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Is it possible for me to develop some love for turn-based games?

hackncrazy

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When I was growing up, I always loved JRPGs. Even though I was never into the story side of things, I played FF7 and 8 to completion in japanese, without knowing one single word of the language. The feeling of experiment with different options and such were very nice, and killing a highly OP boss was great.

With time, though, that feeling started to disappear. Gaming started going to the popamole direction and I went with it. By early 2010's, I pretty much played only real time action games, and even the turn based ones I played were not "real" turn based (Final Fantasy XII).

Now, for the past couple of years, with the "renaissance" (not that I understand a lot of time, it's what I read around here though) of the CRPGs, I really wanted to try some, but I always end up getting bored by the turn based battles. I tried playing Wizardries, Elminage, Baldur's Gate, Divinity and some others, but I always give up because I feel that my victory relies purely on mashing "ATTACK" and not by thinking strategically. The only turn-based games I can play for a long time and enjoy are roguelikes, since they feel a lot more "natural", without time stopping when you enter a battle and the fact that you can use the dungeon to your advantage (or to your death, if you make a mistake) makes things flow better.

ANd the thing that bothers me the most is that I WANT to play those games. I see some Let's Play's made by people over here and it always gets me excited. I remember that I read Crooked Bee Let's Play on Wizardry 4 and I loved every minute of it. Not to mention that I always rejoice reading posts from aweigh about the Elminage series and Wizardry in general.

So, with that being said, is there hope for me? Is there anyone else here that had difficulties to enter in the turn based system but ultimately came to love it?

Maybe I'm trying the wrong games? Which ones should I try them?
 

Siveon

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Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Nigga just play games you like, what the fuck?

If you want to see what's up about the games, play longer than five minutes. If you're bored and absolutely can't stand it, move on.
 
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aweigh

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Tastes will also change with age and exposure as well. Enjoying games, and what you enjoy about them, is the same as what books or films or music you enjoy; a constantly changing journey.
 

octavius

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Try some turn based blobbers with their quick combat. If you just want to mash that attack button try Might&Magic 3-5.
 
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aweigh

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Have you tried Knights of the Chalice? It's one of the best turn-based games I've ever played, and maybe you'll enjoy it.
Knights_of_the_Chalice_2.jpg


Other than KotC maybe you can try going more extremely into the tactical direction and try out Jagged Alliance...

...but these games aren't "quick", by any means. I only mention them because:

- they're turn-based and good.
- you mentioned in your post you wanted something tactical.
 

Zombra

An iron rock in the river of blood and evil
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Make the Codex Great Again! RPG Wokedex Strap Yourselves In Codex Year of the Donut Codex+ Now Streaming! Serpent in the Staglands Shadorwun: Hong Kong Divinity: Original Sin 2 BattleTech Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire Pathfinder: Kingmaker Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag. I'm very into cock and ball torture I helped put crap in Monomyth
Shadow Watch is one of my favorites. I must have played it through at least a dozen times. You can get it right now for $2 on gog.com.

624393453.jpg


The game is bare bones in a good way. You have six preset specialist characters who can learn more abilities over the course of a campaign. Missions and the story itself are selected from a hugely elaborate CYOA structure with randomized elements. A nice mix of stealth and action. You choose which agents to take on any given mission. Mashing the attack button means you will lose. Intel and line of sight are super important.

It's an "easy to learn, hard to master" type of game. Great entry level turn-based tactics.
 
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kintake

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Try Temple of Elemental Evil, if you don't like it you're different and strange. All the cool kids think ToEE is great.
 

sser

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IMO you should try the glitzier of the turn-based games, since it's the frenetic action that got you into the real-time stuff.

So I'd suggest the new XCOM or Invisible Inc., turn-based games with 'high production values.'
 

Lambach

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Try Temple of Elemental Evil, if you don't like it you're different and strange. All the cool kids think ToEE is great.

Can one of you cool kids hook me up with a mod to skip motherfucking Hommlet? I wanna go for another playthrough, but the thought of going through that blasted place again kills my will to do so. :negative:
 

sser

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Try Temple of Elemental Evil, if you don't like it you're different and strange. All the cool kids think ToEE is great.

Can one of you cool kids hook me up with a mod to skip motherfucking Hommlet? I wanna go for another playthrough, but the thought of going through that blasted place again kills my will to do so. :negative:

Look up co8.
 

Zombra

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Make the Codex Great Again! RPG Wokedex Strap Yourselves In Codex Year of the Donut Codex+ Now Streaming! Serpent in the Staglands Shadorwun: Hong Kong Divinity: Original Sin 2 BattleTech Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire Pathfinder: Kingmaker Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag. I'm very into cock and ball torture I helped put crap in Monomyth
Try Temple of Elemental Evil, if you don't like it you're different and strange. All the cool kids think ToEE is great.
ToEE is certainly good but has kind of a high barrier of entry imo. You can't go from mozz sticks to foie gras in a single bite, you'll have nightmares.
 

hackncrazy

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Have you tried Knights of the Chalice? It's one of the best turn-based games I've ever played, and maybe you'll enjoy it.
Knights_of_the_Chalice_2.jpg


Other than KotC maybe you can try going more extremely into the tactical direction and try out Jagged Alliance...

...but these games aren't "quick", by any means. I only mention them because:

- they're turn-based and good.
- you mentioned in your post you wanted something tactical.

Never played Kotc, thanks for the recommendation, I will try it.
 

Agesilaus

Antiquity Studio
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Grab the Codex by the pussy Codex USB, 2014 Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag.
When I was growing up, I always loved JRPGs.

game over man, game over




Seriously, though, try Battle Brothers if you want an enjoyable turn based combat game. Age of Decadence is also a good option, and the story is great.
 

hackncrazy

Savant
Joined
Jun 9, 2015
Messages
415
Shadow Watch is one of my favorites. I must have played it through at least a dozen times. You can get it right now for $2 on gog.com.

624393453.jpg


The game is bare bones in a good way. You have six preset specialist characters who can learn more abilities over the course of a campaign. Missions and the story itself are selected from a hugely elaborate CYOA structure with randomized elements. A nice mix of stealth and action. You choose which agents to take on any given mission. Mashing the attack button means you will lose. Intel and line of sight are super important.

It's an "easy to learn, hard to master" type of game. Great entry level turn-based tactics.

Never heard of this one before, the screenshot reminds of XCom.

I'll take a look on it!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

hackncrazy

Savant
Joined
Jun 9, 2015
Messages
415
IMO you should try the glitzier of the turn-based games, since it's the frenetic action that got you into the real-time stuff.

So I'd suggest the new XCOM or Invisible Inc., turn-based games with 'high production values.'

I have a bit of love for XCOM. In fact, as we speak, I'm installing it on my Vita right now so I can finally play it to the end.

Try Temple of Elemental Evil, if you don't like it you're different and strange. All the cool kids think ToEE is great.

Well, I'm different and strange, but I never tried Toee (although I know that the Codex love it).


Just play FALLOUT2, it has most satisfying TB battles.

At some point I'll play the first one and then the second.
 

Iznaliu

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Apr 28, 2016
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The only turn-based games I can play for a long time and enjoy are roguelikes, since they feel a lot more "natural", without time stopping when you enter a battle and the fact that you can use the dungeon to your advantage (or to your death, if you make a mistake) makes things flow better.

Just play more roguelikes, then; there are plenty of great games in that subgenre that are ignored by the majority of the Codex because the genre has acquired a bad reputation with all the shitty roguelites out there.
 

Sloul

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Mar 26, 2016
Messages
259
Yes, there is hope for you: Stop playing shitty games for instance.

I am making a list of per-turn, tactical, games which seem to be what you're looking for. If you miss the vibe of JRPG bullcrap and still want to enjoy a decent game try Anachronox. Tacticality will not be part of the experience though.

Warbanners
Expeditions:Conquistador
Dungeon Rats
Hard West
Age of Wonders (1, sh, 3)
Underrail
Shadowrun: Returns - Dragonfall - Hong Kong
Silent storm - sentinels
Battle Brothers
Halfway
Total War (starting with Medieval 2) / not per turn.
Master of Magic
Master of Orion 1 and 2
Civilizations 4 - Falls from Heaven 2
Drums of War - if you liked Warbanners. If you don't like Warbanners fu.
 

gestalt11

Arbiter
Joined
Apr 4, 2015
Messages
629
In order for turn based to be fun the situation you are in needs to be at least moderately thought provoking.
 

anvi

Prophet
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Kelethin
I think you just picked gimpy old games that aren't fun and most of the replies are no good because they are not good for beginners. Get Divinity Original Sin, and Blackguards. Play both on low difficulty. Enjoy tactical combat yet with a modern feel. If you like it, there are lots of other good tactical games you can get.
 
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aweigh

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if you haven't played Fallout 1 though, I'd recommend doing that. That's like the backbone of the entire Codex, hehe. Probably the closest thing to a perfect CRPG experience...
 

Zombra

An iron rock in the river of blood and evil
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Make the Codex Great Again! RPG Wokedex Strap Yourselves In Codex Year of the Donut Codex+ Now Streaming! Serpent in the Staglands Shadorwun: Hong Kong Divinity: Original Sin 2 BattleTech Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire Pathfinder: Kingmaker Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag. I'm very into cock and ball torture I helped put crap in Monomyth
if you haven't played Fallout 1 though, I'd recommend doing that. That's like the backbone of the entire Codex, hehe. Probably the closest thing to a perfect CRPG experience...
Fallout is indeed a good game, but will it honestly change anyone's mind about turn-based combat?
 

Jimmious

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Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag.
if you haven't played Fallout 1 though, I'd recommend doing that. That's like the backbone of the entire Codex, hehe. Probably the closest thing to a perfect CRPG experience...
Fallout is indeed a good game, but will it honestly change anyone's mind about turn-based combat?
The combat itself probably no. The animations when you murderkill something though...

GvbXLLH.gif

:incline:
 

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