Best RPGs That Reinvented Tactical Combat

Summary

Tactical RPGs evolved from simple grid-based combat seen in Chess or Checkers.
Innovations like card-based stealth in Metal Gear Acid or mech customization in Front Mission were game-changers.
Games like Valkyria Chronicles pushed RPG innovation by offering unique class-based combat.

Initially, Role-Playing Games with Tactical elements (Tactical RPGs) were based on straightforward grid-based combats. This genre was intuitively graspable for those who had experience playing traditional board games such as Chess or Checkers, thanks to the similarity in the mechanics. To interact, you would click on a character and then move them within defined squares, attacking enemies that were close by if they happened to be nearby.

A standout initial instance is the first “Fire Emblem” game on the Family Computer (Famicom), which was essentially the NES in Japan. Over time, the Tactical Role-Playing Game (TRPG) genre has significantly advanced from the NES era. Although grid-based combat remains a staple in TRPGs, it too has progressed over the years. Let’s evaluate the most groundbreaking advancements in TRPG combat mechanics, considering the degree of novelty, regardless of whether or not others later adopted the same ideas.

Metal Gear Acid

Card-Based Stealth

Metal Gear initially revolutionized the stealth genre for the NES. Its subsequent spinoff, Metal Gear Acid, blended grid-based strategies, card accumulation, and stealth into a unique gaming experience on the PSP. In this game, players were able to gather cards, enabling them to maneuver Snake and his companion across mission maps.

Cards can be concealed, used for assaults on opponents, offer power-ups through items, and more. Although it may seem peculiar and take some getting used to, stealth proved effective in strategic gameplay. Since the Metal Gear Acid sequel, no one has attempted to merge these three robust genres again, which is unfortunate, but there have been other tactical stealth games developed since then.

Front Mission

Mech RPG Origins

Back in the good old days, playing Front Mission on my trusty SNES was an unforgettable experience for me as a fan – one of the earliest and finest role-playing games that combined tactical strategy with mechs. Unfortunately, us western enthusiasts had to wait until the third main installment graced the PS1 before getting our hands on a Front Mission title. Fast forward to 2007, and we finally received a remastered version of this original gem for the DS. What truly makes this game unique is that players can customize each key party member’s Wanzer – from swapping out legs to upgrading weapons.

In the heat of combat, players maneuver and engage in battle on a grid-style map. However, the objective isn’t solely focused on defeating an opponent’s mech to emerge victorious. Instead, specific components of each mech are targeted randomly, and their destruction can significantly impact the course of battle. For instance, if a unit’s arm is destroyed, it will be unable to attack. Although this game series hasn’t achieved the level of notoriety as a renowned title like Final Fantasy Tactics, it does have its dedicated fan base.

Disgaea: Hour Of Darkness

Pass Party Members Around Like Candy

Disgaea: Hour of Darkness might appear as a typical grid-based tactical role-playing game from the PS2 era, but it offers a more intricate strategic experience than meets the eye. In this game, strategy isn’t just about battling enemies; it also involves considering the terrain, which can significantly impact factors such as defense and attack power. What sets Disgaea apart even further is its unique feature that allows characters to pick up allies or foes and hurl them across the battlefield.

Characters in the game can be supported by any nearby allies during an attack, reminiscent of over-the-top scenes you’d find in anime cutscenes. Additionally, each character’s equipment can be enhanced within different realms. The Disgaea series and Nippon Ichi Software (NIS) have a unique style that leans heavily into quirky tactics, and they continue to innovate without slowing down. There’s a lot to explore and understand about these games!

The Banner Saga

An Episodic Journey

The adventure known as “The Banner Saga” commenced in the year 2014, and after unfolding across three installments, concluded its grand narrative in 2018. Drawing inspiration from Norse mythology, this tale follows a band of individuals and supernatural entities fleeing an evil presence. In essence, it bears resemblance to “Final Fantasy Tactics” with its grid-based terrain, featuring straightforward combat similarities and an added touch reminiscent of “The Oregon Trail“.

In each skirmish, the stakes seem higher than ever due to the permanent death mechanic. The Banner Saga may not have originated this feature, but it certainly reshaped the gaming experience by making character deaths meaningful in the narrative. It’s a tactical RPG that requires a greater degree of patience than other games.

Project X Zone

Tactical Fighters

Project X Zone features a colossal role-playing game (RPG) design, where characters hailing from various Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Sega series join forces. Typically, these characters appear in duos, such as Chris and Jill from the Resident Evil series, traversing a grid-like map. When battle commences, each character showcases multiple actions that deplete a point counter.

Players have the ability to create combinations, much like in a fighting game, which adds an entertaining and distinct twist to each encounter. Unfortunately, both games for the 3DS haven’t been transferred to other platforms yet. Essentially, _Project X Zone_ was designed based on the blueprint of _Namco x Capcom_, a PS2 game exclusive to Japan, but _Project X Zone_ offers a more polished experience.

Unicorn Overlord

Taking Tactics Into The Open-World

Vanillaware stands out by always striving to create unique Role-Playing Games (RPGs) instead of repeating the same one repeatedly. Their latest creation, Unicorn Overlord, combines elements of tactical RPGs and Real-Time Strategy Games (RTS). During battles, characters can be programmed to move on the map autonomously.

When they encounter the enemy, the combat ensues automatically, yet players have the option to strategize their squad’s actions beforehand. The overworld stands out as a unique feature, providing an expansive, open-gameplay area separate from battles, though on a more compact scale. In this zone, players can search for resources, take up side missions, or encounter random foes, leading to a tactical skirmish.

Valkyria Chronicles

Where Are The Copycats?

Valkyria Chronicles could arguably represent one of the most groundbreaking RPG creations on PlayStation 3, whether it’s tactical or otherwise. The game allows players to construct a team consisting of characters classified within familiar military roles such as medics, armored combatants, and marksmen. Each character has an energy gauge, enabling them to move freely across the battlefield, provided they have enough energy, symbolically speaking.

In these main games, enemies can attack at will while characters roam about, but time comes to a halt whenever players decide to aim their weapons at an adversary. This gameplay mechanic is consistent across all four titles and effectively immerses players in a war-like setting, heightening the tension. It’s astonishing that other tactical RPGs haven’t adopted parts of this intricate system.

2025-08-30 10:35