Tactical RPGs

[SilentScreams]

Is it just me, or is this genre severely under-represented on the PC?

When I say tactical RPG, I mean games such as Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, etc.

I love the genre and have played most of them on consoles/handhelds, but I'd prefer to play one on the PC as my platform of choice.

Does anyone know of any?

[Panthera]

It's true, there really aren't many. You're more likely to find games that are a little more strategy than RPG, like Age of Wonders or Elven Legacy.

[MagGnome]

Originally Posted by Panthera

It's true, there really aren't many. You're more likely to find games that are a little more strategy than RPG, like Age of Wonders or Elven Legacy.

Age of Wonders is definitely a turn-based strategy game, not a tactical RPG. Your units gain levels, but I wouldn't call the game an RPG, as you said. It's an awesome game probably not what Silent Screams is looking for.

Edit - What about X-COM? I think that fits the bill, at least IMHO.

[TheKeck]

I haven't played any of your example games. Could anyone sum up the mechanics of this genre?

[biosc1]

Originally Posted by TheKeck

I haven't played any of your example games. Could anyone sum up the mechanics of this genre?

Think Shining Darkness, Fire Emblem, etc..

You control units that gain experience and levels while fighting.

[evilgoodwin]

Originally Posted by biosc1

Think Shining Darkness, Fire Emblem, etc..

You control units that gain experience and levels while fighting.

That's Shining FORCE. Shining in the Darkness is more of a first person Wizardry-type game.

This thread DOES raise an interesting point. Sure, they have turn-based strategy games on PC, but they never feel the same as the console versions.

[RandoM51]

Originally Posted by evilgoodwin

This thread DOES raise an interesting point. Sure, they have turn-based strategy games on PC, but they never feel the same as the console versions.

Probably because you're comparing games created by Japanese developers with games created primarily by Western developers.

Whereas the Japanese games will feature super-deformed avatars and hair every color of the spectrum, the Western games will typically feature real world equipment, people, and/or events.

[SilentScreams]

Originally Posted by J Arcane

Y'all should look at this game: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012...erious-castle/

Thanks, that looks interesting. Downloading the demo now.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by RandoM51

Probably because you're comparing games created by Japanese developers with games created primarily by Western developers.

Whereas the Japanese games will feature super-deformed avatars and hair every color of the spectrum, the Western games will typically feature real world equipment, people, and/or events.

You're talking about aesthetics, that's all surface level. There isn't much of anything that resembles SRPGs on PC in terms of mechanics, that's what's being commented on.

[Vigil80]

One of my very favorite genres. I've played just about as many as I could get my hands on.

On the PC, you've got...
Fallout: Tactics
Silent Storm
Jagged Alliance (much as it pains me to say, the aged JA2 is a better place to start at the moment than the recent JA: Back in Action)
UFO

There's also Valkyria Chronicles for PS3, and last gen's Gladius is a favorite of mine if you don't mind an older aesthetic.

What else have we got?

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Vigil80

One of my very favorite genres. I've played just about as many as I could get my hands on.

On the PC, you've got...
Fallout: Tactics
Silent Storm
Jagged Alliance (much as it pains me to say, the aged JA2 is a better place to start at the moment than the recent JA: Back in Action)
UFO

There's also Valkyria Chronicles for PS3, and last gen's Gladius is a favorite of mine if you don't mind an older aesthetic.

What else have we got?

Gladius is a hidden jewel. Amazing game.

[Khrymsyn]

Originally Posted by Vigil80

Jagged Alliance (much as it pains me to say, the aged JA2 is a better place to start at the moment than the recent JA: Back in Action)
UFO

oooof... that pains me to hear =(

[Ink Asylum]

Typically turn-based, and set on a square or hex-based grid.

[TheKeck]

Originally Posted by biosc1

Think Shining Darkness, Fire Emblem, etc..

Never played, never played, etc...

You control units that gain experience and levels while fighting.

Originally Posted by Ink Asylum

Typically turn-based, and set on a square or hex-based grid.

But thanks.

[Vigil80]

Also, the pacing is typically pretty deliberate. Like a tabletop miniatures wargame, perhaps.

[Narradisall]

So, any good ones on PC?

[Vigil80]

I think the ones I listed are good. Maybe not AAA good, but good.

[Serapth]

You could argue Heroes of Might and Magic or Kings Bounty series.

[MagGnome]

Originally Posted by Serapth

You could argue Heroes of Might and Magic or Kings Bounty series.

Those two definitely blur the lines, that's for sure.

Originally Posted by evilgoodwin

This thread DOES raise an interesting point. Sure, they have turn-based strategy games on PC, but they never feel the same as the console versions.

That's because the console versions are almost always made by Japanese developers and are thus quite different. Shining Force, Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, etc.

Originally Posted by Shadowmage952

There is also Battle for Wesnoth. It is very much supposed to be like the tactics games on consoles, but I haven't actually given it a try yet. Best of all, it's free, so you should probably check it out.

Speaking of which, maybe I'll finally try my hand at it.

Battle for Wesnoth is fantastic. It's sort of like Age of Wonders without the kingdom-management aspect. I love both of them.

[evilgoodwin]

Originally Posted by MagGnome

That's because the console versions are almost always made by Japanese developers and are thus quite different. Shining Force, Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, etc.

I think you nailed it, Mags. Just as Western RPG's are different from Japanese RPG's, Tacticals are varied and different as well.

I'd kill for a Shining Force done by the Valkyria guys. And that statement makes me weep, as it COULD happen but won't.