Top 10 Tactical RPGs of All Time 

0:35 - othercide (10) 1:33 - Triangle Strategy (9) 2:22 - Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (8) 3:30 - The Banner Saga (7) 4:49 - Valkyria Chronicles (6) 5:42 - Disgaea 5 (5) 6:36 - Fire Emblem: Three Houses (4) 7:39 - Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (3) 8:35 - XCOM 2 (2) 9:31 - Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (1)

To anyone who hasn't tried it. I highly recommend Jeanne d'Arc for psp. Was super fun.

Maybe I’m being biased but what about Shining Force. That’s what got me into this entire genre.

No Shining Force mentioned is a big fail. Jagged Alliance 2 not mentioned is also another fail.

Tactics ogre should be released on other platforms. It's a gem

Yes, FF Tactics is a beautiful game IMO. Deep story, a vast variety of characters, jobs, and fun game mechanics. Such a memorable game.

FF Tactics is a timeless masterpiece and one of the best games of all time, it needs a re-release !

Vandal Hearts is amazing! Deserved to be on the list.

I'm so happy that FFT took the #1 spot on this list. This game is one of my favorite games of all time for me personally. It's challenging, has an amazing story and one of the best soundtracks in the gaming industry. I remembered starting it at the beginning of one of my spring breaks growing and I ended up playing it the whole week and finishing it on the last day. Honestly, one of my fondest memories growing up and it's why FFT will be forever in my top 5 greatest games of all time. If you haven't played it and you think it's too old of a game to try out then I would say I thought the same thing but then I downloaded it again on an emulator and replayed it around 10 years later from my original playthrough and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it has held up over the years. It truly was ahead of it's time and I would absolutely love to see a remake of this game.

Ogre Battle 64 introduced me to TRPGs and has always a special place in my gamer heart

No Shining Force, no Advance Wars? Overall a solid list, but no Shining Force is almost criminal.

I’m surprised that Advance Wars isn’t on here! 1+2 Reboot Camp is my most anticipated game of the year. Great list though!

Doesn’t Divinity Original Sin 2 count as a tactical RPG? If so it would be top of my list.

My favorite is Front Mission 3. Can't wait for the 1 and 2 remake!

Love this genre. Great variety to this list. Some honorable mentions: Shining Force, Wargroove, Mario Rabids, and Langrisser

Thanks for this. After so many years of zero love I'm happy to see my favorite genre is getting back to it's glory days with new releases and loads of remakes to come. I've played most of the games mentioned on this list but for some reason completely missed Othercide. Definitely going to check it out since it's cheap (and on sale in Asia right now) If anyone else has some good suggestions feel free to reply. Some of mine would be: Front mission series and Phoenix point (it's very buggy though) I really enjoyed Phantom doctrine as well.

Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is a really good game that was inspired by FFT. Having said that, my favourite tactics game: Vandal Hearts, Fell Seal, Triangle Strategy and FFT:WOTL. SquareEnix or Sony - Please make a new FFT for PS5! 🙏🙏

Valkyria Chronicles 4 Truly Deserves a Spot here. It's an Improvement in every way to VC1, felt more Memorable than VC1, the focus on the entire squad characters with individual stories, the main story dynamics and gameplay improvements, made this one of the best Tactical RPGs/Strategy Action games of all time!

FF Tactics has been one of my favorite games of all time for years. Triangle Strategy, however, has creeped its way up there and almost overtook it! But not quite!

It is a diverse list and it's nice to see the genre given a place in the sun. However, where is Shining Force. Political intrigue, great maps, excellent music, easy to get into battle system. It should be at least in the top 5.

I really loved Jeanne D'arc for the PSP

I think Final Fantasy Tactics is the "greatest game of all time." Happy to see it at the top of this list of tactical RPGS. Btw, there has been a lot of love for FFT lately on the interwebs (even more than usual); hopefully this leads to a true sequel or faithful remake.

Man, I can't believe the original Vandal Hearts didn't make the list. That is a REALLY good game as well. One of my favorites.

No place for advance wars? It's a freaking masterpiece. Fast to play, easy to pick, no endless text and HUGE replayability. For me it's the best portable strategy game by miles.

I can't believe the Shining Force series isn't on this list. More specifically, Shining Force 2. Still hoping all 3 parts of SF3 get a remake. Also… Othercide might be a good game…. But no where near #10 on the greatest Tactical RPG’s of ALL TIME.

I'm glad you put the Banner Saga, it truly deserves its place on the list. A masterpiece of storytelling, combat and immersion imo. A very honourable mention to Vikings Expedition (haven't played Rome yet).

Shining force and Shining force 2 are the greatest tactical RPGs ever

All about Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together in this household.

I love Fire Emblem so much, even bought a Wii U only to be able to play Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn 😀 But I was amazed that you even put classics like Tactics Ogre and FF Tactics on the list, good job there! I am really hyped for the remaster of Advance Wars :)

Vandal hearts should be on the list if not top 3

Final Fantasy Tactics will always have a place in my heart🥰❤

Very good review and video! Thank you. Adding the music for each game brought back memories for some of the game!

personally final fantasy tactics ADVANCE it's my favorite tactical rpg I have so many memories with this game

jeanne d'arc should totally be in the list, probably top 3.

Triangle Strategy surpassed expectations.

Shining Force 2 the one and only

I played the banner saga, all 3, during shelter in place. The studio really did care about the characters and game. Glad I also enjoyed most of the games on this list

Awesome list, appreciated Path of Radiance being on there. Ike’s FE games are so good. Also, lets not forget Diofield Chronicle was announced for this year. Game looks great visually, I’m excited to see more.

The fact that Shining Force or Shining Force 2 didn't make a list of top Tactical RPG's is just plain criminal.

The ones I've enjoyed the most: Shining Force 2 Wargroove Mario Rabbids

This list has some solid choices, but there's waaay too many new gen games on here. Not having any Shining Force game seems like a huge whiff, and there's plenty more gems on PS1 alone, like Vandal Hearts, Vanguard Bandits, Saiyuki Journey West, Kartia, Brigandine, Arc the Lad, and more.

soooooo stoked to see The Banner Saga on this list. ive been playing the games since they came out and dont see them on lists of this manner often

This is a great list Ronny and a good video. I was pleasantly surprised to see the thought and quality put into this. Haven’t watched anything IGN in a while due to falling quality, lack of enthusiasm and effort, and just an overall absence of common sense. It was a pleasant surprise to see IGN pick the obvious for number one on the list. I was half expecting to see some strange never heard of TRPG top the list for the “hey, look at us and our shock value artsy with deep critic over analyzation of a never heard of game” pick. So thanks for doing it right. What I find really amazing about FFT is how after all this time and advancements made on gaming systems, it still easily holds the number one spot so much so, that the true competition is really for the number two spot. I would definitely love a remake or something new truly worthy of a challenge for number one.

I am nearly finished with Valkyria Chronicles right now, and the game is amazing. It's basically a anime WW 2 strategy RPG, that answers the pressing question: what if in WW 2 each side had anime weapons (like a Super Saiyan)?

Wasteland 3 is a must play. I love games that let me just talk my way out of situations and this games has a variety of options on how to tackle situations when it come to dialogue

My list:1.Shining Force 1-2 2.Final Fantasy Tactics 3.Vandal Hearts

No Shining Force?? Wow!!!

May I suggest for future video to also add in which console the game is available?

This is a very good list - Tactics Ogre LUCT is my #1 pick and is one of my favorite games of all time. Some notable runners up for me are Jeanne D'arc and FE8. Vandal Hearts 1 also very good but not a top 10.

Id like to give an honorable mention to Fell Seal, if you guys haven't heard of it, check it out. Lots of influence from FFT, good story, has a couple endings, and you can customize the difficulty (and the new game+ by deciding what you keep: levels, gear, job exp) to cater to your preferences. The art was a unique touch too, you can even customize the look of your units, really enjoyed this one.

*Vandal Hearts 2, Brigandine Legend of Forsena, Suikoden Tactics, FF Tactics Advance, Front Mission 3, Arc The Lad, Jeanne d'Arc, Vanguard Bandits

I can't seem to find that first game (Little by little other side) anywhere. It doesn't even appear in my google search, wtf? Help please.

Shining Force deserves a spot on here rather than devoting two picks to Fire Emblem.

SMT Devil Survivor 1 and 2 (both DS originals and 3DS remasters) should also be honorable mentions. For some more obscure games you could also mention Valkyrie Profile Covenant of the Plume, Ragnarok Tactics, Eternal Poison and the Langrisser I & II remakes.

FFT War of The Lions was the first ever game I bought for the PSP AND first ever SRPG and I was so hooked and in love. I've never played another like it

0:27 What the...? please tell me the title of the BMG used in this?

x-com 2 War of the Chosen and Othercide are 2 of my favorites and I still play them on my PS5 at various times.

I just started playing Three Houses last week. Perfect timing :) EDIT: Aaaaaaaaand there's Three Houses spoilers in the video. Well done, IGN.

I thought about Front Mission on SNES, Valkyrie Profile on DS and Advance Wars on GBA. They have either great storyline, great mechanics, scaling difficulty ! FF tactics introduced me to TRPGs but my favorite will always be Front Mission because of my love for mechas/customization/storyline

two ps2 ATLUS games : Eternal poison & stella desus are criminally underrated tactical jrpg , they deserve more attention ,and must be in the top list.

I can relate with this list (albeit not with the order). If Into the Breach can be considered the same genre, it would be top 3 btw.

Final fantasy tactic is the reason i fell in love with tactical RPG. there is another game "Hoshigami" that kinda have the same art style with FFT, but FFT will always be the best tactical RPG for me.

did you look into vandal hearts and or brigadine? both for ps1

Thanks a lot for mentioning Othercide in the Top 10, it's such an honor! It means a lot to us

Love seeing Tactics Ogre on this list. Favorite game hands down

path of radiance and its sequel are fire emblem at its best. highly recommend playing them.

I first played Shining Force 2 on the Sega Channel. That takes me back to the mid 90's of tactical RPG, where I fell in love with Warsong/Langrisser, SF1, SF2, SF:SoH, Ogre Battle, etc.

One similar to tactics released around the same time is Vanguard Bandits or Epica Stella in Japan. Very underrated and somewhat unknown psone tactics game with giant gundam type units called atac's. I think it deserves an honorable mention was a dope entry for the genre as whole.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle won strategy game of the year in the same year Xcom 2 was also nominated, just saying

The shining force 3 trilogy is the best……such a cool adventure with lots of characters and addictive gameplay. Total shame SEGA limited this release in whole at first. Shining Force Central is awesome, some of the folks there translated the second two games for everyone to experience. I’d die for a shining force 4 continuing where 3 ended with Julian going north and Galm and Elise in the shadows.

I use to play some tactical rpgs I just don’t play them often now, only Valkyrie Chronicles I end up liking the style of it. When you take over few bases but suddenly the enemy spawns where you’re left open and you have to travel far to counter them.

The original Sakura Wars games are pretty underrated, also Advance Wars games are fun too. There are actually a lot of turn base tactic games out there that are so underrated like Arc the lad, some Warhammer tactics games like Spacehulk, they are fun to play but because FFT was so good during that PS1 era, a lot of tactic games are often overlooked.

You're missing Front Mission 3, that games was amazing, it was customisable mech game with a branching story that lead to separate endings

Good to see the Banner Saga getting the credit it deserves!

What a fantastic list several games added to my shortlist :)

For people who don’t like turn based RPGs please give tactical RPGs a chance. They are so much more satisfying imo and far less grindy (lol unless it’s disgaea then the grind is fun)

Shining force 2 should have been here.

A few more for me, Shining Force series, Dark Wizard, Military Madness and Gears Tactics and Rabbids Battle Kingdom were quite enjoyable too. Dark Wizard for the Sega CD was my first tactical RPG and hooked me into the genre.

Tactics Ogre is golden! Underrated but really good.

How can shinning force not be on the list somewhere ?

Glad to see FFT take number 1. Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark is also incredibly good. It's a spiritual successor made by a husband and wife team.

Loved valkyria chronicles! … but when I think tactical rpgs my fave is Jeanne d'Arc on psp!

What is the name of the game at 10:15 ?

FFT. Could anything else have been number 1? I think not. Still one of my favourite games of all time, if not my number 1. Practically perfect in every way.

Othercide is the only one that I don't believe it deserves that much praise, it's an ok game. I have found Gears Tactics to be a much greater tactical game than Othercide ever was.

*No D&D Goldbox games?* No Pathfinder? No Shining Force? _List invalidated._

Jeanne of Arc on PSP deserved a place here

While I'm not surprised it didnt make the list, Children of Zodiarcs by Square Enix actually produced a very fresh approach to the tactical RPG world. It is a Dice, Deck Builder TRPG. While I didnt care terribly for the story, everything about the game definitely caught my interest. Had a fair share of difficult battles as well.

Banner Saga is utterly amazing. I've put off playing the 3rd game until I do a 2nd playthrough of #2 but the disaster-migration style choices are rough and character losses hit you hard. The pacing of gameplay is done well too. If you started at the 3rd game the shear volume of character types/classes and tactical options would overwhelming but playing from 1-3 lets you build up a fleshed out understanding of the gameplay and classes as you go

X Com 2 is still my favourite, it has very few cut scenes and dialogue, focuses more on combat and strategy. That doomsday style clock gives you urgency from the beginning. Not to forget the amazing mods out there. FF Tactics never clicked with me, wasn't a fan of enemy level scaling and not a big fan of game story.

I was saying Let Us Cling Together better be on here haha. My favorite of all time

My first Fire Emblem game, Path of Radiance, and I’m so happy that it made it on the list.

I’m so happy to finally see Disgaea on a list! I think 4 is the GOAT, but happy the series gets a shout out!

Final fantasy tactics and Fire emblem 3 are a must have for tactics gamers. I wasnt a big fan til i played Final fantasy tactics then i tried fire emblem 3 and fell in love instantly 🙃🙂

No srw, front mission or G gen game?

No Shining Force? That game's popularity paved the way for tactical RPGs.

Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor is what got me into the genre and is one of the best in my opinion.

Literally my favorite sub-genre of my favorite genre.

Disgaea 5 might be the last traditional Disgaea we get considering the path 6 took, and that might not even be a bad thing. That game is overwhelming and it really can last for an absurd amount of time. It's quite the juggernaut in this genre, one with few contenders. It aged well in many regards, so there's no reason to play any other Disgaea over it unless you're either nostalgic, really curious about the franchise's history, more enamored by an earlier entry's plot (4 seems to be a favorite for that reason), or too blinded by 6's 3D models to be able to appreciate 5's 2D sprites and how much passion NIS put into them. That's not to say it couldn't do with some of 6's QOL improvements or the reintroduction of the online features on the Steam version, but it's still an excellent, unparalleled SRPG that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves.

Yes the story telling is Master class, yes the job system is deep and addicting. But let's be honest, the real reason Final Fantasty Tactics wins is obviously it's MUSIC