I miss this incredible mobile game.

I downloaded this game randomly sometime in eighth grade, thought it was alright, then uninstalled it after I got bored.

Big mistake, stupid Arkadaling.

I downloaded the game again sometime in sophomore year and realized how truly beautiful the game is. The music is beyond moving, beyond tranquil, and beyond intense when necessary. The character artwork is gorgeous. The gameplay is always refreshing despite the game's repetitive purpose. The story is well-developed, intriguing, and highly enjoyable. The game provides an insane amount of challenging endgame content that requires excellent team building. Everything about this game, except how slow it can be, is excellent.

Terra Battle, in short, is a highly complex strategy game where you control 6 characters. These characters are represented as tiles on a checkerboard arena, often customized with hazards or advantages, where you must slay wave upon waves of monsters with their own unique abilities. On your turn, you decide which tile to move during a limited period of time. The tile you move can also move your other tiles in the opposite direction. For example, if you move your tile downwards into another tile, that tile flies one space upwards. Furthermore, ally tiles in the same row or column as an attacking tile will inflict more damage upon the monsters.

Is your tiny head spinning? Perhaps look at some pictures I took:

The beginning of a battle. My six characters are ready for combat against a large rock golem and its two allies. Spinning blades will hazard any character that moves through them. I have around 6 seconds to move my characters into position so that I can defeat the golem.

In my first turn, I push Jennish (the blue cloak guy with a plus on his forehead) into Macuri and Snaip (the two lizard guys) so that they can surround the golem. Then, Jennish pushes into Gatz and Bahl (the neon green and black suit guy and the butterfly girl with a sword) upwards to fully surround the golem. Finally, I place Jennish in the same column as my left attackers so that Jennish can add his damage to the attack. Senala (the fire mage girl) isn't lined up, so she doesn't do any damage. You can learn all of these fast and confusing motions by watching someone play the game.

This game is incredibly diverse. You earn countless characters, each with different weapon types (sword, bow, spear) or elemental magic (fire, lightning, etc), by progressing through the story or by saving 5 energy to roll for characters in the shop. You earn companions, which provide bonuses to characters. You might think "This is a pay to win game that's all about luck." However, you can easily progress through the game's story without spending money or obtaining the best characters. Additionally, you can earn 1 energy, 2 characters, and 1 companion by watching 4 short ads. Nothing terrible.

Sadly, this game suffered a serious and incurable wound on October 2018

Due to supposedly unsatisfactory service in several countries, the developers of Terra Battle discontinued the game in particular regions. The developers additionally stopped adding content to the game, instead allowing all players to access every holiday event, every special endgame story, and every coveted grinding spot. Since I live in the US, I can (and do) still play the game. Yet I lament over Terra Battle's heavy losses, forcing old players to quit and discouraging new players from coming to this dying game.

I am tearing up when writing this chapter. Terra Battle is one of the best video games I have ever played. I cannot convey my love for this game without adding a thousand more words to this chapter. I will keep playing Terra Battle even though no one else will.

Love and Peace,
Arkada