Here at In Game News, our veteran team has witnessed countless attempts to fuse disparate genres, often with mixed results. Yet, every so often, a title emerges that not only blends mechanics seamlessly but elevates both in the process. Such is the case with **Battle Suit Aces**, a game that confidently strides onto the scene as a delightful visual novel and a remarkably deep deckbuilder. We've spent significant hours with this one, and our verdict is clear: if you're looking for a refreshing, heartfelt, and strategically rich experience, Trinket Studios has delivered a certified game-changer. This isn't just a review; it's an affirmation of exceptional design and a testament to what happens when genuine passion meets clever mechanics.
In Game News: At a Glance
- What is it? A sci-fi visual novel and tactical deckbuilder.
- Release Date: October 7, 2025
- Expect to Pay: $25 / £21
- Developer: Trinket Studios
- Publisher: Trinket Studios
- Reviewed On: Asus ROG Ally, Steam Deck Verified
The Heart of the Galaxy: Narrative & Character
From the outset, Battle Suit Aces defies expectations. It presents a premise as boilerplate as they come—save the universe from generic aliens known as the Frenzied. Yet, our experience with Captain Heathcliff and his crew quickly reveals this is merely a backdrop for a narrative brimming with joy, irreverence, and genuine heart. We’re talking about a game so cheerfully absurd it makes even the most whimsical entries in the LEGO Star Wars saga feel like the gritty realism of Andor. And frankly, we love it.
While the Frenzied remain an unfortunately faceless threat, a missed opportunity for character writing given the game’s strengths, the rest of the cast shines. These are characters that leap off the screen with vibrant personalities, often celebrating their queer identities with an unashamed confidence that is frankly, a breath of fresh air in an industry still grappling with outdated gatekeeping. This isn't just a "nice touch"; it's a critical counter-narrative to the persistent, tiresome "Gamergatey crap" we've seen trying to seep back into our hobby. Battle Suit Aces demonstrates how authenticity and fun can coexist and, indeed, thrive.
The plot, while fundamentally about universal salvation, is constantly enlivened by wonderfully silly digressions. We’ve seen everything from crew members accidentally ingesting hallucinogenic strawberries and believing they’re bears, to elaborate undercover operations involving obnoxious celebrities. The game consistently kicks realism out the airlock, opting instead for sincerity and a willingness to indulge its sillier side. This playful tone, punctuated by moments of genuine connection between the crew, fosters a truly pleasant universe to inhabit, a welcome antidote if you’re still recovering from more emotionally taxing titles like last year’s Mouthwashing. Yes, the universe is at stake, but we’re making time for a gay wedding anyway – and that’s a narrative choice we endorse wholeheartedly.
Under the Hood: The Deckbuilding & Combat
Beyond its charming narrative, Battle Suit Aces is, at its core, a robust and engaging deckbuilder. Trinket Studios, known for their work on Battle Chef Brigade, brings that same flair for unique mechanics to the tactical combat here. Missions send you across the galaxy, recruiting new crew members, each bringing their unique, lethal battle suits to the fray. Combat plays out on two 5v5 rows, each guarding a ship. The goal is simple: destroy the enemy ship.
Initially, the turn-based system seems straightforward: deploy a unit, move a unit, fire attacks if you've banked enough power. However, Battle Suit Aces quickly escalates the complexity, demanding genuine strategic thought. Opponents rarely just stand there. They feature spikes, counter-attacks, and a plethora of buffs and debuffs that turn every encounter into a dynamic puzzle. It’s a learning curve, for sure, and the game can be a bit hands-off in its teaching, but the gradual difficulty ramp allows for ample trial and error. This rapid, yet forgiving, progression to the "good stuff" is a key design strength, ensuring veteran deckbuilder fans will find depth while newcomers won't feel overwhelmed.
Mission success isn't just about winning; it’s about preparation and evolution. Rewards include crafting materials for suit and drone mods, as well as ship defenses. Early game often sees you recruiting new crew, building a diverse roster of what we affectionately call "beloved pilots" (certainly not cannon fodder!). While initial suit mods might seem incremental (+3 health, anyone?), the depth quickly emerges. Auto-attacking on ship damage, or bonus effects when teammates secure a kill – these are the kinds of synergies that allow players to truly min-max their builds and craft unique decks that sing in combat. This level of customization ensures replayability and encourages experimentation with different crew compositions, a vital element in any successful deckbuilder. We'd confidently place it among the best spaceship deckbuilders since the excellent Cobalt Core.
Progression & Polish: Beyond the Battlefield
Between battles, the ship acts as your hub, offering brief, character-rich gossip sessions that deepen your connection to the crew. While some main story interludes can feel a touch lengthy, they are invariably well-written and engaging. The game notably avoids a Persona-style social link system – and let's be honest, we sometimes forget how bizarre those can get! Instead, optional crew missions offer substantial story chunks and permanent bonuses, like an extra suit mod slot. We particularly appreciated the in-combat method of unlocking these crucial extra slots, tied to specific character criteria (e.g., activating a passive ability three times in one turn). This clever design incentivizes players to actively experiment with their entire team and master each character's kit, elevating the "leveling up" process beyond simple XP grinding.
Battle Suit Aces is bursting with these thoughtful touches. From the varied, sometimes unenthusiastic, shouts of the game’s title before story missions, to a brilliant, tucked-away puzzle mode that challenges players to win specific scenarios in a single turn. Even the "fluff" missions, like a fancy space gala inevitably attacked by pirates, contribute to the game's undeniable charm. It’s a universe crafted with care, and one we genuinely enjoyed spending time in.
Final Analysis: Minor Glitches in a Stellar Voyage
Are there flaws? Naturally. No game is perfect. The opening suffers from a common narrative pitfall: a major tragedy unfolds before we've had a chance to connect with the characters, dulling its emotional impact. Furthermore, as noted, the Frenzied remain a rather bland, faceless enemy – a missed opportunity given the strength of the game's other character writing and delightfully hammy villains. And while the default difficulty provides a gentle ramp, we believe veterans will find it a tad too easy; though, with plenty of content to uncover on a second playthrough, diving into hard mode is a justifiable decision.
These, however, are minor nitpicks. They're the kind of quibbles that keep us from being recruited onto Captain Heathcliff's eternally cheerful crew, but they certainly don't detract from the overall quality. Battle Suit Aces is a vibrant, sincere, and strategically rewarding experience. Its blend of compelling visual novel storytelling and deep deckbuilder combat creates something truly special. We urge you to give it a chance; the combat might go easy on you initially, but we guarantee you won't be able to resist its overwhelming charm.
The In Game News Verdict: 8.4/10
Battle Suit Aces delivers a rare synergy: a delightful visual novel and a stellar deckbuilder fused into one unforgettable package. It's imaginative, heartfelt, and strategically deep – a must-play for fans of either genre.