Looking for tactical-RPG-ish games, I think?

[Anteros]

I just said what it adds. We actually know why everyone is reacting to Gafgarion like he's being a colossal jerk. In the original, Agrias getting super upset and going "you patronizing...!" just sort of comes out of nowhere, simply because the very insulting line was not translated in an insulting way.

It's quite clear how he's being patronizing in the original. He's saying, he wouldn't normally step in here for free, since he's a mercenary, but since you clearly need his help he will. Also he doesn't really have a choice since they're there to kill him too, but he's playing it off like he's doing her a favor. The second is just him being sexist. If anything it's much less nuanced than the original and makes him a shallower character.

This is the problem with overly flowery dialogue. You lose nuance in exchange for beating the reader over the head with the point. Some people like that better. I don't.

At the end of the day, we're just arguing over preferences. Neither is going to be objectively better than the other. If I had to recommend FFT to someone today I'd still recommend the newer version even though I don't prefer the dialogue because it's simply a much more polished game.

[NeoVid]

I'd like to recommend For the King. The combat takes prep and strategy, though an individual fight only takes a few minutes. Most of the various campaigns can be crazy long, and it's got a definite old-school tabletop feel due to failure being likely. I was super into the game for a while, and still didn't manage to beat most of the campaigns. Still loved every minute, except for the times I failed to take something important into account and got my head handed to me. But that's an integral part of the experience!

[Amechra]

I just said what it adds. We actually know why everyone is reacting to Gafgarion like he's being a colossal jerk. In the old translation, Agrias getting super upset and going "you patronizing...!" just sort of comes out of nowhere. Because she's reacting to something that got lost in translation.

Wait, you *don't* think being referred to as a "wench" is patronizing? At best he's saying that Agrias is a peasant (and not, you know, a knight), and at worst he's calling her a prostitute (and the line can be read as implying that he expects favors as payment, since she clearly can't afford his services...)

Long story short, "goodly wench" is a very demeaning way to refer to someone. Like, I'm actually not sure I can give you a modern equivalent without breaking forum rules vis-a-vis profanity.

[LudicSavant]

Ogre Battle: Person of Lordly Caliber on the N64 was also really good.

I absolutely loved that one back in the day!

I recently picked up Triangle Strategy (Square Enix's new tactical RPG) and it's making a positive impression thus far!

Wait, you *don't* think being referred to as a "wench" is patronizing?

Wha? That is literally the exact opposite of what I said.

He's more patronizing in the new English version (where he says that) than the old English version (where he doesn't). In general I think the characterizations (and the plot as a whole) is clearer in the new translation (though I can't give any really meaty examples of that without spoilers, so I won't).

[druid91]

Then there’s always Final Fantasy Tactics. I remember really enjoying the first one a long time ago. Can’t say if it is just nostalgia talking though.

Definitely going to plus 1 this suggestion. Final Fantasy Tactics is an amazing game even now. Though it is a smartphone game now.

[LudicSavant]

Early impression of the new game Triangle Strategy is that it's basically a love letter to Final Fantasy Tactics fans. Not only in the sense that it's an isometric tactical RPG, but also in the sense that it dives headfirst into the political intrigues of nations.

One thing that really surprised me (in a good way) is that your main character is a democratic leader. Your party votes on the big Mass Effect decisions, and as lord of House Wolffort you are duty-bound to carry out their decisions. However, you can influence the vote with persuasion. Plus, your behavior throughout the game affects what kind of people join your party.

It has an alignment system, but it's not Bioware-style. Instead, it's a 3-way alignment system, reflecting how much your actions identify with 3 competing in-world philosophies (labeled "Freedom" "Utility" and "Morality").

[J-H]

Yeah, I couldn't find FFT on PC. My phone doesn't have storage space for any more games so that route is out... plus touchscreens are not a great gaming interface for anything more complex than Sudoku.

I finished Banner Saga 1 a couple of weeks ago, and it was enough gut-punch that I don't think I'm going to pursue 2 & 3.

I FINALLY figured out a PC game my wife will play with me...Torchlight 2, a Diablo-style game. All the RPG stuff with lots of text and complex rules was too overwhelming vs. "click, hit, inspect loot, skill up, repeat."

[Triaxx]

I think you need an Android Emulator to play it on PC.

[Anteros]

The touch screen for FFT isn't that bad. In general, phones are pretty good with turn based games because even if you do struggle a bit with an input, you have plenty of time to get it right.

Triangle Strategy looks neat, but I gave my switch away years ago. I suppose I'll have to miss out on that one unless I decide to buy/borrow one which is unlikely.

I played a bit of Mercenaries Blaze on Steam. It's a bit like FFT light. The writing isn't great but the tactical battles are pretty good so far. There's been at least one fight where I was surprised by the difficulty and had to fight a tactical retreat to get through it rather than just brute forcing it like you can with most strategy games.

[danzibr]

Maybe not the perfect fit since it lacks deep RPG elements, but Shining Force and Shining Force 2 are some of my favorite SRPGs of all time.

[Morgaln]

I'll second Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mask, which has been mentioned earlier. It's very much a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy Tactics.

A few other games that I think haven't been mentioned yet:

Tahira: Echoes of the Ancestral Empire
Massive Chalice
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
Tomb of Annihilation, if you want an outright D&D game
Steamworld Heist, if you don't mind needing a bit of manual dexterity
Sentinels of Freedom if you can get over the mediocre art
Braveland, if you want something more casual
Renowned Explorers, if you're fine with a bit of a rogue-like influence in your turn-based strategy