Favorite RPG Battlesystem(s)

[ThaBenMan]

I really liked the combat system in Legend of Legaia - a mix of traditional turn-based and fighting games with combo-based attacks. It was sweet whenever you learned a new combo.

I also like the combat sytems in the Baldur's Gate games, Fallout, Mass Effect, KOTOR.

 

[neddy]

Pedro: Yeah, I never was all that fond of the original. But NWN2 really manages to fix that problem by allowing you to actually have the "iconic party."

Of course, I love any game that allows you to "Smite Evil" and cast "Fireball" with any sort of satisfying explosive effect (Realmz anyone?), so I may not be the most unbiased observer.

But still, I really don't see much difference between Kotor, NWN(1 and 2), and BG where it comes to combat systems. ME has a delightful "shooter" vibe, but I can still feel the dice rolling behind the screen.

 

[slaygore]

Even though the sheer impossible difficulty and the amount of enemies on screen were just insane I still say Odin Sphere had a good battle mechanic. Set aside from turn based or more open style type games Odin Sphere brought a new type of gameplay that was fun and exciting. The inventory mechanic was probably the best out of the game since it was simple, but necessary for the game. The only problem other than the difficulty curve is the lack of moves you could do.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

Even though the sheer impossible difficulty and the amount of enemies on screen were just insane I still say Odin Sphere had a good battle mechanic. Set aside from turn based or more open style type games Odin Sphere brought a new type of gameplay that was fun and exciting. The inventory mechanic was probably the best out of the game since it was simple, but necessary for the game. The only problem other than the difficulty curve is the lack of moves you could do.

I got annoyed at the shear repitition but yeah, it was still a neat game.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Grandia II. I really enjoyed the time-based nature of attacks (not unique to Grandia II of course, but I thought that game handled it extremely well.)

I also very much enjoyed the Judgment Ring of the Shadow Hearts games. I also appreciated the mechanic in SMT: Nocturne that allowed you to either run the battles on a script, or play them out by hand, as your mood suited.

 

[Murray09]

I loved the Oblivion system.

I agree. the Oblivion combat system is flawless in my opinion. but KH:CoM? when has a card battle game EVER been good? Some of my fav's are Mass Effect and Blue Dragon (simply because its sorta old stlye turn-based combat).

 

[tobyornottoby]

Baten Kaitos, all the way!

The only system that was truly, deeply enjoyable. Takes some time to get used to (I only met people who abandoned the game after a first try) but once you get it, it keeps you on the tip of your chair till the end

Anything else... nah everything pales compared to Baten.

What I absolutely HATED was with the FFV remake I've played: real-time and turn-based combined. Had all the disadvantages of both. It wasn't as rushy and cool as real-time, but you didn't feel in control or tactical with a turn-based system either... meh

 

[pillaysteven]

First post!

Yeah I really liked the Oblivion battle system. Just because it was very visceral, quick and exciting. And the magic system complemented it perfectly.

Also Vagrant Story's battle system was amazing and the best I've played in a non-WRPG Then again I haven't played all that many JRPGs. I prefer it to FF though.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Baten Kaitos, all the way!

The only system that was truly, deeply enjoyable. Takes some time to get used to (I only met people who abandoned the game after a first try) but once you get it, it keeps you on the tip of your chair till the end

Anything else... nah everything pales compared to Baten.

What I absolutely HATED was with the FFV remake I've played: real-time and turn-based combined. Had all the disadvantages of both. It wasn't as rushy and cool as real-time, but you didn't feel in control or tactical with a turn-based system either... meh

I really enjoyed how some of the cards changed over time in Baten Kaitos. That was definitely a fun element.

 

[Quaidis]

A few games I liked the battle system of were already mentioned. FFVII, Grandia2, and Vagrant Story. I didn't all that much like the battle system of KH2 - I thought it was horrible, actually. There was the kill button, which you hit most of the time. And the infamous Instakill button on the side. On top of that there were so many stars and fireworks going off that I couldn't tell what was going on during a fight. By far one of the few games where battling meant I could turn off my mind and hit one button continuously.

ChronoTrigger I enjoyed battling on. Like FF12, it had the enemies right there instead of random encounters, and like other old rpgs, CT had a nice strategic play to it.

Not an rpg, but I really liked battling on Ratchet and Clank - especially the third one. There wasn't much in the way of strategy as rpgs have, but they did battling right. Big freaking awesome and diverse weapons, lots of shit to blow up, and half the time I had to think before running out and getting Ratchet pumped full of non-existent holes.

 

[exoneuk]

Grandia.
Vandal Hearts (strategy wise).
Legend Of Legaia.

In that order.

 

[666thHeretic]

I really liked Oblivion, but Disgaea 2 is still my favourite RPG. I suppose the combat system is technically from the first Disgaea, but whatever. It kicks ass either way.

 

[-Seraph-]

Crisis Core- A great active time battle which makes excellent use of the materia system, it's A LOT more useful in this game than it is in FF7. With full control of zack being able to move him about ducking, dodging and blocking. The materia is easy to use and is set up to be used more strategically. It's a pretty solid hack n slash battle system which never gets old, especially with the DMW always spinning giving random bonuses and special abilities, keeps experiences fresh.

FF6- Every character was unique!! they all had their own signature abilities to go with all the magic spells they could learn. Each signature ability was useful in certain situations and added a good strategic edge to it. On top of that, the espers just made it one of the most effective battle systems of many RPG's. Anyone could equip any esper and learn any spell, allowing characters full customization making them be jack of all trades, masters of black magic, healers, ect.. on top of that espers also added stat and level bonuses to go with their summon abilities which varied from devastating attacks, to status inducing spell. This system was absolutely AMAZING for its time and still is quite a wonder.

Chrono Trigger- This can be simplified with 2 words, SIMPLE and FUN. Battles where not overly complex, enemies where seen on the world map and where fully animated sprites unlike FF's still pictures... With only 3 simple commands one would think it's nothing special but the tech system (which was also used in chrono cross)was AWESOME. Characters could perform attacks that varied which could hit one enemy or many depending on positioning on the playing field. To add onto that they could perform more advanced techs like dual and triple techs!! which allowed 2 or all 3 characters in your party to perform a devistating and not to mention really cool looking attack. it really gave a sense of team work between the characters, as if they were aware of each other unlike in other RPG's where they sometimes seem oblivious to their other allies.

Those are my top 3 battle systems that I thought where great, i would go on rambling about my other favs but I will just list the rest.

-FF tactics/ ogre battle games
-Zelda
-Golden Sun
-Legend on Dragoon
-Legend of legia
-Mega Man battle network games

and the list goes on...most systems are good in their own way, they tend to fit the game well most of the time.

 

[Anarchemitis]

KoTOR.

 

[Maverick485]

As one of my favorite games ever, I have to mention Final Fantasy X. I don't really know what it was about it, but I guess the flexibility in switching out members and the strategy that could be involved really made me like that turn-based system.

Final Fantasy X-2 was a surprise to me. I hadn't played alot of RPGs with real-time or ATB systems at that point so when I played it and enjoyed the system it was a first. I think part of the enjoyment came in being able to just manage the three characters, as opposed to something like Final Fantasy 12 where the system was fun, but making all the gambits out and trying to keep the party evenly leveled sort of made it tedious.

I have to mention Golden Sun 1 & 2 before this post ends as well. There wasn't really anything groundbreaking about it's system, but it's execution was flawless. I also loved the Djinn system since it really added a chance to be creative with the way you took your characters into each and every battle.

 

[TomNook]

Fire Emblem, just perfect in every way.

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

Persona 3's addition of being able to knock down enemies for an extra turn and a chance to use stronger attacks to the classic turn-based system makes me very happy.

Shadow Hearts is pretty good, but it makes most battles more about skill and luck than strategy.

 

[weirdaljedifan2]

Super Mario RPG where the turn-based combat is actually interactive, this style of TBC will be seen again in Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.

 

[Nerzugal]

Final Fantasy Tactics is my favorite system just because I am a huge chess and strategy fanatic. It was slow and turn based stuff, yes, not everyone's favorite, but it suited me just perfectly.

Fire Emblem has a really good system in my opinion.

Recently downloaded Shining Force on the Wii with my friend just because we wanted to revisit the old day. It was slow paced one attack battle but we had soo much fun playing that game and yelling at the screen when the enemies "Quickly Evaded" our attacks, lol.