dapting real-time strategy to consoles to date has remained a process of shoehorning PC designs onto various systems. GrimGrimoire, from Odin Sphere developer Vanillaware, is a wholly new look at the genre from a console perspective. While it’s not a breakout success, this title has enough going for it to please anyone with an interest in either RTS or quirky Japanese games.

By approaching RTS gameplay from a side scroller-esque perspective and presenting it via gorgeous high-res sprites, GrimGrimoire defies classification. Many usual RTS concepts are dramatically stripped down, as well. You only have a few structures to build, and each of the four factions (which players have access to simultaneously) has a mere handful of units. This setup works well for what it is, but fails to capture the deep strategic experience that the best in the genre offer.

The unique 2D side-view gameplay isn’t GrimGrimoire’s only break from RTS tradition. Instead of having compelling multiplayer (there’s none whatsoever), the time-twisting story is what will convince you to keep playing this after you’ve mastered the relatively simplistic strategy. Witch-in-training Lillet Blan is thrust into a complex web of intrigue and world-ending catastrophe shortly after her arrival at the most prestigious magical school in the land. In fact, on her fifth day the evil Archmage’s spirit breaks free and slaughters the academy’s staff and pupils – and that’s only the first chapter. The constant surprises and shocking reveals throughout comprise some of the best storytelling so far this year in games.

Somewhat shallow combat and clumsy controls keep GrimGrimoire’s gameplay from shining. Its novelty value and clever plot are worth checking out, though, if you’re willing to forgive some mediocre battles.