Wintermoor Tactics Club is a story about surviving high school, with gameplay inspired by tactics RPGs and visual novels.
The turn-based tactical combat draws inspiration from classic tactics RPGs. Players navigate grid-based maps, utilizing the unique abilities of their party members to defeat enemy forces. The gameplay is described as "easily accessible" and "quite fun for an introduction to the genre." While not overly challenging, perfecting each battle does require strategic positioning and ability usage. The maps are relatively small and self-contained, playing out like puzzles that demand careful character placement and skill timing. Players can customize their party members by unlocking new abilities and equipment, adding an element of strategy as they determine the optimal configuration for each encounter. However, this progression system is more akin to sidegrades than traditional RPG power-ups, as the characters do not dramatically improve over time.
The game offers flexible difficulty settings to accommodate players of all skill levels. Those seeking a more relaxed experience can enable a "god mode" to trivialize the battles, while those craving a greater challenge can attempt to earn perfect scores. Reviewers appreciate this accessibility, noting that the combat provides an engaging experience without becoming "Challenging to Impossible." The consensus is that the difficulty curve strikes a nice balance, remaining inviting without becoming frustratingly difficult.
The diverse cast of playable characters each possess unique abilities and playstyles, encouraging players to experiment with different party compositions. As the game progresses, the roster expands, further enhancing the strategic depth. The customization system allows players to tailor their team to their preferred playstyle through the use of unlockable perks and equipment. This, combined with the varied character abilities, helps ensure the combat remains fresh throughout the experience.