Good Strategy RPGS have an X-Factor, Part 1
It has been about a month since we released War of Crown. Until recently, I haven’t had much time to sit down and think about the game itself. The time around launch is always hectic because all of us are working around the clock (industry perk, right?). Now that the situation is calmer, I can reflect on War of Crown and strategy RPGs as a whole.
I’ve played a decent amount of War of Crown so far, and it reminds me a lot of some of my favorite games which happen to be strategy RPGS. These games are Final Fantasy Tactics and Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. I thought about how they redefined strategy RPGs. What is it about these games specifically that created a lasting impression? There are many strategy RPGs, but the special ones have an X-factor. X-factors are any compelling features on top of the common strategy and RPG elements, and these games have them in spades.
Case Study I — Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics?
Opinion: Final Fantasy Tactics is a masterpiece although I didn’t think so at first. Some gamers develop an acquired taste for strategy RPGs while others just naturally gravitate towards its methodical gameplay. Me? I just want to go *pew-pew-pew* or do a Hadouken motion against helpless kids at the arcade. What makes Final Fantasy Tactics special is its interesting 3D world, well-written story and level of difficulty.
A Brave New World.
Strategy games like Final Fantasy Tactics had a believable 3D world befitting of its premise. The developers did not have to obey too many laws of realism here. Instead, they constructed the world of Ivalice out of boxes, and all of the characters masqueraded around Ivalice while trying to get rich or die tryin.’ Players could climb up mountains, cross bridges, navigate dark caverns and conquer castle environments in this mystical Lego land.
Aurally, Final Fantasy Tactics has some of the best video game music I’ve ever heard. It beautifully captures the feelings of war, class struggles and tragedy. Even today, a random Final Fantasy Tactics song will play in my head (totally healthy mental behavior).
More Drama Please.
Final Fantasy Tactics’ story will disturb the player’s senses. Ivalice is a world filled with deceit and bloodshed. This game taught me at an early age to never trust politicians. If the creators of Game of Thrones want to adapt their IP into a strategy RPG, they should use Final Fantasy Tactics as a blueprint. The reasons for all of the bloodshed are well-written too. The antagonists in Final Fantasy Tactics have relatable motivations for the evil they commit.
Throw Your Controllers at Walls, Not at People.
Final Fantasy Tactics was also frustratingly difficult. I specifically remember the battle with Velius. Velius is the transformed demon form of Wiegraf, a major antagonist in Final Fantasy Tactics.
There are many reasons why this battle is difficult. The fight is right after a solo duel with Wiegraf, so your main character is already near-death. After Wiegraf transforms, his demon form Velius can one-shot your whole party if you aren’t careful with spreading them out. Velius also summons other monsters (Archaic Demons) to help him. Their attacks are instant and can two-shot any of your party members. Powerful attacks in Final Fantasy Tactics usually require a certain amount of turns to pull off, measured in “charge.” These guys don’t care about the rules though.
Part two will continue with the second case study, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness and War of Crown. By @nobinryan
