Best Tactical RPGs to Play While Waiting for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

These five stand out. They're the ones most praised by both critics and players:

Let’s break them down one by one.

But first, a quick intro for anyone new to Final Fantasy Tactics and what’s coming next with The Ivalice Chronicles remake.

Final Fantasy Tactics

Originally released in Japan in June 1997 and in North America in January 1998 for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy Tactics was developed by Square (now Square Enix) under the direction of Yasumi Matsuno, known for his work on Ogre Battle and Vagrant Story.

Set in the kingdom of Ivalice, the game follows Ramza Beoulve, a noble young man navigating a brutal civil conflict filled with betrayal, religious tension, and political manipulation. What starts as a tactical feud between aristocratic houses quickly unravels into a deeper conspiracy involving ancient evils and forgotten truths.

What made Final Fantasy Tactics special was its combination of deep strategic gameplay and mature storytelling. The job system allowed for over 20 unlockable classes, letting players build custom teams with unique abilities and cross-class progression. Battles were fought on isometric maps with 3D terrain, requiring smart positioning and directional tactics. All of this was wrapped in a haunting soundtrack composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, which perfectly underscored the game’s emotional weight.

While the original English localization received criticism for its awkward translation, the game was widely praised for its depth and ambition. It eventually achieved cult status, and its 2007 remake for the PSP, The War of the Lions, introduced a refined script, animated cutscenes, and additional content, cementing its legacy as one of the greatest tactical RPGs ever made.

Final Fantasy Tactics set the standard for the genre. Its influence can be seen in everything from Fire Emblem to Triangle Strategy, and the world of Ivalice continues to echo across the Final Fantasy franchise.

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What is The Ivalice Chronicles

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is the long-awaited remastered release of the tactical RPG classic Final Fantasy Tactics, coming right up on this September 30th.

This edition includes both a remastered version with updated visuals and enhancements, and the classic edition featuring the beloved War of the Lions translation. The story revolves around a civil war ignited by a royal succession crisis, with rival nobles and a shadowy church vying for control, while two unlikely heroes take divergent paths through loyalty, betrayal, and power.

The remaster introduces several new features:

Visual upgrades and modern UI improvements
Fast-forward function, autosave, and a full tactical view
Fully voiced cutscenes in both English and Japanese
A rewritten script that enhances clarity and tone

Whether you're discovering Ivalice for the first time or returning to a cult favorite, The Ivalice Chronicles delivers a definitive experience for fans of tactical RPGs.

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Top 5 Tactical RPGs Like Final Fantasy Tactics

These five tactical RPGs capture what fans and critics love most about Final Fantasy Tactics with deep combat mechanics and meaningful choices. While you wait for The Ivalice Chronicles remake, these are the best games to dive into next.

5 – Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance (2015)

Metascore: 80
Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is a turn-based tactical RPG developed by Nippon Ichi Software and released for PlayStation 4 in 2015. Known for its outrageous tone, anime-style characters, and absurdly high damage numbers, the game follows a group of rebels fighting against a powerful overlord across multiple Netherworlds. The story leans heavily into humor and satire, but it still delivers emotional moments and personal stakes.

Disgaea 5 is built for strategy fans who love extreme customization and optimization. It features a massive cast of recruitable characters, a deep class system, and mechanics like the Item World and Geo Panels, offering near-infinite replayability. With turn-based grid combat and countless systems to explore, it’s a must-play for players who enjoy complexity, experimentation, and total control over their party’s growth

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam.

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4 – Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark (2019)

Metascore: 82
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is an indie tactical RPG developed by 6 Eyes Studio and released in 2019. Set in a richly detailed fantasy world, it follows Kyrie, an Arbiter tasked with maintaining order while uncovering political conspiracies within a powerful ruling council. The story balances classic fantasy tropes with mature themes, offering a grounded and engaging narrative for fans of Final Fantasy Tactics-style adventures.

Fell Seal delivers deep turn-based grid combat with an extensive class and ability system. It features over 30 classes and 300 abilities, allowing players to fully customize their units. With hand-drawn visuals, well-designed maps, and quality-of-life features often missing from classic SRPGs, it’s a modern take on a beloved formula, perfect for those seeking a polished, content-rich tactical experience.

Available on: PC (Windows, Mac, Linux), PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

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3 – Triangle Strategy (2022)

Metascore: 83
Triangle Strategy is a tactical RPG developed by Artdink and published by Square Enix, released for Nintendo Switch in 2022 and later for PC. Set in the continent of Norzelia, the story revolves around a war between three nations fighting over scarce resources. You play as Serenoa Wolffort, a young noble caught in a complex web of political intrigue, betrayal, and hard moral decisions that shape the fate of entire kingdoms.

The game features turn-based grid combat, terrain elevation, and a system where story choices impact alliances, character paths, and outcomes. With its distinctive HD-2D art style and fully voiced dialogue, Triangle Strategy stands out for its depth in storytelling and tactical planning. Critics praised its narrative ambition and branching storylines, making it a great pick for fans of deep, decision-driven gameplay.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and Meta Quest.

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2 – Tactics Ogre: Reborn (2022)

Metascore: 84
Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a modernized re-release of a foundational tactical RPG, originally crafted by Yasumi Matsuno, also known for Final Fantasy Tactics. Set in the politically fractured land of Valeria, the story centers on Denam, a resistance fighter caught in a web of shifting alliances, brutal moral decisions, and the cost of war. The narrative unfolds through a branching path system, where your choices shape both the story and the world around you.

This updated version enhances the original’s strategic grid-based combat with smarter AI, faster battle pacing, full voice acting, and a more flexible class system. With its refined mechanics and deep narrative complexity, Tactics Ogre: Reborn stands as one of the most influential and complete tactical RPG experiences available, especially for those who crave mature storytelling and meaningful player agency.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, and PC via Steam.

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1 – Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)

Metascore: 89
Fire Emblem: Three Houses marked a bold evolution for Nintendo’s long-running tactical RPG series. Set in the monastery of Garreg Mach and the continent of Fódlan, the story follows Byleth, a mercenary-turned-professor who must guide one of three student factions through a political and military conflict that escalates into full-blown war. The branching narrative, time-skip twist, and deeply personal character arcs helped it stand out as one of the most impactful stories in the franchise.

On the gameplay side, it blends classic turn-based tactical battles with school-life simulation, unit tutoring, and social bonding mechanics. Permadeath is optional, but the tension remains high thanks to smart enemy AI and complex battlefield layouts. With a blend of strategy, relationship-building, and meaningful replayability across its three routes, Three Houses became a defining title for the genre on Nintendo Switch

Available on: Nintendo Switch exclusively

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Final Fantasy Merch You Shouldn’t Miss

We picked a few Final Fantasy products that are worth checking out. Cool, well-made, and perfect if you love this genre, just great stuff!

Toys

THE END, WARRIOR OF TACTICS

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Tech Lurker /vow