Best Tactical RPGs With Deep Character Customization, Ranked

Role-playing games, or RPGs, started with tabletop games and war games, so thinking strategically has always been a key part of what makes them fun. While RPGs have changed over time, some – known as tactical RPGs – still focus on challenging, strategic battles, staying true to the genre’s roots.

Okay, so tactical RPGs aren’t always the most talked-about games these days, with everyone focusing on action or classic JRPGs. But honestly, when a good one hits, it really hits. If you’re the type of player who loves to carefully control a big group and really strategize, these games can suck you in for hours! New releases are kinda rare, so I always get excited when one comes out – we should definitely appreciate them.

Honorable Mentions:

There are many great tactical RPGs, and the following games could easily be somebody’s favorites.

Arcadian Atlas
Battle Brothers
Blackguards 2
Children of Zodiarcs
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark
Jeanne d’Arc
Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga
Valkyria Chronicles (All of them, really, but 1 and 4 are the best)

9. Shadowrun: Dragonfall

The Cyberpunk Fantastical

Thanks to the recent surge in popularity of Dungeons & Dragons and the massive success of Baldur’s Gate 3, many believe it’s only a matter of time before Shadowrun gets its moment to shine. Shadowrun is a unique and compelling franchise, blending the worlds of cyberpunk and fantasy, and offering a rich experience for tabletop role-playing game fans.

Shadowrun Dragonfall delivers a fantastic RPG story and challenging, strategic combat that really makes you think about how you build your character. It’s a great game that combines the best of both storytelling and gameplay, and it’s also an excellent way to get into the Shadowrun universe, even if you’re new to it.

8. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Study For The Academy

The Fire Emblem series is now the leading tactical RPG (TRPG) available, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses has only strengthened its position. The game features the challenging, strategic battles and permanent character death that Fire Emblem is known for, though players can choose to disable the permadeath feature if they prefer a more forgiving experience.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses offers a deeply customizable experience. You can fine-tune characters and their abilities, but what truly sets it apart is how the game’s story changes based on your choices, creating a unique playthrough each time. With elements of romance, well-developed characters, and visual novel-style storytelling, Fire Emblem: Three Houses feels like a complete and satisfying game.

7. Final Fantasy Tactics

The OG Still Has It

Honestly, a lot of newer tactical RPGs are great, but you have to remember where it all started. For me, and for so many others, that game is Final Fantasy Tactics. It’s the one that really got us hooked on this whole genre, and even now, it feels incredibly complete and lets you customize everything just how you want it. It’s a classic for a reason!

Battles in Final Fantasy Tactics take place on a unique, angled battlefield and are always exciting. Success depends on carefully using the environment, choosing the right abilities, and building a strong team. A single error can be costly, but smart planning and good tactics lead to incredibly rewarding wins. No other tactical RPG has quite captured this feeling, and it’s difficult to envision another one ever doing it as well.

6. Unicorn Overlord

A Liberating Tactical RPG

Vanillaware consistently delivers high-quality games, and they aren’t afraid to try different genres. Their latest title, Unicorn Overlord, is a tactical RPG and has quickly become one of the best in the genre. You play as Alain, a prince who was forced into hiding when his kingdom was overthrown. Now grown, Alain embarks on a journey to gather allies and reclaim his throne. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it effectively provides a backdrop for large-scale battles that focus on strategic positioning, how different character classes work together, and character customization.

Instead of focusing on detailed customization for individual heroes, Unicorn Overlord emphasizes building and expanding your army as a whole. While important story characters do exist as unique units, battles are won through strategic squad combat, giving you considerable control over how you build your forces. However, individual characters still matter, as each unit type has special abilities that can significantly change the outcome of a fight.

5. Tactics Ogre: Reborn

You Cannot Go Wrong With Any Version Of Tactics Ogre

We chose Tactics Ogre: Reborn because it’s the newest version and what most players will experience today. However, the PSP version of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is fantastic, and the very first release on PlayStation and SNES is a true classic. You really can’t go wrong with any Tactics Ogre game.

Many consider the original 1995 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together to be a flawless tactical RPG, and its remakes only raise the stakes. Each subsequent version – first the PSP remake, and then Reborn – arguably improves upon the last. No matter which version you play, Tactics Ogre stands out for its incredibly flexible class system. It gives players a lot of freedom in how they build their teams, and even basic unit types can be useful. Beyond just assembling a party, you can deeply customize each member to create a unique fighting force, and doing so is essential to success.

When it comes to Reborn, the remake’s best improvements are mostly about making the game more convenient to play. Square Enix really focused on keeping the feel of the original while updating it with modern features so it doesn’t feel outdated. Characters have a little more depth thanks to an individual leveling system, and the game introduces a new charm mechanic that provides stat boosts or extra experience. However, some aspects have been streamlined – the skill system, for example, is a bit less flexible than before.

4. Triangle Strategy

The Old-Guard Reborn

For years, fans of tactical role-playing games (TRPGs) have been hoping for a true successor to the classic Final Fantasy Tactics. While that direct sequel never materialized, Square Enix delivered a long-awaited spiritual successor in 2022 with Triangle Strategy. This game captured the essence of Final Fantasy Tactics, finally satisfying those who had been craving a similar experience.

Triangle Strategy delivers a compelling story and intricate, grid-based battles where you can upgrade and customize your characters. While it’s not exactly the follow-up to Final Fantasy Tactics that some fans hoped for, it’s a fantastic tactical RPG that the gaming world was waiting for. When it comes to gameplay, it’s a near-perfect refinement of the classic Japanese tactical RPG formula.

3. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

Critical Hit

Most people today have at least a basic understanding of Dungeons & Dragons, and it’s even influenced games like Baldur’s Gate 3. However, fewer people know about Pathfinder, another excellent game system built on D&D’s 3rd edition. Pathfinder has directly inspired fantastic video games, including the often-overlooked Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.

Okay, so I’m playing this game where I lead the Fifth Crusade against a TON of demons. It’s seriously packed with everything I love about RPGs – like, ridiculously deep character customization. And the combat? Forget easy – it’s actually challenging, which is awesome if you’re into tabletop RPGs. Honestly, if you played and loved Baldur’s Gate 3, you NEED to check this one out. It’s hitting all the same notes for me.

2. XCOM 2

Insurrection At Home Base

The XCOM series is a long-running and highly respected digital turn-based strategy game. Starting with a simple alien invasion concept, it’s become a classic in the genre, despite a few challenges. It’s also a great entry point for new players, offering a compelling introduction to the strategy genre and the often-difficult experience of losing characters permanently.

The unforgiving permadeath feature makes every fight with the aliens incredibly stressful and exciting, turning each encounter into a strategic puzzle. You’ll need to carefully customize your soldiers, experiment with different classes, and think through your tactics. XCOM 2 truly delivers on its promises, and its downloadable content adds even more depth to this already challenging game.

1. Disgaea 5

Tactical RPGs Action Forever

Traditionally, tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs) have been more commonly developed in the West, likely due to the history of those games. However, Japan has also created some truly exceptional TRPGs. If you’re looking for a straightforward, impactful TRPG experience, it’s hard to beat the intense Disgaea.

The Disgaea series is known for its complex and imaginative gameplay, with a strong focus on building and customizing your team. While older games can be difficult to get into, Disgaea 5 strikes a good balance – it’s easier to learn but still offers incredibly deep combat and customization options. It features practically endless dungeons, a huge variety of classes and ways to level up, countless team building possibilities, and some of the best tactical gameplay you’ll find anywhere. Disgaea 5 is perfect for dedicated RPG fans who want a challenging and rewarding experience.

The Disgaea series is known for letting players deeply customize their characters, and Disgaea 5 is a good example of this. If you’re new to the series, Disgaea 7 is also an excellent place to start.

2025-12-08 05:08