The original Final Fantasy Tactics and its remastered edition, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, are considered by many fans to be the pinnacle of tactical turn-based strategy RPGs. But they're not the only noteworthy titles in the genre. In fact, they're not even the only Final Fantasy Tactics games.
There are a plethora of other strategy RPG titles both old and new that have gained impressive followings of their own. Fans of Final Fantasy Tactics who are new to the genre may be surprised to discover how many other games exist with a similar style of gameplay.
10 The Ivalice Alliance Games: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire Of The Rift, And Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, Are All Good Picks
The most obvious recommendations are the other games in the Final Fantasy series that play similarly to Final Fantasy Tactics. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is available on the Gameboy Advance, as well as digitally on the Wii U Virtual Console. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings were both released on the Nintendo DS.
While Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and its sequel Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift are turn-based strategy RPGs like the original Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is actually a real-time strategy RPG title, or RTS for short, making it the most different out of the three games to play despite its similarities.
9 Fire Emblem Is Nintendo's Most Popular Strategy RPG Series
The Fire Emblem series has enjoyed many successful game releases in recent years. What was once an unknown franchise in the west has become one of Nintendo's most popular and beloved RPGs. There are similarities to Final Fantasy Tactics, but also unique aspects that set Fire Emblem apart.
One of the noteworthy differences that helps Fire Emblem games feel unique is the relationship-building aspects that take place between party members. Modern entries in the Fire Emblem franchise have made it a focus outside of battle to share the personal lives of characters, so players get to know them better as games progress. Bonds form between them and it gives players a sense of personal connection with the cast.
8 The Vandal Hearts Games Are Older, But They Still Have Merit
Vandal Hearts is a series of turn-based strategy RPGs from Konami. The first and second games were both released on the original Playstation console and may be hard to find nowadays, especially Vandal Hearts II. The first Vandal Hearts had some charm for its time, but Vandal Hearts II has a unique feature where player characters and enemy characters both take their turns simultaneously, forcing players to try and predict their opponent's actions during their turn.
A little over a decade ago, Konami released the third game in the series called Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment. You can still find this third game relatively easily on the digital storefronts for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles.
7 Suikoden Tactics Is A Spinoff Game, Just Like Final Fantasy Tactics Is
Final Fantasy Tactics was a spinoff with an entirely different gameplay style and story than its main series. Suikoden Tactics also plays nothing like the mainline Suikoden games. It takes place in closest relation to the events of Suikoden IV, and some of the locales, lore, and even a few characters make cameo appearances.
It didn't enjoy the widespread success and popularity that Final Fantasy Tactics did, but it's still a solid turn-based strategy RPG and has even more appeal for Suikoden series fans. It was only ever released for the Playstation 2 console, however. So modern players might have to reach back through the ages and dust off an older console to enjoy this game.
6 The Front Mission Franchise Is An Excellent Choice For Sci-Fi Aficionados Or Mech Fans
More modern entries in the Front Mission series of games seem to have taken things in a whole new direction. Earlier games from the Playstation and Playstation 2 consoles on the other hand were more in line with traditional turn-based strategy RPGs. The main difference from Final Fantasy Tactics is a more futuristic or modern theme.
Instead of swords and sorcery, in Front Mission players take control of pilots that are fighting battles in large bipedal mechs. For players that prefer a more militaristic or sci-fi theme to their games, the Front Mission franchise would be a great alternative that retains a similar style of gameplay.
5 The Advance Wars Series Brings Bright And Colorful Wars To Your Pocket
Another strategy RPG series from Nintendo, the Advance Wars series premiered primarily on handheld consoles. They featured a bright and colorful aesthetic, but despite the stylized look and feel, the games have a more modern set of weaponry and battles between militaristic armies rather than the more magical flair of Final Fantasy Tactics.
Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising released on the Gameboy Advance, and later on the Wii U Virtual Console. The third game, Advance Wars: Dual Strike released for the Nintendo DS and was also later made available on the Wii U e-shop. Finally the fourth game, Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, was the second game to be released on the Nintendo DS, and was brought over to the Nintendo 3DS e-shop as a digital title.
4 Imageepoch's Titles: Luminous Arc, Luminous Arc 2, And Stella Glow Are Superb Choices For Nintendo DS And 3DS Owners
Imageepoch is now defunct, but their swan song game was the highly regarded Stella Glow for the Nintendo 3DS. Before Stella Glow, they also made the Luminous Arc series of games on the Nintendo DS as well. All of them are tactical turn-based RPGs with anime-style character designs and impressive stories and visual presentations.
There are actually two games in the Luminous Arc series, Luminous Arc 3, and Luminous Arc Infinity, that never got a release outside of Japan. Even with just Luminous Arc and Luminous Arc 2 however, the series is enjoyable, and Stella Glow is considered by many to be superior still.
3 The Disgaea Franchise Has Loads Of Charm
Another popular franchise in the tactical turn-based strategy RPG genre is Nippon Ichi Software's Disgaea series. Known for its humor and a large cast of characters, the Disgaea games have a unique feel to their setting, and the lore and world-building manage to stay interesting across the series.
The gameplay offers a variety of unusual elements as part of its unique appeal. Whether it's the powerful team attacks, or the ability to stack your party members on top of one another and toss them during battle, the Disgaea games have innovated the genre in surprising ways.
2 The Ogre Battle & Tactics Ogre Games Are Highly Regarded By Fans
There are four entries in this series that have made it out of Japan. The Ogre Battle games play out in real-time styles, while the Tactics Ogre entries have turn-based combat. Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen was the first entry on the Super Nintendo, and was later brought to the original Playstation, as well as re-released on the Wii Virtual Console and the Wii U e-shop.
The second title, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together was available on the Playstation and the Playstation Portable. The third game, Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber first arrived on the Nintendo 64. It was later re-released on the Wii and Wii U Virtual Consoles. Finally Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis tells a side story, and is only available on the Gameboy Advance.
1 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Is A Tactical Turn-Based Strategy RPG You Can Play With A Friend
While surprising to some, this Mario and Rabbids crossover game is a great tactical turn-based RPG. It's got loads of humor thanks to the inclusion of the wacky Rabbids, and the bright and colorful aesthetics of the Mario universe are present, but there's also depth to the gameplay that genre fans will appreciate.
For players who mainly play on modern consoles, and have had their fill of Fire Emblem and Disgaea, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a strong recommendation because of its unique style and charm. It even features local co-op play with a friend, which is rarely possible for games in this genre.
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