Any Fans of TRPG's (Tactical Role Playing Games)??

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rchrhds29
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Any Fans of TRPG's (Tactical Role Playing Games)??

Post by rchrhds29 »

Hey I'm curious if there are any fans of Tactical / Strategy Role Playing Games (TRPG's) out there besides me? I absolutely love them, pretty much the only video games I still play outside of Dead or Alive 5 and sports games.

on a map that works basically like a grid. Outside of the Shining Force series every other TRPG I've ever seen is turn based, where your group goes than the enemy or vice-versa. You control your forces one at a time and typical commands are:
Move (typically unit's can move 2 to 4 spaces towards beginning of game and than more later as you get better items)
Action: Attack, Magic, Item, Flee, Search
Wait (at end of each unit's turn in most you than choose which way you want them to face, as attacks from behind usually have higher percentage of hitting and do more damage)

I personally like TRPG's way, way, way more than regular RPG's because of their much higher level of intricacy. TRPG's basically by you commanding a group of units (6 to 8 usually, but Shining Force series gets ridiculous) and you complete Missions for exp. and to advance in the game's storyline (typical types of mission: battle, delivery, investigate (find a certain item generally), obtain goal X (like get to level Z). But, the big two differences between TRPGs and RPGs is the control and customization of your units you have and the battle system.

Control / Customization of Units:
TRPG's use a job system, where when you complete missions you not only get exp to up your level but job exp or job points to increase each unit's level in their current job. Typically the starting jobs at the beginning of the game are: Soldier / Warrior, White Mage, Black Mage, Archer, Animist (Final Fantasy Tactics, FFT, series only), White Monk (FFT). Also in some TRPG series different races of units are available, this is mainly FFT though.

In most TRPGs, all besides FFT advance series really, you gain job exp to unlock different abilities that are unique to that job, fire for black mage as example. The FFT advance series instead links abilities to a particular piece of equipment that the unit has to have equipped to earn exp and learn the ability and than when the ability is learned the unit can use that ability even without that equipment equipped.

Typically, each unit has 4 ability spots where you can assign ability types. These are usually something like: Action 1 (abilities for current job), Action Ability 2 (abilities that have been learned by unit of another job), Reaction (example: (counter or block arrows), Support (example: shieldbearer, this lets you hold shield regardless of job).

New jobs become available to each of your units by reaching a certain level on one job or learning a certain number of abilities for that job. Mid game jobs typically include: paladin, bishop, time mage, elementalist, gunner. Late game jobs typically include: ninja (by far best job in any TRPG hands down), templar, summoner, juggler, and alchemist.

This job system, and the way you learn abilities in it, really gives you WAY more control over regular RPGs. In most TRPGs there are 8 to 12 different jobs per race and each job has 15 to 25 unique abilities it can learn. So you get to really decide what your squad looks like, you get to decide if you want a very aggressive offensive group, defensive one, one with support units or not, etc.

Battle System
Okay, just like the job system, the battle system is very different from typical RPGs in TRPGs. Instead of turn based battles against one or more enemies where all you can do is attack, use magic, or use item, in TRPGs the battles take place in a real world style map that operates on a grid like system where the battle wins when all units in either side are defeated or a certain goal is met. So like you battle in say a forest, and you place your 6 to 8 units on the grid, usually on one side opposite of enemies units but occasionally you can spread your units across the map, and than the battle is turn based, with all of your units going than the enemies or the other way around. You operate each unit one at a time and typical commands are:
Move (Usually you can move 2 to 4 spaces in beginning of game and with certain equipment, and certain jobs, this increases. Your characters usually also have a Jump stat that dictates if they can move to higher up spots, like up a hill).
Action: A. Attack
B. Action Ability 1 (use abilities unit has learned associated with their current job)
C. Action Ability 2 (abilities previously learned of a different job)
D. Wait /End Turn (you also typically choose in which direction your character will face, as attacks from behind typically have higher chance of hitting and do more damage)

In all TRPGs that I've ever played, outside of Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX) and Final Fantasy Tactics 1 (GBA) when your units die in a battle they will still be available after the battle (each game uses a different units don't die permanently). To those who have never played TRPGs this may sound stupid or odd that units that die in a battle come back after the battle but if it's not like that it makes TRPGs virtually impossible, seriously. For example, if you have a unit that has reached ninja and your half way through the game and learned like 50 abilities from six different jobs losing that character, one of usually only six to eight units you have, is going to wreck your progress in the game and make it impossible for you to finish the rest of the game, so it has to be like that trust me.

Pretty much everything about battles works via stats associated with each unit. Each character will have stats that say how far they: can move or jump, their speed, strength (weapon attacks), agility (dodge attacks), intelligence (ability to use magic), defense (against weapon attacks, resistance (against magic attacks). These stats can increase as you gain a level, have certain equipment equipped, or change jobs.

A Note:
Okay, one thing that sucks for me, and will suck for most of you that may now be interested in trying out TRPGs is that nearly all of the best TRPGs are on hand held systems. Outside of maybe five or so games all of the best TRPGs are on the Nintendo DS and the Game Boy Advance (PSP has a few good ones).

I play all mine on my laptop with the roms & an emulator, look at the bottom of this post for links to emulators for systems and to site that has all the that I recommend below.

The NDS and GBA Emulators work with little hassle, however, the PSX emulator requires knowing how to configure it to get it to work properly.

PCSX-Reloaded: Configuration Set Up:

Plugins and Bios:
Only thing you need to do is set plugins to the directory you have the plugins that came with emulator and than set bios to the folder where you put your roms.

Graphics:
Color Depth: 32 bit
V-Sync: Driver
Text Quality: Best Quality More RAM needed
Text Filtering: Extended Removes Black Borders
Hi Res Text: None
Off Screen Drawing: Enhanced Shows More Stuff
Framebuffer Text: Emulated vram, effects need FVP
Framebuffer Access: Emulated vram, okay for most games

Memory Cards:
Make sure to format the memory card files or they won't work. They still may not work, on my old laptop I never could get the memory cards to work than when I downloaded PCSX-R on this laptop it worked so may have been updated. If they don't work and it won't let you save you can click on Emulator tab of menu and go to 'States' and than use the 'Save State' and 'Load State' feature and it will function basically the same way as saving on a memory card, some people say they've had problems with load states I personally never have once had it mess up on me and not load so I think it's very reliable and works.

Under Misc. keep all the boxes empty but check disable screensavers.

If you still can't get it work post your problem and I'll try to help you fix it.

My Recommendations: Best TRPGs:
Best for Beginners:
1. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (GBA) (I recommend this HIGHLY if your a first timer as it's not as complicated as many others)
2. The Lord of the Rings Tactics (GBA) (I personally don't think it's the greatest but I didn't play it till recently after playing some of the more involved / advanced TRPGs)
3. Vandal Hearts I & II (if your looking for something on PSX start with this)
4. Ogre Battle (PSX) (I prefer the GBA Tactics Ogre but some people like this one better, I still like it though, great game)

Best Overall:
1. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: Grimoire of the Rift (NDS) (by far most customization and best gameplay, MUST PLAY)
2. Tactics Ogre (PSX) (best console TRPG. However, I can't find a rom of it that doesn't have a bug)
3. Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX) (unquestionably the best story line hands down, first modern TRPG, not as long as many other TRPGs but more difficult)
4. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (GBA)
5. Vandal Hearts II (PSX)
6. Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth (PSX) (good TRPG but not great)
7. Ogre Battle (PSX) (Rom for it, on all I've found, errors and won't play)

About Final Fantasy Tactics I:
This is an incredible TRPG, the game play is literally world's above any other TRPG title (even FFTA2). However, I personally think it's impossible, maybe I'm doing something wrong don't know. There are I think 330 missions in it that you can sign up for at the pub and I've tried playing through it twice and both times when I got around 290 to 300 no new missions ever would appear at the pub no matter what I did so I was just stuck and disappointed and gave up, so if you can figure out how to get through it it's incredible but I'm saying this to warn you because it sucks to play it for so long and have that happen and all, so play this game at your own risk.

If your interested in trying the very first console TRPGs from way back in the day:
Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen (pretty good for it's day, but looks bad compared to modern ones)
Shining Force Shining Force II (genesis) (I personally don't like these at all, but some people just can't praise them enough)

There are also some TRPG titles out for the PS2 and PS3 but I've personally never played any of them.

TRPGs to Avoid!
Onimusha Tactics (GBA) (horrible!)
Fire Emblem & Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA)
Vanguard Bandits (PSX)
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Calibur (I can't stand the N64 controller so really never gave it a chance)
Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon (I hate it but some people think it's the greatest TRPG ever, so matter of personal preference)

A Final Note:
Okay, I'm sure most of you know RPGs are rather time consuming games that take a lot of time to finish, well TRPGs take quite a bit longer than normal RPGs so if your not into this kind of a game that has a very long detailed storyline and a ton of stuff you have to do to finish it than TRPGs aren't for you.

Alright Peace

Links:
Emulators:
PSX: http://www.coolrom.com/emulators/psx/92 ... loaded.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (this is only PSX emulator I've gotten to work)
GBA: http://www.coolrom.com/emulators/gba/14 ... dvance.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (also plays GBC games)
NDS: http://www.coolrom.com/emulators/nds/84/DeSmuME.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (by far the fastest NDS emulator & most reliable)

Roms:
PSX: http://www.coolrom.com/roms/psx/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
GBA: http://www.coolrom.com/roms/gba/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
NDS: http://www.coolrom.com/roms/nds/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Some songs to download:
Sunny Day Real Estate "Seven": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1401823
Reel Big Fish "Suckers": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1019787
Justin Sane "Cassette Deck, Road Trip, Grand Canyon": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1218433
Chixdiggit! "I Remember You": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1089295 (Pop Punk)
Common Rider "Classics of Love": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1086159 (Pop Punk)
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fatlip
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Re: Any Fans of TRPG's (Tactical Role Playing Games)??

Post by fatlip »

i really hope this is a copy/paste and not all typed out for a 311 forum

:oops:
$lmjimy311 wrote:the ram seemed a little out of place. i didnt mind the tiger
:evil5: :happy10:
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rchrhds29
I can show you where is the beat
Posts: 290
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Arlington, Virginia

Re: Any Fans of TRPG's (Tactical Role Playing Games)??

Post by rchrhds29 »

ya is but LOL was originally on a Magic: The Gathering forum
Some songs to download:
Sunny Day Real Estate "Seven": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1401823
Reel Big Fish "Suckers": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1019787
Justin Sane "Cassette Deck, Road Trip, Grand Canyon": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1218433
Chixdiggit! "I Remember You": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1089295 (Pop Punk)
Common Rider "Classics of Love": http://zvukoff.ru/song/1086159 (Pop Punk)
logosteel
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Re: Any Fans of TRPG's (Tactical Role Playing Games)??

Post by logosteel »

Wild stab here....but don't think anyone (that posts regularly) does.
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$lmjimy311
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Re: Any Fans of TRPG's (Tactical Role Playing Games)??

Post by $lmjimy311 »

Yeah not that big. Though I'm willing to try out FFT.
:evil5: TB>BB
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Smoke
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Re: Any Fans of TRPG's (Tactical Role Playing Games)??

Post by Smoke »

I played Final Fantasy Tactics and Shining Force. I fucking loved them both.

I tried FFT on my ipad and well, it was a waste of money. I just can't get into them anymore.
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