Summary
TacticalRPGs are great regardless of the topic they cover. Whether they have state-of-the-art graphics or are more focused on8-bit style designs, it’s undeniable that they never fail to provide players with tons of hours of fun and compelling narratives that are memorable, to say the least.
The greatest evidence that graphics are not always the most important part of the game is that many of the most popular tactical RPGSare designed in16 bits. That said, many players agree that what matters most is being able to relate to different characters and feeling immersed in the story they’re being presented. Here are sometactical RPGs with the best stories.
Shadowrun Dragonfall: Director’s Cut
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Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director’s Cut is a standalone release of Harebrained Schemes' critically-acclaimed Dragonfall campaign, which first premiered as a major expansion for Shadowrun Returns. The Director’s Cut adds a host of new content and enhancements to the original game: 5 all-new missions, alternate endings, new music, a redesigned interface, team customization options, a revamped combat system, and more - making it the definitive version of this one-of-a-kind cyberpunk RPG experience.A Classic, Story-Driven cRPG: Dragonfall hearkens back to the golden age of computer RPG’s with a novel-like branching narrative full of sharp prose and deep character development. Immerse yourself in a smart, 20+ hour campaign with a diverse cast of all-too-human characters.A One-of-a-Kind Cyberpunk Setting: Experience the unique “Tech meets Magic” dystopian future of Shadowrun, a fan-favorite game setting now celebrating it’s 25th anniversary. Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director’s Cut is the perfect entry point to the setting for those with no prior Shadowrun experience, while providing plenty of classic Shadowrun characters and tech for veteran players to sink their teeth into.Command Your Team: Lead a small team of shadowrunners - each with their own outlook, motivations, and backstory. The members of your team are designed to play contrasting roles during missions, and each has a distinct set of skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. But it’s not all about the mission - each team member also has challenges to face in their own lives, which you’re able to choose to brush aside or play an important part in.Gripping, Turn-Based Tactical Combat: When you’re running the shadows, every turn matters. Choose your actions wisely - move to better cover, charge into melee, or lob a fireball into a crowd of enemies. With over 200 weapons and spells at your disposal, every turn is filled with meaningful choices.Skill-Based Character Progression: Choose a starting character archetype and build from there! Street Samurai and Physical Adepts use advanced combat skills to dominate the battlefield, Shamans and Mages summon powerful allies and cast deadly spells, while Riggers and Deckers provide critical technological support, projecting their consciousness directly into drones and computer systems. Shadowrun: Dragonfall’s classless skill system allows you to grow your character in any direction you choose.
Shadowrun: Dragonfallis by no means the most popular tactical RPG out there. However, it should be, as it has a lot to offer players who love the genre and like a good story to go with the other mechanics present in a title of this kind.
Players will take on the role of a shadowrunner who has recently arrived in the anarchic Free State of Berlin to join a team of very interesting colleagues, including a former Punk Rocker, a heavily augmented Cyborg, and other peculiar characters.
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Two years after the death of his father, Overlord Krichevskoy, the demon prince Laharl awakens to discover that the Netherworld is in turmoil. With unlikely allies, his devious vassal Etna and the angel trainee Flonne, he must battle his way to supremacy to retake the throne and become the next Overlord. Experience the SRPG classic, now on PC!An SRPG from the most prolific SRPG creators in the world, Nippon Ichi Software. Choose from over 40 unique character types. Even with a max level of 9999, use Transmigration to start all over again, but your characters will be even stronger per level!Delve into the Item World, a randomly generated dungeon world, to level up your items! With max level characters and leveled-up items, dish out millions of points of damage!Over-the-top battle animations. Geo Panels - A puzzle game within a Strategy RPG.Lift & Throw - Throw your allies up ledges to reach enemies in hard-to-reach spots, or toss your enemies around instead!A zany story set in the Netherworld, where the notions of good and evil are reversed.
The main story ofDisgaea: Hour of Darknessis based on a tale as old as time. Laharl, the Prince of the Netherworld, awakens to find that his father, the King, has died of mysterious causes, which quickly prompts him to try to reclaim his rightful place on the throne.
TheDisgaeafranchise has been around for more than 20 years, and over time, it has spanned several titles, includingDisgaea 7, which hassome very interesting Evility upgradesfor players to take advantage of.
Valkyria Chronicles
Set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of the 1930s, Valkyria Chronicles depicts Europa, divided and ruled by two super powers: the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading the principality Gallia, which shares its borders with the two superpowers, in an attempt to secure an invaluable natural resource, Ragnite. Within this struggle a hero named Welkin, and his fellow soldiers of the Gallian Militia, ‘Squad 7’ are fighting back against the invasion and the Empire’s attempts to unify the continent under its power.During the ensuing war, Squad 7 discovers that the Empire possesses a secret weapon, known as the “Valkyrur” – an ancient race with special powers thought to exist only in legends. With this new discovery, the fate of Gallia’s ability to defeat the Empire and save the lives of the Gallian citizens…“CANVAS” graphics engine: A unique engine that produces breathtaking images that look like watercolor paintings in motion.“BLiTZ” tactical battle system: Experience strategic maneuvering of units combined with conventional RPG gameplay, all layered on top of the moment to moment action afforded by real-time controls as players command each squad member and tank in battle.Epic storyline: Players will immerse themselves in the epic struggle for freedom, as the fate of the world lies in the hands of Welkin and the members of the 7th platoon.Customization: Over 100 customizable characters allow players to create a variety of platoons to suit each battle’s needs.Beautifully rendered battlefields: Players explore 30 different environments, using unique terrain features to gain advantages in battle.
The story ofValkyria Chroniclesunfolds on the fictional continent called Europa, which is loosely based on real-life Europe. The conflict between the Atlantic Federation and the East European Alliance makes for an interesting setting that makes the story in and of itself very interesting.
This, along with the well-developed game mechanics present in this title, makeValkyria Chroniclesan outstanding game that fans of the genre will surely enjoy. Moreover, the ongoing battle for the precious resources of the neutral nation of Gallia adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
Rise up soldiers and prepare for battle!After generations of war between the various ethnic groups, King Dogare brought peace to the land of Valeria. When the king dies, Valeria is split into three different groups, each claiming the throne.You take the role of a young boy as he embarks on a quest to save the land from turmoil and assume the throne. Will you be able to save the world from chaos in Tactics Ogre?
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is the second entry in the Ogre Battle series, and it’s set in the kingdom of Valeria. Players will take on the role of Denim Powell, a member of the local resistance against the occupying powers in the region.
Throughout the years, this franchise has spawned many titles, including Tactics Ogre Reborn, which hastons of different interesting classesfor players to take advantage of. All in all,Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Togetheris a timeless classic that fans of the Tactical RPG genre will surely fall in love with.
Final Fantasy Tactics
The styles of FINAL FANTASY and OGRE BATTLE converge inFINAL FANTASY TACTICS, a strategy RPG created by the minds behind those classic series. A tale of political intrigue and betrayal woven through a complex web of interpersonal relationships, this game requires you to follow a convoluted plot through several twisting chapters. You assume control a young noble named Ramza, a young lad embroiled in a political revolution that spirals into a supernatural threat endangering the entire world. The influence from the FINAL FANTASY games is seen in the monster designs, spells, weapons, and most notably the character classes. Known as jobs, these character types are taken directly from FINAL FANTASY V, and allow you to completely customize your characters' abilities. On the battlefield you will feel the gameplay ties to TACTICS OGRE, as you maneuver your allies around the grid-based map in turn-based strategic combat. The game also features an epic soundtrack from the composers of the OGRE BATTLE series, Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto.
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise is one of the most popular in the entire gaming world, and with good reason, asalmost every title offers players great stories, an outstanding design in terms of game mechanics, and likable characters.
It would be safe to say thatFinal Fantasy Tacticskeeps many of the things that make its franchise amazing, while introducing in-depth tactical RPG mechanics that elevate the experience greatly. Players will have the chance to take on different roles, including, but not limited to Squires, Chemists, Knights, Archers, Priests, and more.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
War is coming to the continent of Fódlan. Here, order is maintained by the Church of Seiros, which hosts the prestigious Officer’s Academy within its headquarters. You are invited to teach one of its three mighty houses, each comprised of students brimming with personality and represented by a royal from one of three territories. As their professor, you must lead your students in their academic lives and in turn-based, tactical RPG battles wrought with strategic, new twists to overcome. Which house, and which path, will you choose?
TheFire Emblemfranchise has been around for a long time. However, many would argue thatFire Emblem: Three Housesis the best entry in the series. The game focuses on Byleth, a mercenary-turned-professor who is tasked with instructing students within a prestigious Military Academy.
Throughout the game, players will engage in exciting battles that will require them to think about their every move and plan strategically to ensure victory and prevent the loss of some of their units. While the game can be set to make unit loss temporary, it’s a lot more fun when units are lost permanently, as it raises the stakes considerably. The endgame gets a little tricky, sochoosing the best classes availablecan make a big difference.Fire Emblem: Three Housesis also renowned for having introduced the battalion system into the series.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Gather your party and get ready for a fantastic adventure! Your imagination is your only limitation as you seek to restore Divinity and save the world. Combine the elements to rain destruction upon your foes. Use your skills to subvert anything in your way. Whether you are an Elf, Human, Dwarf, Lizard or Undead, the people will hear of your travels and react to your legend. But beware, only one of you can become the new Divine!
InDivinity: Original Sin 2, players will take control of a “Godwoken”, a powerful magic user who can take advantage of a special type of magic known as “Source”. Throughout the game, players can make variousclass choices for their main character’s companions, which allows them to have full control over how the game unfolds and the challenges they’ll face.
Combat is played from an isometric perspective and is turn-based, both of which are ideal for a Tactical RPG focused on a fantasy setting with interesting characters and abilities.
