8 Hardest Tactical RPGs That Will Test Your Strategy, Ranked

RPGs are among the genres that have evolved the most since their inception, with games progressing from simple choices to more intricate mechanics that entertain players in various ways. One of the most popular subgenres, including Tactical RPGs, has leveraged these innovations to increase difficulty, creating even more complex challenges for players to overcome throughout their journey.

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Positioning characters on the battlefield, anticipating enemy movements, and relying on a bit of luck are elements that make these games so engaging for those passionate about the genre. Therefore, these are the most challenging Tactical RPGs produced, delivering a difficult gameplay that is punitive in response to mistakes made.

8

Wartales

Players Must Have Good Planning To Progress

Systems

Released

April 12, 2023

Developer(s)

Shiro Games

Publisher(s)

Shiro Unlimited

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Placing players in the role of mercenaries, Wartales is a tactical RPG that requires careful planning from players, and the first few hours of the journey are quite tough, especially for newcomers. This is because resources are scarce, and decisions must be made between investing in better equipment or preventing characters from starving.

Additionally, the game’s combat tends to be punitive during the initial hours, mainly due to mechanics like poisoning, which can easily take down a character if not controlled in time. However, as better resources become available, it becomes easier to handle the difficulty of battles in Wartales.

7

Othercide

Game Combines Tactical RPG With Roguelike Elements

Systems

Released

February 15, 2020

Developer(s)

Lightbulb Crew

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

The combat in Othercide is one of the main features of this RPG, as it is relentless and brutal towards players, mainly due to its sacrifice mechanic, which forces the sacrifice of a character of equal power to heal another. Thus, wrong moves can cost more than just the life of a single Daughter, as the troops in the title are called.

Othercide also blends some roguelike elements into this tactical RPG, with maps generated randomly, preventing players from memorizing the best moves for each stage. This mix of mechanics works very well, especially in making it one of the most difficult games created in recent years for this genre.

6

The Banner Saga

The First Game Offers Unique Mechanics That Increase Difficulty

For players accustomed to some common mechanics of the tactical RPG genre, the first few hours in The Banner Saga can be complicated. This is because both allied and enemy troops lose attack power as they receive more attacks, so managing this becomes essential as battles become more complex and new dangers are added.

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Instead of focusing attacks on all enemies at once, in The Banner Saga it’s better to reduce all soldiers to low health first and then start eliminating them. Otherwise, if the battle flow starts to favor the opponents, the situation becomes difficult to reverse, especially on higher difficulties.

5

Tactics Ogre: Reborn

Game Rewards Well-Planned Strategies

Systems

OpenCritic

Top Critic Rating:
84/100


Critics Recommend:
95%

Franchise

Tactics Ogre

Released

November 11, 2022

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Expand

Tactics Ogre: Reborn presents one of the most complex experiences among difficult tactical RPGs, with combat that constantly challenges players’ planning. Despite this, mechanics like recruiting new characters help balance the difficulty, providing valuable resources to face increasingly demanding challenges.

Even with these tools, combat remains punitive at specific moments, requiring full attention to movement and enemy abilities. Wrong decisions, such as underestimating battlefield conditions, can turn the tide of the match, making victory a matter of refined strategy and well-founded choices.

This Tactical RPG Shows There Is No Safe Move

Incorporating various RPG elements, especially in the second game, such as character progression, skill trees, and even the ability to customize the entire squad, XCOM 2 is a complex strategy game. In this sci-fi title, there is no truly safe strategy, so at any moment a situation that seems controlled can become difficult from one turn to the next.

The high difficulty of this tactical RPG stems from the lack of guarantees that a hit will land, so even a 99% chance of a shot seems high, there is still a chance of error. This can happen, especially in a confrontation against a particularly powerful enemy, resulting in the death of some allies.

3

Final Fantasy Tactics

Game Has A Learning Curve And Some Difficulty Spikes

Systems

Released

June 20, 1997

Developer(s)

Square

Publisher(s)

Square, Sony Computer Entertainment

The beginning of Ramza Beoulve’s journey in Final Fantasy Tactics makes the game one of the hardests tactical RPGs, as the early game combat and classes – while players still understanding its learning curve – tends to be challenging. Later, some mission objectives remain difficult, especially when it is necessary to protect Rapha Galthena in a mission.

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However, despite many main missions in Final Fantasy Tactics featuring enemies with predetermined levels, making combat against them easier through grinding, players need to be careful with random encounters. These scale according to the party’s level, so a fight like this can become more difficult than expected.

2

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776

All Elements That Hinder The Franchise’s Gameplay Are Here

Systems

Released

September 1, 1999

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Known for being an extremely difficult franchise, the developers of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 have maximized the game’s challenge by mixing some series elements – such as permadeath of characters – with some new features. For example, this title was the first to introduce the Fog of War mechanic, making it harder for allied troops to advance across the map.

Additionally, enemy reinforcements arriving over turns also act without waiting to perform their own actions, giving the player less time to plan and defend. These mechanics, combined with the classic challenges of old Fire Emblem games, make this Tactical RPG one of the most hardcore not only in the franchise but also in the entire genre.

1

Battle Brothers

This Tactical RPG Is Extremely Punitive Towards Players

In Battle Brothers, even a trivial encounter against some bandits can be a significant challenge for players, making this Tactical RPG one of the most difficult ever created. This is because even well-trained and equipped soldiers can fall victim to a streak of bad luck and be defeated by a weaker enemy, requiring each move to be carefully thought out.

Furthermore, this game’s difficulty aligns perfectly with the dark fantasy and low magic aesthetics that Battle Brothers possesses, where even those characters who survive the initial challenges face worthy opponents. Therefore, this tactical RPG is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a good challenge and being punished for mistakes, no matter how small.

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