Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force GX took me back in the best way

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX has an unique location in my heart.

In addition to being the very first brand-new Yu-Gi-Oh! series after the renowned initial Battle Monsters anime, it likewise got here when I was beginning at a brand-new school. Suffice it to state, then, the early Duel Academy stories of adventurous freshman Jaden Yuki and pals truly resonated. (Before the series lost that revitalizing low-stakes hook by concentrating on outrageous world-ending hazards, anyhow.)

Naturally, then, Konami’s most current Yu-Gi-Oh! video game, Tag Force GXis practically produced me. At New York Comic Con (NYCC) recently, I got to go hands-on with the video game, and it seemed like a correct homecoming.

Remarkably, this is a complete remake of the 2008 PSP video game GX Tag Force 3which never ever concerned North or Latin America. That alone would make this a beneficial release, however Konami has actually likewise considerably broadened on the initial with completely revamped graphics and animations, voice performing, brand-new cards, online multiplayer and more.

“It’s the 20th anniversary of the anime, therefore we wished to commemorate the GX anime series, therefore Tag Force was actually a no-brainer, “states Yumi Hoashi, vice president of Konami Digital Entertainment’s card organization.

“The platform was so old formerly, therefore we wished to renew the brand name in general, and likewise revitalize the video game. It’s the 30th anniversary of the manga this year too, and after that GXWe focused a lot on Duel Monsters this year, however we’ve likewise restored a great deal of the GX cards too, therefore it was simply the correct time for it.”

In Tag Forceyou play as a trainee tackling their days at Duel Academy. It’s a basic however nevertheless efficient property that pays for the video game an unique sort of slice-of-life RPG structure in which you’re able to check out the school, befriend fellow trainees, discover brand-new cards and, obviously, participate in lots and great deals of battles.

Aesthetically, the remake maintains the chibi-style character designs however provides a welcome coat of paint. The genuine emphasize, however, remains in the battles themselves, with characters having totally animated and voiced 3D designs. State what you will about English calls, however I’ve constantly stated Battle Monsters and GX have actually strong voice acting, Matthew Charles as Jaden, particularly, so hearing all of that maintained in Tag Force brought a smile to my face. These animations encompass choose beasts too, with the similarity Jaden’s Elemental Hero Neos, Chazz’s Armed Dragon Level 7 and Zane’s Cyber End Dragon spring to life with aplomb.

To be sure, the discussion as I ran around was typically extremely fundamental, filled with all sorts of rote “oh man, I can’t wait to battle you!” small talk. Of course, you’re not coming into this for a strong story; you’re here to, in the never-ceasing words of Jaden himself, get your video game onThat’s where Tag Force GX‘s titular team-up mechanic is available in. Throughout battles, you and your picked partner will alternate in between utilizing your particular decks on your shared side of the field.

I never ever really played the initial Tag Force video games, so this mechanic undoubtedly took some getting utilized to. Seeing my colleague take control of with entirely various cards while likewise having the ability to utilize mine produced an extremely unique experience, making me think about how I might assist him and he, in turn, might return the favour. To be sure, I still choose 1v1 battles, which’s luckily still a choice in the video game, however I believe I’ll concern much better value the modification of speed that will bring with time.

Above all else, Tag Force GX simply feels ideal for somebody like me who was consumed with Battle Monsters and GX Has actually gotten lost with the lots of brand-new card types since. The TCG feels almost impenetrable to veterans, and so these old-school video games are completely placed to alleviate us back in and, perhaps, even welcome in brand-new gamers.

“The digital video games assist individuals find out how to play,” states Hoashi. “With Tag Force GXwe integrated a casual level also, that makes it a lot easier, therefore that ought to likewise assist with the brand-new gamers that are can be found in.”

Far, Tag Force GX is precisely what I desire as a lapsed Yu-Gi-Oh! fan, and I’m quite thrilled to play more.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force GX launches on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and Steam on Feb. 16, 2027.

Image credit: Konami