Summary
- Utilize unique mechanics like Boost Points for efficient battling in turn-based RPGs.
- Teamwork skills like Baton Pass and Brave Points enhance abilities and combat strategy.
- Recognize enemy weaknesses and use special features to gain advantages in challenging battles.
Turn-based RPGs are one of the most appealing genres for any gamer to invest time into. Knowing when to use physical and magical attacks can make many battles easy to get through. This isn't the case for every RPG, as some games may call for something greater to survive the most gruesome journeys. This requires the player to understand unique features that help raise their main party's efficiency against tougher opponents.
Some of these mechanics are fairly simple, like recognizing weaknesses to earn a power-up. Some games even let the users activate their unique mechanics during battle, though this may risk facing consequences afterward like losing turns or opportunities. The most interesting features aren’t always just for the player to utilize, but for every battle combatant, including the enemies.
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7 Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Plugged Strategy
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
- Released
- November 7, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Acquire
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- Mario & Luigi
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
Mario & Luigi: Brothership brings the Mario brothers together on a new adventure outside the Mushroom Kingdom. They sail the sea of Concordia to bring the broken home together, which involves visiting different islands where some enemies lie waiting to stop them.
The reunited brothers can use familiar techniques like jumps, hammers, and bros attacks. A new addition added to their arsenal, though, is battle plugs. When plugging their power tap, they can utilize abilities to enhance their attacks, giving them buffs like wider range or extra damage. They can even provide auto-heal to keep the Mario brothers healthy. What's even better is that some plugs can even perform a combo effect for greater benefits.
6 Persona 5
The Power Of Teamwork
Persona 5 Royal
- Released
- March 31, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Atlus, P-Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Franchise
- Persona
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Persona 5 lets the protagonist create a band of Phantom Thieves who dive into people’s hearts to change the errors of their ways. This journey involves dealing with shadow creatures who fall loyal to the distorted criminals. The Phantom Thieves can’t just rely on their powers for tougher opponents, which forces them to use a team skill called Baton Pass.
Knockdowns grant users one more chance for an action. The user can use another action, or use Baton Pass to pass the turn to a teammate for a boosted attack. When the boosted teammate earns one more chance, they can pass the turn to another teammate for a stacked boost. It’s a rewarding mechanic when used properly with the right teammates or options.
5 Battle Chasers: Nightwar
Charge Beyond Limits
Battle Chasers: Nightwar
- Released
- October 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Airship Syndicate
- Publisher(s)
- THQ Nordic
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Strategy, Top-Down
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Battle Chasers: Nightwar sets Aramus, the great hero, on his adventurers on a quest through the Grey Line. The heroic team will face more foes than allies lingering in the great mysterious mist. Such unknown strong obstacles can easily be overcome with heroic abilities, though they cost limited mana resources.
A unique method involves the use of Overcharge, a feature to buff a hero. Building Overcharge with normal attacks gives heroes opportunities to strengthen their abilities. Even better, some specified perks can buff the hero when meeting requirements. Its beneficial strengths don't last long between battles, forcing the hero team to go all out while they can during combat.
4 Octopath Traveler 2
Boost In Life
Octopath Traveler 2
- Released
- February 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Acquire
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Octopath Traveler 2 focuses on a new band of travelers exploring the world of Solistia. Eight adventurers each tell their own tales, which forces them to face perilous challenges when they progress. Not every situation can end peacefully, forcing the main party to combat dangerous threats.
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Every battle involves exposing enemy weaknesses with weapons and magic. The most effective method to break enemies involves using Boost Points. Each turn will give the allied party a boost point, which can be used to increase the number of weapons strikes they can use or how powerful their skills are. With how strong the bosses are, knowing when to use boost points through offensive attacks and defensive support is greatly needed to survive.
3 Sea Of Stars
Nature Mana
Sea of Stars
- Released
- August 29, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sabotage
- Publisher(s)
- Sabotage
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
Sea Of Stars takes the pair of Solstice warriors on a journey to eliminate an ominous evil plaguing the Earth with monstrosities. They’re forced to use everything within their kit to handle any situation through both physical and magical attacks. However, some situations can overwhelm their options, leaving them to rely on a unique mechanic: magic without magic.
Magic without magic lets the user gather mana on the battlefield to boost their attacks and abilities while adding additional effects. Creating mana requires interacting with the enemy through normal attacks. It’s a great help to change the tide of battle, especially in harder fights.
2 Bravely Default 2
Brave Choices
Bravely Default 2
- Released
- February 26, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Bravely Default 2 tells another new story with a familiar predicament on a new continent. When the four elemental crystals are stolen, four new Heroes of Light journey throughout the continent Excillant to acquire them. The game forces the heroic squad to face malevolent forces using a mixture of job abilities and the Brave Point system.
The main fighting system revolves around the use of Brave and Default. Any fighter can utilize Brave Points to throw an extra attack in the same turn. Spending too many Brave Points will force the user into Default, leaving them vulnerably inactive until the used points are paid. It’s important to recognize, since enemies can use Brave Points as well.
1 Astria Ascending
Everyone's Focus
Astria Ascending
- Released
- September 30, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Artisan Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Dear Villagers
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Astria Ascending makes the protagonist search for the mastermind who is causing chaos in the world of Orcanon. With harmony threatened, the main party will join to face any corrupting obstacle standing in their way. The best way to take advantage during battles involves utilizing enemy weaknesses.
The universal fighting system revolves around the focus system, a mechanic to buff any attack. A user can earn focus points by exploiting an enemy's weakness. The user can even wait a turn to charge a focus point, but it's temporarily stored for a turn. This mechanic applies to the enemies as well, forcing the allied party to always stay on guard.
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