With Triangle Strategy, a tactical RPG by the team at Square Enix responsible for Octopath Traveller, already being hailed as one of the top JRPGs to look forward to in 2022, there are reasons to be cheerful for fans of tactical RPGs. The genre's blending together of intelligent turn-based strategy and the narrative elements that RPGs are famous for has made it a favorite for many players.
With some titles being all-out RPGs and others having a stronger focus on tactical gameplay, there is plenty of variation in the genre. This makes it even more interesting to see which entries are considered to be the best of what the genre has to offer according to the review aggregator Metacritic.
Jeanne D'Arc (PSP) - 87
Based on the story of Joan of Arc, the game was the first attempt at a tactical RPG for the Japanese game studio Level-5, which is best known for the Professor Layton games. Developed for the PSP, the game combines its historical setting with fantasy elements to build a rich world that is loosely based on historical France during the Hundred Years War.
Along with this unusual setting, the game also had unique additions such as a well-developed strength/weakness system and a "Burning Aura" that can follow on from attacks and allow for follow-up strikes and extra damage. As a result of its willingness to do things differently, Jeanne D'Arc earned its score of 87 on Metacritic. Though it's one of the more obscure JRPGs, it's also one of the best.
Disgaea: Afternoon Of Darkness (PSP) - 87
The PSP port of a slightly obscure Tactical RPG was nevertheless a fascinating and quirky take on the tactical RPG genre that won over critics and fans alike with its unique way of doing things. The game features a huge cast of characters for the player to get to know as well as an expansive open-ended plot that encourages the player to keep playing even after the main storyline concludes.
The game has its own visual style but plenty of substance with classic turn-based gameplay embellished with new elements such as "Geo Panels", tiles on the battlefield that give powerful effects to the characters. Even though it is less known than other acclaimed tactical RPGs, with an average user rating of 8.6, the game certainly has no shortage of fans.
Divinity: Original Sin (PC) - 87
Though more famous as a CRPG that attempted to modernize the RPG genre, Divinity: Original Sin's deeply strategic turn-based isometric gameplay more than makes it worthy of being called a tactical RPG. Partly crowdfunded, the game is the fourth main entry in the Divinity series and helped secure it a new identity as well as critical acclaim.
The game has the option to play single-player, controlling both of the "Source hunter" main characters, or to play cooperatively with another player. Original Sin also boasts a deep story and uncompromising gameplay that makes it one of the most challenging tactical RPGs around.
XCOM 2 (PC) - 88
The sequel to the modern reimagining of the XCOM series, XCOM 2 brings a ton of polish as well as attractive modern visuals to the turn-based tactics genre. The game puts the player in charge of XCOM, now a military force resisting the alien occupation of earth, and has more of a focus on storytelling than its predecessor.
Despite this, XCOM 2 doesn't compromise on the strategy and turn-based combat the series is famous for, even adding in time-based rewards to encourage players to play more offensively. Not only is the game one of the highest-rated tactical RPGs on Metacritic, but it also became one of the best turn-based tactic games of all time.
Fire Emblem (GBA) - 88
Also known as Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, Fire Emblem for the Game Boy Advance was a hugely important title for the genre, helping to popularize Intelligent Systems' flagship Tactical RPG series outside of Japan and ensure all subsequent entries in the series received English releases.
The game's success was no coincidence, making use of the classic formula of completing story-based missions in grid-based battles to capture new fans as well as satisfy old ones. Though it wasn't the first Fire Emblem game on the GBA, with The Blinding Blade coming first, it overshadowed its predecessor and secured strong critical reviews, maintaining an average of 88 on Metacritic.
Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition (3DS) - 88
Combining all three versions of one of the most interesting titles in the Fire Emblem franchise, the special edition of Fire Emblem Fates brought together the story of a disastrous war between the kingdoms of Hoshido and Nohr in which the player must choose a side or attempt to take on the true mastermind behind the conflict.
Surprisingly, the different versions of the game even feature differences in gameplay, with Conquest being the more intensely strategic and providing more of a challenge to players, and Birthright making it much easier for players to easily gain gold and experience. With Fire Emblem Fates, Intelligent Systems were able to bring a fresh approach without straying too far from the classic turn-based gameplay that players were used to.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Nintendo Switch) - 89
For fans who were worried that the tactical RPG genre may have been losing popularity in recent years, the continued success of the Fire Emblem series with its latest main title series proves that there is still a massive audience for this game genre. The series continues to evolve, this time bringing in the titular ruling houses which alter the game experience depending on which class the player chooses to lead.
While Fire Emblem: Three Houses keeps the classic combat system that has defined the series, it also expands the social simulation element of the series as well as requiring time management from the player. The new elements were appreciated by critics and fans, with the game becoming one of the highest-rated Fire Emblem games on Metacritic.
XCOM: Enemy Unkown (PC) - 89
The game that modernized and breathed new life into the XCOM series, XCOM: Enemy Unknown became an instant classic in its own right. Developed by Firaxis Games, the game is a reimagining of the 1994 strategy game XCOM: UFO Defense and, much like the original, puts the player in the position of a tactical commander in charge of intense battles against alien enemies.
There are plenty of options for customization and though, as expected of the XCOM series, the focus is much more on strategy and lighter on RPG elements, the narrative is still enjoyable. Overcoming alien enemies in complex games of futuristic chess remains an appealing concept that this game takes full advantage of.
Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS) - 92
Though it's an older entry in the series, according to Metacritic, Fire Emblem Awakening is the best of what the Fire Emblem series has to offer. The game was the first Fire Emblem title to be released for the 3DS and managed to set a new standard for what a tactical RPG could be.
Fire Emblem: Awakening wasn't drastically different from the games that came before, however, and instead combined the best aspects of previous games in the series. In doing so, they were able to satisfy veterans while also adding in new features including the ability to disable "permadeath" for fallen allies that made the game more accessible to new players.
Divinity: Original Sin II (PC) - 93
Developing on the complex and challenging gameplay style that defined the first Original Sin game, Divinity: Original Sin II was able to exemplify the best of what a strategic RPG could be. Divinity: Original Sin II is an RPG where players can forge their own path with so much to customize about the gameplay experience, including character creation of course.
With a level of polish that allows it to outshine even the first Original Sin, a rich story, and a well-developed world to boot, the game is a favorite of fans as well as critics, garnering an 8.8 user score on Metacritic. Divinity: Original Sin II also demonstrates that doing things differently rather than simply following the conventions of a genre can be a great approach, with its average critical score of 93 standing as undeniable proof.