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Jagged Alliance 3 is a turn-based tactical game in which you lead a team of hired mercenaries through missions, then run a territory campaign between fights. Haemimont Games developed it and THQ Nordic published it. Steam lists the PC release date as July 14, 2023, and THQ Nordic also lists PlayStation and Xbox editions. If you enjoy planning squad-level tactics and want those fights to feed into a longer strategic loop, the game is built for you. If you want fast, action-heavy play, it will feel slow.
What the game is
The campaign takes place in Grand Chien, a country in political upheaval. Its elected president has disappeared and the Legion has taken control. The president’s family hires a mercenary team to find him and restore order. Your job is to explore the country, meet its local characters, earn money, build your team, and make decisions that shape how the nation’s situation turns out.
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How combat works
Combat is turn-based. Each mercenary has action points, which you spend on moves such as aiming at a specific body part, switching firing modes, taking overwatch, or changing stance. Positioning and weapon choice matter throughout, because the publisher describes weapons that can jam, bullets that penetrate materials, and explosives that destroy buildings. Wounds do not heal instantly, so a fight that goes badly can carry consequences into the next one.
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The campaign layer between fights
Missions are only half of the game. Between them you explore handcrafted sectors and work to control them. The official site lists these activities:
- Capturing territory and outposts.
- Intercepting convoys.
- Training local militia.
- Managing several squads at once.
- Responding to enemy patrols.
According to the publisher, conditions in a sector can be influenced by time of day, weather, and the decisions you made earlier. This is the layer that gives the tactical combat a reason to matter beyond the single battle.
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Mercenaries, equipment, and progression
The mercenaries are the heart of the game’s narrative. The official site says they are voiced and have individual personalities. Some may refuse to work with you depending on trust or on their relationships with other squad members, so who you recruit is a strategic and story decision, not only a stat choice.
Characters develop through a classless system with perks, which means you shape each merc’s role through the perks you select rather than through a fixed class. Equipment can be looted, salvaged, and customized, so weapons and gear are part of the progression loop rather than simple shop purchases. The campaign can also be played in online co-op, as listed on the Steam store page.
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PC requirements
The Steam listing sets out Windows requirements that are specific enough to check before you buy. Both tiers require 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 12, and 20 GB of storage.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel quad-core or AMD Ryzen at 3 GHz | 4 GHz Intel quad-core or AMD Ryzen |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 12-compatible, 2 GB VRAM; listed examples are GeForce GTX 950 or Radeon R7 370 | RTX 2070 or Radeon 6700 XT, 8 GB VRAM |
| Storage | 20 GB | 20 GB |
The listing also notes that some integrated GPUs are compatible but may perform poorly. Requirements are as published on Steam at the time of writing; confirm them on the store page before purchase.
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- Control everything that happens in your park, from what your animals eat to what eats your animals…
- Decide whether you want to run your Zoo above board... or break the law and pocket the extra cash
Console editions and cross-generation play
THQ Nordic identifies editions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X. Its February 2024 announcement describes cross-generation console multiplayer: PS4 and PS5 players can team up, and Xbox One and Xbox Series players can play together. That announcement is more than two years old, so confirm the current multiplayer arrangements in the console store or on the official site. Store availability also varies by region, and digital listings can change, so check your own region’s storefront before buying.
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Updates after launch
Two post-launch updates are documented in the publisher’s announcements:
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| Update | Announced | What it added |
|---|---|---|
| Update 1.4 (free) | December 18, 2023 | The U-Bahn mid-to-late-game questline, an underground transport system, seven maps in a laboratory complex, and interface and gameplay adjustments. |
| Patch 1.5, “Larry” | February 6, 2024 | Ten optional rule settings and extensive modding tools for campaigns, quests, and maps. |
These are dated announcements. Later patches may exist, and the official announcements page is the place to check the current update history. The publisher’s patch roadmap covers PC and consoles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Modding and optional rules
The official site states that modding support is included. The Patch 1.5 announcement adds that the update brought tools for making campaigns, quests, and maps, along with the ten optional rule settings. If you want to change how the game plays rather than just play it as designed, these optional settings and the tools are the relevant features.
The Tactical Box collector item
THQ Nordic announced a limited Tactical Box. The announcement describes a waterproof and dustproof IP67 case, a tactical belt and pouch, an A.I.M. pin, and 36 character cards. It states explicitly that the game is not included, and it says the limited edition sold out within days. The official website still links to a Tactical Box page, but that link does not establish current stock. Treat the Tactical Box as collector context, not as a purchase you can count on, and not as the game itself. The publisher’s announcement is the reference for its contents.
Is it worth playing?
The answer depends on which edition and which kind of play you want.
- Choose it if you enjoy turn-based squad tactics, want recruits with distinct personalities, and like a strategic layer that carries decisions from one mission to the next.
- Check your hardware first if you play on PC, especially if you have an integrated GPU or less than 16 GB of RAM.
- Pick a console generation carefully if you want online co-op with friends, and confirm the current cross-generation arrangements.
- Skip it if you want quick battles, a short campaign, or a game that is light on management.
The Steam store page also lists a free demo and a digital soundtrack add-on. The demo is the most direct way to test the combat before committing, and the soundtrack is an optional digital extra rather than part of the game.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
