Although Square Enix has produced titles in numerous video game genres, from their stellar JRPGs all the way to shepherding the Tomb Raider survivor trilogy, their strategy and tactics games have been some of the best the industry has ever seen. With a stalwart RPG pedigree and a near flawless track record, Square has made quite a mark in this prolific genre.

Related

8 Forgotten Square Enix Franchises

There hasn't been any updates, remakes or sequels involving these classic franchises from Square Enix.

Over the years, Square has shown that they aren't just good at making Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, as they've made some other truly incredible games in the genre. From fantasy-based fare all the way to tales set in science fiction worlds, they've shown a great deal of variety in this fantastic genre of games.

5 The Diofield Chronicle

Fantastic Mix Of Real-Time Action And Strategy

First announced during a State of Play event in 2022, The Diofield Chronicle turned out to be less Final Fantasy Tactics and more XCOM meets Lord of the Rings. By not using grid-based movement, The Diofield Chronicle is content with letting the player run around the battlefield, akin to something like a real-time strategy game.

While the Diablo or StarCraft influences may not be intentional, it certainly feels like these two mammoth game design philosophies were merged into one. Along with a deep skill tree, a fantastic soundtrack and some exceptional writing, The Diofield Chronicle is a great time for fans of the genre.

4 Front Mission 5: Scars Of The War

Incredible Turn-Based Mech Strategy Game

Front Mission has seen something of a revival lately, as remakes of the first two games were launched recently, along with an announcement of a remake for the third game as well. But in Front Mission 5: Scars of the War, Square showed just how capable they are in the genre and created one of the absolute best mech strategy RPGs ever made.

Related

The 4 Best Things About Front Mission 1st: Remake (& The 4 Worst)

There's a lot to love about Front Mission 1st: Remake, but the game is held back by some truly archaic design choices carried over from the original.

Like the previous entries, Front Mission 5 sets the player off on a series of missions where they will need to organize and deploy their units. Thanks to the power of the then next-generation PlayStation 2, Front Mission 5 unfolds in spectacular fashion with cinematic cameras and a cast of lovely characters.

3 Tactics Ogre: Reborn

The Definitive Version Of Square's Classic Strategy RPG

Directed by Yatsumi Matsuno of Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Tactics fame, Tactics Ogre was originally released on the original PlayStation in 1998. A few remasters and ports later, Square put out the ultimate version of this classic game with Tactics Ogre: Reborn. Like many of Matsuno's titles, its reliance on deep strategy gameplay with a theatrical script is a home run.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn features some absolutely fantastic battles, phenomenal music and amazing art direction. Reborn made a lot of effort to re-orchestrate the music and filter out a lot of issues that previous versions had, resulting in one of the best strategy RPG experiences available on modern consoles.

2 Final Fantasy Tactics

Spectacular Beginning To The Ivalice Saga

The 90s were good for Final Fantasy, as it saw the release of some of the series' most successful entries. One of the most outrageously popular of those releases was Final Fantasy Tactics, an incredible strategy RPG that not only proved that FF could be more than just a JRPG, but also gave birth to an entire spin-off franchise known as the Ivalice Alliance.

This expertly crafted strategy RPG feels amazing to play even to this day, as its remarkable mix of turn-based tactical gameplay with all the Final Fantasy trappings is a mesmerizing experience. It's been remastered several times, while a full-on remake has been rumored for some time now, but the original version of this classic game is still the best way to play and one of the finest strategy games that Square has ever produced.

1 Triangle Strategy

One Of The Best Strategy RPGs Ever Made

First being used for Octopath Traveler, Square's absolutely gorgeous HD-2D art style has been responsible for some of their greatest titles recently. One of those titles was Triangle Strategy, a turn-based tactics game influenced by the likes of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. Set in the world of Norzelia, Triangle Strategy explores a complex world of political strife and war.

Related

8 Unresolved Mysteries & Plot Holes Left Hanging In Triangle Strategy

Triangle Strategy features a strong cast of characters and a compelling narrative, but there are a few big plot holes that are difficult to ignore.

The script is incredibly strong, and the voice cast is magnificent, lending some genuine gravitas to these fabulous characters. Its world feels wonderful to explore as well, with the downtime between missions featuring some great interactions between party members. Once the missions are underway, Square's confident hold over this type of game is evident, as the battles feel phenomenal. It's Square Enix's best effort in this genre in decades, and a wonderful example of one of the industry's most fascinating game styles.

More

5 Darkest Square Enix Games, Ranked

Square Enix have more than a few classic games in their catalog, with some of them covering some pretty dark and unnerving topics.