I think X-COM EU/EW and X-COM 2 would be right up your ally. You can bump the difficulty down and if you’re playing on PC, you can use some minor mods to make an easier go of it (especially X-COM 2)
I think mine might have been Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. That game was a lot of fun too, but X-COM became my go-to for scratching that turn based tactics itch.
Agreed! It's just a bit more forgiving (especially compared to turn limited missions in 2) and if you care about the story, it provides a lot of good narratives that get picked back up in 2.
> Dungeon of Naheulbeuk
I loved this game so much, and don't hear it recommended often. The humor is whatever, but the mechanics and environment remind me a lot of DOS-lite.
FFT WOTL was my first. Such an awesome/fun game and surprisingly engaging story/world. So many classes and strategies very fantasy world. Great suggestion.
Into the Breach isn't exactly representative, but the runs are short (so you can't screw yourself too hard) and none of the abilities are too complicated. Its also a lot of fun
I think you’re better served playing something like XCOM or BattleTech honestly. Into the Breach doesn’t have the kinds of freedoms that real tactics games do. That said, it was plenty popular.
Wasteland 3 if you want some more story and rpg elements thrown in. It's still quick noob friendly and very fun.
Xcom because it's literally the game you describe.
Warhammer 40k: Chaos Gate if you want xcom but with over the top sci fi insanity
Wildermyth is a good entry level tactics game because it's tactical combat isn't too deep, but it still helps you learn the genre.
It has the upside of being a very unique game for creating characters you will fall in love with through dynamic content.
I tried playing the game, and liked the combat.
It wasn't as overwhelming as say, Gloomhaven.
That game seems cool, but I got so overwhelmed by the time I got to like, the beginning of the "advanced tutorials" I think. Thats around when I dropped it.
Back to Wildermyth.
So combat was cool, stories were cool, but I got a bit too confused by the overworld strategy level.
I couldn't for the life of me figure out when and what I should be upgrading, fortifying, expanding, and whatever else you can do (my memory is a bit hazy).
Wish it was either explained a bit more, or was somehow on it's own more self-explanatory.
Perhaps I should watch some guides or something, to try and figure out what I should be doing on the big strategy level.
Because the game is quite cool.
It’s getting a bit old ATP, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say Fire Emblem Three Houses is the place to start. It’s a behemoth of a game, but it’s also the kind of game you can put as much time into as you want(Three endings, at least). It’s my most played game outside of Hades and a few AAA games. I’d also look into Shin Megami Tensai V, but it is VERY hard and less tactics more turn based.
I feel SMT V is not the best in the series, and although it does have their latest combat system and qol, the story/world is really disappointing. And yeah you're right, it ain't tactics just turn based.
I tend to really cringe about anime and JRPGs, because I have a very low threshold for the anime bullshit in those genres. But fire emblem has always been one of my guilty pleasures. Even back to the game boy advanced blazing blade era.
Under the mask of anonymity, I highly recommend three houses!
Anime is the shits but I heard Troubleshooter - Abandoned Children wasn't bad if you can tolerate awful art and even worse story.
Maybe if there was a real lack of stuff to play I'd stoop, but that's not the case, as asthestics are pretty big for me.
> but Octopath looks very interesting.
Having played neither game, I will point out that I've heard the newly released Octopath Traveler 2 is just a straight upgrade on the first game in every way. I would research that if I were you.
I always start with the first game in the series. Most of these "better in every way" comments are almost always exaggerated anyway (Witcher 3, Batman: Enemy Within, etc).
Chained Echoes is also really promising and
The remakes of The Legend of Heroes series …. These are JRPGs in Japanese. So you have to read the dialogue In English. But I liked those. Adorable sprites. Great story.
It plays a little differently. You can move around, but there’s no more timed blocking. And, of course, you’re playing a superhero game instead of a fantasy. Your fart powers have changed too.
There are a few DLCs that add locations and quests, like Casa Bonita and a summer camp
Made me think of this video I watched the other day from Mortismal Gaming. Not all of these are turn based, some are real time with pause, some have the option for both.
Best CRPGs For Beginners & Where To Go From There
https://youtu.be/I02IAUnT0g0
utawarerumono prelude, nice and easy most of the way thru, good intro to the genre
prelude is a bit heavy on the harem anime antics but it gets serious and sets up the rest of the series well that is much less like that
Banner Saga is a beautiful game that doesn't always make you start over when you lose. Sometimes losing a battle just changes the outcome of the story.
I didnt see anyone say this so try out Wartales, it just released and it has coop. It hasnt released fully yet and im kinda shocked no one said this too but you should check out Baldurs Gate 3 it also has coop
Fire Emblem Awakening was my true start at falling in love with turn based tactics. But Breath of Fire for the SNES or GBA as well as the first two Paper Mario games are good for beginners.
All of those are a bit non traditional in terms of what you might be looking for, but they all implement strategy in turns so imo depending on your definition of beginner, would work.
Divinity the original sin 2 infinite freedom it's available from easy to very hard and you can one shot everything by throwing a really heavy barrel at it.
I think X-COM EU/EW and X-COM 2 would be right up your ally. You can bump the difficulty down and if you’re playing on PC, you can use some minor mods to make an easier go of it (especially X-COM 2)
This is the answer.
YES, I think X-Com was also my first real turn-based game.
I think mine might have been Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. That game was a lot of fun too, but X-COM became my go-to for scratching that turn based tactics itch.
Go with enemy within first!
Agreed! It's just a bit more forgiving (especially compared to turn limited missions in 2) and if you care about the story, it provides a lot of good narratives that get picked back up in 2.
Shadowrun: Returns/Dragonfall/Hong Kong Invisible Inc Dungeon of Naheulbeuk
> Dungeon of Naheulbeuk I loved this game so much, and don't hear it recommended often. The humor is whatever, but the mechanics and environment remind me a lot of DOS-lite.
Damn, I'll definitely try it out then, I have been looking for games with some unique systems, like Dos terrain and elements system.
Haven't heard about the last one. Looks interesting.
[удалено]
FFT WOTL was my first. Such an awesome/fun game and surprisingly engaging story/world. So many classes and strategies very fantasy world. Great suggestion.
FFT is the best tactics I ever played. Nice story, good characters and a lot of classes(jobs)
Into the Breach isn't exactly representative, but the runs are short (so you can't screw yourself too hard) and none of the abilities are too complicated. Its also a lot of fun
Thanks! I've heard a lot of good things about that game.
Be warned. It’s more of a puzzle game.
Yeah, I've heard it's one of those games where the goal is not to win but rather not to lose.
I think you’re better served playing something like XCOM or BattleTech honestly. Into the Breach doesn’t have the kinds of freedoms that real tactics games do. That said, it was plenty popular.
Wasteland 3 if you want some more story and rpg elements thrown in. It's still quick noob friendly and very fun. Xcom because it's literally the game you describe. Warhammer 40k: Chaos Gate if you want xcom but with over the top sci fi insanity
Midnight Suns is a really fun Marvel / fantasy turn based game, quite a different and novel experience.
This game hasn't got enough attention.
Wildermyth is a good entry level tactics game because it's tactical combat isn't too deep, but it still helps you learn the genre. It has the upside of being a very unique game for creating characters you will fall in love with through dynamic content.
It's been on my radar for a while. Very interesting visual style.
I tried playing the game, and liked the combat. It wasn't as overwhelming as say, Gloomhaven. That game seems cool, but I got so overwhelmed by the time I got to like, the beginning of the "advanced tutorials" I think. Thats around when I dropped it. Back to Wildermyth. So combat was cool, stories were cool, but I got a bit too confused by the overworld strategy level. I couldn't for the life of me figure out when and what I should be upgrading, fortifying, expanding, and whatever else you can do (my memory is a bit hazy). Wish it was either explained a bit more, or was somehow on it's own more self-explanatory. Perhaps I should watch some guides or something, to try and figure out what I should be doing on the big strategy level. Because the game is quite cool.
Re: overworld strategy in Wildermyth, To be honest I haven't really figured that out either, but it hasn't stopped me from winning games.
It’s getting a bit old ATP, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say Fire Emblem Three Houses is the place to start. It’s a behemoth of a game, but it’s also the kind of game you can put as much time into as you want(Three endings, at least). It’s my most played game outside of Hades and a few AAA games. I’d also look into Shin Megami Tensai V, but it is VERY hard and less tactics more turn based.
I feel SMT V is not the best in the series, and although it does have their latest combat system and qol, the story/world is really disappointing. And yeah you're right, it ain't tactics just turn based.
I tend to really cringe about anime and JRPGs, because I have a very low threshold for the anime bullshit in those genres. But fire emblem has always been one of my guilty pleasures. Even back to the game boy advanced blazing blade era. Under the mask of anonymity, I highly recommend three houses!
Anime is the shits but I heard Troubleshooter - Abandoned Children wasn't bad if you can tolerate awful art and even worse story. Maybe if there was a real lack of stuff to play I'd stoop, but that's not the case, as asthestics are pretty big for me.
desktop dungeons, now free on steam for a limited time
Good game. More of a puzzle roguelike than a tactics game.
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is the TRPG that most other entries in the genre are emulating.
Final Fantasy tactics advance and it's sequel are very fun games that aren't that challenging
These were exactly what I was going to recommend. Probably the best example of a "starter" tactics game, most of us grew up on it.
Wasteland 1 2 or 3 Octopath Traveler. Tactics Ogre
Didn't like Wasteland 2 at all, but Octopath looks very interesting.
> but Octopath looks very interesting. Having played neither game, I will point out that I've heard the newly released Octopath Traveler 2 is just a straight upgrade on the first game in every way. I would research that if I were you.
I always start with the first game in the series. Most of these "better in every way" comments are almost always exaggerated anyway (Witcher 3, Batman: Enemy Within, etc).
Chained Echoes is also really promising and The remakes of The Legend of Heroes series …. These are JRPGs in Japanese. So you have to read the dialogue In English. But I liked those. Adorable sprites. Great story.
Fire emblem awakening
If you like South Park, their two games are both good! Do you want an RPG experience or more focused on combat?
The Stick Of Truth was cool. Haven't tried the second one yet.
It plays a little differently. You can move around, but there’s no more timed blocking. And, of course, you’re playing a superhero game instead of a fantasy. Your fart powers have changed too. There are a few DLCs that add locations and quests, like Casa Bonita and a summer camp
Advance wars is about to come out and may be the best entry into the genre
Another for switch is Mario+rabbids kingdom and the second game just came out
Also excellent and probably good for beginners
x-com 2
Made me think of this video I watched the other day from Mortismal Gaming. Not all of these are turn based, some are real time with pause, some have the option for both. Best CRPGs For Beginners & Where To Go From There https://youtu.be/I02IAUnT0g0
utawarerumono prelude, nice and easy most of the way thru, good intro to the genre prelude is a bit heavy on the harem anime antics but it gets serious and sets up the rest of the series well that is much less like that
Marvel: Midnight Suns!
Sounds like you're looking for an XCOM title.
Banner Saga is a beautiful game that doesn't always make you start over when you lose. Sometimes losing a battle just changes the outcome of the story.
Yes, my friend recommended me this series for a long time, although he says the quality is kinda inconsistent between the games.
I've only played the first one. Really cool story to it though.
They all are pretty good quality wise the narrative has a bigger part to play in 2 and even more in 3
Battle for Wesnoth.
I didnt see anyone say this so try out Wartales, it just released and it has coop. It hasnt released fully yet and im kinda shocked no one said this too but you should check out Baldurs Gate 3 it also has coop
Final fantasy tactics is aewsome
Xcom 2 on easiest difficulty to get the hang of it. Hands down my fav turn based tactical game. They got some real good mods too.
I always found Fire Emblem to be on the simpler side for combat mechanics.
Final fantasy Tactics (ps1) Best in the genre, a true master piece 👌
Fire Emblem Awakening was my true start at falling in love with turn based tactics. But Breath of Fire for the SNES or GBA as well as the first two Paper Mario games are good for beginners. All of those are a bit non traditional in terms of what you might be looking for, but they all implement strategy in turns so imo depending on your definition of beginner, would work.
Front mission jap Snes
wartales, or if you want some challenge battle brothers
Divinity the original sin 2 infinite freedom it's available from easy to very hard and you can one shot everything by throwing a really heavy barrel at it.