I Had a Plan! (v1.0.3)

A self-important wizard can map out the perfect dungeon run, but the heroes tagging along rarely respect the script. I Had a Plan! blends tactical roguelite decision-making with the gleeful unpredictability of a semi-autobattler, casting you as the frustrated commander of an increasingly strange fantasy party. Its 3D realms, hex-based battlefields, and flat illustrated character art give every expedition the feel of a tabletop skirmish gone delightfully wrong. The tone stays comic and chaotic: failure is often caused less by monsters than by an ally deciding your sensible instruction is merely a suggestion.

Rather than personally trading blows, the wizard issues commands to companions as they move and fight across hex grids. Obedient party members gain a useful boost for following orders, while stubborn ones raise a frustration meter that eventually lets the wizard solve the problem with a well-earned Fireball. Battles can also be left to play out on their own, creating a risk-reward choice between careful intervention and trusting a team that may be spectacularly incompetent. Runs involve recruiting fresh characters, handing out unusual weapons, collecting magical Charms that reshape builds, and selecting routes through different realms. Realm quests, discoveries, and permanent progression give defeats a purpose and steadily widen the range of tactics available.

Its best idea is turning unreliable AI behavior into the central resource-management problem instead of a simple annoyance. Every order carries tension: spending attention to guide allies may save a battle, but letting them improvise can preserve options or trigger the explosive payoff of maximum frustration. The layered charm and equipment systems encourage overpowered combinations, while randomized paths and recruits keep expeditions from feeling solved too quickly. Fans of Slay the Spire-style run building, Into the Breach’s grid positioning, or auto-battlers with more personality should find plenty to enjoy. It suits newcomers thanks to its approachable premise, but roguelite veterans get the most from learning when to command, when to gamble, and when to burn the entire plan down.