A turn-based tactics game you can act in during the enemy's turn
Noara: The Conspiracy is a competitive strategy game set in the Lands of Noara, where the tragedy of the Last Moon has left the land under threat again. Battles are played on a grid with units you move and command, and matches end when one of the two strongholds is destroyed. The twist is that turns are not a waiting room: while your opponent takes their turn, you can still heal, dodge, block, retaliate, stun and attack in real time. That mix of careful planning and quick reactions is what the developers call MOCA, a blend of RTS, turn-based and card game elements. You pick your battalion as the match goes on rather than locking everything in at the start, so your army can shift to answer what the other side is doing.
Playing it with a friend
This is a team-based game built around 2v2 battles, so you and one friend queue up together as allies and face another pair. Army composition is a shared decision: between the two of you, you settle on a setup that fits your style and also counters what the opponents are running. Coordination matters on the board too, since you both need to protect your stronghold while pushing for theirs. The game is in Early Access, so expect the balance and content to keep changing as it develops.
Systems worth learning before your first match
Caste bonuses are the main way units get stronger: each army currently has 10 caste types, and stacking them gives synergies and stat improvements to the units on the field. The first battleground sits on the outskirts of the Crossroads in the Carmine Forest, which is dotted with objectives including harvesting areas. Gathered resources convert into Khina, the in-game currency, and Khina is what you spend at Djakpa's shop on items for your units, mercenaries, and services such as strengthening your stronghold. The stronghold itself has over 20 skills, and using the right one at the right moment can swing a battle. Between the resource economy, the shop, caste synergies and the real-time reactions available on the opponent's turn, there is a lot to keep track of, so a first few matches are best treated as practice.