Classic RPGs With Turn-Based Combat That Still Feel Modern

For a long time, many turn-based combat systems didn’t change much after the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. That wasn’t a problem as long as the games were enjoyable or had compelling stories. However, there were also some surprisingly innovative turn-based RPGs that pushed boundaries, especially in their combat systems and features.

These classic RPGs are so well-made that they’ve influenced modern games, and continue to feel relevant thanks to remasters and remakes. Even today, they’re still incredibly enjoyable for RPG fans.

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Chrono Trigger

Character Combos

The battle system in Chrono Trigger feels much faster-paced than many other SNES games, and it’s similar to how quicker turn-based battles work in today’s games. What really stood out, though, was the combo system: certain characters could team up to unleash stronger attacks.

Characters in the game work well together – for instance, Lucca can set Crono on fire for a spinning attack, and Marle can make a large iceberg that Ayla can throw at opponents. Bringing enemies close together is also key to dealing damage to multiple targets at once, and this idea has influenced newer indie RPGs like Sea of Stars, which were inspired by Chrono Trigger.

Persona 3

Weakness Bonuses

Persona 3 felt like a fresh start for the series, centering around a high school student navigating everyday life. It introduced the Social Link system, and in battles, the game really emphasized exploiting enemy weaknesses.

Nearly all enemies in the game had a specific weakness – like to wind or fire – and players could earn an extra turn by exploiting it. This mechanic proved successful, and Atlus continued to refine it in later Persona games and even similar titles such as Metaphor: ReFantazio. The definitive way to experience this game now is with the remake, Persona 3 Reload.

Final Fantasy 10

Mid-Combat Thrills

While many Final Fantasy games share similar battle styles, others stand out as truly unique, and Final Fantasy 10 is a prime example. Its battle system is unlike any other in the series. Players control a party of three characters, and can strategically switch between them mid-battle without losing a turn.

In Final Fantasy X, if Yuna is part of your team, she can summon powerful beings called Aeons – like Bahamut, Yojimbo, and Ifrit – to fight in place of the rest of your party, leaving only her and the Aeon active. This unique feature isn’t really found in current games, which makes Final Fantasy X feel surprisingly innovative even today. Both longtime fans and new players can enjoy it through updated versions of the game.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

An Active Plumber Duo

The combat in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is considered the most engaging of all the Mario RPGs, and the game itself is a standout title in the series. What makes it unique is that, in battle, players control Mario with the A button and Luigi with the B button – a feature of the original Game Boy Advance version.

I’m really excited about the combat in this game! You get to pick attacks for each character, and timing your button presses just right makes those attacks even stronger. Defensively, you can dodge enemy attacks and even counter them! It reminds me a lot of games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which honestly wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for the awesome RPGs Mario has starred in.

Parasite Eve

An On The Beat Detective

Squaresoft experimented with a unique blend of turn-based and action gameplay in two PlayStation games: Parasite Eve and Vagrant Story. In Parasite Eve, players moved freely around the battle area to avoid enemy attacks. When it was their turn, they could use either psychic abilities or guns to target opponents, and even specific body parts. A dome-shaped area showed how far their attacks would reach.

This happened in contemporary New York City, a stark contrast to Vagrant Story, which was set in a medieval fantasy world and focused on close-quarters combat. While both games were innovative, Parasite Eve arguably introduced guns to the RPG genre, ultimately influencing later RPG shooters such as Destiny.

Suikoden 2

A Big, Fast Party

Suikoden 2, like other games in the Suikoden series, features innovative RPG gameplay. Battles allow players to control a party of up to six characters, each with their own special skills. Some characters can even team up for powerful combination attacks. The game offers a massive roster of 108 potential party members, making recruitment a significant undertaking for dedicated players.

Although the Suikoden series has a dedicated fanbase, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes captures its spirit with a similar style – it lets you build a large team of playable characters. And if you’re a fan of the originals, you can also enjoy updated versions of Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars.

Mother 3

Of Roulettes And Rhythm

Unlike many RPGs, Mother 3 features a battle system where timing your attacks to the music can let you hit enemies repeatedly. Also, when your characters are attacked, they don’t lose health instantly – the damage is handled differently.

If a character like Lucas has 50 health points and takes 60 damage from an enemy, players can still save them with any healing item or spell, as long as their health doesn’t reach zero before they can react. While no large, mainstream games use these mechanics, independent role-playing games such as Undertale were clearly inspired by the unique style of the Mother series, allowing them to experiment and create truly unusual experiences.

Wild Arms 3

A Dusty Roundabout

The Wild Arms series takes place in worlds inspired by the American West, and Wild Arms 3 especially embraces a classic cowboy RPG style. During battles, players command a team of four characters, each specializing in a different type of firearm – like pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles, and machine guns.

During combat, players will consume ammunition that needs to be reloaded during their turn – a mechanic similar to games like Borderlands. Between player turns, both enemies and the player’s party will move around the battlefield, creating the feeling of a dynamic, old-west shootout or a more modern, real-time combat system, which is common in many RPGs today.

Xenogears

A Turn-Based Fighter

Xenogears was a remarkably ambitious game for the original PlayStation, created by Squaresoft. It combined a futuristic setting with themes inspired by biblical stories. Players controlled a team of characters in battle, and could also summon powerful mechs for assistance. The combat system was unique, allowing players to link attacks in combos, similar to how fighting games work.

While few modern combat systems work exactly like this one, its similarities to fighting games suggest that Xenogears may have influenced the creation of action-RPG brawlers. The Xeno series continues today with Xenoblade Chronicles, but Xenogears still feels remarkably original.

Grandia

Interrupted Turns

While no game has completely replicated Grandia’s battle system, elements of it have been adopted. Notably, the game pioneered displaying turn order and allowing players to interrupt enemy attacks – features that have since become common in RPGs, moving away from purely random encounters.

Many role-playing games, like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, now display the order of turns, helping players plan ahead. You can also often disrupt this order by attacking faster than your opponent. While quicker attacks might be less powerful, consistently interrupting enemies can be a very effective tactic.

2026-02-09 06:06