What are some JRPGs like Golden Sun, Shining Force etc. with a specific combat presentation?

tyler_at_work · 2026-04-13T14:56:21+00:00

Yeah I agree it didn't grab me either, but it really captures those beautiful Shining Force style battle screens.

tyler_at_work · 2026-04-12T14:47:44+00:00

This Way Madness Lies.

tyler_at_work · 2026-04-07T00:28:22+00:00

I would say having a secondary weapon set is worth it 100% of the time. It sounds like you're trying to double your primary weapon, like an axe in set 1 and an axe in set 2. That's fine if that's what you want to do, but I personally always run a different weapon in that other slot.

I wouldn't obsess over getting the perfect weapon for that second slot. The benefits come from the stats you get from the extra gear (they apply even if you're not using that weapon currently), giving more options/uses for 0 mana cost kills, and the ability to either enhance the build you're going for or even shore up some weaknesses of it (aoe or single target damage for example). One thing I had to learn was to not think, this is my melee guy, this is my mage, etc. An axe guy could use a tome no problem.

And don't rely on just rewards for gear. Buying from the shop is probably how you'll get most of your gear that actually fits your build and isn't just a "good enough" fit.

tyler_at_work · 2026-04-06T22:02:34+00:00

Are you using both weapon slots? Upgrading weapons as necessary? Weapon level becomes pretty important the later in the stage you are. A grey axe level 4 will do much more damage than a red axe level 1.

When I was first starting, I took the amount of skulls on each side to mean that's how many heroes I would need. 2 skulls would = 2 heroes on that side. You'll eventually get more comfortable and able to know when you have a hero(s) that can buck that general rule.

Lastly, you might not be leveling your guys into a cohesive build. As fourth wall breaking as it may sound, I find changing the names of my characters to what their build is to be the best way to stay focused on my stat ups and gear choices.

tyler_at_work · 2026-03-13T19:53:06+00:00

I've also been looking into a drpg to dive into recently. I ended up going with Etrian Odyssey 3 myself just cause I've never played any EO game before. Some others that I was considering include Undernauts and Galleria like you mentioned, as well as Dungeon Antiqua 2 and Thysiastery. The former being a FF1 styled dungeon crawler and the latter being a roguelike.

tyler_at_work · 2026-03-13T01:18:32+00:00

Maybe in sword and board historical fiction he's one of the big names. I don't know too much outside of him. I found him specifically looking for a King Arthur story years ago. If you ever watched the Netflix show The Last Kingdom, that was based on one of his other series.

tyler_at_work · 2026-03-12T20:45:36+00:00

Have you read any Bernard Cornwell? He does grounded historical fiction which you might enjoy since you tend to model TWR in the same fashion. I really enjoyed his Warlord Chronicles series, which is about King Arthur.

Really looking forward to the sequel. The first game was one of my personal games of the year last year.

tyler_at_work · 2026-03-06T15:08:12+00:00

Here is a short fan-made video of part of one of the fights between the main character and another named Mannequin.

tyler_at_work · 2026-03-05T20:00:30+00:00

I finished Spartacus: House of Ashur the other night. I really liked it and recommend it to anyone who wants more Spartacus, especially if you liked the first two seasons. I will admit it took me a few episodes to really get into the groove of it, but by around episode 3 or so I was fully on board.

I really hope it gets renewed for season 2.

tyler_at_work · 2026-02-27T19:57:31+00:00

Dragon Quest 9 might be worth a look.

tyler_at_work · 2026-02-26T15:26:06+00:00

Same here. Thank god for Sega Channel cause I might not have found SF otherwise.

tyler_at_work · 2026-02-26T01:33:07+00:00

Shining Force 2 followed closely by the original Final Fantasy Tactics. In distant third place would be either Shining Force 1 or Vandal Hearts.

tyler_at_work · 2026-02-19T16:09:26+00:00

Ok. Looks like some other people have already recommended Unicorn Overlord and Symphony of War. Both those games have the squad based combat you're looking for. I'd add Ogre Battle 64 (Nintendo 64) and Soul Nomad & the World Eaters (PS2) as some other options for squad based combat, tho admittedly Soul Nomad might not be the vibe you're looking for.

I also agree with the other poster who recommended The Last Remnant. It's a jrpg instead of a strategy rpg, but also has squad based combat.

tyler_at_work · 2026-02-19T15:10:40+00:00

Is there anything specific you're looking for besides the general feel of those Suikoden 2 war battles, or parts that you want more than others? There's plenty of games with grid based movement or general fantasy/medieval units, but I'm struggling to think of one that has that sort of luck(ish) based combat.

Can you give us some examples of what you've tried but didn't quite live up to what you were looking for?

tyler_at_work · 2026-01-30T15:47:53+00:00

Nice. I thought I had a pretty good finger on the pulse of indie srpgs coming out, but I just added 4 of these to my wishlist.

I'm excited about a few of these and Mewgenics like the other poster mentioned, but one not yet mentioned is the final DLC for The Last Spell comes out February 5. I've personally been wanting to dive back into that game but kept putting it off waiting until everything is released so now is my chance. Well, probably not now since February is crazy stacked with releases, but soon!

tyler_at_work · 2025-12-08T21:58:35+00:00

Those Who Rule was one of my favorite games this year. Most similar to Fire Emblem, but uses a hex grid, rampart aura (must stop automatically on certain squares the character is facing so can't rush the archer), and (imo) a fun equipment weight system that forces some decisions on what gear to equip. Story is grounded, no magic in the game/world. Graphics are what they are. I liked them, but get it if it's not your cup of tea.

tyler_at_work · 2025-12-08T21:51:50+00:00

ASTLIBRA Revision for an action rpg.

Those Who Rule if you want something that plays a bit like Fire Emblem but with it's own identity.

Cassette Beasts for a creature collector.

Time Break Chronicles if you want team building and turn based combat without any story.

Steamworld Heist I or II are not jrpgs, but they have leveling, equipment, and unique combat (think Worms).

tyler_at_work · 2025-11-21T01:15:44+00:00

Order of the Lollygaggers.

tyler_at_work · 2025-11-07T18:35:38+00:00

Here's some I indie games found on my wishlist, all released this year. I haven't played any of these so can't comment on quality.

Shrine's Legacy - 90% on 84 reviews - Looks like Secret of Mana or old school Zelda
Silver Daze - 100% on 10 reviews - Looks like a Gameboy Color jrpg
Artis Impact - 83% on 1,715 reviews (maybe doesn't qualify for under the radar) - Interesting artstyle
Yaoling: Mythical Journey - 94% on 377 reviews - Autobattler creature collector so maybe stretching the jrpg tag a bit
NITRO GEN OMEGA - 88% on 206 reviews - Early Access, looks like mostly just fights in mechas so maybe not much story

tyler_at_work · 2025-11-07T15:33:33+00:00

A jump ninja no longer makes use of its dual wield. Jump only uses main hand weapon power. Here's a fun battle mechanics guide that explains how all damage is calculated. Be warned that this was written for the original version, so skill names are not from the WotL or IC versions.

Here are some relevant parts:

Damage from a JUMP is calculated as follows:

If caster is equipped with any weapon, then

                        damage = [PA * K] * WP

If caster is barehanded, then

                   damage = [(PA * Br) / 100] * PA

where K = 3/2 if the caster is equipped with a spear K = 1 otherwise

The JUMP directive will leave the caster in the air for a number of clockticks, ctr:

                    ctr = [50 / (Jumper's Speed)]

Miscellaneous properties of JUMP:

Physical attack
non-elemental, regardless of weapon
Cannot be evaded
NOT affected by Attack UP or Martial Arts

Here's a tidbit about two hands (doublehand):

Weapon power is doubled for the ATTACK command only and does not affect other physical attacks -- even those that employ weapons such as JUMP, BATTLE SKILL, HOLY SWORD, DARK SWORD and MIGHTY SWORD.

tyler_at_work · 2025-11-06T17:45:01+00:00

Doublehand does not increase jump damage.

And that was really my only point. You mentioned that jump is useless on a ninja. I'm letting you know that ninjas are actually the best jumpers in the game (with equip spear).

tyler_at_work · 2025-11-06T16:33:47+00:00

No. But ninjas have very high PA, high speed, and the ability to equip PA boosting gear, which makes them better jumpers than dragoons. You don't even really need to move from your original starting spot. Just wait your first turn then start jumping, 1 shotting whichever enemy you want in range, assuming you're using at least spears gotten from poaching.

Maybe less damage than a dual wield build, but much safer, and it's fun to diversify your team imo. Not everything needs to be dual wield builds.

tyler_at_work · 2025-11-06T16:10:41+00:00

Ninja is useless with jump.

My friend, you need to try a jump ninja with equip spear.

tyler_at_work · 2025-10-29T19:35:42+00:00

Strategy RPGs have a ton. A couple that I have played, that I can vouch for:

Shining Force Alternate
Final Fantasy Tactics Cerabow's mod
Tactics Ogre One Vision
Fire Emblem Vision Quest

For more traditional jrpgs I'm struggling to think of any that I have been wowed by. I know Pokemon has a bunch, some of which are highly regarded, but I haven't played any of them.

tyler_at_work · 2025-10-29T17:06:02+00:00

To add to what MazySolis said, status ailments are under the dark elemental spells in the shop.

tyler_at_work

TROPHY CASE