Favorite Strategy-Tactics Game?

[SoulBlazer]

Have'nt seen anything on this yet.....

Here' is a genre that is hard to pin down exactly as to WHAT kind of game that it is. It combines a strategy game with elements that you may see in a fighting game, or a RPG, or some other type of game. A relitivily recent invention in video gaming, compared to many other types out there, the earilest US releases I think that could be called such would be Conflict and Shining Force. And yet, this is one of my all time favorite type of games.

So which ones are your personal favorite?

In no order, I would have to say mine are:

Arc the Lad Collection (PSX) -- It took forever for WD to get this out the door, but I was hooked the moment I started playing. Good stories, nice music, and well paced battles with optional stuff a plenty to do. The third is my personal favorite, with the trademark WD humor and losing the depressing feel of the first two.
Shining Force series (multipule) -- can't go wrong with these games -- weak plots but fun gameplay action.
Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX) -- the classic of the genre. Wonderfull things all around, save the graphics and the depressing ending. Can't wait for the GBA one!
Front Mission 3 (PSX) -- Oh, if only Square had brought the others over here! At least the first one has had the ROM translated. One of my all time favorite PlayStation games. Good story, good music, and great mech smashing fun!
Vanguard Bandits (PSX) -- Once again, WD has good taste in which games to bring over. Fun story and charcters with trademark WD humor and five different story lines to work on, keeping you busy for a while.
Vandal Hearts 1 and 2 (PSX) -- Konami can't do any wrong. One is kind of dated, but two is unqiue in how opposing units move at the same time and is a VERY long game.

[Kim Possible]

War Craft II was my introduction to the strategy genre on gaming platforms (I played Heroes of Might and Magic and other strategy type games on PC). And that's been the only real strategy game I've enjoyed on a console.

For PC, I love the Star Wars Galactic Battleground series and was a big fan of Heroes of Might and Magic up until #5.

Stategy may be one of my favorite genres of game. :)

[hezeuschrist]

Brigandine
Hoshigami
Ogre Battle
Tactics Ogre

FFT was my fav though... although I really haven't played any others. I guess you could kinda consider Suikoden II partly strategy.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

If we can include real-time strategy in this, I've always got to stick in a good word for Dune 2000.

[digitalpress]

Final Fantasy Tactics is still my favorite in this genre simply because it's a game you can play differently each time through.

VERY VERY close though is Front Mission 3. What a pleasant surprise that game was. It was a little too easy, though.

I still love the Genesis entries in this genre, especially the Shining Force games and Warsong. This is where I was introduced to ths style of game and in many ways it's more rewarding than the standard RPG. I always enjoyed those old war boardgames by Avalon Hill and this kind of game was always the closest thing to the strategy involved without getting bogged down in the numbers.

[bigdaddychester]

What were some of the Real time Strategy games for the N64?

[digitalpress]

What were some of the Real time Strategy games for the N64?

Two that leap to mind would be Command and Conquer and Starcraft 64

[GrandAmChandler]

Advance Wars! 8-)

[gwaine]

Warsong without a doubt. That game was so cool in that your lead characters could increase their levels just like Shining Force (and could morph into more powerful characters), but you also had soldiers that they commanded, unlike Shining Force. The bonuses you got for terrain were like Military Madness(a sweet game) and also certain soldiers were better against certain types than others (archers were good against flying enemies, etc.) It's cool to watch the battles once the moves are made (seeing a bunch of soldiers clash together, or a bunch of soldiers against a powerful main character, these scenes are kinda like Military Madness too)The music is sweet as well...I still hum those tunes. Check it out:
Warsong (http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/genesis/warsong/)
That game is my favorite Genesis game and I've played most of the RPGs and games of the same genre (Shining Force, etc.)
http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/genesis/warsong/images/howto/howto4.gif

[Mayhem]

Laser Squad. Brilliant in single and multiplayer. The people responsible went onto do the X-Com series...

[NE146]

Shining Force, Military Madness, and Vandal Hearts.

I dig Advance Wars, but it's missing "something".. maybe it's that whole damn "fog of war" thing that makes it less than great.

I didn't like FF Tactics because of the whole Job System.. too involved for me :P

[digitalpress]

I should probably point out Jessen's in-depth review of Warsong here while we're on the subject!

http://www.digitpress.com/columns/middleschoolgaming.htm

[DDCecil]

I don't know if it counts, but I always loved Scorched Earth for the PC. I also like Final Fantasy Tactics.

[Bighab]

The Strategy genre is by far my favourite. There are also alot of different kings of strategy games too.
Favourite Strategy/Simulation: Genghis Khan(Nes) Buying/trading at the market. Having kids and hoping one is a boy so you have a successor. Unifying thw world! Loads of fun!
Strategy/Rpg: Wow their are lots that I can choose from. Probally my favourite is Warsong followed closely with the Shining Force games
Real-Time Strategy: Herzog Zwei. I was in heaven when i first played it 10+years ago. Should have a sequel
Strategy:Military Madness.We all know this gem.

[bargora]

Shining Force, Military Madness, and Vandal Hearts.

I dig Advance Wars, but it's missing "something".. maybe it's that whole damn "fog of war" thing that makes it less than great.

I didn't like FF Tactics because of the whole Job System.. too involved for me :P
I've got Nectaris: Military Madness on the way! And I forget if you told me before--does Nectaris include the maps from the TG-16 "Maps o' Doom" disc?

And in Advance Wars I love fog of war. Grit thinks he's a big man with his rocket launchers until your mech unit steps out of the woods and delivers a beatdown... And hiding your own artillery in the woods makes one cackle with glee sometimes.

I just bought FF Tactics (PSX) (complete, non-greatest-hits, $12 delivered--BOOYAH). I haven't played it yet, as I'm a little bit afraid of it, like it will be a job or something. You are not encouraging me, sir.

[NE146]

I've got Nectaris: Military Madness on the way! And I forget if you told me before--does Nectaris include the maps from the TG-16 "Maps o' Doom" disc?

Hmm.. I'm not sure. All I know is the TG-16 version has 32 levels (16 maps, with the 2nd iteration being more difficult).

The psx version has those 32 TG-16 levels, and adds 32 levels to it (I think). Also if I remember correctly, those new psx levels aren't as fun as the original levels but the psx has you play them first by default.

If I were you, if playing the psx version, I'd play the original TG-16 levels FIRST.. they're better layed out. Matter o' fact, I recommend you play the Turbografx-16 version over the PSX version. The PSX version just seems to drag it down a notch with all it's hubbub. The game feels a lot darker too, not to mention the load times. The TG-16 version gives you a little more lighter feel (and faster pace) which would go well if you're coming from Advance Wars :D

I've said it before, but play it in Magic Engine on your pc. ;)

[gwaine]

I should probably point out Jessen's in-depth review of Warsong here while we're on the subject!

http://www.digitpress.com/columns/middleschoolgaming.htm

Thanks for the link...all this makes me want to play it again...that is such a shame that none of the sequels made it over here. I can't read a lick of Japanese, though that's probably for the best or I'd spend a lot of money on Japanese games too.

[Tetsu]

Thanks for the link...all this makes me want to play it again...that is such a shame that none of the sequels made it over here. I can't read a lick of Japanese, though that's probably for the best or I'd spend a lot of money on Japanese games too.

Funny you should say that, I was thinking the same thing. Fortunately, though, Langrisser 2's rom has been translated, and is playable on the emulator Meka. Zektor was good enough to patch the rom for me (after many failed attempts to do it on my own) and I've been playing a few scenarios here and there. The translation is decent, and lots of little improvements have been made (if you lose a character in battle, he/she will be back in the next scenario instead of being gone for good). PM me for info on Langrisser 2 if you wanna try it out.

[zmeston]

So which ones are your personal favorite?

Just a heads-up that Atlus is soon to ship Disgaea for the PS2, a heavy-duty strategy-tactics title with a tolerable but fruitylicious storyline. It also has PS1-level graphics, but hey, it's all about the gameplay.

-- Z.

[scooterb23]

I don't get into this style of game too much...my favorite one is the original Command & Conquer on my PC ( I still can't beat the 4th mission)

[stonecutter]

Lately I have not had the time for this type of game.... but I loved the original Civilization on the PC

[Stark]

X-COM for the PC is my all time favorite strategy game along with Master of Magic on the PC (anyone remember that gem of a game?)

FFT is also one of the best.

Currently playing Advance Wars2.

[Daniel Thomas]

I always dug the strategy games when I was a kid, because I was a fan of all those Avalon Hill war games. Of course, Military Madness on the Turbo was great, and the Shining Force games were really well done. There was a Vik Tokai game for the NES called Conflict that I enjoyed, even though it had this bad habit of running commentary during battles (the tank gets hit with 10 points of damage blah blah...)

I only played bits and parts of Warsong, but it seemed good. I'm sure I'd love it if I put the time into learning it. Where could I find the translation for Langrisser 2? Could I find one at zophar.net, perhaps?

Advance Wars was loads of fun, even though the tougher levels felt more like homework. I bought AW2, and loved it, but I've been avoiding it a couple weeks now. I'm on one of those levels where I'm fighting an enourmous army, and I'm just putting the inevitable slaughter off. Terrific fun, though, and I DO like fog of war -- it was a cool idea.

Of course, my all-time favorite strategy game is Herzog Zwei. I think this is the twelvth time I've pointed this out. :P

[Quintracker]

For me the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series hands down. Specifically, RotTK 3 on the SNES. I've had tons of people tell me how boring these games were, especially the early ones, but if I pick one up I'm hooked. Many nights were spent on this game and I always had fun. It's not everyday a game will draw 7-10 hour :o gaming sessions from me.

[josekortez]

I have recently fallen in love with this genre, so I did a search and dregged up this topic. I'm sure there are others who might want to add their two cents to this discussion...

My first strategy RPG was Saiyuki: Journey West, but more recently I have started playing Vandal Hearts, La Pucelle Tactics and Final Fantasy Tactics. I have an unplayed copy of Front Mission 4 at home, and I just picked up Phantom Brave last night.

So, I would have to choose Vandal Hearts only because of the way that blood spurts out when you kill an enemy. Twisted, I know, but it keeps me interested...

[Iron Draggon]

Master of Monsters (Genesis)
Super Conflict (SNES)
Master of Monsters: Disciples of Gaia (PlayStation)
Iron Storm (Saturn)

I have a weakness for hex-based strategy games. I have a weakness for any type of strategy game really, but hex games have a special power over me.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I too am going to have to go with Final Fantasy Tactics because it's arguably squares best game for the playstation: From the gameplay, the amazing soundtrack, and the amazing graphics everything about that game just screamed quality.
By the way, has anyone here ever played the game "Black Matrix" for the Saturn or Dreamcast? I remember seeing articals about it a couple years ago and it looked pretty intresting. Is it any good?

[Eric Dude]

This is a great topic, and a ton of stuff has been mentioned that I've never played or even heard of.

I currently have a hard time getting into console RPG/Strategy hybrids, because they just seem to move too slowly, and really not require much thinking aside from the rote memorization of an elaborate rock/paper/scissors system. Tactics Ogre for GBA is a good example of this; to me, all they're doing is taking the ho-hum battle system of most RPGs, and porting it over to a battle grid.

However, I did enjoy Final Fantasy Tactics, as it offered some truly challenging battles, and a plot that stood out from standard RPG fare. My main complaints are that the translation could've been better, and it got too easy near the end.

Starcraft is my favorite strategy game of all time. In my opinion, the RTS seems strictly superior to turn-based games, because they move the battle along much more quickly, without giving up very much of the depth. Maybe when they stop including the outdated and pointless spell system of traditional RPGs into console strategy games, I'll change my mind on the subject.

I think I'm gonna check out Warzone, provided I can find a copy for a decent price, but I definitely want to revisit Shining Force; I only ever got to watch the game being played. It looked awesome.

[Iron Draggon]

By the way, has anyone here ever played the game "Black Matrix" for the Saturn or Dreamcast? I remember seeing articals about it a couple years ago and it looked pretty intresting. Is it any good?

HEHE... I just ordered the Saturn version... factory sealed with the original cover artwork for only $50 off of ebay no less... so I will let you know ASAP! For such an allegedly RARE game, I think I got a GREAT deal on it. I've heard that there were only a few thousand copies of it produced for the Saturn in total, so that's including both print runs of it. Which means that getting the original first edition version, which was supposed to be an even more limited edition, in that condition should've cost me alot more than it did! Anyhow, I can say for sure already that you want the first version, not the second. The artwork on the cover is way more badass on the first version than it is on the second version. Unless of course you go for the Dreamcast version instead, which has some more stuff added to it and a few bug fixes over the Saturn version. The cover art on that version isn't as good as the cover art on the first version for the Saturn, but it's still alot better than the cover art on the second version for the Saturn. So avoid the second version for the Saturn at all costs, unless you don't care about the cover art, or you just want to get it as cheap as you can. The second version goes for alot less because of the crappy cover art, so if you just wanna check it out for cheap, that's the way to go. Otherwise, be warned that the alternate cover art really sucks bigtime!

EDIT: Here's the links to some cover scans of both versions, see for yourself!

Saturn First Version (http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/saturn/blackmatrixle1.jpg)

Saturn Second Version (http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/saturn/blackmatrix1.jpg)

P.S.: I also have Terra Phantastica on the way, and I'll be ordering Arcana Strikes just as soon as my current auctions end and I get paid for them! :-P

[Eric Dude]

I should probably point out Jessen's in-depth review of Warsong here while we're on the subject!

http://www.digitpress.com/columns/middleschoolgaming.htm

I was looking forward to a review of this game, but that seems to lead to a review of Actraiser. Not that Actraiser isn't a classic; but I already knew that.
:)

Anyway, couldn't find it in the archives, either. Little help?

[GobopopRevisited]

The Ogre Battle Saga (or just Episode VII if you don't consider V and VI to fit your category) Easilly one of my favorite series... so overlooked. I hope Matsuno can revisit the series and add a few more episodes when he's done with FFXII.

Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Red Alert: Aftermath on the PC are also pretty good. And I'm loving Advance Wars! Can't wait for the *Poorly Titled* Advance Wars: Under Fire and Advance Wars DS (should be: Cube Wars and DS Wars...)

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Saturn First Version (http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/saturn/blackmatrixle1.jpg)

Saturn Second Version (http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/saturn/blackmatrix1.jpg)

Not to big a fan of either of the covers really, though if had to choose i'd guess I go with the first one too. Do you know what the dreamcast cover looks like? Did it too get a multible release?

[GobopopRevisited]

On the subject of Black Matrix... hows Black Matrix Zero on the GBA?

[Sothy]

This is hard but Im going to have to pick a couple games that arent quite retro.

First up would be Ring of Red for PS2. Really cool story line involving an alternate post WWII history where the nazis devloped Mech robots "great movie scenes from classic WWII stock of robots being spliced in" and it has a hexagon turn based approach where you capture cities and terrirtory then try to engage the enemy at the best distance for the type of mech..scouts and hand to hand mechs close and long range artillery mechs far away. When you engage the enemy it goes into a kind of first person mode where your mech has to reaload shells and get a sighting on the enemy mechs. The kicker here is the infantry units you choose that are with you, medics and engineers and snipers you pick one unit to ride the mech and 2 units to march along with it and having special abilities like sniping enemy soldiers before they can fire handheld rockets at your mech or some units can heal the other unit or even give them drugs to psyche them up or engineers to lay mines if you are retreating.Having engineers load frgmentation or incindiery rounds to burn the enemiy infantry up is awesome to behold. Just crazy amounts of strategy involved. Hard as hell game to beat also.
http://www.ps2storm.com/PS2/upload_shoot/RingOfRed_2.jpg

My other favorite would have to be Alpha Centauri. I have never played a game that was so intelligently made. Choosing different factions involved variables like politics spirituality Economics Environmentalism Technology..
The special projects and ability to customize military units and terraformers is awesome. Definitely helps to have some basic knowledge of some scientific principles and a knowledge of Science fiction helps also.

And when you nuke an enemy city in this game... you nuke them. trembling earth mushroom cloud the city is vaporized with a water filled crater and the environment starts to go to hell. Way better than Civilization nukes.

[SoulBlazer]

Wow, it seems all my old threads are being brought up this week. Major feeling of deja vu! LOL

At the moment I'm not working on any games in this genre, but I can't believe I did'nt mention the Command and Conquer, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the Suikoden games. :)

[FurinkanianFrood]

Black Matrix is one of my personal favorites. It isn't actually rare on Saturn I think. Small run, but not enough to make it expensive.

I got a first run copy for like $20 not too long ago.

Langrisser 4 is great.

Shining Force 2+3.

I really like Farland Story FX but most people will never get a chance to play that one (or anything on PCFX). The FX port of Langrisser 2 is nice also.

Vixen 357 is really underrated.

Fire emblem.



The psx version has those 32 TG-16 levels, and adds 32 levels to it (I think). Also if I remember correctly, those new psx levels aren't as fun as the original levels but the psx has you play them first by default.


The are also extra levels on the PCE SCD version. That's the best version I'd say. It allows you to play the original untouched.

It has 48 exclusive campaign maps, 5 new multiplayer maps, an exclusive new CD soundtrack, exclusive new units..... None of which are in the PSX version.

[Zadoc]

Oh, this is too easy: Shining Force II.

I also enjoy:

Arc the Lad Collection
Shining Force
Shining Force III
Final Fantasy Tactics

[Crush Crawfish]

Easily Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, with Shining Force as a close second.

[Iron Draggon]

Saturn First Version (http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/saturn/blackmatrixle1.jpg)

Saturn Second Version (http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/saturn/blackmatrix1.jpg)

Not to big a fan of either of the covers really, though if had to choose i'd guess I go with the first one too. Do you know what the dreamcast cover looks like? Did it too get a multible release?

Here's the cover for the Dreamcast version:

Black Matrix Advanced (http://www.ncsxshop.com/images/products/large/beta/black_matrix_ad_store.jpg)

Sorry I couldn't find a bigger scan of that one, but it's not on Gaijin's site yet.

Anyhow, as far as I know, there's only one version of the artwork for the DC version. As for the Saturn version, I saw an auction that claimed there were actually 3 print runs of the Saturn version, but apparently only 2 different covers, unless there's a Saturn Collection version that I'm not aware of yet.

Supposedly, the first version sold out so quickly that it was going for up to $400 until the second version was released. Then the price of it went back down, but it should be safe to assume that the first version is still more rare than the second version, since the first version only had 1 print run and the second version had 2 print runs. I don't know the exact numbers of each print run though, so no telling exactly how rare it is. Gaijin's site claims that it's rare as well. It seems to show up used on ebay often enough, but not very often new. However considering how cheap it is when it does show up new, you wouldn't think that it's really that rare, especially for an RPG. If it was all that, it would be going for Princess Crown prices, and you'd see it about as often as you see Princess Crown too. I don't know if that one is really rare or not, but it sure doesn't show up very often, in any condition.

So, rare or not, the first version for Saturn would be the preferred version for collectors, and of course completists would want both versions of it. I'm working on that myself, just for the heck of it. I'm not really a completist, but I think it would be cool to have both versions. So hopefully I'll get the other version soon, but in the meantime, at least I'll have the better one.

BTW, there's a PS version called Black Matrix Cross as well, but I think it's just a direct port of the Saturn version, so Black Matrix 2 on the PS2 is the only truly all new version. Does anybody here have that one yet? Is it any good?

EDIT: This FAQ details all the differences between the Saturn version and the DC version. Apparently there's quite a few graphical differences too!

Black Matrix FAQ (http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/file/black_matrix.txt)

[Necromutant]

Advance Wars 1 and 2 by far! (Wonder if there are any translated versions of the earlier Japanese titles for FC and SFC...?) The thing I like so much about AW is that it is turn based so you don't have to worry about making things as fast as you can hit the buttons/click the mouse and the strategy is deep without unneeded crap to configure choose etc. I am not a big fan of the collecting items, gaining levels aspect of FFT and alot of the other games of this type (that is not to say I don't like them at all, just prefer the no BS to the point style of AW). Can't wait for DS Wars! 8-)

Others that are high on my list, Starcraft, Command & Concur, Warcraft series, Fire Emblem.... :)

[esquire]

My favorites are:

Military Madness aka Nectaris aka Nectaris Military Madness
Neo Nectaris
Fire Emblem
Advance Wars
Advance Wars 2
Brigandine
Kartia
Hoshigami
Disagea
La Pucelle Tactics
Phantom Brave
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Tactics Ogre (Advance)
Tactics Ogre
Ogre Battle
Ogre Battle 64
Dai Sen Ryaku

[Dahne]

I've just recently come to realize that, as many times as I've played through FFT and sworn to pay close attention to the plot, I still have no idea what happened.

"La la la being knights la la surrender or die in obscurity la what's up with Delita? la la la why am I killing Evil Jesus?"

Not to mention the endgame stabathon. ...why?

[digdug]

I loved Vandal Hearts I & II
also loved the Suikoden Series (looking for part II though, willing to pay $60 for it complete, I know a little low but help a fellow gamer out).

Shining Force
Hoshigami
Ogre Battle 64

All time fav's though are WarCraft Series, and Starcraft Series.

Dig Dug

[Daria]

Oh... Shining Force hands down. Favorite game ever infact.

But I also really enjoyed:

Vandal Hearts
Shining Force CD
Phantom Brave
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

I also can't stand the "Ogre" series and it's clones including Final Fantasy Tactics.

Nothing against the series themselves, I know they're great games and everything, I just, I dunno. Never seem to care for them no matter how many times I try to get into one of them. And FFT just has god awfully slow text scrolling. If I can read the page 5 times over before new text displays there's a problem. They really should have included a button to speed it up.

[EnemyZero]

def. FFtactics, Shining Force, and Vandal Hearts....i reallly enjoyed vanguard bandits as well but it was to short