Hardest Turn-Based JRPGs For Challenging Combat

Turn-based JRPGs are renowned for providing challenging battles that test players’ understanding of the mechanics. Although the genre often includes grinding tools, which allow character improvement and ease certain battles, these games do not lose their tough essence. Complex bosses and enemies with unpredictable abilities ensure challenges that reward the effort.

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Turn-based JRPGs are popular games but often feature mechanics that are hard to grasp, making them challenging for newcomers.

Thus, many games stand out by requiring refined strategies and efficient use of resources during crucial moments of gameplay. In this way, the best Turn-based JRPGs with challenging combat are those that do not merely offer fair difficulty but present unique challenges for players to overcome adversities, while valuing the efforts in creating builds and party composition.

8

Octopath Traveler

A Smooth Journey Up To The Game’s Postgame

Despite not offering many challenges during the main story of the game, with players only needing to grind a few levels whenever they encounter a challenge they cannot face, Octopath Traveler undergoes a radical difficulty change in the postgame. This is because the Ruins of Hornbug, a dungeon exclusive to this part, presents an extremely punishing challenge.

Players face several different bosses in succession, where characters need to be well-equipped with items and abilities to handle the large number of enemies. Fortunately, these challenges can be overcome with good management of the available resources in the game and appropriate tactics to triumph in the Ruins of Hornbug challenges.

7

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake

It May Take Players Some Time To Assimilate The Mechanics

Even being more accessible than the first two titles in the franchise, Dragon Quest 3, as well as its HD-2D remake, still presents challenges for those seeking Turn-Based JRPGs with with tough battles. The game features spikes in difficulty, especially during boss battles, which can cause issues even for well-prepared groups.

The party customization system is one of the game’s main attractions, allowing unique class combinations that adapt to each person’s play style. However, this freedom comes with responsibilities: without adequate knowledge, it’s possible to create unbalanced compositions, making progress even more complicated. This complexity contributes to the game’s depth and charm.

6

Final Fantasy Tactics

The Game Features Some Difficulty Spikes During A First Playthrough

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Final Fantasy Tactics

Systems

Released

June 20, 1997

Developer(s)

Square

Publisher(s)

Square
, Sony Computer Entertainment

Games with a more strategic approach, such as Final Fantasy Tactics, tend to offer greater difficulty to players during battles, mainly because it is necessary to position troops correctly and also rely on luck to not miss attacks. Thus, players are constantly challenged to make the best possible moves to eliminate adversaries and avoid losing their own units.

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Final Fantasy Tactics also has a steep learning curve, which takes some time for players to fully get accustomed to the game’s mechanics and better handle the challenges. Additionally, at certain points in the story, some difficulty spikes occur, which can surprise those on a first playthrough with some unexpected challenges.

5

The Last Remnant

JRPG Features A Combat System Different From Turn-Based Games

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The Last Remnant Remastered

Systems

Released

November 20, 2008

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

The unique approach of the battle system makes The Last Remnant one of the most complex JRPGs of its time. Instead of controlling characters individually, players command groups called unions, requiring detailed strategies to balance roles such as attack, support, and healing. The absence of a traditional leveling system further complicates progress, as improvements depend on performance in battles and the selection of challenging enemies.

Thus, The Last Remnant stands out as a JRPG with challenging combat due to its mechanics that punish wrong choices and favor intense fights against stronger monsters. Encounters with bosses or rare enemies can quickly defeat poorly prepared teams, while resource management and statistic-based progression complicate the journey for those who do not master the mechanical nuances.

4

Fire Emblem Thracia 776

The Franchise Is Known For Challenging Players During Battles

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Fire Emblem: Thracia 776

Systems

Released

September 1, 1999

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

From its inception, Fire Emblem has always been a franchise offering difficult battles to players, but while the more recent entries in the series provide some tools to reduce difficulty, the retro games did not ease the challenges. Thus, Fire Emblem Thracia 776 is known for having a high difficulty spike from the beginning of the journey.

Throughout the new stages, the challenge usually becomes even greater, with more powerful enemies appearing across the new maps and requiring players to always have careful planning when advancing troops. Otherwise, a wrong move or bad luck with the game’s RNG could mean the death of an important character.

3

Etrian Odyssey 2 HD

JRPG Does Not Offer Much Ease For Players

• Platforms: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch, PC
• Original Release: February 21, 2008
• Developer: Atlus
• Genre(s): JRPG, Dungeon Crawler

Although not as popular as other Atlus franchises, the Etrian Odyssey series is known among fans for offering great difficulty to players, where it is necessary to explore various procedurally generated dungeons and also make map notes along the way. Thus, for a player who does not pay attention to all the details, the level of difficulty becomes even higher.

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Furthermore, the character creation system in Etrian Odyssey 2 HD requires a balanced team, with skills carefully distributed among the classes. Lack of planning can make encounters even more difficult, especially against the dreaded FOEs, which test even the most experienced players. Thus, this game has great appeal for players who enjoy JRPGs with challenging combat.

2

Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne

One Of The Best Turn-Based JRPGs With The Hardest Combat Ever Produced

Known for being a franchise that offers significant difficulty to players, mainly due to its combat and darker setting, Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne not only maintains the series’ formula but also provides even more challenges for players. This is because good planning is necessary to handle the various battles embedded throughout the adventure.

One specific battle, against the Matador, is always mentioned as one of the toughest battles in this JRPG, mainly because it can catch many players who did not pay attention to unexpected dialogues. However, it is just one of several other difficult combats that Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne has, thus players must always be updating the party with new demons.

1

The 7th Saga

A JRPG Filled With Challenging Battles

In the era of 16-bit consoles, many difficult turn-based JRPGs stood out by challenging players through unbalanced combats. The 7th Saga is a notable example of this era, as it requires players to master their strategies to survive constant challenges, being very punishing with the mistakes made and also placing a great emphasis on grinding.

In addition to intense battles, the game features relentless bosses and the need to evolve characters carefully to handle these challenges. Progression is not linear, forcing players to explore each area in search of improvements, and even the simplest random encounters could quickly become tough fights, as all enemies are stronger than the character.

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