Summary
- Tactical RPGs offer players strategic combat with a variety of customizable builds for unique gameplay experiences.
- Titles like The Banner Saga blend tactical combat with impactful decision-making in a compelling way.
- Games like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Wildermyth challenge players with deep combat systems and procedural storytelling, creating diverse gameplay.
Role-playing games can be a bit wild at times, especially with most titles opting for real-time systems as opposed to more thought-provoking combat mechanics instead. This is why the sight of a well-made tactical RPG will always make fans rejoice.
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This is especially true of impactful tactical role-playing games that know how to capture a player's attention by giving them a ton of options to experiment with in combat. The best part is that these games prioritize player agency and let them pursue a multitude of unique and personalized builds in combat.
7 Final Fantasy Tactics
Players Can Mix And Match Jobs To Optimize Their Party
Final Fantasy Tactics
- Released
- June 20, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
Yasumi Matsuno, the developer behind Tactics Ogre, was brought over to create for fans a Final Fantasy game with a challenging combat system. The end result was Final Fantasy Tactics, an amazing JRPG with a robust job system.
Ramza and his allies can assume the role of numerous jobs and enhance the abilities they have access to in combat. This ensures that the player's party can always be customized however they see fit, giving them a ton of freedom in combat and adding to the allure of this beloved tactical spinoff.
6 The Banner Saga
Players Can Choose How The Story Unfolds In This Beautiful Trilogy Of Tactical RPGs
The Banner Saga
- Released
- January 14, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Strategy
By combining elements of Oregon Trail with tactical RPG gameplay, every title in The Banner Saga trilogy becomes wildly riveting to play. While players don't exactly get to experiment with much build variety in combat, the game makes up for it with its CYOA approach in other sequences.
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The decisions players make will have a lasting impact, as story events change wildly based on their choices. This is a great way to help players feel like active participants in the plot instead of passengers just strung along for the ride.
5 Divinity: Original Sin 2
Players Can Pursue Wildly Different Builds Across Numerous Playthroughs
Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Released
- September 14, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a massive improvement from the first game regarding combat. RNG is mostly done away with, forcing players to eliminate a target's Physical or Magical Armor before directly affecting their HP and inflicting a bunch of status effects.
This can make combat extremely challenging, especially in the early going when players are struggling to escape Fort Joy. There's no shame in turning down the difficulty and grasping the basics of the tactical combat before players can stick with a build for each character that helps them cover all bases and obliterate enemies in style.
4 The Battle For Wesnoth
A Tactical RPG With An Active Community That Has Created Several Interesting Scenarios
The Battle for Wesnoth
- Released
- August 14, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
A free tactical RPG with a ridiculous amount of player-made campaigns, the staunch community support for The Battle of Wesnoth makes it one of the most captivating titles in the genre. Players can pick and choose whatever campaign suits their fancy to embark on an epic and ever-changing journey.
The sheer amount of content and the freedom players have when selecting combat scenarios are a huge part of what makes The Battle for Wesnoth special. Enamored players won't take long to grace the community with custom stories and campaigns of their own, which further bolsters the exceptional diversity of content available for this game.
3 UnderRail
A Tough Yet Fair CRPG That Rewards Players For Learning How To Game The System
UnderRail
- Released
- December 18, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
At first glance, UnderRail can seem like the most unfair CRPG ever made. However, once players understand that sticking to the path intended by the game is the way to go, they can finally start coming to grips with the combat system. Once that's done, they can start experimenting, and they won't ever need to stop.
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Players who want to push UnderRail's systems to their very limit will love how their creative approaches to combat can be rewarded. This allows them to exploit enemy AI and use wacky solutions to get past the many threats that stand in their way.
2 Wildermyth
Procedurally Generated Stories And Unique Party Compositions Can Change Combat Scenarios In A Flash
Wildermyth
- Released
- June 15, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Fantasy Violence, Language, Alcohol Reference
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Tactical
Wildermyth's procedural generation may seem like an odd approach for a story-driven RPG, but the genius nature of its integration helps the game stand out as one of the best indie tactical role-playing games around. A group of randomly-generated adventurers end up boasting better personalities and stronger bonds than many other AAA role-playing games, which is a testament to Wildermyth's solid writing.
Sure, some scenarios may repeat after a point, but the combat makes up for this minor issue. Depending on a player's choices, heroes can undergo transformations, sacrifice themselves for the greater good, and wow players with their immense power.
1 Baldur's Gate 3
Player Freedom Is The Biggest Priority In This Generational CRPG
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Larian went all out in the development of Baldur's Gate 3, creating a game with amazing tactical combat that isn't too punishing for beginners. A standard leveling system and abilities that aren't too complicated ensure that players will have a great time powering through the game's three stellar acts.
Every new playthrough can feel completely different based on the player's actions, character build, and even the order in which they approach quests, allowing them to explore numerous unique scenarios across multiple runs. This, coupled with the ridiculous number of classes and subclasses in the game, ensures that players will love powering through Baldur's Gate 3 however they see fit.
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