Highlights
- The PSP had a wealth of fantastic strategy games that showcased the console's capabilities despite its awkward controls.
- "Legends of War: Patton's Campaign" is a must-play for hardcore strategy buffs thanks to its intense gameplay and immersive visuals.
- "Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions" is hailed as one of the best RPG spinoffs, showcasing memorable storylines and tight gameplay.
The PlayStation Portable is one of the most popular and beloved handhelds in gaming history, with Sony's incredible support of this handheld being lauded by many. The system was filled to the brim with some truly great games that made the most of the PSP's on-the-go functionality and limited but impressive hardware to develop some gems that fans loved.
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There are games from many genres on the PSP that are worth mentioning, with the strategy genre witnessing its fair share of titles that are all pretty impressive in their own right. People lucky enough to own the PlayStation Portable back in the day were graced by many great strategy games that proved how competent the console was in this genre despite what many perceived to be an awkward control scheme.
Updated on March 13, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: The PlayStation Portable is one of the best portable handhelds ever made. To this day, players can't stop raving about this mind-blowing console that was full to the brim with some of the best video games that players could get their hands on. The sheer number of high-profile IPs that made a name for themselves on this platform was a testament to Sony's dedication when it came to turning this handheld into one of the must-have consoles of the generation — a business practice that unfortunately wasn't replicated for the console's successor. While that disappointment was palpable in every way, it didn't mar the PSP's reputation in every way. The sheer wealth of strategy games that graced this handheld was impressive, with some of them serving as great examples of what the console was capable of.
8 Knights In The Nightmare
Metascore: 76
- Release: September 25, 2008
- Developer: Sting Entertainment
- Genre: Strategy/RPG
Players who want to get into a relatively simple strategy game should think twice before playing Knights in the Nightmare. The game is not for people who are beginners to the genre unless they're willing to subject themselves to a steep, challenging learning curve where it's easy to lose sight of what's about to come, leading to players being wiped out in battles without any respite whatsoever.
Players must bear a lengthy tutorial that prepares them for the grueling task to come, making each victory all the more satisfying as players nail their tactics and show enemies who's boss. A lot of preparation is involved in every battle, and players must make the smartest decisions to even stand a chance of defeating the many tough enemies that try to impede them every step of the way.
7 Field Commander
Metascore: 77
- Release: May 23, 2006
- Developer: Daybreak Game Company
- Genre: Turn-Based Tactics
Fans of games like Advance Wars will find Field Commander to be right up their alley. There are many similarities here, with the biggest one being that players are controlling military units in campaigns where victory can only be achieved by decimating the opposition and fulfilling several objectives along the way.
Field Commander may not be the most revolutionary game around, but players who like classic strategy gameplay done right will find this title to be right up their alley. It's one of the best video games that players can enjoy on the PSP as long as they're willing to learn the ropes first and deal with a series of losses. Once this period of frustration is over, players with sound strategies will smite the opposition more often than not.
6 Legends Of War: Patton's Campaign
Metascore: 79
- Release: October 20, 2010
- Developer: Enigma Software Productions
- Genre: Strategy
Hardcore strategy buffs will love what Legends of War: Patton's Campaign brings to the table. The game may lack variety, but it more than makes up for its intense gameplay that rewards players for thinking ahead while punishing them for making hasty decisions without taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the foes that stand in their way.
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For a PSP game, one thing about this game that surprised players was the visual fidelity. Most handheld players dismiss the conversation of graphics when it comes to the enjoyment they have with their favorite video games, but there's no denying that Legends of War: Patton's Campaign does a great job of keeping players invested with visuals that make their conflicts with the Germans feel more immersive as they fight and claw their way to victory in each stage.
5 Sid Meier's Pirates!
Metascore: 82
Sid Meier's Pirates!
- Released
- November 22, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Genre(s)
- Strategy , Action-Adventure
Sid Meier's games end up being the gateway into this genre for many players. Sid Meier's Pirates! is no exception, with this title doing a great job of letting players live out their swashbuckling fantasies as they simulate the life of a pirate.
The game has surprisingly not lost a lot in this port, which is pretty impressive. Everything from ship battles to exploration does a great job of lending this world a sense of scale. The adventures players can embark on are numerous, quite satisfying, and something that will keep them occupied for hours on end.
4 Valkyria Chronicles 2
Metascore: 83
Valkyria Chronicles is one of the more underrated strategy RPG franchises that more players need to check out. After a bombastic first entry on the PS2, many people were surprised to hear that the second game would be developed for the PSP. It was certainly a weird shift, but the portable console's owners were more than happy to enjoy a great, competent SRPG with fun characters and unique mechanics.
The focus on war and its realities made this game quite thought-provoking in its own right, allowing players to enjoy a gem of a title that deserves more time in the spotlight. The title wasn't afraid to ramp up the difficulty at times, with the story being one of its many highlights that kept fans engaged till the very end.
3 Jeanne d'Arc
Metascore: 87
A unique strategy JRPG that focuses on the popular French hero Joan of Arc and her revolution, Jeanne d'Arc combines elements of history with the fantasy genre to make for a truly unique experience that is one of the PSP's highlights. The fact that this game is trapped on the PSP is a crime, and fans can only hope that it receives the remaster that the title has rightfully earned.
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The polish of the title's gameplay coupled with this riveting setting made Jeanne d'Arc a must-play on the console for any fan of competent strategy games. It's a delight that deserves more time in the spotlight, and anyone who still owns a PSP owes it to themselves to play this title if they haven't already.
2 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
Metascore: 87
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
- Released
- February 15, 2011
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Platform(s)
- PSP
- Genre(s)
- JRPG , Strategy
A remake of 1995's brilliant tactical RPG, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a brilliant strategy title with gameplay so engaging that fans of the genre will find the hours fly by in no time flat. Being able to craft equipment and revisit points in the story where the narrative branches out is a welcome addition that makes the narrative more interesting and dynamic to experience.
Fans of this game were glad to see its remastered version, titled Tactics Ogre: Reborn, hit store shelves. It let them experience this amazing SRPG, which was finally not exclusive to the handheld anymore.
1 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions
Metascore: 88
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
- Released
- May 10, 2007
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix , Tose
- Genre(s)
- Tactical
Final Fantasy is one of the most popular RPG franchises of all time. It's a legendary series that has spawned many beloved mainline entries that are still revered to this day. However, the series has also enjoyed its fair share of spinoffs, with arguably the best one of the lot being one of the PSP's highlights.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions is a remake of this excellent tactical RPG, set in the glorious land of Ivalice. The tight gameplay, memorable story, grand sense of adventure, and some impressive worldbuilding make it clear why this spinoff is touted by many as one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made, which is really high praise indeed.
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