Ogre Battle 64 is one of those rare N64 games that actually makes you think—like, really think. You start off leading a ragtag rebellion, and before long, you're juggling troop formations, morale, and even the political fallout of your decisions. The battles play out in real-time, but you're constantly pausing to adjust your units' paths or tweak their tactics. Mess up, and you'll watch your squad get wiped by some smug knight brigade.

What surprised me was how much your choices matter. Recruit the wrong allies, and towns might revolt. Let your reputation tank, and suddenly your own troops start deserting. The story’s got weight, too—way more than I expected from a cart with "Ogre" in the title. Just don’t go in expecting flashy action; this is slow, methodical, and weirdly satisfying when your carefully planned ambush finally pays off.

Oh, and pro tip: Don’t ignore the alignment system. I learned that the hard way.