It can be challenging to categorize a JRPG, even more so when it mixes in grid-based tactical mayhem.
Generally speaking, though, a JRPG has to have a visual style inspired by anime or manga and generally features the ability to bond with your teammates, and they can also simply be games developed by a Japanese team.
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As for what differentiates a grid-based JRPG from a tactical RPG, they’re practically identical in my experience.
With that out of the way, we’re here today to discuss several amazing grid-based JRPG adventures. Ranging from well-known adventures to quirky fare, this list should offer some excellent surprises for fans of tactical gaming.
10Redemption Reapers
Death or Salvation
While it has received mixed reviews,Redemption Reapersis still a worthwhile grid-based JRPG. It’s a dark fantasy tale about the exploits of the Ashen Hawk Brigade as they face off against the vicious Mort hordes.
Like many other examples of the genre, it has you bond with your teammates and showcase your tactical expertise.
It’s a little unusual stylistically, with a more medieval and less anime-focused aesthetic, but thankfully, it’s also from Japanese developer Adglobe.
If you’re tough enough, you should find something to enjoy in this brutally challenging adventure from publisher Binary Hazy Interactive.
9The Diofield Chronicle
Myths and Turmoil
The DioField Chronicle
The DioField Chroniclelooks pretty similar to Redemption Reapers on paper, even though it’s developed by Square Enix. It’s about a team of elite mercenaries called Blue Fox and takes place in a world of honor and bloody war.
The visual style is where the game separates itself, which looks a lot like classical tactical RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics or more recent RPGs likeBravely Default.
Perhaps the best part of The DioField Chronicle is the diorama-styled battle scenes. During them, you’ll make clever use of your armies in unique real-time tactical battles.
8Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia
Five Stones to Rule Them All
Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a pretty unique example of the genre. For one thing, it’s not just any tactical adventure; it’s a grand strategy game. This means you’re marshaling giant armies composed of diverse units.
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For another, it features a hexagonal grid and tells a rich and layered story about the 5 Mana Stones, constant war, and mischievous gods.
Depending on which army you pick, you’ll have different characters who might join you, and that’s just in the main mode.
There are also Challenge and Creative Modes, as well as the Alternate Chapter. Mix all that in with some truly luscious visual style, and you have a great adventure that will keep you busy for quite a while.
7Persona 5 Tactica
Viva La Revolucion!
Persona 5 Tactica
Typically, we don’t think about Persona as a grid-based experience, butPersona 5 Tacticawas the exception. It throws the Phantom Thieves into a strange new world with its own rules. They have to adapt or perish.
Gameplay is a mix of turn-based tactical fare, exploiting enemy weaknesses and making good use of cover to surprise opponents. While you won’t have a huge library of creatures at your disposal, there are plenty of ways to customize your strategy.
Even though it’s not as incredible as the game that spawned it,Persona 5 Tacticais still a really fun grid-based JRPG, and one worth experiencing for yourself.
6Super Robot Wars 30
Mechanical Mayhem
Super Robot Wars 30
There’s probably no other game on this list quite as wild asSuper Robot Wars 30. Not only does it feature characters from a ton of popular series, ranging from Gundam to Magic Knight Rayerth and Code Geass, but it’s also a massive tactical experience.
Another way Super Robot Wars 30 differentiates itself is combat, where you control gigantic mechanized robots. Then, during the game’s intermissions, you can upgrade them and make them unstoppable juggernauts.
Best of all, the game features great animated sequences and a visual style that just screams anime. Just don’t expect this adventure to be over quickly, since it’ll take you at least 100 hours to get through it once.
5Live A Live
Super Famicom to the Future
Live A Live
It wouldn’t have been a surprise forLive A Liveto stay a Japanese exclusive. But somehow, it got greenlit to get a modern remake in other territories, with a visual style reminiscent ofOctopath Traveler.
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The game it instantly reminded me of is a classic PS1 adventure calledSaga Frontier. Both games provide a lot of freedom of choice, letting you choose which hero you start with, and experiencing different time periods. You’ll experience Prehistory to the Distant Future, and all manner of strange heroes and villains.
Combat takes place on a 7 x 7 grid, and you’ll need to make smart use of your abilities and teammates to have any chance of survival. Because even though this is a modern remake, it’s still old-school hard.
4Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark
Immortals and Arbiters
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark
When many gamers think of grid-based JRPGs, the first one that comes to mind isFinal Fantasy Tactics.
Less people have probably heard ofFell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark, but it was inspired by that classic adventure, and it serves in many ways as a spiritual successor.
It takes place in a world rent asunder by a devastating mythical beast. Immortals do everything they can to keep the world intact, but there are not enough of them to make a difference, which is why they rely on the aid of mortal Arbiters to keep the peace.
Besides being grid-based, Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark also has tons of classes, more than 30 to choose from. If that’s not enough, there’s plenty of equipment and even the ability to customize the look of your characters.
3Tactics Ogre Reborn
Civil War Once More
Tactics Ogre: Reborn
Another name that instantly brings to mind grid-based, tactical adventures is Tactics Ogre. So when Square Enix decided to revive it asTactics Ogre: Reborn, we had a lot to be thankful for.
The adventure features a civil war, three warring factions, and a world on the brink. This modern update allows more minute control over the evolution of your army, and multiple endings depending on your choices.
If that’s not enough, there are also fully voiced cutscenes, gorgeous HD artwork, and the Chariot Tarot to rewind your actions.Tactics Ogre: Rebornis a masterful adventure full of incredible Japanese artwork.
2Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless
Who Needs Virtue, Dood?
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless
Another iconic SRPG series isDisgaea. Lucky us, the most recent entry,Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless, just so happens to be one of the best examples of the series.
It takes place in the demonic realm of Hinomoto, where chaos and destruction are on the rise. The main character Fuji will have to contend with several Netherworlds as he offers his protection to the seemingly naive Pirilika.
The game has some unique aspects, like auto battle, as well as tons of character classes to help your demonic army deal with whatever threat arises.
1Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Three Cheers for Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
It probably shouldn’t surprise anyone that Fire Emblem took the gold in this category. It’s full of Japanese style, it has you bond with teammates, and it’s full of grid-based, tactical mayhem.
While almost every game in the series satisfies those criteria,Three Housesjust happens to do so better than most.
So, even though Awakening may have breathed new life into the series, this adventure is keeping things fresh with three separate ways to experience the story.
Just when you think you’ve experienced everything you can in the main game, there’s plentiful DLC and side stories to keep things interesting and recruit strange new allies.
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