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Good "isometric/tactics" turn-based game recommendations?

Operation Silent Storm (and Sentinels) for PC.
Russian-made quite hardcore classic tactics game like XCOM and Jagged Alliance.
WW2 thriller with some Wolfenstein-level of crazyness in form of power armor near the end of the game.
 
The obvious recommendation from me will be Xcom Enemy Unknown; Wasteland 2 (which I find challenging but good), and Divinity OS Enhanced edition.

Divinity has become one of my favorite games.
Im glad to see titles like Invisible, inc here because I didnt know about it.
 
Seconding all the good chaps in this thread recommending Valkyria Chronicles. Easily one of my top 5 games of last generation.

And like it needs to be said again, but yeah, Tactics Ogre: LUCT. Groovy game for groovy people.
 
If you're into Journey of the West flavored Chinese mythology, Saiyuki (PS1) is a solid time. Kinda easy but very chill and enjoyable.

saiyuki-journey-west-image847085.jpg
 
Definitely XCOM. It was actually inspired pretty heavily by FFT so it won't be as much a departure as you might think.

I also really love the Front Mission series.
 
Mupod said:
Definitely XCOM. It was actually inspired pretty heavily by FFT so it won't be as much a departure as you might think.

I also really love the Front Mission series.
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How is it possible if X-Com is several years older than FFT?

X-Com and the similiar Jagged Alliance are typical PC games.
 
Finale Fireworker said:
I see a few people here recommending Wild Arms XF. Like most PSP games, there is virtually nothing to read about it in terms of player impressions or actual quality. And, also like most PSP games, the reviews appear to have been mixed.

I would love if somebody could tell me more about the game and why it's good or bad. I decided against it a long time ago because it would have been a blind buy. But a lot of PSP games that only reviewed okay are actually very good.
Click to expand...

Wild Arms XF is Final Fantasy Tactics with crazier classes, hexagonal tiles, and more mission variety. The main reason why some reviewers gave it negative reviews is because the game wants you to change your classes frequently to match the mission objective rather than just create uber character combos that you use all the time. For example, one mission might be stealth oriented so you'd want classes that are fast & movement oriented.

Like all Wild Arms games, the soundtrack is fantastic. IMO, it's one of the best Strategy/RPGs out there. Also, it's only $9.99 - https://store.playstation.com/#!/en...e=Google&utm_term=ps-se-717&utm_content=Brand
 
SMT Devil Survivor Overclocked and Record Breaker are awesome. They have a great story and atmosphere along with some really great mechanics. They should be first on your list if you have a 3DS. Then checkout Fire Emblem Awakening and Fates. Also for PC checkout XCOM which has a sequel coming out soon, I played the first one on a whim and couldn't stop playing. Those are my favorites.

Here's some recommendations:

3DS
Fire Emblem Awakening and Fates
SMT Devil Survivor over clocked and Recor Breaker

PC
XCOM Enemy Unkown/Within
Valkyria Chronicles
Divinity Original Sin
Wasteland 2
Star Craft 2 (all 3)
Shadowrun

There's a ton more OP but these are the best ones than come to mind off the top of my head.
 
Robert at Zeboyd Games said:
Wild Arms XF is Final Fantasy Tactics with crazier classes, hexagonal tiles, and more mission variety. The main reason why some reviewers gave it negative reviews is because the game wants you to change your classes frequently to match the mission objective rather than just create uber character combos that you use all the time. For example, one mission might be stealth oriented so you'd want classes that are fast & movement oriented.

Like all Wild Arms games, the soundtrack is fantastic. IMO, it's one of the best Strategy/RPGs out there. Also, it's only $9.99 - https://store.playstation.com/#!/en...e=Google&utm_term=ps-se-717&utm_content=Brand
Click to expand...

Great information, thanks a lot. I have one more important question, though, and you're probably a great person to ask: how is the story?
 
Robert at Zeboyd Games said:
Wild Arms XF is Final Fantasy Tactics with crazier classes, hexagonal tiles, and more mission variety. The main reason why some reviewers gave it negative reviews is because the game wants you to change your classes frequently to match the mission objective rather than just create uber character combos that you use all the time. For example, one mission might be stealth oriented so you'd want classes that are fast & movement oriented.

Like all Wild Arms games, the soundtrack is fantastic. IMO, it's one of the best Strategy/RPGs out there. Also, it's only $9.99 - https://store.playstation.com/#!/en...e=Google&utm_term=ps-se-717&utm_content=Brand
Click to expand...

Well, looks like I'll be picking up Wild Arms XF. Thanks for making me $10 poorer. :P
 
XCOM is one of the best games released in the last 5 years, period. Definite recommend. You also can't go wrong with Jagged Alliance 2 1.13 mod.
 
Mupod said:
Definitely XCOM. It was actually inspired pretty heavily by FFT
Click to expand...

9829664923_d3636926c4_o.gif


As for recommendations:


Quite possibly the GOAT tactical game


Classic X-COM gameplay, modern interface and graphics


Fantastic WW2 (with fantastical elements) tactical game with *incredible* destructible environments


A spiritual successor to the classic Battle Isle series, basically Advanced Wars with teeth
 
Insaniac said:
Love me some turn-based games, especially the tactics style games like Fire Emblem and Advance Wars and FF tactics. Looking for some recommendations of other ones

I have played:

advance wars series, fire emblem series, Final fantasy tactics series

(I especially love tactics style games with leveling and gear and spells etc)
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Tactics Ogre, Jeanne D'Arc, Front Mission 3. All playable on Vita!
 
Mupod said:
XCOM is the new one. X-COM is the old one.

For a source to my claims, Garth DeAngelis from Firaxis specifically stated what I said in interviews.
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The joke is that he even denied that he was "inspired pretty heavily" by FFT or other console games in the interviews.
 
PdotMichael said:
The joke is that he even denied that he was "inspired pretty heavily" by FFT or other console games in the interviews.
Click to expand...

It's been a few years but I definitely remember him stating that before starting work on the 'remake' he had no experience with the original X-COM game (he did go back and play it), and he was a huge fan of FFT. So one of us remembers wrong and I can't check here.

Regardless it feels to me that it did influence XCOM just based on how the movement/action system works, relative to an AP based system. That's what I mean when I say it's surprisingly easy to get into for a fan of japanese SRPGs. I may personally be a fan of earlier PC tactical games but those are harder to recommend in this case.
 
edit: woops wrong person
---
Also seconding the people saying X-COM/Jagged Alliance 2/Silent Storm

RM8 said:
Ghost Recon Shadow Wars. It's like the missing link between Fire Emblem and XCOM, I loved it.
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This was actually designed by the original creator of X-COM iirc, Julian Gollop.
 
Another vote for Jeanne D'arc, it is seriously so good! It's my second favorite SRPG, after FFT.

I saw a couple suggestions for Wild Arms XF, that one really didn't gel with me. It wasn't a bad game, but it didn't blow my mind or hook me like Jeanne did.
 
Sumio Mondo said:
I'll also recommend Gungnir (PSP) since it's a rather solid FFTactics knock off from Sting. And Metal Gear AC!D 1 and 2 (PSP) for something a little different from the genre.
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Seconding Gungnir. Well designed. I don't think many games are innovative, but Sting really pushed the genre into interesting, genuinely new directions while maintaining the overall basic framework. The way that levels don't really have a big impact on difficulty is the best part. I hate SRPGs were leveling up makes a massive difference, negating any strategy.
 
Qwark said:
Another vote for Jeanne D'arc, it is seriously so good! It's my second favorite SRPG, after FFT.

I saw a couple suggestions for Wild Arms XF, that one really didn't gel with me. It wasn't a bad game, but it didn't blow my mind or hook me like Jeanne did.
Click to expand...

Jeanne D'Arc was actually the second game I played on my Vita when I got it last year. I thought it was going to be one of my favorite games ever: a fantasy retelling of Joan of Arc's conquests? How could I not love this game?

I didn't hate it. And I seem to grow fonder of it as time passes. But I ended up really not liking the fantasy elements they used. Once I had
a giant pink frog with a sword in his mouth on my team
, I really became disillusioned with the whole experience. I beat the game and did the post-campaign maps, but boy, was I ready for it to be over...
 
KR_remix said:
edit: woops wrong person
---
Also seconding the people saying X-COM/Jagged Alliance 2/Silent Storm


This was actually designed by the original creator of X-COM iirc, Julian Gollop.
Click to expand...

ah you caught it on your own. You guys are making me question my own memory so badly, and I'm still stuck at work.

But yeah, Jake Solomon is probably my favorite human being in the gaming industry. I'm trying to stay dark on XCOM 2 but his interviews are so fascinating to listen to.
 
  • Shadowrun Dragonfall/Hongkong (pc)
  • Banner Saga (pc)
  • Disgaea 5 (ps4)
  • Devil survivor games (ds/3ds)
  • Massive chalice (pc/xb1)
  • Xcom Enemy Unkown (pc/xb360/ps3
  • Front mission (nds)
All of these are good games the bolded one's have a cover system you might dislike it since isn't in any games you listed.
 
ufo enemy unknown (with openxcom)
jagged alliance 2

among the recent ones, chaos reborn and divinity original sin (the latter is a rpg, but the tactical combat is great).
 
Mupod said:
ah you caught it on your own. You guys are making me question my own memory so badly, and I'm still stuck at work.

But yeah, Jake Solomon is probably my favorite human being in the gaming industry. I'm trying to stay dark on XCOM 2 but his interviews are so fascinating to listen to.
Click to expand...

Ya, I got it mixed up and misread. Garth definitely said FFT was his favorite game ever, and that he was more familiar with Japanese games. I think they even said they were paying attention to Valkyria Chronicles for the reboot.
 
Qwark said:
Another vote for Jeanne D'arc, it is seriously so good! It's my second favorite SRPG, after FFT.

I saw a couple suggestions for Wild Arms XF, that one really didn't gel with me. It wasn't a bad game, but it didn't blow my mind or hook me like Jeanne did.
Click to expand...

Reverse for me. Love the Jeanne story, heard so many great things about the game, bought it soon after getting a PSP and was seriously unimpressed. The graphics were nice for a PSP game, but otherwise, it felt like a very by-the-books game. I don't think I got past the first few hours before getting bored and shelving it.
 
Super Robot Wars is a solid SRPG, knowing the animes enhances the fun, but it's not required. However, the disadvantage is you'd have to import the games and need a guide for most of them.

If you want specifically the ones that are isometric:

-SRW Alpha series (1,gaiden,2 & 3) (PSX for the first two & PS2 for the final two)
-SRW MX (PS2 and PSP)
-SRW Z (PS2)
 
Blackguards (PC) was a pleasant surprise for me. The story is utter shite, but luckily it's also just brief some brief interludes to connect the meat of the game -- its battle scenarios. The game never really pulls its punches difficulty-wise not even from the get-go, the character build options are dizzying, and the game does a great job of mixing in unique elements in its encounters all the way through.

bg3.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I'm also going to give another vote to Silent Storm and Silent Storm: Sentinels.

I also recommend Battle Brothers. Its in early access but pretty damn good so far.

Most people didn't like Jagged Alliance: Back In action, but I find myself enjoying despite its issues. There are some mods to fix some of the issues out there.
 
Noaloha said:
Blackguards (PC) was a pleasant surprise for me. The story is utter shite, but luckily it's also just brief some brief interludes to connect the meat of the game -- its battle scenarios. The game never really pulls its punches difficulty-wise not even from the get-go, the character build options are dizzying, and the game does a great job of mixing in unique elements in its encounters all the way through.
Click to expand...

Yea Blackguards is quite good. The sequel not so much.
 
Another vote for The Banner Saga - excellent turn-based strategy with some RPG and resource management elements. 75% off on Steam right now.
 
Divinity: Original Sin has my favorite turn-based combat system in a videogame. It's not quite comparable with the games you mentioned though. It's a lot more freeform and allows for all sorts of creativity and unconventional strategies.

If you want something more structured, the XCOM reboot is lovely. So is Invisible Inc. Turn-based stealth! 50% off!
Mupod said:
It's been a few years but I definitely remember him stating that before starting work on the 'remake' he had no experience with the original X-COM game (he did go back and play it), and he was a huge fan of FFT. So one of us remembers wrong and I can't check here.
Click to expand...

Jake Solomon headed up the XCOM reboot. He was a huge fan of the original game before development started but many people at Firaxis had never played it.

It's all here: http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/1/31/3928710/making-of-xcoms-jake-solomon-firaxis-sid-meier
 
XCOM
Shadowrun: Dragonfall
Invisible Inc

All good suggestions.

But if you look at the classics, that are still playable and enjoyable today, I would say that Jagged Alliance 2 is one the better choices.

It has pretty bleak colours, and a interface that's really not welcoming, but it's a blast to play. You're band of mercenaries, that's hired to free a fictious country.

Jagged_Alliance_2_Gold_TacticalScreen_Screenshot.png


http://www.gog.com/game/jagged_alliance_2

It has:

*A non-linear campaign.
*Pretty descent RPG elements.
*Solid turnbased gameplay, one of the best in the genres.
*A huge cast of available mercenaries, with great personalities. Some even dislike each other to the point that they can start fighting each other.
*Destructible houses.
*Lot's of secrets and extra missions.
*Crafting.
*Humour. Everyone who used the florist in the game the right way knows this.
*Optional scifi elements.

And it's currently just $2.49 at GOG.
 
All the NIS stuff, especially Disgaea 1.

Poison Pink is extremely addicting and has a great story but the gameplay is a bit slow, same with Jeanne D'Arc which is also way too easy (still a good game).

X-Com (the original) is easily my favorite of these types of games; imho it aged extremely well.

Finished Valkyrie Chronicles a few weeks ago, good game but with quite a few issues. Maybe I was expecting too much because of all the love it gets. Certainly worth playing though.

What else is there...

Wild Arms XF has some interesting concepts (jobs) but maybe just like with VC after reading all the "best game of FOREEEVARRRR" comments here it was slightly disappointing.

Sakura Wars PS2 is more of a dating sim with some SRPG elements..and a weird story.

Soul Nomad is a lot of fun too, great story, fun and quick battles and thankfully not as complex as Disgaea.
 
For recent non-D:OSEE options, you can try Dead State and Age of Decadence.

If you want pure action though, Jagged Alliance, Banner Saga and Xenonauts are worth checking.
 
PSqueak said:
Super Robot Wars is a solid SRPG, knowing the animes enhances the fun, but it's not required. However, the disadvantage is you'd have to import the games and need a guide for most of them.

If you want specifically the ones that are isometric:

-SRW Alpha series (1,gaiden,2 & 3) (PSX for the first two & PS2 for the final two)
-SRW MX (PS2 and PSP)
-SRW Z (PS2)
Click to expand...

Funny thing about SRW for me. I only played the OG games on GBA reluctantly because I didn't see the point of an SRW game without the licensed mecha.

Turns out I like the originals plenty on their own, if not more. I absolutely loved those games, especially the Kyosuke sides of the storylines because Alteisen is badass.


epmode said:
Divinity: Original Sin has my favorite turn-based combat system in a videogame. It's not quite comparable with the games you mentioned though. It's a lot more freeform and allows for all sorts of creativity and unconventional strategies.

If you want something more structured, the XCOM reboot is lovely. So is Invisible Inc. Turn-based stealth! 50% off!

Jake Solomon headed up the XCOM reboot. He was a huge fan of the original game before development started but many people at Firaxis had never played it.

It's all here: http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/1/31/3928710/making-of-xcoms-jake-solomon-firaxis-sid-meier
Click to expand...

like I said I'm the biggest Jake Solomon fanboy in the world but I wasn't talking about him. Probably no reason for me to keep clarifying that but I just want more excuses to quote posts about XCOM so that OP plays it.
 
Valkrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume is a great shout out. That's a very well designed game that gets easy once you master its battle system. The story in that game is just refreshingly grim and well written for a JRPG story with absolutely beautiful artwork and music (even if it is a remix of the rest of the series). Possibly my favourite Tri-Ace game overall, actually, I know that's not a popular opinion, but hey if I'm the only who thinks so, then whatever.

Voliko said:
Seconding Gungnir. Well designed. I don't think many games are innovative, but Sting really pushed the genre into interesting, genuinely new directions while maintaining the overall basic framework. The way that levels don't really have a big impact on difficulty is the best part. I hate SRPGs were leveling up makes a massive difference, negating any strategy.
Click to expand...

The story was surprisingly decent too. I enjoyed the game from start to finish and it was a relatively solid short SRPG. The ending was certainly ballsy too.

On that same note, I highly recommend Generation of Chaos: Pandora's Reflection (PSP) also from Sting, it's practically one of the most underrated Strategy RPGs out there with really systems and well designed maps. Fans of Ogre Battle/Dragon Force style map traversal and map domination with its own twists on the formula and a really addictive battle system. It was practically the developers swan song before they turned into another Compile Heart shitshow dev. It was a really good game for them to go out on.
 
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