Persona 5 is one of the most impactful video games of the last 10 years. The 2016 smash hit almost singlehandedly breathed new life into the ATLUS’ long-running JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game) franchise, and brought about a wave of remakes, remasters, and spinoffs. Persona 5 alone received an enhanced version in 2019’s Persona 5 Royal. And has been spun off into a rhythm game and a Dynasty Warriors game. With extra crossovers throughout, like the main character Joker appearing in the Nintendo fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The newest entry in the Persona 5 catalogue is the upcoming Persona 5 Tactica, a turn-based tactical strategy game set to release on November 17th, 2023. Given that Persona 5 served as many people’s introduction to the world of JRPGs, it’s safe to assume that not all Persona 5 fans have played a tactical strategy game before. It’s a fairly underused game genre, and can easily be seen as daunting to the uninitiated.
Persona 5 Tactica
If you are one of those people, here is a list of 10 tactical strategy games you can try if you want to get your feet wet. They range in difficulty, accessibility, and gameplay; so there should be something for everyone. You don’t have to play all 10, or play any to completion. Just get a feel for them and an understanding of how to play strategy games in general.
Chess
Platform: Pretty much everything
Now hear me out. I know people tend to write off Chess as a game that requires more brainpower than they care to dedicate to a single game, but it will help you develop the mindset for the other tactical strategy games on this list. And, of course, Persona 5 Tactica. Furthermore, it’s free.
Chess.com is a completely free website that anyone with an email and password can use. There are premium subscription tiers that unlock more content, but you don’t have to worry about those unless you’re seriously dedicated to learning and improving. Even then, there are YouTube channels like GothamChess that have plenty of beginner tutorials you can watch for free.
There are numerous bots you can play against of all different skill levels, even one that adapts as you play to make things harder or easier. Along with that, there are difficulty modes you can choose, with easier modes allowing you to receive hints and take back moves.
Chess, like all the other games on this list, is all about knowing the powers of all of your units and all your opponent’s units. How each of them differ, their strengths, their weaknesses, where they can and can’t move, etc. You’ll learn how to position your units most effectively and how to use them cohesively to win your battles. But if you want more video in your game, I’ve got nine more for you.
Chess.com Homepage
Fire Emblem: Heroes
Platform: Mobile
The other freebie. Fire Emblem: Heroes is the mobile game based on the popular Nintendo franchise. And is yet another gacha-infested world of premium currency and very low odds to get the things you actually want. However, unlike most games, the currency to get more characters is pretty easy to come by if you’re willing to put in some time.
Fire Emblem: Heroes is a very condensed Fire Emblem experience. As your team can only contain 4 members at a time. Though, it serves as a great entry point to the Fire Emblem series, and tactical games in general for that reason. It’s not exactly the same as a traditional Fire Emblem game, but it’s similar enough to train you for the tougher experiences. That is, if you don’t mind slight spoilers for those games.
The fights in Fire Emblem: Heroes are short and sweet as well, and have difficulty settings you can choose at any time. Along with that, there are plenty of side modes that will keep you entertained while you’re playing. It doesn’t require much strategy, unlike Chess, but it’s more similar to the gameplay you’ll be seeing in Persona 5 Tactica, just a whole lot smaller.
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Platform: Nintendo Switch
I don’t think anyone knows exactly how a crossover between the world’s most famous Italian Chris Pratt and the predecessor to the Minions went so well, but here we are. This is another great entry point, as the controls and gameplay aren’t that complicated. It’s a lighthearted adventure with Mario characters and some cosplaying bunnies.
However, it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for a challenge, dynamic characters, or a deep plot – Staples of Persona games – you won’t really find any of that here. Then again, those things are rarely found in Mario titles outside of some old RPGs that, until recently, Nintendo was all too happy to pretend never existed. Your team is only limited to three characters, and the amount of things you can do is limited compared to others on this list.
However, if you’re looking for a fun game to pass the time for a couple days, you can’t go wrong here. Or if you’re in the middle of a longer game, and want something else to play to cool down, you could pick this up. Or maybe you’re just a big Rabbids fan. I’m sure there’s at least one of you out there somewhere.
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Risk: Global Domination
Platform: Mobile, PC, Nintendo Switch
Risk: Global Domination, like Chess, isn’t exactly a 1:1 comparison to the other tactical strategy games on this list. However, there are plenty of both tactics and strategies needed to win a game of Risk. The game has a simple concept to grasp, allowing you to dedicate more time to planning out your moves and thinking about what your opponents might do in response.
Strategy games are all about analyzing your units from an offensive and defensive position. Looking at who they attack, and who can attack them. Risk is the same way. You need to pay attention to all your units on all your spaces. Keep track of your weak points, and create plans to either negate or defend that weakness. All while targeting your opponents’ weak points before they know what’s hit them.
Risk: Global Domination is a fun and breezy party game that you can enjoy with friends, all while learning more about strategic thinking and problem solving, two traits that will come in handy when it comes time to tackle Persona 5 Tactica.
Risk: Global Domination
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Some people may be wondering why this in on the list instead of the newest entry, Fire Emblem: Engage. That’s because Engage is a celebration of the series as a whole. Therefore it won’t be as appreciated and enjoyed by a newcomer. This game, however, will be. If you have the time to put into it.
As the name implies, Three Houses has three different story paths players can go down, and you can only get one per playthrough. And each one is packed with content to enjoy, so completing this game is a real investment. Furthermore, the characters and stories are (mostly) interesting and engaging (pun intended) so you’ll probably want to see your story through to the end. In doing so, you’ll learn a lot about tactical strategy.
The biggest selling point for new players is that Three Houses allows you to take back your moves. So, if one of your units dies, you can go back to before their turn or earlier and prevent it. It’s especially helpful if you’re playing on the Classic difficulty, where characters are permanently dead for the rest of the story if they fall in combat. There’s also a variety of difficulty options, so players of any skill level can pick it up.
However, there’s a LOT of extra content outside of the battles. You can build your bonds with all the different units, teach classes to increase certain skills, fish, and a lot more. And you can get married to one of the characters at the end, so that’s a feature. If you like games with lots of endearing characters and intricate stories, you can’t go wrong here. Just know you’re in for a long journey. Though, if you like Persona 5, you probably don’t mind.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Platform: Nintendo Switch
A lot of the entries on this list are about games that take place in some sort of fantasy world. Characters fighting with swords, bows, axes, and magic. Then there was one with a plumber and his rabbit friends because video games rule. Anyway, if you want something that is more similar to modern fighting, then Advance Wars: 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is the way to go. Give it a shot, even if the name is dauntingly long.
You get to fight with boats, tanks, jets, infantry, and more. All while defending your bases and capturing those of your enemies. On top of that, the game has one of the most visually appealing art styles I have ever seen. And you’re getting two games for the price of one: Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2. So, if you’re a Persona fan, but fantasy settings don’t really interest you, this could definitely be the game for you.
As a personal note, it’s been on my list of games to play ever since it was announced. But that backlog is so massive that I haven’t had a chance to get around to it.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
This whole article could’ve been one sentence that says “Play a Fire Emblem game,” but where’s the fun in that? Awakening is to Fire Emblem what Persona 5 is Persona. The game that brought new and revived attention and interest to a long-running franchise. It features many of quality-of-life improvements over older FE games in order to make it more approachable for newcomers. Which means it might just be perfect for you.
The reason I’m mentioning Awakening after Three Houses is for two reasons: Accessibility and ease. For starters, not everyone has a 3DS lying around in 2023, even though you should. And I would never recommend downloading an emulator like Citra and then downloading a ROM for Awakening, because emulating is bad and you should absolutely never ever do it. Also, it released in North America 10 years ago and still costs $45.99 on Amazon. And since the 3DS E-Shop closed earlier this year, online retailers are your best bet. Or local game stores that sell old games.
As for the other reason, Awakening doesn’t allow you to take your moves back. While it’s not a huge issue since you can just not choose Classic mode, it still makes fights tougher by default. You have no choice but to commit to your moves, so you have to put more time into your plans. Also, recruiting new characters is tougher, as they can die while you’re trying to recruit them and be lost forever.
However, it’s a shorter experience than Three Houses, though is still filled with memorable characters and an intriguing story. If you manage to find a copy, it’s definitely worth the trouble. And it holds your hand a bit less than Three Houses, allowing you more room to spread your tactical wings.
Triangle Strategy
Platform: Nintendo Switch
This is the game for you if you want a challenge, but don’t want to pull your hair out. Triangle Strategy doesn’t have the beautiful characters and side activities that other games on this list do. But it makes up for that by basically being the greatest unlicensed Game of Thrones game. The earlier seasons, not the latter ones.
Triangle Strategy is way more focused on the war that you play through; what the different motivations are, the deception, treason, lies, and all that fun stuff. At the heart of it all is the relationship between the main character and his betrothed, and the effects the war has on them. The game treats everything very seriously, which is a pro for some, and a con for others. It depends on what you like in your games.
The fights are also pretty tough, especially if you aren’t a fan of grinding levels and items. However, it will push your logical thinking and strategizing to new limits. All while providing you with a large cast of characters who all act differently, making no two playthroughs the same. While not the best game for beginners, it’s perfect for those who like to test themselves, and love a good fantasy war.
Triangle Strategy
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
Platform: Mobile
This is the game for you if you want a challenge, and think hair is overrated. Final Fantasy Tactics not only expects you to know how to play, but to master it. You will spend hours grinding to increase the strength of your units and level up their jobs.
I only recommend this game if you really love a challenge, and want to dive right into the deep end. Or maybe you’re an experienced strategy game player looking for a new challenge, and this game has gone under your radar. Which is entirely possible, given that it only resides on mobile as of writing this.
It is definitely not beginner friendly. But if you don’t mind a steep learning curve and lots of grinding, then you might get some enjoyment out of it. There is an interesting story there, and doesn’t require you to know a single thing about the innumerable amount of Final Fantasy games that are out there.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
Platform: PC, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
If you are a fan of truly immersive experiences, look no further than Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. The game may not be as flashy or consistently action-packed as many other games on this list, but there is still a lot on offer here. You are responsible for building an entire civilization from the ground up, and all the work that comes with it.
You have plenty of units to control in battles, but you also have to manage all the imports and exports of your civilization. Your people will want and need things, you’ll make new discoveries, and many more obstacles will come your way. Again, it’s not the flashiest game out there, but you can easily lose hours and hours building up your community and watching it thrive thanks to your hard work and effort.
Final Fantasy Tactics is the deep end for its difficulty, but Civilization VI is the deep end for the sheer amount of responsibilities you’re given. However, given that you start from the very bottom, you have plenty of time to get a handle on how the game is played.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
