*edit* Blah typo. Just got back from the store and my hands are too cold right now*

So I decided I'd take the plunge on it since Gamestop had it for $20 new. With the good reviews and how people talk highly of it, I figured it was at a good enough price and I can still give Sega a sale.

Can anyone give me some tips and suggestions on playing it? What are good strategies? ect.

Always try to get up close with your scouts, get behind cover, and use them multiple times to kill most of your enemies - just shoot 'em in the head, chances are very good you'll get at least 3 shots out of 5 at close range.

Use the Edelweiss to provide cover for your other soldiers... put it in such a position that it blocks enemy fire and lets you get to a safe place.

Once you get the orders "Damage boost" and "Demolition man" you can kill tanks by shooting them in the radiator with pretty much nay kind of soldier, not just a lancer. Imperial weapons help with that a lot as they do crazy damage to armor. works best with shocktroopers.

Before advancing anywhere, make use of snipers to take out any possible resistance along your way.

When enemies are behind cover, get their ass out of there by throwing a grenade at them. Even easier when you get elite scouts with grenade launchers.

Save your game at the start of each turn.

The biggest difference to most other sRPG's is that when you are running around during your turn you will still be shot at if enemies are in range and vice versa you can do the same. So it's important to plan ahead and end your turn with all of your characters in advantageous positions behind cover so that they aren't in too much danger when enemies take shots at them and they can shoot at the enemy while they are moving.

you'll kill alot more people during the enemy's turn then you'd think.

Do not expose the rear of your tank, only cursing and unhappiness will follow

Save before every turn and if you made one little mistake load again.

Actually don't do that because it takes ages to load....
I'm still doing it though >.

Try to level up the scouts as fast as you can. The grenade launchar and extra-AP will help you alot.

this, i didn't reload too often but sometimes you the battlefield changes and suddenly you can get wiped out in one turn.  it's worth saving often cause it sucks to be 45 min into a battle only to have to start over.

great game though...i hope you like it.

Oh believe me, I'm usually one to save a lot.

In a game like Half-Life 2, I find myself saving after every group of bad guys or every part of a platforming puzzle.

Don't be in too much of a hurry, Shocktroopers are your friends, especially when it's not your turn.

The last place you are facing before you end your turn is always vital.
If an ally is left alone to die on the field, they are gone for good so don't leave anyone alone.

p.s
any team with Alicia, Vyse and Alex will almost always win.

And that sadist shocktrooper (forgot her name) along with Aika helps.