Tactical RPG

Tactical RPGs are games that cross elements of the strategy and RPG (most often JRPG) genres. Like RPGs, players level up character stats and are usually given a limited party, but there is a distinct lack of exploration as many games flow from large sections of character dialogue and story progression straight to long, playable combat sequences.

Most tactical RPGs are turn-based games where characters move around a grid-based battlefield. Characters are limited in how far they can move around the grid and can normally only make one action at a time, although some games allow multiple actions depending on how turns work in them. Players can employ different strategies and use the environment around them to their advantage, such as bottle-necking in a castle corridor or flanking an enemy force. Battles in tactical RPGs generally have specific goals that need to be completed in order to win, such as defeating a certain foe, retrieving an item or surviving for a set number of turns. Outside of battle, players can train and improve their characters and change their equipment and/or classes, depending on the game.

Bokosuka Wars is considered the game to first lay down the foundation of the tactical RPG genre, while some of the most popular games since include Final Fantasy Tactics, Fire Emblem, Tactics Ogre, Shining Force and Front Mission.