Whether you’ve noticed or not, there have been a truly staggering number of strategy and tactics RPGs released this year and in recent years, with more coming in the near future. I was able to find more than a dozen of them fresh in the pot, ready to drink, or percolating in the near future without even trying. A dormant subgenre, partly confined to consoles and mobile, has exploded full force on PC.
Among those who love these games, they are often referred to as SRPGs, a phrase in Japanese gaming culture that usually translates as “simulation” or “strategy” RPGs. These were mainstays of the 90’s and his 2000’s games. Classic games such as Fire Emblem games, Tactics Ogre, Shining Force, and Final Fantasy Tactics are beloved but faded by the mid-2000s. Even these games weren’t always widely released, nor were they confined to the walled gardens of Nintendo consoles.
Additionally, recent big-budget RPGs such as Square focus heavily on real-time combat and action mechanics. They have a lot of indies for that, and it turns out that most of them like tactical games as much or more than traditional turn-based RPGs.
The success of 2012’s Fire Emblem: Awakening (and all Fire Emblems since) was finally fully reflected in its release for PC. Over the years, as far as I know, a lot of indies just said, “Fuck it, we can’t put it on PC, let’s make it ourselves!” Now, development has become so simple, and the genre has become so popular, that the semi-retired industry pioneer (creator of The Funniest Fire Emblem, for example) is returning to his SRPG creation games. But that’s enough. Let’s go to the game.
Symphony of War: Nephilim Saga
Release date: June 10, 2022
OK, I like this one and it was a recent hit so I’ll list it first. Over 3,200 reviews posted vapor (opens in new tab), with 96% of them positive, Symphony of War is a triumph of indie ingenuity. It’s also great if you’re using the Steam Deck. However, to avoid repetition, I will cite a recent review.
“There’s a simple joy in customizing a JRPG character. Extend it to an entire team of characters on a tactical grid? Now you have classic strategy JRPGs like Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics.” Extend that across dozens of armies, and that’s the rework you get in Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga. Even a generic story is enough to shake up a genre that was quickly becoming monotonous.
triangular strategy
Release date: March 4, 2022 (Switch)
One of the games that inspired this article, Triangle Strategy, was a very popular SRPG that clearly ‘understood’ the genre. It’s published by Square and comes from the same in-house “project” initiative and producer that brought Octopath Traveler (about a year after the Switch’s debut, bringing the 2.5D aesthetic to PC, so Followed by Triangle Strategy with crossed fingers).
Triangle Strategy has a funky plot that focuses on the conflict between the ideologies of practicality, morality and freedom. It boasts multi-layered maps and tactics focused on traversing different height levels. Characters can do things like ladders so others can get higher. It also ensures that you choose specific characters and stick with them, with a limited set of upgrade resources.
Diorfield Chronicle
Release date: September 22, 2022
Another big creation from Square, The DioField Chronicle is set to be a real-time tactical strategy RPG. This is brand new as far as I know. Command your characters on the battlefield in real time and direct attacks in RTS. However, queuing a power or ability and lining up vector attacks with target arrows and diagrams like many modern moba will get you back into action as soon as you unleash them.
It has big budget looks that go for it as well. It’s supposed to boast a “gritty, immersive storyline” to boot, but all I can say is they either swear or mean something.
Tactics Ogre Reborn
Release date: November 11, 2022
First leaked and now confirmed, Tactics Ogre: Reborn is the first return of the beloved strategy RPG since 2010’s Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together. This remake promises improved graphics, sound, and updated game design. Tactics Ogre is famous for its elaborate, sprawling class and character system that can be customized. There’s also a comprehensive world map to navigate through and random encounters to spew out, adding genuine flavor and strategic flair to how the story plays out.
Tactics Ogre is often cited alongside Final Fantasy Tactics as the gateway game to many people’s strategy RPG subgenre. Not because of its simplicity or easy learning, but because it’s the kind of tactical gameplay that draws you in deeper.
Final Fantasy Tactics Remastered
Release date: ???
That hasn’t been confirmed… but it was part of a larger Nvidia leak dating back to November 2021. The list of Square games on that list is almost complete, including Tactics Ogre being remade. turned out to be true (see above). Expect it. When SRPGs are going through a renaissance, it would be foolish not to bring back the genre’s cult classic (the one that defined many of the class and job systems used in dozens of RPGs since).
Vestalia Saga 2
Release date: July 28, 2022
A classic-style strategy RPG, Vestaria Saga is created by the team led by Shozo Kaga, who designed and wrote the first six Fire Emblem games from 1990-1999. The recently released Vestaria Saga 2: The Sacred Sword of Silvani is a follow-up to 2019’s Vestaria Saga 1: War of the Scions and for those who consider themselves an expert in his SRPG. I think you should play. It’s great to see how the man who laid the groundwork for the genre thinks about it now, after his 30+ years.
In terms of gameplay, Vestaria Saga focuses on intricately designed maps with challenging strategic puzzles. Positioning and movement are the keys to success, knowing when and where the enemy will move and how to take advantage of it. Vestalia Saga 2 has many improvements over its predecessor, so it’s a shame that it relies so heavily on the plot of Vestalia Saga 1.
Vanaris tactics
Release date: August 4, 2022
Now that we’ve firmly wrapped up the Square Enix show portion of our article, let’s talk about Vanaris Tactics. This is a cute little strategy RPG that the solo developer knows what Matheus Reis wants to do and isn’t too welcoming. Sadly, I missed it until one of our authors shot his nephew in the head (in game, of course).
Vanaris Tactics is a bargain-priced 15-mission game with several optional battles along the way. There’s less stress about long-term planning here, so you can play a little more with character customization. This is great. This is because different weapons and equipment can greatly change a particular unit’s combat role and how it uses its abilities.
far from home
Release date: August 18, 2022
A unique party-based tactics RPG, Far From Home is a story-driven indie game that combines low-key tactical combat with stunning environments and unique chunky sprites. There’s also an interesting premise, where the people of our world are thrown into a fantasy world and sent on a quest to find their way back home.
The downside is its tactical element. Far Away From Home is pretty straightforward, with a set party lineup and no tons of customization or variety of ways to build your character.However, it’s well polished, and very polished for an indie effort by a solo developer. demo (opens in new tab) See if you like what it offers.
spirit link tactics
Release date: coming soon
Upcoming indie Spiritlink Tactics clearly takes a lot from Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, building a party of characters out of class combinations and giving you a lot of freedom in doing so. Combining the two classes allows you to be a Warrior/Rogue or a Warrior/Alchemist, each playing quite differently.
Another neat innovation is a mana-sharing system that allows characters to harness each other’s powers to build up power. Combined with terrain, I think Spiritlink Tactics could be very interesting when it releases. Play the Spiritlink Tactics Demo vapor (opens in new tab).
Crimson Tactics: The Rise of The White Banner
Release date: September 2022 (Early Access)
Crimson Tactics has the blocky aesthetic of games like Final Fantasy Tactics, but uses what can only be called the latest Nintendo DS gaming palette and model. The result is a unique look to say the least, and it looks much better in motion than in screenshots.
Mechanically, it’s very similar to other strategy RPGs. Customize from dozens of classes, each with unique abilities, and throw in some unique stories for his character. The most unique aspect appears to be the mounted combat with characters riding mundane horses, as well as more exotic horses like dragons and hydras.
Absolute Tactics: Daughters of Mercy
Release date: coming soon
An up-and-coming tactical RPG from developer Curious Fate, Absolute Tactics: Daughters of Mercy has a compelling art style that’s rare in the genre, and one that’s clearly afraid to move away from the painting-sprite combination that defines so many other releases. Is not … Besides, the main character has a dog, so it’s not all bad.
Its tactical elements seem to focus on wide-ranging customizability and unexpected genre twists. It will be a great war battle.Characters claim to be unique in their own right, but you can also choose from 21 separate classes to mix and match.Absolute Tactics: Daughters of Mercy has a ready-to-play demo vapor (opens in new tab).
Arcadian Atlas
Release date: Summer 2023
Arcadian Atlas is a fairly strategic RPG that seems to focus heavily on characters and their stories. It “promises the life journey of two lovers, bound by war and torn between a loyal queen and a charismatic illegitimate daughter who rises to reclaim the throne that was denied her.” When the battle lines are drawn and the sword is drawn, we are desperate.â
This is straight Shakespearean shit and I’m here for it. It features 12 unique classes, each with their own skill tree, and different tactical map terrains.
oh and a lot more
It’s the immediate game and the upcoming game. There’s been a lot in the last few years that you might have missed. Let’s finish with them:
- Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is a true love letter to Final Fantasy Tactics with a suitably epic story and playtime to match.
- god of darkness (opens in new tab)an attempt at the greatness of Fire Emblem games in the Game Boy Advance era.
- hidden gem horizon gate (opens in new tab)this is a unique strategy RPG in that it unleashes you to find your way through an open world and an open-ended class system..
- Or the recent Brigandine: Legends of Lunazia, the revival of the cult classic SRPG.
- Failure to do so will result in criminal charges Troubleshooting: Abandoned Child (opens in new tab)a 2020 cult classic that blends Fire Emblem into an SRPG with a touch of XCOM flavor and drowns you in over 1,000 character customization masteries.
