Which strategy RPG is the best?
Strategy RPG or Tactics/Tactical RPG is a subgenre of RPG where it combines tactics or strategy with RPG elements. It is mostly known for the use of a grid-based movement system, and turn-based combat system, but some of the newer games have blurred the lines for these subgenres.
If you are planning to try some Tactical RPG, then here is a list of the games that you should definitely try.
15. Super Robot Wars 30 (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC)
Super Robot Wars 30 is a very niche strategy RPG considering most of its players would be at least a fan of any mecha series such as Gundam, Voltes V, Code Geass, and many more. The 30 signifies that the series is now on its 30th anniversary, and the first mainline title to be released worldwide. However, recent entries also got a release in Asian territories with English translation.
It is your typical strategy RPG where it uses the usual combat for tactics RPG. I really like the attack sequence of the mecha, as it is hyping every battle. After every mission, you can train your pilots, and upgrade your mecha.
It is a unique experience, especially for those who will play this series the first time.
14. Othercide (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC)
Othercide is developed by Lightbulb Crew, an indie game developer team. They took a darker route on creating this game because of the creepy and scary design of the monsters, and a literally black and white theme for its visuals.
You play as The Daughters, the strongest warriors, and the last hope of humanity against these grotesque monsters of chaos.
As for the gameplay, it has the same grid-based movement that everyone is fond of and a turn-based combat system with a twist. It has a dynamic timeline system for its turn-based combat, which means you can see who will perform their actions chronologically, and you can change it by hastening your allies, or creating a reactive action so your team of sisters can perform devastating combos.
Another unique aspect of Othercide is its roguelike feature such as different spawn areas for enemies. Your units have their own traits that they will acquire based on the way they fight, and as they level up, they will also learn new skills.
13. Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC)
Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is probably the best among the Disgaea games, especially since the sixth installment was quite disappointing to say the least.
It is about saving the Netherworlds, which is trying to enslave by a power greedy Overlord. The story is very straightforward, and it is not the main point of Disgaea games, but it sure is full of humor and jokes.
What is great about Disgaea 5 is its grindiness, class system, hundreds of hours of content, and combo skills. Expect some high number of damages since Disgaea is known for grinding until you reach hundreds or even thousands of levels and your damage output reaches one million or more every single time.
12. Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC)
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark was a successful Kickstarter project by 6 Eyes Studio, and it is heavily inspired by games that pioneered the series such as Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. (Both games are also on this list)
6 Eyes Studio did a wonderful job on getting inspiration from what makes Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre great, and thus, making Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark an enjoyable tactical RPG. It has over 30 classes with unique abilities, and it even has sub-classes and passives, so it gives players replayability if they want to try all the classes. You can even customize your characters’ appearances, which is a nice touch of immersion for this game.
The story is mature and has all the twists that you may expect on a game inspired by Final Fantasy Tactics. You play as an Arbiter, the mortal agent of the Immortals. You are tasked to govern the land and stabilize it by stopping the dangers that are trying to create chaos.
11. The Banner Saga Trilogy (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC)
The Banner Saga Trilogy is a three-part game by Stoic Studio. What makes it interesting is its premise and that its lore is influenced by Viking and Norse Mythology.
The world is ending, and you have to make hard choices to keep your people alive, while fighting off enemies. The Banner Saga Trilogy is an interactive game where your choices will lead you to a different path, and it has some survival elements as well considering you have to fend for your caravan, who needs food to survive. It is an intriguing story to follow, and the dread of not knowing what is causing the world to end is a great premise.
The third game received nomination for being best strategy when it was first released in 2018, and it did win the best original song for its “Only We Few Remember It Now” track.
10. Valkyria Chronicles 4 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC)
Honestly, I would pick the whole series as they are very similar to each other, and only the first and fourth games have been released on several platforms. Anyway, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is currently the last mainline title, and it is still the best one out of the four games.
I am saying it is best due to the fact that it is built on the foundation of the first three games and improved on it. Moreover, it even was nominated as the Best Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2018, and even won the award for Game, Franchise Role Playing at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards.
What is cool for Valkyria Chronicles 4 is that it has its own unique take for its tactical combat system. It is a turn-based strategy mixed with a bit of RPG and real-time 3rd person shooter. The cel-shaded visuals are also great, and they are timeless visuals that age very well in the long run.
9. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Nintendo Switch)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was such a weird concept when it was first announced, but Ubisoft did well on blending these two franchises and creating a well-made tactics RPG.
You play as Mario and his friends as they try to reverse what the Rabbids did to their Mushroom Kingdom. If you are wondering what the Rabbids did, they accidentally came across a device called SupaMerge, which can merge two items into a single entity. This causes an issue with their Time Washing Machine, which creates a vortex to Mushroom Kingdom. It is a crazy story, but it works well especially with the humor and lightheartedness of the game.
The gameplay is fun too, as it plays similarly to XCOM where you can hide from covers, which helps you avoid attack, and you can flank enemies to defeat them. You can also explore the Mushroom Kingdom like an adventure game, which is always amusing to do.
A sequel is coming up very soon as well with Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
8. Triangle Strategy (Nintendo Switch)
Triangle Strategy is the newest title in this list, and it is certainly an incredibly fun game to play. The game makes use of 2D-HD visuals, which is popularized by Octopath Traveler.
2D-HD is pixel art graphics with highly detailed background and 3D visual effects that really pop out the visuals beautifully.
As for its gameplay, it provides players choices and decisions that need to be made, and these decisions would increase either of three convictions - Utility, Morality, or Liberty. It will affect the storyline, and thus, increasing the game’s replayability.
For its combat, it is similar to any SRPG with grid-based movement, but it heavily relies on good positioning as you play. If you flank enemies or attack them from a higher ground, you will deal higher damage, and you can perform combos with your units if they are targeting the same unit. Some parts of the environment can be used to your advantage as well.
Sadly, this is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, but time will tell if it is going to be released on other platforms as well, just like Octopath Traveler.
7. Wargroove (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC)
Wargroove is a spiritual successor of the beloved series of Advance Wars. Thanks to Chucklefish, we are finally able to scratch that itch since it has been a while since we got a similar game to Advance Wars. Although, Advance Wars™ 1+2: Re-Boot Camp was supposed to be released this year, but it eventually got delayed to next year.
Wargroove is filled with content, and you can create your own maps with its in-game editor. It has its own campaign with several cast of characters that are unique and have their own personality and motivation. It also strives on having cross-play, so it is a great game to have whether you are in it for competitive or co-op multiplayer.
It received several nominations such as being nominated for Indie Game of the Year. It did win the Best Strategy Game awards from The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards.
6. Into the Breach (Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS)
Into the Breach is an indie game created by Subset Games, which is known for another successful indie game called FTL: Faster than Light.
Visually, it looks unique and simple, but it shines on its gameplay, which seems like they took some inspiration from their previous game as it also features roguelike elements. You have mechs that you can use, and you must defend the cities and islands. Of course, you can upgrade your mech as well to create the best and most powerful one to complete your mission.
If you fail your mission, you can send a pilot to time travel and start all over again, but with your items intact from your previous playthrough.
When it launched, it received several nominations and even won Best Strategy Game, Best Design, and Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year.
Subset Games recently released a big and free update for the game, which adds more mechs and weapons, new challenges, and new abilities for your pilot.
5. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (PSP)/ Reborn (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC)
I included Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together despite being released only for PSP because a remastered version called Tactics Ogre: Reborn will be released on major platforms this November 11, 2022.
This game is one of the pioneers in the genre when it first got released in 1995 for SNES. It is set in the island kingdom of Valeria, which is filled with tension as three factions are trying to be the new dominant faction in the kingdom. Similar to Triangle Story, your choice matters as it will lead you to either Chaotic, Neutral, or Lawful path.
Tactics Ogre is truly a phenomenal game of its time, and I am glad players today will be able to try it with updated visuals.
4. XCOM 2 (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS)
XCOM 2 is a sequel of the beloved reboot XCOM: Enemy Unknown/Within. However, they retconned the first game as the story in this game is that Earth lost against the aliens, and the council and XCOM surrendered to the aliens rather quickly. Fast forward to 20 years when former XCOM agents created a resistance against the aliens and rescued you (the commander) from their hands. It is time to win against aliens.
Firaxis Games listened to their fans when they created XCOM 2, as maps are now procedurally generated, which adds a roguelike element in the game since every map is quite different to each other. Mod support is also added, which gives tons of replayability considering you can get a literal new game just by modding it.
XCOM 2 is a special game that improves on what made the first game great in the first place. It was nominated in multiple awards such as Best Strategy Game and PC Game of the Year.
3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Nintendo Switch)
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is one of the best Nintendo Switch exclusives you will play.
You play as Byleth, a former mercenary turned teacher, and you will be the advisor of any of the three choices. At that point, you already have three paths that you can try for replayability. You have to bond with your students and teach them how to be great students and warriors. I love how there is a time skip in this game, which shows how the students matured over the years, but the continent of Fodlan is in chaos because of war.
There are various things to do such as fishing, planting, teatime with your students, and many more. The side quests really take a lot of your time, which is fine. Also, building a rapport and bonding with your students, and even among themselves would lead to better chemistry and support in battle. It leads to hilarious dialogues between the characters too.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses won Best Strategy Game and Player’s Choice Award at The Game Awards 2019, as well as Strategy Game of the Year at NAVGTR Awards. It is also nominated in various categories, even Nintendo Game of the Year.
2. Divinity: Original Sin II (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, iPadOS)
Divinity: Original Sin II blurred the lines between a computer role-playing game (CRPG) and Strategy RPG, but if I am basing it on the combat system, I would say that this game fits the criteria for being a SRPG.
You can choose from different races, and you can play solo or play with up to three characters in the game. Thus, it can also be a co-op game in multiplayer, which is fun to play with a group of friends. Exploring the world of Rivellon is immersive, you can interact with people, you can even attack NPC folks, and the whole village will be up in arms against you.
Gameplay-wise, it is so deep that it will take you hundreds of hours just mixing and matching skills just to create your ultimate party. You can take advantage of the environment as it can cause various environmental effects that will lead to status effects depending on what you did. It is not a grid-based movement system, but it is turn-based, and you still need to strategize on how to win every encounter.
It is an amazing and beautiful game, especially if you are a fan of Dungeon & Dragons.
1. Final Fantasy Tactics: War of The Lions (PSP, Android, iOS)
For the last game in this list, the most fun tactical RPG is Final Fantasy Tactics: War of The Lions. It has the best storyline in this list. I will even say that it is probably one of the best stories among the Final Fantasy games. It is just that good.
The game is set in the world of Ivalice after dreading the Fifty Years’ War that left the kingdom in shambles. The War of the Lions signifies the conflict of two factions within the kingdom who fought to get the throne after the king died. You play as Ramza, a sellsword who used to be part of the Beoulve family, and it is a journey full of deceits and betrayals that will keep you wanting for more.
The gameplay is remarkably similar to Tactics Ogre, considering it is heavily inspired by it when they developed the PSX version of this game back in 1997. The job system is deep considering each job has its own unique skills and abilities.
Unfortunately, the game is only out for mobile, but if you have a PSP, you may be able to snag a copy somewhere, but it would be expensive. I cannot wait for them to remake or re-release this game on new consoles and even PC.
