With all the new SJRPGs released in recent years, I thought it'd be fun to have one of these threads.
So, Era, which SJRPG series rules the battlefield of your heart? Which franchise deserves to be crowned as The One True King™ of this beloved genre?
Note: I did my best to include the best and/or most important series in the genre. As you know, polls can only have 7 options, so I realize that not everyone will be happy with the selection. If you feel strongly about a specific series, don't hesitate to drop a mention.
Series presented in chronological order:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Fire Emblem
Debut Year: 1990
A strategy RPG franchise developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It is known for its emphasis on character development and concept of permanent character death.
Notable Entries:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Shining Force
Debut Year: 1992
Sega's long running series of tactical action RPGs which are centered around a young hero's quest to lead a band of adventurers, the titular 'Shining Force', against the forces of darkness
Notable Entries:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Ogre Battle/Tactics Ogre
Debut Year: 1993
A series of tactical role-playing and real-time strategy video games developed by Quest Corporation and currently owned by Square-Enix. The second game in the series, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, was a turn-based tactical role-playing game making use of isometric graphics, and is largely considered to be "exceptionally influential" to the genre.
Notable Entries:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Front Mission
Debut Year: 1995
A collection of video games created by Toshiro Tsuchida and produced by Square-Enix. The series has seen numerous releases across multiple platforms over the years. It's best known for its serialized storytelling approach and the presentation of realistic mecha known as "wanzers".
Notable Entries:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Final Fantasy Tactics
Debut Year: 1997
Final Fantasy Tactics is a spiritual successor to the Tactics Ogre games in the Ogre Battle franchise. The first iteration maintains the same tone as its spiritual predecessors, however the later iterations have a much lighter tone.
Notable Entries:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Disgaea
Debut Year: 2003
One of Nippon Ichi's most popular franchises, Disgaea is a series of tactical role-playing games that take place in a fictional universe called the Netherworld. The series is known for elements such as complex gameplay, extremely high maximum stats, and humorous dialogue.
Notable Entries:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Valkyria Chronicles
Debut Year: 2008
A military tactical RPG franchise from Sega, the spiritual successor to their Sakura Wars series. The main line of games uses a turn based system known as the BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones). The setting for these games take place in alternate universe versions of the Earth, during war times of the 20th century
Notable Entries:
So, Era, which SJRPG series rules the battlefield of your heart? Which franchise deserves to be crowned as The One True King™ of this beloved genre?
Note: I did my best to include the best and/or most important series in the genre. As you know, polls can only have 7 options, so I realize that not everyone will be happy with the selection. If you feel strongly about a specific series, don't hesitate to drop a mention.
Series presented in chronological order:
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Fire Emblem
Debut Year: 1990
A strategy RPG franchise developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It is known for its emphasis on character development and concept of permanent character death.
Notable Entries:
- Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
- Fire Emblem: Awakening
- Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Shining Force
Debut Year: 1992
Sega's long running series of tactical action RPGs which are centered around a young hero's quest to lead a band of adventurers, the titular 'Shining Force', against the forces of darkness
Notable Entries:
- Shining Force
- Shining Force II
- Shining Force III
- Shining Force CD
- Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Ogre Battle/Tactics Ogre
Debut Year: 1993
A series of tactical role-playing and real-time strategy video games developed by Quest Corporation and currently owned by Square-Enix. The second game in the series, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, was a turn-based tactical role-playing game making use of isometric graphics, and is largely considered to be "exceptionally influential" to the genre.
Notable Entries:
- Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen
- Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
- Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
- Legend of Ogre Battle Gaiden: Prince of Zenobia
- Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Front Mission
Debut Year: 1995
A collection of video games created by Toshiro Tsuchida and produced by Square-Enix. The series has seen numerous releases across multiple platforms over the years. It's best known for its serialized storytelling approach and the presentation of realistic mecha known as "wanzers".
Notable Entries:
- Front Mission
- Front Mission 2
- Front Mission 3
- Front Mission 4
- Front Mission 5: Scars of the War
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Final Fantasy Tactics
Debut Year: 1997
Final Fantasy Tactics is a spiritual successor to the Tactics Ogre games in the Ogre Battle franchise. The first iteration maintains the same tone as its spiritual predecessors, however the later iterations have a much lighter tone.
Notable Entries:
- Final Fantasy Tactics
- Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
- Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
- Crystal Defenders
- Final Fantasy Tactics S
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Disgaea
Debut Year: 2003
One of Nippon Ichi's most popular franchises, Disgaea is a series of tactical role-playing games that take place in a fictional universe called the Netherworld. The series is known for elements such as complex gameplay, extremely high maximum stats, and humorous dialogue.
Notable Entries:
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
- Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
- Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness
- Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼
Valkyria Chronicles
Debut Year: 2008
A military tactical RPG franchise from Sega, the spiritual successor to their Sakura Wars series. The main line of games uses a turn based system known as the BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones). The setting for these games take place in alternate universe versions of the Earth, during war times of the 20th century
Notable Entries:
- Valkyria Chronicles
- Valkyria Chronicles 2
- Valkyria Chronicles 3
- Valkyria Revolution
- Valkyria Chronicles 4