Isometric Turn Based Strategy/RPGs

[About To Crash]

The possibility has recently come up for me to be involved in the production of an Isometric Strategy/RPG (Think the Final Fantasy Tactics series or), and I've been wondering what goes into the design of a good game of this type.

What have been your experiences with these games in the past? What do you like about them? What don't you like about them? Where did those games you play in the past go wrong? What did they do right? I'm interested your opinion, because if this happens (it may be a pipe dream, who knows), then I'm going to be making damn sure that it's going to be good. Or as good as we can get it.
Mostly, I'm looking for opinions on turn-based games of this genre, and I'd like if you could be as nitpicky as possible, I'd like to learn everything I can.

 

[Dr.Susse]

I realy like the idea of flanking of a better attack and once you lose a unit it's gone for good. (makes you care more)

 

[Samurai Goomba]

Just look at the original FF Tactics and crib as many ideas from there as you can. It's still the best game of its type I've played.

 

[About To Crash]

I'm also looking for opinions on games like Fire Emblem and Advance Wars, if anyone wants to say anything about those.

 

[Hellman]

I'm also looking for opinions on games like Fire Emblem and Advance Wars, if anyone wants to say anything about those.

Fire emblem is one of my favourite game series of all time. The fighting, the weapon triangle and the level up/class evolution system works very well. Though not as well for some of the titles

 

[crimson5pheonix]

But the best isometric strategy game has already been made (the original Final Fantasy Tactics) So why even try?

OT: Yes, I liked Tactics because it was like chess with pieces that evolved on their own.

 

[sms_117b]

Play Dynasty Tactics (1 or 2) those are examples of Isometric TBS's done perfectly. I really want a DT3, I could die happy with a DT3, oh Koei why won't you release a DT3...

Anyway, more about what you're after, Dynasty Tactics offered a good multi-ending story (well 4 stories one for each army, then each had 2 - 4 endings and a epilogue) based on decisions made on the battle field and on the campaign map, linking a units tactics together forcing a opponents squad to move around the map like an abused chess piece before and after already wiping out all it's army members was always funny before capturing it. (the bigger the combo, the higher the chance of capture).

Look at some footage of the game, it doesn't appear like much but it's heavily addicted, one of 2 PS2 games I still play today.

 

[Altorin]

I really want to see a 4th edition D&D game of this nature... sort of like Temple of Elemental Evil, but fourth edition, multiplayer, and easier to learn how to play.

 

[Dexiro]

Disgaea's one of my favourites, mostly because of the sheer scale!
I mean for a start you can level up to 9999, and it actually gives you the resources to do this with items to match

Take a look into it if you haven't already, there's some really nice features in there!

I'd give a bit more of a game designy speech but i is late for college

 

[Halceon]

Final fantasy tactics being the best is such a load of bollocks. If you're doing anything at a single character level, you must look into X-com. Especially the time unit and reaction mechanics.

For greater scales, well, there's several decades of gaming you could look into. Battle isle, The * General series (Allied, Panzer, Fantasy and maybe others), the HoMM series, Disciples, Wesnoth, Civilisation and its spinoffs, Master of Magic and so forth. Oh, and every tabletop wargame in existence.

Basically, if the game allows you to defeat a much stronger foe by way of careful planning and caution, you're doing it right.

 

[Straz]

Okay, I am waiting for someone to explain what isometric means here...

 

[Straz]

Final fantasy tactics being the best is such a load of bollocks. If you're doing anything at a single character level, you must look into X-com. Especially the time unit and reaction mechanics.

For greater scales, well, there's several decades of gaming you could look into. Battle isle, The * General series (Allied, Panzer, Fantasy and maybe others), the HoMM series, Disciples, Wesnoth, Civilisation and its spinoffs, Master of Magic and so forth. Oh, and every tabletop wargame in existence.

Basically, if the game allows you to defeat a much stronger foe by way of careful planning and caution, you're doing it right.

I was thinking of suggesting Warhammer, but I decided not to because I didn't know if it constitutes "Isometric" and I couln't be f***ed to look it up.

 

[About To Crash]

Okay, I am waiting for someone to explain what isometric means here...

Sorry, I should've been more clear. it's just the diagonal viewpoint. The guys suggesting this really wanted to do it from that kind of viewpoint, but anything about the turn based strategy/RPG systems is a welcome opinion.

 

[Volafortis]

I'd recommend picking up a Genesis emulator and checking out Shining Force 1 & 2. Both had extremely good turn based game elements, and isn't isometric, but it is top-down, and done in a way the could be rather easily re-imagined in isometric view.

 

[Straz]

Okay, I am waiting for someone to explain what isometric means here...

Sorry, I should've been more clear. it's just the diagonal viewpoint. The guys suggesting this really wanted to do it from that kind of viewpoint, but anything about the turn based strategy/RPG systems is a welcome opinion.

Okay, thanks.
Again, Warhammer 40k.
But only cuz it's cool.

 

[Halceon]

The warhammer games aren't necessarily the best example. While the ruleset is expansive enough to accommodate a broad range of situations, it breaks down in several cases and relies on some clunky scales.
Although, it might not matter, since digital gaming doesn't show all the clunkiness to the players.