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What are the best SRPG's for those new to the genre?

M

mid83

Member
I'm a long time RPG fan who has always wanted to dip my toes into the SRPG water but have always felt a bit too intimidated. I have FF Tactics both on my Vita (PSP version from PSN) and iPad Air 2, but I hear it can get really complicated for a newbie to genre. Other than FFT and other fan favorites like Tactics Ogre, I don't know much about the genre, so I don't even know where to start.

So my question is to all of you SRPG fans. What are some of the best SRPG's for people brand new to the genre?
 
Both Tactics Ogre and FFT are what got people into the genre to begin with, so play those first, like everyone else did.

If you absolutely can't deal with it (it's not that complicated to be honest), then play Jeanne D'Arc for PSP, a cool game with a lighter approach on the strategy.
 
What about Fire Emblem: Awakening?

It is pretty divisive among hardcore fans of the series, but everyone I know who started the series with it loves it and thinks it is a great introduction.
 
Fire Emblem: Awakening is a brilliant way to start. It's not my favourite FE, nor was it my first SRPG or FE, but it's definitely a good place to start. Don't do FFT first.
 
Jamix012 said:
Fire Emblem: Awakening is a brilliant way to start. It's not my favourite FE, nor was it my first SRPG or FE, but it's definitely a good place to start. Don't do FFT first.
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I completely forgot about FE: Awakening. I think I might play that first.
 
Fire Emblem Awakening is a sorta weak game in the Fire Emblem series, but at the same time, it is an easy game, so maybe it is a good start. Although as far as easy games are concerned, Fire Emblem Sacred Stones is much much better. But if you want to start Fire Emblem with a great game, then Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem 7 (Rekka no Ren) are the best picks.

I'd like to recommend Devil Survivor too, because it is great, but it isn't exactly the best game for someone who is starting with the genre. Devil Survivor 2 is easier, but sadly not as good as the first one. Still a solid game (with awesome music), though, if you can get past the hideous character design.
 
Final Fantasy Tactics
Just about any Fire Emblem
The Kiseki series (if Japanese isn't a problem)
I've heard good things about the Agarest series but have only played the beginning of one
 
I agree with the posters above. Fire Emblem Awakening is probably the most accessible way into SRPG's. It's also entertaining in its own right. Among other titles in the series it might not be the "Best" but as a entry into the world of SRPG's I cant think of any title better.

After you cut your teeth on this, by all means play Tactics/Ogre they are on every SRPG players bucket list.

My next recommendations might be more controversial for some, (purist) but I highly recommend Valkyeria Chronicles and Xcom: Enemy Unknown
 
FunkyPajamas said:
Both Tactics Ogre and FFT are what got people into the genre to begin with, so play those first, like everyone else did.

If you absolutely can't deal with it (it's not that complicated to be honest), then play Jeanne D'Arc for PSP, a cool game with a lighter approach on the strategy.
Click to expand...

1000




I still maintain that Shining Force 2 is probably the most accessible yet fun SRPG. Great soundtrack, detailed character art, easy to learn yet fast paced combat system.
 
Ogre Series--Ogre Battle, Ogre Battle 64, Tactics Ogre.

Lovely games. Don't be afraid of using a guide.

You can get the Ogre games off the Wii VC and Tactics is on PSN for PSP/Vita.
 
Jeann D' Arc (PSP/PSN) - abit hard at times, but at least it doesn't have that complicated class system like FFT does.

SMT Devil Survivor Overclocked (3DS) - pretty hard game but the 3DS version has an easy mode.
 
Shining Force 1 and 2 are the way to start, since they're a lot more straightforward than FFT or Tactics Ogre (you can't mess up characters by not leveling the right classes), and a lot less brutal than Fire Emblem (no permanent death).

You can't go wrong with any suggestions in this thread thus far, though.
 
I would recommend the original Shining Force games. They're pretty much regular RPGs with strategy battles instead of random encounters. Their system is really easy to get the hang of.
 
I'd vote for Jeanne d'Arc as well. Very good game and very newbie-friendly imo!

I just recently started FFT on the PSP and even though I played some SRPGs already I was a bit overwhelmed by all the possible job/skill combinations, Zodiac compatibility rules, etc. It's not difficult once you get into it but it's not as accessible as Jeanne d'Arc so I'd not start with FFT tbh.
 
The introduction to the tutorial mission in Vandal Hearts 1 might be one of my favorite scenes in any game, ever.
 
Shining Force 1 or 2 would be a great place to start. they are very basic compared to many of the others. FFT should be one of the later ones, it can ruin you for lesser made srpgs.
 
I have heard that Suikoden Tactics is a friendly entry point for those who are new to the genre. But i haven't played it myself yet (it's in my backlog) so i don't know from personal experience.

Personally i'd recommend Valkyria Chronicles.
 
I second Valkyria Chronicles. It is a fun game with a pretty bad story, but the gameplay is awesome as well as the graphics.
 
Arc the Lad 1&2 would be a decent place to start. It breaks up the "battle after battle after battle" progression that these games usually have. It has explorable towns and dungeons, but does all it's battles in strategic maps similar to Shining Force (only without having actual attacks go onto a separate screen). You can get this onto your Vita as a PS One Classic. Sprite art and animation in this game has aged very nicely. Most of all it has fast and fun strategy battles that don't give you an insane amount of stuff to keep track of.

Shining Force 2 would be another great beginners entry point to the genre. You can actually fail and grind battles to get stronger. Also has maps and towns to explore.

Both of these games I have recommended are great strategy games, but also tap into some of the things you like in traditional JRPGs. I think Arc the Lad 1&2 are the best place to start. Arc 1 is a only couple of hours long, but Arc 2 is where the real meat is. But you should play both if you do.
 
Joseph Flemming said:
My next recommendations might be more controversial for some, (purist) but I highly recommend Valkyeria Chronicles and Xcom: Enemy Unknown
Click to expand...

Why would they be controversial? They're both incredible SRPGs and they're very accessible to players new to the genre. I prefer them to Matsuno's tactics games, even.

(I'm SO CLOSE to loving Matsuno's games but I can't get over the miserable, awful escort mechanics and the way the braindead AI can easily ruin a mission.)
 
Final Fantasy Tactics and Valkyria Chronicles have some pretty tough difficulty spikes if you do not read guides, exploit the game or watch videos of battles in advance. I grew up playing a lot of strategy non-RPG games (Battle Bugs, Command & Conquer, Warcraft) before playing SRPGs, so I am not sure what to recommend to people new to the genre.
 
Shining Force is a great intro to the genre because it has the style of Fire Emblem, but with simpler mechanics and no permadeath. Try out the GBA version if you want cleaner visuals and easier difficulty.

Personally I think Fire Emblem is the purest SRPG series though. It's just fantastic and really makes you care about the many characters which is what this genre is all about.

After those go play Final Fantasy Tactics and/or Tactics Ogre PSP.
 
I would recommend Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Don't know what the general consensus about it is (aside that Marche is considered a douche) but I enjoyed it as my first SRPG.

Otherwise Fire Emblem: Awakening.
 
Forgot to mention, welcome to the genre! I'm a huge RPG fan, but this is probably my favorite genre! It's great! Don't be intimidated. Take it easy and have fun. A lot of these games tend to ease you into their mechanics with the exception of a select few. You're gonna love it.

Also, FF Tactics is definitely overly complicated to the point that even as a huge fan of the genre it didn't really click with me until last year almost 15 years after I bought it! A walkthrough and some tips helped me out a lot
 
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