Uncomplicated Strat/Rpgs(Turn-Based)?

[Edmond Dantes]

I've been interested in Jeanne de Arc, Arc the Lad, and Saiyuki and thought about picking them up on psn. Are these games more simplistic in nature or do they need faqs to be studied? Any other recommendations?

I just bought Arc the Lad from someone here so I'll be able to comment on it soon.

I actually DO own Saiyuki: Journey West and I can tell you, its pretty un-complicated, at least as far as I played (I never finished it). It should be up your alley. Main thing that stopped me is I want to read the book first.

[celerystalker]

IIRC, the guy who made Tactics Ogre was actually the same guy who made FF Tactics, so I would imagine if you didn't like one then you won't like the other.

I'd check for confirmation tho, as I've never played either of them.

You're very correct on that. Much of the same development team worked on both. I can't say I dislike them so much as I have to be in a very patient mood to play them. Just so much micro-managing to do between fights... it's not often I'm ready to spend so much time in menus. Still, for what they are and for the right audience, they're fantastically made games.

[Einzelherz]

The GBA Advance Wars games and Pokemon Conquest are the only ones I could ever get into.

[Tanooki]

I was OK with just the first advance wars. But when on the back end it out you against three ai I got fed up with stacked odds. Also the game cheated on fog of war maps as it could still see and only you were blind despite the game in training saying all were blind which was infuriating.

[bangtango]

Sunsoft released a budget-priced turn based RPG game for Playstation/PS1 called "Eternal Eyes" which should be right up your alley. Not overly difficult and you utilize monsters. Still easy to find today and not overly expensive. Also very simplistic and linear, but a good story and soundtrack.

[Wraith Storm]

If you have a Saturn I highly suggest checking out Mystaria or its re-titled second printing Blazing Heroes.

The game plays almost identical to Shining Force and has an incredible sound track to boot. It was a first generation Saturn game however, so the animation is pretty bad and the pre-rendered graphic design is what you can expect of that era. Regardless of its surface warts, there is a LOT to love from the game especially if you are a Shining Force fan.

The major difference between this and SF is that each of your characters have different "skill/technique trees" and the more you use a particular skill or attack the quicker you will learn new attacks, techs and skills from that tree. I have a ridiculous amount of good memories associated with this game. Lots of late night play sessions and quite a few strange dreams actually! .

[triverse]

Just wanted to re-iterate that Gemfire is a fun game. I had tried playing turn based strategy games prior to Gemfire on the SNES and could not get into them. I gave Gemfire a chance after a friend that worked at Electronics Boutique suggested it. Easy to learn and can be quite challenging if you don't plan accordingly.

[celerystalker]

If you have a Saturn I highly suggest checking out Mystaria or its re-titled second printing Blazing Heroes.

The game plays almost identical to Shining Force and has an incredible sound track to boot. It was a first generation Saturn game however, so the animation is pretty bad and the pre-rendered graphic design is what you can expect of that era. Regardless of its surface warts, there is a LOT to love from the game especially if you are a Shining Force fan.

The major difference between this and SF is that each of your characters have different "skill/technique trees" and the more you use a particular skill or attack the quicker you will learn new attacks, techs and skills from that tree. I have a ridiculous amount of good memories associated with this game. Lots of late night play sessions and quite a few strange dreams actually! .

It also has a sequel, Riglordsaga 2, which may have an English patch by now, and it's sort of a spiritual successor to the 3DO game the Guardian War.

If you dig Shining Force 3, Wachenröder on Saturn is awesome. Extremely similar combat, but you have these chainsaw swords to rev up for damage at the cost of fuel/AP.

[Wraith Storm]

It also has a sequel, Riglordsaga 2, which may have an English patch by now, and it's sort of a spiritual successor to the 3DO game the Guardian War.

If you dig Shining Force 3, Wachenröder on Saturn is awesome. Extremely similar combat, but you have these chainsaw swords to rev up for damage at the cost of fuel/AP.

I bought Riglordsaga 2 because I loved Mystaria so much, but damn its almost unplayable without knowing Japanese. If there is a patch that would be amazing, but I have never come across one.

Wachenröder is a fantastic game and easily playable without knowing Japanese. It's a shame it never got released here in the US. It really was a AAA blockbuster. I am also a HUGE fan of Yoshitoshi ABe and his artwork added SO much to the atmosphere of that game.

[Einzelherz]

Sort of related: does anyone else get irritated at hold long a "player turn/phase" and "enemy turn/phase" screen stays on in some of these? I know it's only a second or two at most, but in some games (thinking bahamut lagoon) it feels like an eternity.

[Edmond Dantes]

I don't get "irritated" so much as when those screens last longer than ten seconds, I keep suspecting the game has locked up. Scarring battlehood experiences do that to a person.