Tactical RPGs, also known as strategy role-playing games, are a unique subgenre that combines the strategic depth of traditional board games with the immersive storytelling of role-playing games. Unlike typical RPGs, where players focus on character progression and exploration, tactical RPGs emphasize thoughtful planning, positioning, and turn-based combat to achieve victory.
In this complete guide, we’ll delve into the rich history of tactical RPGs, explore their defining gameplay mechanics, and highlight some of the most iconic titles that have shaped the genre.
What Defines A Tactical RPG?
A tactical RPG (Role-Playing Game) is a subgenre of RPGs that emphasizes strategy, careful planning, and turn-based combat.
This is what defines a tactical RPG:
Turn-Based Combat
In tactical RPGs, battles are typically turn-based, meaning players and their opponents take turns to move and perform actions. This setup allows for thoughtful decision-making, as players can plan their moves in advance without the pressure of real-time action.
Grid-Based Movement
Tactical RPGs often feature a grid or tile-based map on which characters move. Each character’s movement range and positioning are crucial, as the terrain and placement of units can significantly impact the outcome of a battle.
Strategic Depth
Players must consider various factors, such as unit positioning, enemy weaknesses, terrain advantages, and resource management. Success in tactical RPGs often depends on the player’s ability to think several steps ahead and anticipate the enemy’s actions.
Character Development
Like other RPGs, tactical RPGs allow players to develop their characters over time. This usually involves leveling up, selecting skills or abilities, and equipping items. However, in tactical RPGs, character development is often closely tied to their role in combat, with different classes or jobs offering distinct tactical advantages.
Story-Driven Gameplay
Tactical RPGs typically have a strong narrative component, with a storyline that unfolds between battles. The story is often rich and complex, driving the player’s progression and providing context for the tactical challenges they face.
Resource Management
Players must manage various resources, such as health, mana, equipment, and even the number of units in their party. Effective resource management is essential for success, as poor decisions can lead to unfavorable outcomes in battle.
Permadeath Or Permanent Consequences
Some tactical RPGs incorporate permadeath, where characters who fall in battle are permanently lost. This adds an additional layer of strategy, as players must weigh the risks of their actions carefully. Even in games without permadeath, there are often lasting consequences for mistakes made during combat.
Team-Based Combat
Rather than controlling a single character, players usually command a team of units. Each unit has unique abilities and roles, and players must coordinate their team’s efforts to achieve victory.
Top 5 Tactical RPG Games You Shouldn’t Miss
These are the top 5 tactical RPG games that every fan of the genre should explore, complete with details on their platforms, pricing, and key features:
1. XCOM 2
XCOM 2 is a standout tactical RPG available on PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. This paid game is renowned for its deep turn-based combat, where players lead a squad of soldiers in a desperate fight against an alien invasion.
One of the defining features of XCOM 2 is permadeath; if a soldier dies in combat, they are gone for good, which adds significant weight to every decision. Beyond the battlefield, players must also manage their base, research new technologies, and upgrade their troops to better face the alien threat.
On PC, XCOM 2 offers extensive mod support, allowing for a highly customizable gameplay experience. The game also features a multiplayer mode where players can compete against each other with their squads, adding an additional layer of strategic depth.
2. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a highly acclaimed tactical RPG exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. This paid game is set in a medieval fantasy world where players assume the role of a professor guiding students both in battle and through their education.
The game’s story-driven gameplay is one of its main attractions, featuring deep character relationships and branching storylines that evolve based on the player’s decisions. On the battlefield, Fire Emblem: Three Houses employs a grid-based system that requires careful positioning of units, taking into account terrain and enemy placements.
3. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an exceptional tactical RPG available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and macOS.
This paid game is highly praised for its rich narrative, extensive character customization, and deep tactical combat system. Set in a fantasy world filled with magic and intrigue, the game allows players to control a party of characters, each with unique abilities and backgrounds.
The combat in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is turn-based, with a focus on environmental interactions—players can use the environment to their advantage by creating hazards like fire or poison.
The game also offers cooperative multiplayer, allowing up to four players to join forces and tackle the campaign together. Additionally, the Game Master mode enables players to create their own campaigns, further extending the game’s replayability.
4. Into the Breach
Into the Breach is a critically acclaimed tactical RPG available on PC, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch. Unlike many other games in the genre, Into the Breach is relatively minimalist in its approach but packs a significant strategic punch.
This paid game is set in a future where players control squads of mechs to defend humanity from giant alien creatures. The game features turn-based combat on small, grid-based maps where every move counts.
A unique aspect of Into the Breach is its predictability—players are shown exactly what the enemy will do on their next turn, allowing for highly strategic planning. The game’s pixel-art style and simple yet challenging mechanics make it an accessible entry point for newcomers to tactical RPGs, while still offering depth and replayability for veterans.
5. The Banner Saga
The Banner Saga is a visually stunning tactical RPG available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
This paid game is set in a Norse-inspired world, where players lead a caravan of characters through a harsh, war-torn landscape. The Banner Saga combines tactical turn-based combat with a rich narrative that is deeply influenced by player choices.
The game’s art style, inspired by classic animation, and its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack create an immersive experience. In combat, players must carefully manage their units, considering both strength and armor as they position their characters on a grid-based battlefield.
Decisions made off the battlefield, such as how to manage resources and interact with other characters, have significant impacts on the story and the survival of the caravan. The Banner Saga’s blend of tactical gameplay and storytelling has made it a favorite among fans of the genre.
Is Final Fantasy A Tactical RPG?
The Final Fantasy series, as a whole, is not generally classified as a tactical RPG. Most games in the series are traditional JRPGs (Japanese Role-Playing Games) that focus on turn-based or real-time combat, character development, and narrative-driven gameplay without the grid-based, tactical elements typically found in tactical RPGs.
However, one notable exception is Final Fantasy Tactics. Released originally on the PlayStation in 1997, it is a tactical RPG that diverges from the main series’ gameplay.
In Final Fantasy Tactics, players control a group of characters on a grid-based battlefield, where strategic positioning and careful planning are essential for success. The game incorporates deep job systems and character progression, which are hallmarks of the broader Final Fantasy series, but with a much stronger focus on tactical, turn-based combat.
The Importance of Avoiding Lag in Tactical RPGs
In tactical RPGs, every move and decision counts, and even a slight delay can disrupt your strategy, leading to costly mistakes in critical moments.
Lag can be particularly detrimental in these games, where precise timing and careful planning are essential to success. To ensure smooth gameplay and avoid the frustrations of lag, using tools like ExitLag can be incredibly beneficial.
ExitLag optimizes your internet connection by reducing latency and improving stability, which is crucial when playing online tactical RPGs or any game where timing is key. By minimizing lag, you can fully immerse yourself in the strategic depth of tactical RPGs without the hindrance of connectivity issues.
