Tactical RPGs
 

As some of you may already know, I'm a major Turn Based Strategy RPG fan. I think it's a vastly superior genre in gaming, and I'm glad that it's finally getting the attention it deserves (as well as the games) over here in the states.

I'm currently playing Arc the Lad, and even it's simplified approach to the standard grid system, it's still a lot more enjoyable and challenging than most RPGs. Why? Because ever move you need to think out, plan ahead, and act on accordingly, to cause the most damage while minimizing the damage to your own party.

My question is: What experience do you have with the genre? What games would you recommend to others (Let's just assume that Disgaea and Final Fantasy Tactics have already been recommended to everyone, because they have)? Your favorite game? Are there any you're looking forward to?

.... I must say that I'm looking forward to Growlanser Generations, which is a box set of Growlanser II and III being brought over by Working Designs. And yes, I do plan on getting the $89.99 deluxe pack for it (yes, I'm that much of an addict).

So, have at it guys, and as always, have fun and keep it clean.

Well, I've never really gotten into turned based tactical games. Turned based games are slow, and strategy games are slow. Slow + slow= REALY SLOW! I'm not really that kinda gamer. But if something really revolutionary came out I might try it. The one exception to this is the Heroes of might and magic series. I love it, even though I suck at it (which is another reason I don't like turn based strategy rpg's)

Well, one of the first RPGs I ever played on an electronic platform - Ultima IV - had tern-based tactical combat. And then I played Ultima V and the Gold Box games which also feature such a system. Though I wouldn't call them tactical RPGs as such. Still, I've always liked that style of combat.

A bit later I played the two Shining Force games on the Genesis, and loved them of course. I also played games like Jagged Alliance that blended the turn-based strategy and RPG genres. Then I picked up Vandal Hearts for the PS1, which was the first tactical RPG available over here for the system, and had a blast.

I've just recently picked up a copy of Silent Storm, a turn-based strategy title with RPG elements, and I plan to play it in the next day or two.

i liked warlords... Perhaps because the heroes developed in game... also birthright: gorgons alliance seemed good but i only have found demo of it...

Stopped after I read "I think it's a vastly superior genre in gaming..." because I knew alredy that I would feel there's other types of games just as good as it and not need to express myself.

The one problem I keep having with this genre is that it's really difficult to level your characters and keep them alive in later battles. It seems that no matter what I do with my group, no matter what tactics I use that by all means should work, they end up getting annihilated because they can't level. Mostly because any levels I go back to for the purpose of levelling has enemies that are harder to kill then the damn bosses! So what's wrong with me? Am I not looking into some subtle strategies or something? Because I liked Disgaea's writing, but I'm getting fed up with getting killed every other battle.

Disgea? That games incredibly easy, in my experience.

Are you at least leveling up your weapons? And are you using a bunch of the lowest level extra characters, because they just suck. You need to save up points till you can buy the mid and upper mid level classes and characters before the game suddenly becomes really easy.

Another trick, if your far enough, is to get to the level with the invulnerable map (except one tile). Throw all of the enemies on top of each other, and throw that new level 300+ enemy (you can get it into the 1000s with Harder enemies on) onto the non invuln tile and surround it. Beat the hell out of the thing, and watch your character's level skyrocket. It's only really effective a few times though, but it's a good way (with combos so you split xp) to level up low level characters quickly.

Tactical RPG's I've played that I loved:
FFT
Disgaea

Tactical RPG's I've played that I enjoyed:
The Arc the Lad series
Fire Emblem
Shining Force

Tactical RPG's I've played that I...feel negative towards:
FFTA
Vandal Hearts
That...Kinetica...thing
Ogre Battle 64....what?

That's about all I've played. I don't play too many of these games.

OH! I loves em I loves em I loves them!

Front Mission 3 is probably my favorite, its kind of light on the RPG side...very light in fact...but its got giant robots!

Fire Emblem, Silent Storm, Tactics Ogre, all that good stuff. i've yet to play Diseaga, or whatver, but it looks hella cool.

Kenryoku, I stated that only as my opinion, and I really didn't harp on it. If you had actually read further, you would have seen I created this thread for the discussion of the games in the genre and for recommendations, NOT why it's superior. Really, if you didn't have anything to add to the conversation other than that, it probably would have been better if you just didn't post at all, okay? I don't mean to sound harsh, but, really, there was no need to post that.

Anyway, back on topic, I too was sorely disappointed by Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced. It's like the took everything that made the original great (awesome story, charge time adding for a even greater strategic element, zodiac and gender compatibilities, and the Brave and Faith stats), removed them, and gave a crappy, watered down verison out to the public. And I can see the potential behind the law system, but mopst of the laws are just plain stupid and annoying, and it really got in the way more than added any challenge. Plus, what the hell was up with the way abilites were learned? I mean, it worked well in FF9, but it really doesn't work for FFTA at all.