Best RPGs Featuring Warring Kingdoms, Ranked

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Summary

  • Video games have showcased warring factions authentically, offering exciting experiences for players firsthand.
  • Some games integrate war as a background, while others make it a central gameplay feature; each offering a unique approach.
  • Games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Fire Emblem, and Triangle Strategy exemplify engaging storytelling and strategic gameplay in the war genre.

When Game of Thrones debuted in the late 2000s, it revolutionized television by presenting a captivating portrayal of multiple factions, nations, and kingdoms engaged in intense conflict. What made this series particularly enthralling was the suspense that any main character could meet an untimely end. Prior to Game of Thrones, video games had already established similar scenarios, but the excitement lay in the fact that players were directly immersed in these experiences.

In some games, the narrative is set against a backdrop of conflict, whereas others fully immerse players in the concept. There’s no shortage of contemporary instances to explore, so let’s examine the most impressive ones and evaluate their performance across various aspects such as storytelling and game mechanics.

7. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Resurrecting The Dead To Find An Endless War

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the game in the series where a massive conflict unfolds. The story takes place between the nations of Keves and Agnus, who have been engaged in an unending war for quite some time. What’s unique about this war is that it’s not just a physical battle; when soldiers from either side perish on the field, they are cloned back to life, creating a cycle that feels almost eternal.

Over time, groups within the respective nations, headed by Noah and Mio, gradually expose the truth and attempt to resist the hidden organization, Ouroboros, which pulls the strings on both sides. Although there are conflicts, they don’t escalate into grand battles, making Xenoblade Chronicles 3 a game that demonstrates this situation without being an active representation of it.

6. Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War

A Musou Breaks Out In Europe

  • Released: August 30, 2007
  • Developer: Omega Force
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Many enthusiasts of Musou games likely recognize titles like “Dynasty Warriors” or “Samurai Warriors,” given that Koei Tecmo and Omega Force have contributed numerous installments to these series. However, “Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War” is a less remembered spin-off that centers around the historical conflict between England and France, known as the Hundred Years’ War. Unlike its counterparts, this game offers a more complex gameplay experience, allowing players to command squads of soldiers and strategically navigate the battlefield, in addition to the traditional hack-and-slash action.

Among numerous Musou games available, this particular game offers players an immersive war experience because it’s not solely about one character but rather involves thousands of troops. To highlight, Bladestorm: Nightmare, which is a combination of remaster and sequel, stands out as it provides a more intense war experience.

5. Final Fantasy 16

Betrayal From Within

In the entire series, Final Fantasy 16 carries the strongest resemblance to the world of Game of Thrones. It features numerous warring factions, each seeking power, with the story starting off in The Grand Duchy of Rosaria, The Crystalline Dominion, The Holy Empire of Sanbreque, The Dhalmekian Republic, The Kingdom of Waloed, and The Iron Kingdom, all maintaining a semblance of honor.

Later on, the peaceful Grand Duchy of Rosaria experiences an internal betrayal, leading to an attack that sets the story into high gear. Our protagonist, Clive, is driven by a thirst for vengeance against those who orchestrated this tragedy. Tragically, his brother, Joshua, perishes during the conflict. The remainder of the game revolves around Clive’s journey to redeem himself, using his Ifrit powers to exact revenge and free other lands from tyranny and corruption.

4. Suikoden

Building An Army From Scratch

The initial two games of “Suikoden” serve as excellent representations of the PS1. Right from the start, “Suikoden” enables players to instigate a rebellion within the Liberation Army. Initially, they have few allies and their stronghold is almost devoid of resources. Throughout the game, players can amass more than a hundred characters to deploy in battles or assign them roles at the base such as shopkeepers or innkeepers.

The majority of this game follows traditional role-playing mechanics with a turn-based system. However, there are instances where players engage in massive battles against countless Imperial Army soldiers. It’s crucial to make strategic decisions during these conflicts, as a single misstep could result in permanent character death, making the tension quite intense.

3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

From School Brawls To Continental Wars

Each game within the Fire Emblem series revolves around multiple kingdoms at war in one way or another. Fire Emblem: Three Houses stands out as it offers a rich array of decision-making opportunities for players. This particular installment commences at a military academy where the protagonist, Byleth, can ally with Claude from the Golden Deer and Leicester Alliance, Dimitri from the Blue Lions and the Kingdom of Faerghus, or Edelgard from the Black Eagles who represents the Adrestian Empire.

The choice of allegiance among students during the school setting will shape the course of events, as it will lead to a conflict resembling war among the three countries at a later stage. Notably, some battlefields may involve players engaging in combat on both sides, an unusual aspect for this series. Additionally, the game features intricate branching storylines.

2. Triangle Strategy

A War Over Salt

The game titled “Triangle Strategy” is another tactical RPG in which you begin as the House Wolffort, a neutral party, mediating a salt mining agreement among various nations. However, this accord eventually falls apart, leading to war amongst the Kingdom of Glenbrook, the Grand Duchy of Aesfrost, and the Holy State of Hyzante. As the new leader of House Wolffort, Serenoa, you’ll decide which faction to ally with and make crucial decisions during key moments of the storyline.

As a devoted fan, I must share my excitement about an extraordinary experience that surpasses even the strategic depth and intricate storytelling of “Fire Emblem: Three Houses”. In this unique narrative, your choices and actions shape not only the outcome but also unveil a grand mastermind behind it all. The characters you encounter along the way are as engaging as they are diverse, making each recruit a valuable addition to your skirmishes.

1. Unicorn Overlord

Bow Down Before Vanillaware’s Freedom Fighter

The game, titled “Unicorn Overlord,” seamlessly blends warfare into its narrative and gameplay. Initially, we see Queen Ilenia ruling over a kingdom, and her son, Alain, manages to flee for survival. Fast-forwarding ten years, the Zenoirian Empire has almost completely conquered the world, controlling territories such as Drakenhold, Elheim, Bastorias, and Albion. Throughout his journey, Alain gathers allies to restore the glory of his fallen kingdom and aid in freeing the rest of the world from the Empire’s control.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’d express it like this: “I’m captivated by ‘Unicorn Overlord,’ a game that masterfully blends tactical RPG and real-time strategy elements. In the heat of battle, I assemble my squads, and when we step onto the field, the action unfolds automatically. It’s an audacious endeavor from Vanillaware, offering a grim portrayal of war while also delivering a powerful message about unity through diversity.

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2025-01-12 15:35