This article provides a curated list of 20 classic tactical RPGs, focusing on games over ten years old, including titles like Arc the Lad Collection, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Fire Emblem: Awakening, offering hours of strategic gameplay and memorable characters for genre fans.
Octopath Traveler 0 is a substantial and visually stunning JRPG for Nintendo Switch 2 that offers a cohesive story focused on a single protagonist, strategic combat with expanded party mechanics, and townbuilding elements, making it a must-play despite some familiar elements and a lengthy campaign.
The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake for Switch 2 modernizes the classic RPGs with stunning visuals, expanded narratives, quality-of-life improvements, and a rich soundtrack, making it a highly recommended package for retro JRPG fans and newcomers alike.
Square Enix invited the developers of the indie JRPG Clair Obscur to its headquarters for a creative exchange, highlighting the game's nostalgic turn-based mechanics and high graphical fidelity, and sparking discussions about the future direction of the Final Fantasy franchise amidst industry shifts.
Neil Druckmann and other industry figures have praised the indie JRPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for its moving story and nostalgic yet modern gameplay, highlighting its success as a well-crafted AA title that could influence industry trends and award season contenders.
Persona fans can now pre-load Persona 5: The Phantom X on PC and smartphones ahead of its global release on June 26, with the game offering a gacha adaptation of the popular JRPG franchise, developed with contributions from key series members but not by Atlus, and a console version potentially in the future.
June 2025 will see a major lineup of video game releases, including the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 with exclusive titles like Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and remastered classics such as Raidou Remastered, alongside other anticipated titles, making it an exciting month for gamers.
The plot for the third and final installment of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is complete, and Square Enix has begun its development. Announced at the G-CON 2024 conference, the game will feature an airship system allowing players to explore the map from the air, differentiating it from the previous game, FF7 Rebirth. While development is underway, a release date is still far off, given the lengthy gap between the first two games.
Hidetaka Miyazaki, director of Elden Ring, expressed interest in developing a traditional Japanese RPG but clarified it wouldn't be based on past FromSoftware titles like King's Field or Enchanted Arms. He feels more connected to the Armored Core series, having worked on previous installments. Meanwhile, FromSoftware is releasing substantial DLC for Elden Ring and exploring new co-op elements for future titles.
Square Enix has unexpectedly released both Octopath Traveler and its sequel on all major consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox, with updates introducing new gameplay modes and battles featuring characters from the original game.
Square Enix is adopting a multiplatform strategy, releasing its games across all consoles. The Octopath Traveler series, previously exclusive to certain platforms, is expected to be available on PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S soon, as indicated by recent ratings from the Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee.
The official Steam page for Summer Game Fest 2024 has revealed 25 games that will be showcased, including notable titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. The list is still being updated, and highlights from the Day of the Devs lineup include Zoochosis, Arranger, and UFO 50.
Despite the passing of creator Yoshitaka Murayama, Rabbit & Bear Studios plans to move forward with a sequel to Eiyuden Chronicle, aiming to carry on Murayama's legacy. The studio has expressed its commitment to preserving his vision while also considering feedback from fans. The future of the series without Murayama's involvement remains uncertain, but the release of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on PS5 and PS4 is highly anticipated.
The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Ultimania book confirms that Barret Wallace is the easiest character to date in the game, with the highest chance to gain affinity based on dialogue, side quests, mini-games, and battle mechanics. Players can deepen bonds with other party members through various interactions, but Barret reportedly has 26 opportunities to gain affinity for Cloud, compared to 24 for Red XIII and Yuffie, and 23 for Tifa and Aerith. The book also hints at the potential release of Part 3 in 3 years, as the development team remains intact.
Fennec Studio's debut project, Runa, a science fantasy RPG inspired by JRPG classics like Persona and Xenoblade, is set to launch a Kickstarter campaign on April 16. The game features turn-based battles, social links, elemental puzzles, base building, and minigames like farming and cooking. Players can explore a vibrant world, engage in relationships and romance with over 15 options, solve elemental puzzles, and build their own base in the city of Enyth. With a colorful world, elaborate dialogue system, and hand-painted minimaps, Runa aims to capture the essence of classic JRPG games.