Mastering Loyalty: Unleashing Hidden Tactics in Jagged Alliance 3

Haemimont Games and THQ Nordic present Jagged Alliance 3, a compelling tactical strategy game where players assume control of a mercenary group tasked with liberating the fictional West African nation of Grand Chien from the clutches of an oppressive warlord known as "The Major." Alongside managing diverse squads of mercenaries with unique personalities, players must also oversee the territories under their occupation, including Diamond Mines and Settlements, to generate income and foster loyalty.

Loyalty serves as a gauge of the player's rapport with the local population in a specific area. It directly impacts production levels in nearby Diamond Mines and can influence the development of various storylines within settlements. To swiftly cultivate loyalty, players have two primary methods at their disposal: triumphing in battles against the Legion and fulfilling side quests for settlement characters.

Winning Battles

To earn loyalty from a settlement, players must first liberate it from Legion control by defeating any occupying groups in the zone. This initial victory will establish a base loyalty level, which can then be influenced by subsequent player actions. Increasing the loyalty of a settlement can also be achieved by defeating additional groups of Legion soldiers in the surrounding zones.

Settlements can also be vulnerable to attacks. To protect them, players must ensure that their Mercenaries are present or that a well-trained Militia is available for defense. Players will receive notifications via the Satellite View when a settlement is under attack, and being prepared to defend it will result in higher loyalty gained from that particular settlement. Higher loyalty levels will also enhance the income generated from nearby diamond mines, and this benefit can be further amplified when multiple settlements surrounding a single diamond mine are loyal.

Completing Side Quests

In addition to the primary objective of rescuing President LaFontaine, Jagged Alliance 3 offers numerous other tasks to accomplish within Grand Chien. The game's world is populated with diverse and fascinating non-player characters (NPCs), each with their own unique stories and quests for players to undertake. Identifiable by a large green icon above their heads, these characters are available for engaging in meaningful conversations with the mercenaries.

Some of the side missions present complex situations that pose moral dilemmas for players. The choices made by players can have a significant impact on the Loyalty of a settlement. If players align their decisions with the community's values, they may bolster its Loyalty. Conversely, choosing actions that provoke outrage within the community can result in a decrease in Loyalty. While it can be challenging to predict the consequences of these choices, players can often mitigate the effects of a poor decision by completing further missions in the area and ensuring the settlement's adequate defense.

Jagged Alliance 3 is available now on PC.