Turn-Based RPGs That Have Steep Learning Curves

Turn-based role-playing games will always have a dedicated fanbase who loves the tactical combat in these titles. Players must apply their brains and avoid strategic pitfalls while trying to take out challenging enemies.

Both Japanese and Western developers have innovative takes on these kinds of RPGs that players can’t get enough of. Some of these games can be incredibly complex, and players who don’t take the time to learn the combat mechanics will be punished over and over in tough battles.

Related

10 Turn-Based RPGs With Simple But Great Combat

Turn-based RPGs can sometimes be overwhelming to newcomers, but the following games keep combat simple and beginner-friendly.

8

UnderRail

Learn How Combat Works, And Obliterate Enemies With Ease

Systems

Released

December 18, 2015

Players who want to check out an indie CRPG that pays homage to the genre’s classic roots will love what UnderRail brings to the table. As one would expect, combat can be quite challenging as the fragile player character is torn apart by even the weakest enemies around early on.

Thankfully, players can use powerful items to turn the tide of battle against their opponents and figure out ways to exploit the enemy AI after a point. It takes some time, but the learning curve is immensely satisfying to master, as players take out groups of enemies without any issues.

7

Divinity: Original Sin 2

The Changes To The Combat System Take A While To Get Used To

Released

September 14, 2017

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence

While Divinity: Original Sin was a great game in its own right, Larian felt that combat could be improved in the sequel. This was done by adding Physical and Magical Armor, tying status effects to the lack of these protective layers instead of pure RNG.

This made for a deeply tactical combat system where players needed to be up-to-date with the latest equipment to make things easier for themselves. Failing to do so could lead to party members receiving direct damage and being bombarded with negative status effects in no time.

6

Darkest Dungeon

The Game’s Brutal Difficulty Will Hammer The Best Strategies Into Players

Released

January 19, 2016

ESRB

T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence

No matter how challenging players think their first romp through a dungeon is going to be, nothing will be enough to prepare them for the sheer suffering they’ll endure in Darkest Dungeon. Every fight will be a grueling affair, leaving physical and mental scars on their adventurers if they manage to survive this grueling ordeal.

Related

7 Best Tactical RPGs With Non-Linear Story Paths

Players who enjoy the freedom that comes with non-linear storytelling will love what the following tactical RPGs have to offer.

The game will beat it into players that they need to be prudent while exploring dungeons, since biting off more than they can chew early on is nothing short of a death sentence. Eventually, their party members will become strong enough to give them the confidence they need to tackle greater obstacles, but all it takes is a single slip-up to have dire consequences for the party.

5

The Last Remnant

One Of The Most Complex JRPGs

The Last Remnant

Released

November 20, 2008

ESRB

M For Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Players who want to check out the most ridiculously complex turn-based combat ever featured in a JRPG should give The Last Remnant a spin. Players control multiple forces in combat, who must use everything from innate skills to positioning in a bid to make things easier for themselves.

It’s easy for battles to become cluttered and hard to surpass, as players either scrape by with the skin of their teeth or suffer a humiliating loss over and over again. This is where The Last Remnant will beat its sensibilities into players, with impatient gamers opting out of this experience altogether.

4

Resonance Of Fate

The Flamboyant Combat Takes A While To Master

Released

January 28, 2010

ESRB

t

The combat of Resonance of Fate certainly looks great, but it’s not until players experience it firsthand that they realize how complex it is. Scratch and HP damage is just the tip of the iceberg, with the game revealing many complex mechanics that can take a while to wrap one’s head around.

Players must head to the Coliseum and check out numerous combat tutorials before they can understand what’s happening in the background during each battle. Only after educating themselves on the combat can players breeze past every encounter instead of letting their Hero Gauge run out and turning their party members into useless shivering husks.

Learn How The Game Works, Or Lose Valuable Squad Members

Released

February 5, 2016

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence

Players who loved XCOM: Enemy Unknown felt right at home when the sequel came out. XCOM 2 is essentially a polished version of its predecessor with refined gameplay, with lite-RPG elements to keep fans engaged.

Related

Best Modern-Day CRPGs, Ranked

CRPG was once thought to be a dead genre, but games like Disco Elysium & Divinity Original Sin resurrected it. Here are the best modern ones.

Every encounter is a nail-biting tactical affair where slip-ups can cause players to lose powerful and precious squad members. Players must learn how to master certain strategies that can help them flank opponents and preserve the lives of their most valuable soldiers.

2

Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne

One Of The Hardest SMT Games Of All Time

Released

October 12, 2004

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

From the first moment players control the Demi-fiend and engage in battle, they realize just how challenging Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne is. This game introduced the Press Turn Battle system for the first time, and helped combat feel more tactical than ever before.

The real kicker was the boss fights, which beat players into submission and made them realize that exploiting weaknesses and bringing strong monsters into battle was essential to defeat these powerful foes. There’s nothing worse than bringing a liability into battle, whose weakness can be targeted to decimate the entire party in no time.

1

Final Fantasy Tactics

Mastering The Job System Is A Must

Systems

Released

June 20, 1997

ESRB

t

Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the greatest strategy JRPGs of all time, and it keeps fans coming back for more. Ramza’s conflict in a war-torn landscape is riveting as players master the job system and help their characters become stronger than ever.

Even then, players who feel like they’ve mastered the combat system will be in for a rude awakening when they find themselves stuck at a major difficulty spike. Final Fantasy Tactics is full of these moments, punishing players for doing a poor job of optimizing the party’s jobs and making the most of the battle arena they fight in.

More

8 Best Tactical RPGs With Deep Character Customization, Ranked

Those who love to customize their characters to be just the way they like are in for something special in these tactical RPGs.