Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen is a fantastic strategy action game, developed by Quest, and first published on the Super Nintendo in 1993.

As the story unfolds, exploration takes place on a cool, overhead, Mode 7 scrolling map, upon which your units move in the direction you choose. Meet an enemy unit and combat kicks in, shifting to an isometric tabletop view. Combat is turn-based and very easy to get into. The whole storyline is steeped in the lore or Tarot Cards, and these also play a part in combat. You can choose cards in battle to enact certain special powers, often with nice accompanying visual effects.

As you progress, your units evolve too. Experience Points will morph existing units into more advanced troops, giving you an edge in battle. And – as it is a rebellion you are leading – the recruitment of powerful third party characters becomes key to your success.

Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen is a brilliant game; a cult classic; and one that still plays as good today as it did when it was first released.

A sequel followed, in 1995, called Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together.

More: Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen on Wikipedia