Best Tactical JRPGs That Are Not Part Of A Franchise

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Summary

  • ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat is a hidden gem JRPG with a unique tactical experience on the DS.
  • Bahamut Lagoon offers a linear tactical RPG with powerful dragon allies in a turn-based layout.
  • Children of Zodiarcs emphasizes dice rolls, card selection, and challenging gameplay.

As a seasoned tactical RPG enthusiast, I must say that these games from the past truly transported me back to my youth when I was engrossed in strategic gameplay and captivating storylines. From the mystical lands of Kartia: The Word of Fate to the suspense-filled Lost Dimension, each title offered a unique twist on the genre that left an indelible mark on my gaming memories.

For enthusiasts of Tactical Role-Playing Games (TRPG), there’s an abundance of options to explore, spanning multiple gaming consoles, such as the Steam Deck. Over the past decade, Nintendo has significantly strengthened its tactical portfolio with their popular series, Fire Emblem. Meanwhile, PlayStation gamers have encountered a diverse range of titles like Final Fantasy Tactics and several instalments from the Disgaea franchise.

While many tactical RPG series have produced multiple sequels or even spin-offs, not all have been so fortunate. The games mentioned here, however, aren’t connected to any prior franchise and therefore have only one game in their respective series. For instance, although there was just a single release of “Pokemon Conquest,” it is linked to the larger “Pokemon” and “Nobunaga’s Ambition” franchises, so it doesn’t count for this discussion. However, here are some excellent examples that do qualify:

7. ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat

A Lost Mistwalker Gem

  • Developers: Mistwalker, Racjin
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Platform: DS
  • Released: October 4, 2007

One of the rare games created by Mistwalker that didn’t officially launch in the Western world is known as “ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat.” This game falls under the tactical RPG genre and stands independently from any other projects by Hironobu Sakaguchi, a key figure who also contributed to the creation of “Final Fantasy” within Square Enix.

In this game, characters will navigate a grid as seen in many strategic RPGs. However, when combat occurs, the action switches to turn-based battles, similar to “Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor,” which was also released in North America. If you’re intrigued, there have been attempts at creating an English fan translation for “ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat.” It’s worth checking out this tactical experience on the DS for a unique gaming adventure.

6. Bahamut Lagoon

The King Of Tactical Dragons

Many devoted Square Enix enthusiasts recognize Bahamut as a Summon in the popular “Final Fantasy” series. However, during the golden era of the SNES, they had an entirely different vision for The King of Dragons. Contrary to popular belief, the game “Bahamut Lagoon” was not connected to the “Final Fantasy” franchise at all. Instead, it was a tactical role-playing game that followed a linear structure, allowing players to move their Hero units across a grid-based map.

In combat situations, the battlefield would often transition into a conventional sequence where each side takes turns to act. Accompanying heroes might be a group of soldiers organized into different classes, and sometimes even formidable dragon companions. Magic could be employed both on the field and prior to entering the turn-based skirmishes.

5. Children Of Zodiarcs

Roll The Dice

  • Developer: Cardboard Utopia
  • Publisher: Square Enix
  • Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
  • Released: July 18, 2017 (NA)

In the mid-2010s, Square Enix began supporting independent projects under their Square Enix Collective label. One such project was “Children of Zodiarcs”, developed by Montreal-based studio Cardboard Utopia for Square Enix. This game, while still following the framework of a Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG), takes inspiration from classic tactical games, features no voice acting, and puts significant focus on dice mechanics.

As a passionate enthusiast, I can attest that every move I make in this captivating game relies on the roll of the dice, which can amplify my attack strength, bestow advantages, and sharpen my accuracy. Additionally, the strategic aspect isn’t lost on card selection either, making mastery of this game a challenging yet rewarding journey.

4. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.

A Folklore X-Com

Known for its expertise in developing tactical role-playing games, particularly the Fire Emblem series, Intelligent Systems has also ventured into a slightly distinct genre with Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. The gameplay resembles that of the X-Com franchise more closely. In contrast to its typical lineup, this game features characters inspired by folklore and classic literature such as The Lion from The Wizard of Oz.

In an alternate reality, Earth is being invaded by extraterrestrial beings. President Abraham Lincoln heads a covert agency, determined to thwart these supernatural perils. The characters in this scenario traverse and act using steam power, with each turn. Any remaining steam can enable the characters to counterattack when enemies make a move. Regrettably, despite their past successes, the game development studio Intelligent Systems did not receive another project to create.

3. Jeanne d’Arc

A Magical Reimagining Of A Classic War

Jeanne d’Arc, developed by Level-5 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), was an exceptional game that presented a unique take on historical events involving Joan of Arc. The storyline featured a blend of reality and fantasy, where the European setting was imbued with magical elements and inhabited by talking animals.

In these strategic contests, characters navigated through conventional hexagonal or square maps, allowing them to move and engage enemies. The unique feature centered around magical charms that would boost specific characters’ abilities, similar to the transformation sequences in Power Rangers, thus setting it apart from other tactical role-playing games during its era.

2. Kartia: The Word Of Fate

A More Demonic Pokemon Tactics

The game titled “Kartia: The Word of Fate” was created by Atlus, and it boasted some well-known figures within the industry. Kouji Okada, who had previously overseen production and direction for numerous “Shin Megami Tensei” games, served as the producer. Additionally, Yoshitaka Amano, known for his concept art contributions to the “Final Fantasy” series since its inception, was responsible for the game’s artwork.

In this game, battles took place on maps divided into grids, but instead of the main characters engaging in combat directly, they could summon hordes of monsters for assistance. This added a real-time strategy (RTS) aspect to the gameplay, which is not commonly found in tactical RPGs. It’s unfortunate that this unique title was exclusive to the PlayStation 1.

1. Lost Dimension

There’s A Traitor In Your Midst

  • Developer: Lancarse
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Platform: PS3, PS Vita
  • Released: July 28, 2015 (NA)

In a nutshell, “Lost Dimension” was crafted by Lancarse, a team that collaborated with Atlus on multiple ventures, such as the initial two installments of the “Etrian Odyssey” series. This tactical role-playing game deviates from the norm by not using a grid system for movement; instead, players are granted the freedom to roam around during their turns before executing actions.

The game revolves around an elite team of psychics, dispatched to thwart a band of terrorists. However, there’s a catch: as you advance, you must uncover the identity of the traitor within their ranks, who works for the terrorist group. Each playthrough yields different outcomes, making it similar to a blend of Among Us and Valkyria Chronicles. In essence, that’s the gist of it.

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2024-12-22 12:34