SRPGs - Where to Start?

[Ack]

Also, if you're cool with a bogged down translation and some of the most slipshod localization we've seen since Zero Wing, there's always Final Fantasy Tactics. It's easy to get the hang of, easy to abuse, not overly long unless you really want it to be, has a lot of entertaining secrets, and features some great artwork and a combat system I really enjoy.

For laughs, there's also a strategy guide floating around that is every bit as badly put together as FFT's translation.

[alienjesus]

I honestly feel like there are two main types of SRPG that play quite differently to each other.

The first type has units with more limited skillsets, and features the likes of Shining Force and Fire Emblem, and frankly, either of those series is a fantastic starting point. I am a much bigger fan of the Fire Emblem series, but you can't go wrong with Shining Force either. Fire Emblem Awakening on 3DS is very welcoming to newbies.

The other type is more like Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics. These generally involve more customisation of moves and stats and your characters have more options at any one time. My first game of this type (and my first SRPG in general) was Final Fantasy Tactics Advance on GBA, and I still prefer it over the original (or it's PSP remake). Tactics Ogre is superior to FFT in my opinion, but I still like FFTA more - possibly due to nostalgia.

I suppose there's actually probably a third type of SRPGs that play more like Ogre Battle or Dragon Force, but they're definitely less common and they seem much more obtuse and harder to get into. Probably not the best starting point with the genre.

[MrPopo]

That's basically how I would split them. The Fire Emblem/Shining Force style I've also noticed tends to have units that die quickly; a few engagements is enough to kill a unit. The Tactics Ogre/FFT style cares about things like unit facing and elevation and units tend to take a lot of damage before they die. I think the latter thing is what bugs me the most about them; they feel like real slogs.

[Ack]

That's basically how I would split them. The Fire Emblem/Shining Force style I've also noticed tends to have units that die quickly; a few engagements is enough to kill a unit. The Tactics Ogre/FFT style cares about things like unit facing and elevation and units tend to take a lot of damage before they die. I think the latter thing is what bugs me the most about them; they feel like real slogs.

I'd say you can break it down further based on whether you have squad-based combat or single units.

Games like Bahamut Lagoon and Ogre Battle don't let you control unit actions directly, but they do let you arrange teams in a manner where you have an idea how they'll operate. Fire Emblem is closer to this but features one on one combat and doesn't have all of the micromanagement but leaves the player in the hands of the AI. Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, Disgaea, and Front Mission have you control every aspect of a single character's movement and attacks.

Of these different styles, it's up to the player to decide which is the right one for them.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Best SRPG of ALL TIME!!!!



It is a musical too!

[marlowe221]

Fire Emblem is closer to this but features one on one combat and doesn't have all of the micromanagement but leaves the player in the hands of the AI.

I don't quite understand this - you mean to say that you don't give your units orders in Fire Emblem??

Edit: Definitely going to snag Shining Force 1 & 2 on Steam. I know, I know - port this, non-original hardware that, but the original carts are 10x the price of the Steam versions...

[BoneSnapDeez]

Shining Force! Shining Force!

I second (third? fourth?) this.

Play Shining Force I & II. Great games, easy to get into.

Also, they are on Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.

[Ack]

Fire Emblem is closer to this but features one on one combat and doesn't have all of the micromanagement but leaves the player in the hands of the AI.

I don't quite understand this - you mean to say that you don't give your units orders in Fire Emblem??

Edit: Definitely going to snag Shining Force 1 & 2 on Steam. I know, I know - port this, non-original hardware that, but the original carts are 10x the price of the Steam versions...

Oh, you do to an extent, but it's not like in FFT or Tactics Ogre where you micromanage what attacks they use, exactly where on the field it gets used, what direction they face, etc.

Combat also occurs in a separate screen for Fire Emblem, similar to the squad-based games. Everything happens on the same screen in FFT or TO.

[dogman91]

I started off with Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon on the DS, which is a remake of the first game. I got hooked. The modern interface really helps over the older SRPGs.

[flojocabron]

I recommend vandal hearts on ps1

It has some similarities to shining force 3 on Saturn.

Its not too complicated compared to later strategy rpgs.

Dont know how much it costs now a days.