As a fan of tactical strategy games—especially those in the vein of XCOM—I was excited to dive into Jagged Alliance 3. The game offers a deep and engaging tactical combat system, compelling mercenary management, and a world that feels alive with various factions, side missions, and decision-making opportunities.

However, the difficulty curve is absolutely punishing. One wrong move, one miscalculated position, and your squad can get wiped out in a heartbeat. While I appreciate a good challenge, Jagged Alliance 3 sometimes feels less like a tactical puzzle and more like an exercise in trial and error. Enemies hit hard, resources are scarce, and even veteran strategy players can feel overwhelmed at times.

That said, Jagged Alliance 3 does a lot right. It captures the gritty, squad-based combat the series is known for, and the variety of mercs adds personality and replayability. Despite the punishing difficulty, there’s a great game underneath that rewards careful planning and perseverance. If you're a fan of tactical strategy and don’t mind a steep challenge, I still recommend it.