Squids Odyssey

Squids Odyssey is a turn-based tactics game in which the player controls a group of colorful squid-like creatures called Squids and fights with them against a variety of opponents across a series of isometric arenas. Combat takes the form of pulling back and launching characters similarly to billiards mechanics, placing the game in the family of so-called knock-'em-off titles - the player drags a Squid back with a finger or stylus and launches it toward the enemy, with the pull's strength and angle determining the power and direction of the attack. Each character has a different class with its own abilities and upgrades, giving the game an RPG undertone, and between battles the player chooses which of a character's skills to upgrade and how to build the team for the upcoming level.

On Wii U the game uses the GamePad for precise touch control of moves, while the whole battle plays out clearly on the main screen for everyone watching. The visual style is cheerful, colorful, and cartoonish, with distinctive, easily recognizable silhouettes for each Squid, accompanied by light music that reinforces the impression of a friendly, family-oriented game, even though the battles themselves can be surprisingly tactical and demanding in terms of planning your moves. The terrain of each arena also affects the trajectory of shots, so successful tactics often rely as much on judging a bounce off an obstacle as on the raw power of an attack.

The game arose from porting a successful mobile concept to a console, and at the time it was praised precisely for how well the simple touch mechanic adapted to the Wii U GamePad. Squids Odyssey is a lesser-known title today, one that slipped somewhat under the radar on Wii U among more prominent first-party games, but for players looking for a light turn-based strategy game with puzzle elements it offers a pleasantly accessible yet entertaining experience that, thanks to its RPG elements and character progression, provides more lasting motivation than one might expect from a seemingly light, colorful title.

Why play it: For players looking for a light turn-based strategy game with puzzle elements and RPG-style character progression, this is a lesser-known but pleasantly addictive title that slipped somewhat under the radar on Wii U among more prominent games.