HBTG's TOP 5: Turn-based RPG Battle Systems

Today I am so excited to share with you my TOP 5 FAVORITE turn-based rpg battle systems. So difficult to narrow it down to just five. Let me know down in the comments what your pick would be for the best turn-based rpg battle system. Like, comment, and subscribe!

#BestRPGs #SwitchCorps #Vitaisland #TOP5RPGs #JRPGs #RPGs

[vandalg]

Easily its;

Xenogears - Finding out combinations within the attack that lead to special moves, was and will always be fun...plus switching to your mech on the fly was just perfect.

Final Fantasy 10; How it beats its predecessors? You can switch weapons and characters mid battle....then there's limit break system, which can be built up in various ways, like taking damage, giving it, or even using magic.

Mario RPG; Timed attacks, defense and special moves...made the monotony of grinding, always enjoyable. It was simplistic yet addictive....made even more appealing when certain defeated enemies would drop an item or "Once again" token that let you attack again. The special moves were both fun and comedic as well as extremely thematic. Obviously it being the GOAT comes with reason.

Like a Dragon; mixing timed defense with turn based combat that included the chance that you can use obstacles in the area, is a perfect combination of Yakuza's classic beat-em-up style with a classic turn based system. It was brilliant, made combat fun and it never got tiring.

P5R; If you're in the scene, this is obviously, everyone's "Arkham Knight", it is definitely the best version of the combat system of all the games before it, and it does so in a very stylish and simple way. After P5, you're going to be spoiled, as its a system you'd care to see in many other games. From the baton system, to the random abilities in combat that your teammates perform unlocked via social ranks, are both fun and extremely helpful.

Honestly, ATLUS has set the standard, that they themselves, can't beat.

[docphil]

persona uses the 1-more system, which is sort of a spin off of the press turn system, but not the same. In press turn, each turn is a resource which maybe divide up how you wish, you get one per party member, and you can pass to turn it into a blinking icon. Blinking icons are essentially half turns in which you can use spell, attack, or use an item but if you pass you lose said blinking press turn (with the exception of in smt 5). Whereas in the 1-more system each turn is allocated specifically to that party member and you have no means of passing that turn to someone else (bar baton pass in 5, which works quite differently from passing in smt, ) if you don't use that turn on said party member you lose it. 1-more also doesn't skip your turn if you hit an absorb/reflect or get rid of 2 turns for hitting a null. I for one prefer press turn, but to each their own.

[Anharie]

The Grandia series has to be my favourite battle systems.

[cadearcher]

The BP system in the Octopath games is the most satisfying turn based combat I’ve played so far

[beowolf]

something to note, Persona uses a simplified version of the press turn system known as the 1-more system, while Press Turn is completely symmetrical, limits turn count to 8, and allows you to loose turns, 1-more doesn't allow you to loose turns, enemies can't pull all out attacks, and if the turn order is right, you can have up to 16 actions before the enemies move even once, plus in the most recent two entries (p5 and p3R) you have a mechanic that allows you to change party members, which wasn't in the original releases of 3, or in any version of 4

[DevilMayPie]

Ok I had a good feeling finding your channel through Twitter and subbing, as soon as I clicked on the first video and saw Trails & Cold Steel mentioned I knew I was at the right place! The press turn is my favorite jrpg turn based battle system for all the reasons you mentioned, great video good sir!

[manvelmsurian]

Persona does not use the press-turn system.

[grindgame]

Sum Guy: Love how you get deep into the intricacies of the game and what mechanics really made the game your top choice. Love it!

[IchEsseHaende]

A mix between Grandia II, Chrono Trigger and games like Shadow Hearts 2 or the super mario rpgs would be perfect for me. Take the arena style gameplay from Grandia II with an emphasis on movement (where you are and where the enemies are for better AoE Attacks) + the IP gauge from Grandia II (turn order) with the ability to move enemies back on the gauge or cancel them, take the combo attacks from Chrono Trigger and then add timing elements for execution of attacks and spells like in shadow hearts 2 or the mario rpgs. + benefits like learning attacks from enemies like in breath of fire IV when you defend. That woul be THE GAME for me :O

[diegocaballero]

Pretty good video, I'm always thinking of ways to make TBC actuslly fun because most games are just a boss with a stupid HP bar and just hit it until it reaches 0 and heal from time to time.

[garylikesgames]

Radiant Historia looks so good. The battle system is right up my alley.

[SEGAblocks]

Def knew what #1 was gonna be haha! I’ll add an honorable mention for you. Resonance of fate! Turnbase but skill base. It was the most unique turnbase I ever played. Complete learning curve though but great game! Awesome list brother! Stay awesome HBTG!

[hammerfistrevolution]

Love this video! Pretty much love all of these! Really love the battle System in Bravely default 2!

[FrappMocha]

Lovely list of titles here. Never played Radiant Historia, although I hear/see that game mentioned from time to time.

You raised a great point of the Press Turn for Persona and I do enjoyed that actually when you find and explore enemy's weakness.

If you ever find the time to make a seperate video for Fire Emblem, will be looking forward to that.

Lovely vid Hallowed 🍻👍

[focalgain]

I usually dont comment but I must say this is an amazing review of your personal favorites. I didnt thing my two favorite games xenogears and chrono trigger would also be a big favorite for so many others in terms of battle system. I must ask have you played Grandia 2 for the dreamcast? That is also up there on my top favorite rpgs and battle systems.

[dcrediah]

Hell yea man, what a video. You dove deep! Chrono Trigger is amazing, one of the best ever, and I’d have to agree with the entire list. Nothing beats a nice (and sometimes simple) turn based rpg. Great stuff

[Pduarte]

FF7R atb, Persona and SMT press turn, Bravely and Default and the FFX one.

[glitchylol]

You should check out the grandia battle system

[simonashtear]

Have you ever tried a JRPG-turn-based-style game from Zeboyd Games? Either Penny Arcade episodes 3 or 4, Cthulhu Saves Christmas or Cthulhu Saves The World? They're a type of challenge I wasn't initially ready for. For every turn that a creature survives, it usually grows stronger. So it demands you finish them off as fast as possible. A fight in the beginning of the game is just as challenging as a final boss and the style never gets stale. It's rough, at first, but as you go on- well, it stays rough. No coasting through these games, ever!

[Incredibles]

I never played xenogears but man it looks dope!! I have so many childhood memories with chrono trigger..most definitely in my top 5 rpgs