Tactical Warrior is one of the very best games Ive played for iOS. I confess Im only a couple dozen battles into LostStar Tactics so far, but the core mechanics are similar, so I feel comfortable rating it.
Like Tactical Warrior, this is excellent. The battles are fast and highly tactical. Status effect, attack types, movement range, stamina, special abilities, etc. are all hugely important, but there arent so many variables that you cant keep track of it all. Basically, it doesnt waste its modest complexity--every bit adds directly to making the decisions interesting and tough. Thats the highest praise you can give to a game like this, I think.
Similarly, the customization strikes a perfect balance between making your band of warriors your own, and presenting you with constrained and interesting decisions. Each warrior has only two item slots, four active ability slots, and four passive ability slots. You must use them each well! I really like how the new level-up interface gives you more information now about how your decisions will impact your stamina, something which was a little vague in Tactical Warrior but very important.
The biggest changes from Tactical Warrior (besides the theme, new units, new abilities, etc.), are the new deck building mechanic for the leader and, or course, the graphics.
The deck building mechanic is cool. So far, it doesnt seem quite as tight as the rest of the game (theres a higher complexity to strategy ratio), but its a fun bit of customization. I also suspect it will get deeper and deeper as the game goes on and I collect more cards.
The graphics in LostStar Tactics are much more detailed than the super simple cartoony graphics of Tactical Warrior, but I must say, I actually prefer the clearer, iconic graphics of the original. In Tactical Warrior, I could always tell at a glance whether a unit was primarily ranged, melee, or special. Here I find myself constantly tapping to see attack and defense types, even for units I should be familiar with by now. Everyone else seems to love the new graphics though, so it seems Im in the minority.
Anyway, graphical quibbles aside, this is a fantastic sequel to Tactical Warrior. I hope it takes off for James, because that man deserves to be rewarded for making such awesome tactical games. I know Ill keep buying every one.