to mutated creatures—ensures that battles remain challenging and dynamic. Environmental hazards and mission-specific objectives add further layers of complexity, pushing players to adapt and think several moves ahead. The game rewards thoughtful planning, with stealth options and non-lethal takedowns available for those who prefer a less direct approach. The pacing of combat is deliberate, giving players the time to analyze the battlefield and make meaningful tactical decisions. The game’s RPG elements are well integrated, with progression systems that enhance both character abilities and gear. Between missions, players can upgrade their mercenaries, equip new weapons, and modify armor to improve survivability and combat effectiveness. Resource management plays a crucial role, as supplies are scarce and must be allocated wisely. The crafting system adds another strategic layer, allowing players to create useful items from scavenged materials. This sense of scarcity reinforces the game’s atmosphere of desperation and survival, making every decision about resource use feel significant. The interface is generally intuitive, though some menus can feel a bit dense for newcomers to the genre. Visually, TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children opts for a realistic, gritty art style that complements its somber narrative. The environments are detailed and varied, ranging from ruined urban landscapes to toxic wastelands, each reflecting the devastation that humanity has endured. Character models and animations are solid, though not groundbreaking, and serve their purpose well in conveying the tension and urgency of combat scenarios. The sound design is effective, with ambient noises, weapon effects, and a tense musical score that heightens immersion. Voice acting is present in some key moments, adding emotional weight to the story, though it varies in quality. Despite its many strengths, the game does have areas where it could improve. Some players might find the difficulty curve steep, especially early on, where resource scarcity and tough enemies can lead to frustrating restarts. Additionally, while the story is engaging, certain narrative threads can feel underdeveloped or predictable, leaving some questions unanswered. The game’s technical performance is mostly stable, but occasional bugs and AI quirks can detract from the overall experience. However, the developers have been responsive in issuing updates to address many of these issues, showing a commitment to improving the player experience. In conclusion, TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children offers a compelling blend of tactical combat, survival mechanics, and emotionally charged storytelling. It stands out in the tactical RPG genre by weaving mature themes and tough moral choices into its gameplay, creating an experience that is both challenging and thought-provoking. For players who enjoy methodical strategy games with a dark narrative and a focus on squad management, TROUBLESHOOTER delivers a memorable and rewarding journey through a harsh and unforgiving world. While not without flaws, its depth and atmosphere make it a worthwhile title for fans of tactical RPGs seeking something with grit and heart. Rating: 9/10

Thats strange, how have I not written a review for this? Well I'll be straight and short, its one of the best turn based RPGs I've played. Solid, sensible gameplay; excellent and diverse character builds; the ability to actually use all of your characters in the same battle instead of just four of six member teams; actually good story and characters; good level design that perfectly matches the slightly dark tone of the story; very usable and necessary crafting system; and a good pets system. The only thing I wish there was more of was defensive missions. Most of your missions have you having to go full throttle attack mode. Even some of the defensive missions need you to head out and destroy certain targets for completing objectives. I think considering that most of the missions have 8+ members accessible for use, a better utilisation would be to add defensive elements to almost each mission so everyone gets properly tested. This is one of the very very few games that I see myself replaying entirely without some NG+ "hidden ending" gimmick to compel me to do so. Can't wait for their next game.

Really liked X-COM's game play but disliked the time limit the campaign imposed, as well as losing characters I spent a long time building up. Then I found this game. It ticks every box I could ask for. Level up and class mechanics. Team synergies. The VAST mastery system. And all with X-COM style combat. It has an insane amount of content for the price and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great value game to sink tens if not hundreds of hours into.

This game has way more depth than it might look at first glance. Silly title, amazing TBS game.

I hate anime but this is one of the best tactical turn based games . Insane amount of content, very interesting customization system only issue is the seer number of opponents making fights a bit too long. It is one of those rare games that starts good but becomes even better as you progress through the game

While story and style aren't really my thing, the game itself is fantastic! Had a lot of fun so far and it feels like I barely touched the surface after about 30hrs in. Runs fine on Steam Deck and after minor tweaks, the controls work well, too! 100% recommended!

When it comes to combat complexity, this is like the super smash bros of TRPG. You can get by with the basics, or go down the rabbit hole.

A deep and engaging SRPG with some innovative ideas. The mastery system is really fun to play around with and the combat is fun. Don't let the pile of DLC fool you. You only need the base game and Crimson Crow to see everything the game has to offer. At full price the game is well worth your money. On sale it's a steal if you like tactical RPGs like X-COM. The rest of the DLC is cosmetic or stuff like soundtracks and art books. I ended up buying all of it on sale to support the developer, but it isn't necessary to play and enjoy the game. Dandylion has done a lot of good things with this game, and they've continued to support it and add to it over the past 5+years. A sequel is in the works and I'm excited to see how they refine the formula and game play systems they created for Troubleshooter. If I had one complaint it's that the translation could be better. Hopefully they hire a professional for the sequel. Nothing deal breaking, everything is understandable here, but it's also slightly off in English. It's a minor gripe though and should not dissuade you from buying this immediately if you enjoy SRPGs! Edited: Thank you for the reply. Your dedication to making quality games is admirable. Whether you succeed or fail, you and the entire Dandylion team have my deepest respect for the effort and work you've done. I wish only the best for you and the team and hope the sequel is profitable so you can continue your excellent work!