Summary
Tactical RPGsoften offer unique experiences by combining the strategic positioning and movement of tactics games with the character progression of role-playing games. This often results in an experience that feels both rewarding and skill-based.
Roguelikes, on the other hand, tend to lean more toward skill-based gameplay and strategic thinking than they do permanent progression. Procedural generation, turn-based combat, and permanent death are all in the cards for traditional roguelikes. These titles all include at least one of those three elements, with many of them following roguelite structures as a result of their RPG progression systems.
This tactical RPG featuresgrid-based combatand a dynamic timeline system, supported by a roguelite structure. The most obvious strength of this title is its stark but slick graphical art style, offering an immersive and unnerving atmosphere.
Eldritch horrors anda mysterious undertoneelevate the overall experience inOthercide, working in tandem with the game’s dark presentation. It’s certainly stylish, though some players may find themselves tiring of its bleak tone.
The Last Spelltasks players with defending small towns from waves of enemies in a familiar structure. However, the grid-based tactics andRPG character progressionwork in tandem to offer some expressive, strategic gameplay.
The Last Spellcan be unforgiving, but its roguelite structure ensures players are always able to progress. More importantly, however,The Last Spelldeftly blends its RPG progression and tactical combat with its roguelite elements, creating a seamless blend between genres.
Like its predecessor,XCOM 2is a deeply tactical combination of management and strategic combat encounters. The combat in particular is an obvious strength, and what players will spend the majority of their time doing, trying their best to keep the best and strongest of their soldiers alive.
Keeping soldiers alive is an important aspect of the game, not only because it’s integral to keep experienced squadmates in the field, but because rookies need to be leveled up to be useful. What’s more, squadmates who go down in combat are permanently dead, an aspect drawn fromthe roguelike genrethat ups the tension dramatically.
Thisgrim-dark tacticsgame features a unique extraction-shooter gameplay loop that borrows from the roguelike genre with its turn-based combat and permadeath mechanic. Despite runs ending if and when the player dies, they’re able to keep a constant stash of equipment between runs, encouraging constant progression.
Characters are also able to level up in traditional RPG fashion, givingQuasimorpha satisfying sense of progression that counterbalances its unforgiving difficulty. For fans of grim-dark settings and tactical combat,Quasimorphis a worthwhile experience.
Darkest Dungeonis a grim-dark fantasy RPG with strategic combat and an emphasis onroguelikedungeon crawling. Featuring brutal permadeath,Darkest Dungeonis a deeply unforgiving experience, but the RPG character progression and ability to retreat before things get too bad keep it from being an overly frustrating title.
ThoughDarkest Dungeondoesn’t take place on a grid, the ability to move party members during combat and the importance of positioning makes it a deeply tactical experience. For fans of Gothic visuals, Lovecraftian horror, and mechanical turn-based combat,Darkest Dungeonis worth the time investment.
Battle Brothersis a sandbox RPG with an emphasis on brutal turn-based tactics and party management. In the game, players control a company of mercenaries in a low-fantasy world, completing dangerous contracts to earn a living.
The game features roguelike elements in theform of procedural generationand permadeath, the latter of which can be fairly unforgiving. However,Battle Brothersmakes permadeath somewhat more palatable by including a small chance for characters to survive otherwise fatal injuries. Those who do are left with permanent scars, but it’s a solace that other roguelikes simply don’t afford their players.
Caves Of Qudis an open-world RPG that borrows from classic roguelikes with its turn-based combat, procedural generation, and resource management gameplay. Permadeath is also a major factor inCaves Of Qud’sdesign, but this is entirely optional, and the game is enjoyable without it, although it is somewhat less tense as a result.
The biggest strength ofCaves Of Qudis arguably its intricate character creator, which allows for an incredible variety of approaches. This provides truly expressive character creation, allowing players to explore and interact with the unique science-fantasy world in their own way.
Into The Breachis a deeply tactical turn-based roguelike and a lightweight RPG that manages to be immediately accessible. This is thanks to its intricate puzzle-game design, generously offering players a wealth of information that allows them to make consistently informed decisions.
The RPG elements ofInto The Breachare admittedly light, but present nonetheless. The game puts players in command of a squad of mechs, and each of their pilots can level up throughout the game. Furthermore, new items can be acquired to bolster a squad’s abilities and make up for potential weaknesses. As a roguelike, each campaign inInto The Breachcan be lost, forcing players to start over, but the addition of new mech unlocks keeps things fresh over repeated playthroughs.
