Strategy RPGS

[kokichi]

Since the "one game" thread steered that way rather than derail it we need a thread just for strategy rpgs.

Some of my faves:

1) As mentioned Dark Wizard for the sega cd.
2) The Vandal Hearts games (ps1) - the second would have been a masterpiece except for that sucky battle system.
3) Warsong (genesis)
4) The Shining Force games - my favorite is SFII.
5) Master of Monsters (genesis)
6) Brigandine (ps1) - probably my second favorite after Dark Wizard

One thing I dislike about most (if not all) of the console games is the usually pathetic AI that generally acts dumber than a box of rocks. I like a challenge and don't mind having to work for a win in battle.

Things I really like are hex grid maps and zones of control. Not many games have these though.

[retroguy]

You'd have to play it on an emulator, but one of the best strategy games I've played is a Super Famicom game called Battle Robot Retsuden. I think it's a spinoff of Super Robot Wars, but I'm not sure. The text is all in Japanese, of course, but it only took me a couple of minutes fiddling with the menus to figure it out. A fan translation would be nice, but I don't think there's been one yet. Bummer.

[shiningphantasy]

I really liked Master of Monsters for Genesis also; definitely one of my favorites in fact as it was easy to get into but with enough layers to keep things interesting; loved watching my characters level up and transform.

I also liked Mystaria The Realms of Lore for Sega Saturn; later re-titled Blazing Heroes; (And orignially known as Riglord Saga in Japan) it's a shame that they never released the sequel outside of Japan. Great visuals and effects for its' time. Simple but effective mechanics.

Shining Force was a good title although I only played through the first game; I was ready and amped to buy Shining Force 3 but ultimately hesitated because I knew that Scenario 2 and 3 were never going to be localized and didn't like the thought of playing through only part of the story arc. In the end I should have just picked it up and played it--especially for $40--for the sake of experience and playing one additional good Saturn game.

Ironically I'm doing that now by playing through Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky while fully knowing that LOH: Second Chapter may never be localized, although XSEED is slowly plugging away at it.

Perhaps my favorite SRPG of all though has to be Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber; I think that I put close to 90 hours into that game. The real time elements set it apart from other Ogre Battle games for me and increased the pace to more my liking.

Generally I like turn-based traditional RPG's and action/RPG's more than the SRPG's but I definitely can have a lot of fun with them when I am in the right mood.

[jessie]

The Shining Force games are awesome! Final Fantasy Tactics is great as is Wild Arms.