“The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics” asks players to treat a fairy tale about a broken crystal as a military strategy game. That mismatch is the whole problem. The game, built for PS4, PC and Mac, turns Jim Henson’s fantasy world into a grid-based fight, and the result is a strange mix of charm and confusion.
Trailer, via En Masse.
The Story Behind the Game
The game draws on the 2019 Netflix series “Age of Resistance,” which itself is set within the universe of “The Dark Crystal.” The premise is simple: a fractured crystal has left the land weak, and a small group of rebels seeks to restore it before the evil Skeksis can stop them. The story is told through brief animated scenes between battles, and those scenes carry the weight of the narrative.
How the Battles Work
Players move units across a grid, choosing where each soldier lands and which enemy to target. The system borrows from classic tactical games, with each character having a set of skills tied to their class. Units gain experience and grow stronger over time, which gives the player a reason to keep playing even when a mission feels dull.
Here is a quick look at the core systems:
- Unit classes each have a distinct skill set
- Experience carries forward between missions
- Missions are presented as a series of connected battles
- Animated cutscenes break up the fighting
The Problem With the Grid
The grid system works well on paper. In practice, it slows down what should be a fast, exciting story. Each turn takes time to process, and the game rarely offers a way to speed up the action. Players who want a quick session will find themselves waiting through menus and animations that feel out of place next to the urgency of the plot.
Sound and Look
The game looks and sounds like a Jim Henson production, which is a compliment. Character models are detailed, and the environments carry the same sense of wonder found in the original film. The music matches the tone, giving each battle a sense of dread or triumph depending on the mission.
Difficulty and Pace
Difficulty rises steadily across the campaign, but it does so in a way that punishes players for not planning ahead rather than rewarding clever play. Boss fights often demand a specific build or tactic, and failure means starting the mission again from the beginning. This can frustrate players who want to see the next scene immediately.
Where It Works
The game is at its best when the story pushes it forward. The animated scenes between missions carry real emotional weight, and the voice acting sells the stakes of the rebellion. These moments stand apart from the tactical combat, which can feel like a chore next to them.
What Holds It Back
The pacing is the biggest issue. Missions drag, and the game rarely offers a way to skip ahead once a player has made a plan. The difficulty spikes also create a sense of frustration that overshadows the quality of the presentation.
| Element | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Story | Engaging, well-told | Interrupted by slow combat |
| Combat | Strategic, deep | Tedious, slow to progress |
| Presentation | Detailed, atmospheric | Menu-heavy, distracting |
Final Verdict
“The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics” is a competent game with a great story trapped inside a slow, repetitive tactical shell. Fans of the source material will find plenty to enjoy in the animation and the narrative, but the pacing issues will test anyone’s patience. It is a game that tries to do two things at once, and neither gets enough room to breathe.
The game earns a score of 6.8 out of 10.
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