Expected Release Date: Keep an eye out for Ogre Battle 64 to rear its head from late Fall '99 to early 2000.

The first impression that you might have of this game is of a few ugly ogres having a fight, bashing out each other's brains with clubs. If you were thinking that, you could be no further from the truth. If not, then congratulations..

Let's start things off talking about the name. Previously titled Ogre Battle 3, Quest, the developer, has decided to rename it Ogre Battle 64. Both names are interchangable, however, so wherever you may see Ogre Battle 3 in place of the new 64 name, please, it's the same game we're talking about.

In case you never heard of the name before, it was a very popular RPG that had its roots placed in the SNES library, Ogre Battle. In Ogre Battle, you control many small armies (meaning more then one), each consisting of about four or five characters, which can consist of wizards, knights, dragons, vampires, and so on. It had its sequel on the Playstation, called Tactics Ogre, which sold very well.

The most intriguing aspect of the OB series is that you do not actually control your character's attacks, rather the CPU does, and matches only last one battle. Based on how much damage was dealt, the computer decides the winner. During the match, the only thing you have real control over is the ability to use Tarot Cards (which perform different effects), and "programming" your characters to attack the 'Strongest' (enemy), 'Weakest' or the 'Leader'.

I think this game has a chance to make it worthwhile, especially since the N64 is lacking a good array of RPGs. If only this game took advantage of the N64's memory Expansion Pak...

Ogre Battle 64 is slated for a mid July release in Japan. You know what that means? It takes an average of six months to have a game translated. From what I've seen in Nintendo Power issues (see Pak Watch updates, NP Vol# 111, August 98 and NP Vol#115, December 98), the graphics are stunning, and I can't wait to buy a copy of the game.

Ninteno Power Volume 115 Pak Watch Review

Nintendo's Gameclip of Ogre Battle 3

Ogre Battle 3 PREVIEW [IGN64]

Just four of more possible terrains - Desert, Plains, Swamp, or Ice.

A map of the expected world of Ogre Battle 64.

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