Discover the Top Tactical RPGs with Mind-Blowing Non-Linear Story Paths!

Summary

Tactical RPGs with non-linear narratives offer player-driven choices in a variety of settings and themes.
Games like King’s Bounty 2, Fae Tactics, and Battle Brothers showcase diverse approaches to tactical gameplay and storytelling.
Wildermyth stands out with its class-based characters, varied combat, and procedurally generated campaigns for replayability.

Lately, there’s been a revival in the popularity of Tactical Role Playing Games (TRPGs), as series like Fire Emblem are making strong comebacks, and numerous independent games resemble classics such as Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. However, it’s common to find that these games come with a linear narrative. Although they may offer open-ended campaigns, the missions usually guide players along a predetermined storyline.

Many strategies role-playing games (Tactics RPGs) have chosen an unconventional method for their storytelling and gameplay, deviating from traditional linear Japanese RPG structures. From tabletop-style campaigns to open-world survival narratives driven by the player, there are Tactics RPGs that offer unique spins on the genre. Here are some standout tactical RPGs featuring non-linear story arcs.

1. King’s Bounty 2

Reviving A Classic

Originally released in the ’90s, “King’s Bounty,” a grid-based role-playing game, is frequently credited as the game that sparked the creation of the “Heroes of Might & Magic” series. Although subsequent games were launched within the series, they never quite matched the fame achieved by the original series they emulated. In 2021, an effort was made to revitalize the tactical RPG franchise with “King’s Bounty 2.”

Characters assume the job of a savior in this game. Suddenly finding themselves leading armies on behalf of their kingdom, they must fend off waves of monsters, all while navigating a fragmented society where every other nation could either be an adversary or an ally. The game preserves the grid-based tactical RPG combat it is recognized for, but also introduces third-person open-world exploration. This feature enhances the non-linear storyline and promotes free-form adventuring, although it may appear somewhat elementary at times.

2. Expeditions: Viking

Lost Vikings

Expeditions: Viking infuses a genuine historical ambiance into the Tactics Role-Playing Game genre. In this title, players assume the role of a Viking chieftain, guiding their clan through raids, constructing their settlement, forging alliances, and overseeing their troops. The strategic grid-based combats are well-executed; they’re based on authentic combat, so there are no eye-catching special abilities or magic, but they’re not the main attraction of the game.

Players are given the freedom to roam and plunder or negotiate throughout Brittania while constructing their Norse settlement. This includes forming alliances or confrontations with the land’s factions, such as the Picts or the Angles. This introduces an open-ended, player-driven aspect to each campaign, as the decisions a player makes shape their unique narrative and ultimately decide the outcome of their campaign.

3. Fae Tactics

Player-driven Tactics JRPG

Released: July 31, 2020
Developer: Endlessfluff Games

Fae Tactics adheres to the JRPG-style aesthetics common in many strategy RPG franchises, yet it carves its unique path with a narrative structure that players can tackle in any sequence. The game’s central idea is the merging of magical and human realms due to an unprecedented event, causing strife for both worlds. Disputes have emerged among human factions and supernatural creatures as they’ve been compelled to coexist.

In this game, you assume the character of a youthful enchantress, navigating through a kaleidoscopic world filled with both fantastical creatures and human companions. Together, you work to resolve conflicts and challenges that arise. The open-world setting allows for flexibility in exploring regions and their associated problems at your own pace.

The game’s art style is rich and lively, offering numerous opportunities to tailor the abilities of your allies during battle. What sets this turn-based combat apart from many strategy RPGs is its menu-less system, which gives battles a more interactive feel.

4. Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood Of Steel

Plenty Of Choices To Be Made

In contrast to both the original isometric RPGs in the Fallout series and their first-person sequels, Fallout Tactics stands out by implementing a tactical squad-based RPG system. Although it diminishes some complex NPC interactions and lengthy dialogues found in other Fallout games, it provides players with options to decide on actions and mission resolutions. The game keeps track of karma over time, which impacts the final outcome as well as the player’s endgame decisions.

In this team-focused game, decisions matter significantly, and you have three distinct methods to play. The first is a simultaneous turn approach, where all teams act at once. Secondly, there’s a tactical squad turn mode, where each team takes turns acting sequentially. Lastly, for those who prefer a more strategic pace, there’s a full turn-based system similar to the strategy found in games like Fallout. Although it leans towards a more structured narrative compared to the main Fallout games, there’s still plenty of room for you to make tactical decisions in this role-playing game.

5. Battle Brothers

Deceptively Brutal

In the game Battle Brothers, while the visual models and environments might appear straightforward, the complexity of its strategic combat and expansive procedurally generated campaigns is hard to match. As a player, you assume the role of a mercenary company commander, responsible for providing your troops, directing their tactical engagements, and leading them in the exploration of an open world.

For those unfamiliar with the game, the campaign structure is reminiscent of the Mount & Blade series, where players traverse the map to engage in battles, gather loot, trade goods, and recruit new members. The battle system operates on a turn-based mechanic, incorporating grid movement, making range and line of sight crucial factors for combat success. Mastering the placement of your mercenaries is vital for tactical victory.

In “Battle Brothers” game, as the player’s influence expands across the campaign, challenging late-game scenarios emerge such as full-scale conflicts between territories or menacing green-skinned armies advancing. The rich tactical options and diverse campaign experiences make it an engaging and repeatable strategy RPG.

6. Wartales

Tell Your Own Tale

Wartales is a tactical RPG set in a dimly themed world, where players guide a group of mercenaries through a morally ambiguous universe. Similar to Battle Brothers, it allows players to construct and outfit their own mercenary company, but unlike the latter, which veers towards whimsy and humor, Wartales emphasizes the gritty, realistic aspects of its fantasy setting.

In Wartales, the game doesn’t have a stern or somber tone. Instead, there’s a good balance between strategic turn-based battles and moments spent in your band of mercenaries’ camp, where you can interact with their unique personalities. There’s even a hint of dry wit that might cause a chuckle. The main focus of the game is nurturing this company of mercenaries and watching it flourish, while players will create their own captivating stories throughout the journey.

7. Wildermyth

Non-linear To The Extreme

In the game Wildermyth, a seemingly straightforward character system based on classes leads to tactical RPG battles during its procedurally generated campaigns across different playthroughs. The roles of characters primarily fall into melee, ranger, and mage categories, but the ways players can evolve within a campaign offer extensive variety, making each run feel distinct, despite the initial impression of limitations.

The primary reason for this is the game’s approach to its storylines and character advancement. In Wildermyth, the narrative unfolds similarly to a board game, with the characters finding themselves in randomly generated situations throughout their journey, where the player’s decisions significantly impact the direction and outcome of these scenarios.

As I delve deeper into this captivating game, I find myself uncovering patterns in the scenarios, yet each playthrough presents new choices that keep me hooked. The thrill of discovering the lasting impacts of my decisions on my characters is exhilarating. Plus, inviting friends to join and control distinct characters elevates the experience, making every choice more meaningful and the consequences more profound.

2025-02-16 04:35