The Best Tactical RPGs Inspired by Historical Events

Video games inspired by historical events can be fascinating, whether they give players a vibe of a specific snapshot in time, or completely imitate these moments directly, allowing players to have an impact on the past and even change it. Sometimes these games can be set in the future or a complete fantasy world, merely sprinkling in elements of tales from the annals of time.

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Given that many tactical RPGs deal with war and conflict-related topics, it seems perfect fodder for developers to take inspiration from since much of world history is defined by war. These are some of the best tactical RPGs inspired by historical events, ranked based on a combination of their quality and popularity with fans.

10

Phantom Doctrine

Influenced By Cold War Paranoia

Released

August 14, 2018

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence

Developer(s)

CreativeForge Games

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Reminiscent of classic spy films and taking many ideas from various conspiracies during the Cold War, Phantom Doctrine is set in an alternate history during the 1980s. Either playing as a former CIA, KGB, or Mossad agent, players assemble a squad to take down a secretive organization known as “The Beholder Initiative”, which seeks global domination.

Along with the turn-based tactical combat, the game features base management, classic pinboard and string investigations, and the ability to send spies on scouting missions. Agents are fully customizable, but brainwashing is a major factor in gameplay, both as a useful tool for the player and something to be wary about.

9

Dynasty Tactics 2

Set During China’s Three Kingdoms Period

Dynasty Tactics 2

Systems

Released

September 24, 2003

ESRB

t

A more tactical, turn-based spin-off of the classic musou series, Dynasty Tactics 2 not only takes inspiration from the Three Kingdoms period in China, but also takes place in that setting. Just as in the main Dynasty Warriors games, the story is based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a novelization of this period, but with a darker and more realistic tone.

Gameplay is split into the strategic preparation phase, where players can hire new recruits, declare war or form alliances, then participate in battles. Player choices will dictate the narrative across the 84 stages and there are more than double the available tactics than in its predecessor, giving plenty of strategic freedom.

8

All Walls Must Fall

Inspired By The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

Tactical

Strategy

Roguelike

Systems

Released

February 23, 2018

ESRB

M For Mature 17+

Developer(s)

Inbetweengames

PC Release Date

February 23, 2018

Nintendo Switch Release Date

January 20, 2021

Expand

Set in an alternate future where the Cold War never ended, All Walls Must Fall is described as a tech-noir tactics game. Taking place in Germany’s capital city in 2089 and featuring time-traveling aspects, it is no coincidence that this game is set exactly a century after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

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The use of time is unique, giving players the ability to infiltrate a location, trigger an alarm, then reverse time and remain in place, as if the alarm was never triggered. Other possibilities include undoing dialogue choices to get a more positive outcome or even reversing the trajectory of a bullet. Levels are procedurally generated, so each playthrough will yield different results.

7

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale

Borrowing Heavily From Arthurian Legend

Taking a more dark fantasy approach to the story of the legendary British monarch, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale takes many ideas from the chivalric virtues of Medieval British knights and blends them with wider Celtic mythology. While the legend itself may be somewhat fanciful, there is still plenty of evidence to suggest Arthur existed, and the Battle of Camlann is the starting point of this game, where Arthur and player-character Mordred died.

Set in the afterlife, players must challenge Arthur’s tyranny and battle monsters as they train up their chosen knights. There are also elements of facility upgrades and plenty of player choices, making each playthrough different.

6

Jagged Alliance 2

Resembles Many Revolutions And Guerrilla Conflicts

Jagged Alliance 2

Taking place in the fictional land of Arulco in the 1990s, Jagged Alliance 2 bears a striking resemblance to many coups d’etat and guerrilla uprisings during the preceding decades. Playing as a group of mercenaries who were hired by the former husband of the ruling Queen, the goal is to take back control of the country, as it suffers under an authoritarian monarchy.

Gameplay is split between the strategic management of resources, hiring new recruits, keeping mercenary morale high, and engaging in battle. The level of freedom is incredibly high, especially considering the time this game was released, as players can tackle the game however they want to, and their actions have consequences.

5

The Banner Saga

Based on Viking Culture and Norse Mythology

Released

January 14, 2014

ESRB

t

Developer(s)

Stoic Studio

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Taking place in a rugged land with a challenging climate, and inspired by the culture of the Vikings with a hint of Norse mythology, The Banner Saga features many compelling components. The branching story is deep, containing relationship management and survival elements, and combat is tough but fair.

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Player choices greatly impact the overall experience and the inclusion of permadeath means players really must face the consequences of their actions. Battles against the warlike Dredge must be approached cautiously and was one of many factors in this game spawning several highly regarded sequels.

4

Valkyria Chronicles 4

The Second Europan War Is Like World War Two

ESRB

t

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Bearing many similar aspects to events in Europe during World War Two, Valkyria Chronicles 4 was clearly inspired by this time. As part of the federation army, players seek to defend their homeland of Gallia from Imperial forces in the Second Europan War.

All of these details are strikingly similar to parts of Europe during the 1930s and 1940s, and it leads to an enthralling narrative. This entry stands out from its predecessors in the series, adding the Grenadier class and the new “Brave” system, which can be potentially activated when a character falls in battle, giving them one final action as a last stand.

3

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

Drawing Inspiration From The Yugoslav Wars

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

Released

October 6, 1995

ESRB

T For Teen // Mild Animated Violence, Mild Language

Developer(s)

Quest Corporation

Despite the fantasy setting, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together actually takes a lot of inspiration from the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, a conflict that was still ongoing at the time of release. Often regarded as one of the most harrowing and realistic depictions of war, Tactics Ogre causes players to make difficult choices, which usually have no truly good outcome.

Controlling Denam, players are caught up in a revolutionary struggle, and the story features elements of ethnic conflicts and the corruption of power. The branching paths lead to multiple endings, depending on the player’s chosen path, and it’s available on modern platforms with many quality-of-life improvements as Tactics Ogre: Reborn.

2

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Also Inspired By The Three Kingdoms Period In China

Systems

Released

July 26, 2019

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

There are countless similarities between Fire Emblem: Three Houses and the aforementioned Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and it’s clear that the period of Chinese history this novelization is based on influenced the game. Considering that Koei Tecmo, the developer of the Dynasty Warriors games, had a hand in Three Houses, this inspiration makes sense.

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The three leaders of the titular houses are very similar in character to the three leaders of the Kingdoms from this time. The story itself largely depends on player choices, but many aspects are reminiscent of the sequence of real-life events, plus the dramatized version.

1

Final Fantasy Tactics

Influenced By The War Of The Roses

Systems

Released

June 20, 1997

ESRB

t

Developer(s)

Square

Many of the details of the story in Final Fantasy Tactics seem too close to the War of the Roses to be purely a coincidence. Both were preceded by lengthy conflicts with an outside force, as the Fifty Years War occurred before the events of the game and the Hundred Years War took place before the houses of York and Lancaster took to the battlefield.

The War of the Lions fought under the banners of the White Lion and the Black Lion, is even similar to the War of the Roses in terms of both name and events. Final Fantasy Tactics remains one of the most beloved tactical RPGs ever made with its gripping narrative and revolutionary gameplay.

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