My favorite genre in my teens was action RPGs like Baldur’s Gate and Champions of Norrath, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy my fair share of turn-based RPGs. Some of my favorite SNES games of all time were turn-based RPGs like Super Mario RPG and Breath of Fire. While it may not be as popular as it once was, this genre still has many devotees and has only expanded with better graphics and updated mechanics as technology has improved.
The Switch is the perfect console for turn-based RPGs because its portability means you can play on the go. Also, most of these games choose a pixelated, throwback art style, so there is no comparison to the graphics of more powerful consoles.
These games run the gamut in terms of content, but the one thing that brings them all together is that they are turn-based RPGs for the Nintendo Switch. They are listed in order of appropriate age range, starting with games suitable for the youngest players in your house and going all the way up to the most Teen-rated games.
Super Mario RPG Steps Out of Its Comfort Zone
Recommended Age Range: 7+
What Sets Super Mario RPG Apart: Many people may disagree, but Super Mario RPG is one of my favorite RPGs of all time. I love the simplicity of this game. Its linear format with little variability makes it one of the best starter RPGs for kids to play, and it includes most of the popular characters from the Mario franchise.
Not only is the game fun to play, but it is also funny and charming. What truly sets this game apart is its format. It combines turn-based RPG combat with side-scrolling adventure, creating a unique gameplay experience.
I loved this game for the Super Nintendo, and my son and I love the reboot for the Switch.
Why Super Mario RPG Is Great For Kids: What I love about this game for kids is that it still gives the RPG feel, but with guardrails. Each character has specific abilities, as well as specific armor and weapons meant only for them. This varies from a traditional RPG, where many classes share armor and weapons. There are accessories that are open to most characters, and a few characters can use the same weapons. The lack of diversity in weapons and abilities makes it easier to focus on gameplay over strategy. The only reason this game isn’t great for kids younger than seven is the substantial amount of reading.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
Bug Fables is Utterly Charming
Recommended Age Range: 7+
What Sets Bug Fables Apart: This game is so incredibly fun and charming; I loved watching my son beat it.
We even got the neighbors into this one. Kids get to play as three distinct characters with separate abilities to find the secret to immortality. While the premise is new and exciting, as there aren’t a ton of bug-themed games, the gameplay will feel familiar. In a traditional RPG, these bugs have the abilities of a tank, an archer, and a mage, and it is up to the player to strategize how to use their abilities in combat.
I love that there are side quests and puzzles to complete alongside combat, so there’s more for my son to do, and it forces him to think instead of just button-mashing.
Why Bug Fables is Great for Kids: There is little reason for kids not to play this game. It is fun, funny, and the perfect amount of challenge for a kid 7+. There is no gore; the controls are easy to master; it’s funny, and it’s easy on the eyes. While this game may have flown under the radar during the pandemic era, it’s totally worth picking up now.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Born of Bread is A Fantastic Beginner’s RPG
Recommended Age Range: 7+
What Sets Born of Bread Apart: While this game may play like Paper Mario or Bug Fables, it gives an Adventure Time vibe with the oddly shaped yet charismatic characters. I love so much about this game, from its silly premise where you’re basically a loaf of bread transformed into a real boy à la Pinocchio and made to battle alongside a cast of goofy characters, to the simplicity of the game.
While it is a battle RPG, it’s way more fun and funny than serious and bloody. There is some light puzzling in this game, but I appreciate how linear it is in both storytelling and gameplay, which makes it easier for younger kids to get involved.
Why Born of Bread is Great for Kids: Everything about this game screams my first RPG. The game’s humor and cozy feel make it friendlier for younger kids while still helping them grasp the basic concepts of a turn-based RPG. The 2.5D art style is also inviting to kids, and the linear gameplay means you don’t need to follow the story closely to understand what is happening. There are some functions that may skew a little older, like timing button presses during attacks to deliver stronger hits to your opponent. Overall, seven feels like the perfect age for this game, and my seven-year-old agrees.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Pokémon Sword and Shield Continue the Legacy
Recommended Age Range: 7+
What Sets Pokémon Sword and Shield Apart: Pokémon could have a list of its own, so it seems a little silly to choose one, but at the same time, I’d be remiss to not acknowledge one of the most popular turn-based RPGs of all time.
Pokémonn has become such a cultural phenomenon that even parents who have never played know the game is about traveling around and pitting your Pokémon against other trainers and wild Pokémon. The core games are relatively formulaic, but they are so fun that generations of kids haven’t much cared about the repetition.
The franchise has expanded, so not every Pokémon game is an RPG anymore, but ones like Sword and Shield stay true to the roots.
Why Pokémon Sword and Shield are Great for Kids: Pokémon has always been great for kids because of its fantasy elements. While there are battles, the creatures are only knocked out; they don’t die. The only things that would hold younger kids back are reading comprehension and understanding some concepts, like which items do what and the strengths and weaknesses of each type.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
Fae Tactics Strips the RPG Down
Recommended Age Range: 7+
What Sets Fae Tactics Apart: At first glance, Fae Tactics looks like just another standard JRPG clone, but its secret is in its simplicity.
This game forgoes long menus and huge chunks of dialogue for context-based attacks, where your target determines your move for you. The other thing that makes this game so special is the combination of genres from within turn-based games.
The team is split between “leaders,” which are the main characters who fight, and “summons,” which are creatures you can summon to fight with you, like in Pokémon. The creatures are great because they all have individual abilities, but the downside is that they can be killed, and when that happens, they can’t be resummoned.
Why Fae Tactics is Great for Kids: Fae Tactics may have a learning curve for younger kids at first, but its lack of reading makes it perfect for kids who are still working on vocabulary. The pixelated graphics so popular in these games make any blood look negligible. The one aspect that may upset young kids is not understanding loss when they lose one of their summons that can’t be brought back.
Also Available On: Xbox
Floppy Knights is a Great Place to Start
Recommended Age Range: 7+
What Sets Floppy Knights Apart: Sometimes the simpler a game is, the more fun it is, as is evidenced by Floppy Knights.
The artwork appeals to the younger crowd, using a paper-cutout aesthetic similar to Paper Mario. The gameplay is also kid-friendly, but interesting to older players, too. Instead of traditional movement and attacks, players get a deck of cards that has both movement and action cards. This adds a few new layers to an RPG that players may not be used to, like managing the cards you have in your hand for the best strategy and choosing which deck type is best for your style of play.
I love this game for the whole family because it is easy to pick up and fun for all ages.
Why Floppy Knights is Great for Kids: There is not a lot of dialogue, nor is there any crude language or bloody violence. The characters feel more like they belong on a PBS kids screen than a battlefield. More than anything, this is a fantastic starter RPG for younger kids because of the straightforward approach to gameplay.
Also Available On: Xbox
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a Certified Classic
Recommended Age Range: 7+
What Sets Paper Mario Apart: When there are multiple games in a franchise, it is hard to choose just one, but The Thousand-Year Door has some equity to it. Not only is this just a solid RPG for the whole family, but it is also a remake of a classic.
The story is rather generic, with Paper Mario on a quest to stop an ancient evil while picking up a band of quirky characters along the way. One thing that sets the Paper Mario franchise apart from many other turn-based RPGs is the action elements during the fights, where timed button presses can improve attacks.
Ultimately, what sets this game and the Paper Mario franchise apart from other RPGs is the charm, humor, and imagination that define the Mario franchise as a whole.
Why Paper Mario is Great for Kids: The only thing that really holds kids back from playing this one is the reading aspect. The playing mechanics aren’t too difficult, and there isn’t as much strategy involved as in some of the games geared toward older kids. Any violence is portrayed in the classic Mario cartoon style, so overall, this is one of the best family-friendly RPGs you will find.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
Monster Hunter Stories 1&2
Recommended Age Range: 8+
What Sets Monster Hunter Stories 1&2 Apart: I love the combination of the actual Monster Hunter games with an RPG style aimed at younger kids.
For the most part, it plays similarly to other RPGs in its age range – think more Pokémon than Final Fantasy. What really sets this game apart from other RPGs is the Monster Hunter aspects of it. Players can collect Monster DNA to hatch pet monsters, not exactly like, but similar to Pokémon. Monsters become friends and teammates instead of pets you control.
You also get the Monster Hunter experience outside of battle, with a lot of roaming around open areas and dynamic weapons that can be broken, crafted, and upgraded.
Why Monster Hunter Stories 1&2 is Great for Kids: The only thing holding kids back in this game is the dialogue-heavy story. Kids younger than eight may get frustrated with the dynamics of raising monsters and building weapons. I think the art style, story, and distinctive gameplay make this a fantastic game for kids ages 8-15.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Tenderfoot Tactics Is A Surreal Game Perfect for The Right Type of Kid
Recommended Age Range: 10+
What Sets Tenderfoot Tactics Apart: This is another RPG that draws on elements from other genres to create a unique experience.
In this game, a mysterious purple fog is spreading across the land, much like the circle in Fortnite. Unlike other RPGs that tend to keep you on a fairly linear path, this one feels more like a sandbox game with a completely open world where you fight enemies as you come upon them. The fights also offer a unique but familiar system where your attacks are not as straightforward as a fireball since you can interact with the terrain and elements around you.
I also love how there are no classes to choose in the beginning; instead, you learn abilities through spirits, so you can mix and match powers as you level instead of being stuck to a single progression tree.
Some kids may not love the low-poly graphics, but I think they add to the game’s charm.
Why Tenderfoot Tactics is Great for Kids: If you have a kid who needs a lot of mental stimulation, this may be the perfect game for them. All the mixing and matching of genres and abilities means there are a lot of moving parts to this game, which helps to keep an active mind busy. There isn’t much reading, and the graphics don’t offer enough detail for mature content, but the complexity and openness of this game restrict it to ten-plus.
Also Available On: Xbox
Wintermoor Tactics Is Cozy, Story-Driven RPG
Recommended Age Range: 10+
What Sets Wintermoor Tactics Club Apart: This adorable game plays like a cozy game that just happens to have some turn-based battle involved.
The game is incredibly meta as you play as a tabletop RPG club, and many of the battles you face are your characters playing as themselves in their game. There are also made-up scenarios and a school snowball fight that make up the remaining battles in the game.
This game is way more light-hearted than most turn-based RPGs and focuses more on the fun and social aspects of school and friends, rather than the grind of battling and leveling up abilities.
Why Wintermoor Tactics Club is Great for Kids: This is a cute game with no mature content and minimal violence. The only reason kids younger than ten wouldn’t be interested in this game is its themes of middle-school-aged friendship, which they may not understand. The controls are simple enough, and there isn’t as much strategy and planning as in many other turn-based RPGs.s
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Is Where It All Began
Recommended Age Range: 10+
What Sets Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Apart: It is hard to compare a reboot of the original Final Fantasies to anything else, because they were pretty much the games that started it all.
This updated port brings the original six games to the Switch. It keeps the bones and brings the graphics and some of the mechanics into the 21st century.
These games are genuinely fun to play, but parents may also enjoy sharing the games they grew up with and teaching their kids a bit of video game history.
Why Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is Great for Kids: Like many of the games on this list, the only significant factor holding younger kids back is a heavy reliance on dialogue. Since many of these games came from a time when controllers had fewer buttons, the controls are pretty simple for modern-day children. The biggest challenge with this game may be wrestling it away from Dad.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Sea Of Stars Honors Its Origins
Recommended Age Range: 10+
What Sets Sea of Stars Apart: Sea of Stars for the Nintendo Switch looks like a classic JRPG because it is meant to honor those classic games. While it has a similar aesthetic, this game brings unique mechanics to the table that set it apart from other RPGs.
The first thing to note is that there are no transitions like those in other games, where screens slide, and the battle takes place elsewhere. Instead, you walk right into battles, and they begin where you stand. Another awesome feature is timed button presses during battle, much like Paper Mario and Mario RPG that help boost your attacks. What I like most about this game is the lock system, which lets you lock onto a target above your enemy to disrupt their attack.
A throwback art style and the freedom to roam through all kinds of environments bring this together as a sneaky good turn-based RPG for kids.
Why Sea of Stars is Great for Kids: The most significant thing holding younger kids back in this game isn’t content but vocabulary. There is a decent amount of reading, and the words are not dumbed down for younger kids. There are also some themes that might scare younger kids, such as zombies in dungeons. For the most part, kids younger than ten could play, but those ten and up will enjoy it more.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope Offers A Fun Challenge
Recommended Age Range: 10+
What Sets Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope Apart: I personally enjoy how Nintendo has been crossing over its hallmark franchise with other popular games. As the title suggests, this game sees the Mario squad and the Rabbids team up to defeat a bad guy named Cursa who is hunting creatures called sparks.
It is a unique game that retains a turn-based battle mechanic while allowing free movement. While it slightly diverges from a traditional turn-based RPG, I love how it uses skill trees like more serious RPGs, so kids can learn the pros and cons of prioritizing some skills over others.
Why Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope Is Great For Kids: This game is fun, but it can be challenging even for older kids, so ten feels like a good starting point. Each character, with their unique abilities, works synergistically with other players and Sparks’ abilities, so there is a lot of strategy and tactics involved. Between battle strategies and puzzle solving. Kids ten and up will find this game challenging, but rewarding.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
Might And Magic: Clash Of Heroes Definitive Edition Mixes Turn-Based Tactics With Puzzles
Recommended Age Range: 10+
What Sets Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes Apart: This game was originally made for the DS, but eventually found its way to the Switch.
Everything about it is unique, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find similar games on the Switch. Unlike most RPGs, where you explore around and run into random enemies, this game is pretty linear, following a gameboard similar to Mario Party. Battles are also much larger and less intimate than a traditional RPG, with large armies going up against each other.
There is also a different set of strategic mechanics in this game than in most other turn-based RPGs because you battle vertically and horizontally. Players have to decide whether to create defensive formations horizontally or attack formations vertically. These formations can set up combos for stronger attacks and a hardier defense.
Although this game steps out of the traditional mechanics of an RPG, it still has the core RPG progression where you can upgrade units for higher stats and better abilities.
Why Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes is Great for Kids: There isn’t a lot of mature content in this game past the non-bloody combat, so it’s great for kids. Some kids younger than ten may enjoy this game, but the level of strategy involved makes it better suited to kids with a little more life experience under their belts. I like how this game strips down other elements, like travel, and lets kids use their brainpower on battle strategy.
Also Available On: PlayStation
Fire Emblem: Engage Continues A Legacy
Recommended Age Range: 12+
What Sets Fire Emblem: Engage Apart: Fire Emblem: Engage is the seventeenth installment in the series, with an eighteenth coming this year, so you can tell it is a popular franchise.
This particular version of the game stripped away some elements from its predecessor to make the game simpler and more combat-driven. The two aspects that really make this game stand apart from similar games are that the main character is a dragon, and there is a nice emblem mechanic that allows you to collect rings to summon emblems, which are characters from previous games.
I specifically love Fire Emblem because it captures that traditional JRPG feeling while offering updated graphics and mechanics. It also doesn’t hurt that the game is absolutely stunningly gorgeous, with rich, colorful textures during battles.
Why Fire Emblem: Engage is Great for Teens: This is another game that isn’t inherently bad for younger kids, but it takes a level of mental maturity they may not be ready for. The battles can last the better part of an hour in some cases; there are long cut scenes; and the planning and strategy, both during and outside of battles, may be too much for pre-teens and younger.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
Banner Of The Maid Mixes History With Fantasy
Recommended Age Range: 12+
What Sets Banner of the Maid Apart: Banner of the Maid’s plot may be incredibly niche, but parents and kids should give this game a chance.
The overarching storyline is about the fictional younger sister of Napoleon Bonaparte as she uncovers political conspiracies in a reimagining of the French Revolution. The game uses fantasy elements and fictional characters, but also mixes in some real-life historical figures, so it Trojan Horses some education into the game.
The anime style gives it the JRPG feel that many millennials are fond of. One of the coolest parts of this game’s battle mechanics is that when it’s time to attack, characters line up as they would on the battlefield, leaning into the game’s theme.
There are a decent number of missions in this game and some slight variability in characters and choices you make, so there is some serious replay value.
Why Banner of the Maid is Great for Teens: There is nothing overly graphic or mature in this game, but younger kids may find the story a little dry. There is also some multi-step strategizing, and missions can be long and frustrating in some spots. Kids who are willing to give this game a try will have a lot of fun and learn a little along the way.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Children of Zodiarcs Is An Awesome Change Of Pace
Recommended Age Range: 12+
What Sets Children of Zodiarcs Apart: This is one of my personal favorites because it turns the genre on its head and adds board game elements. As a kid who was into Magic: The Gathering in its early years and an adult who loves RPGs, I find that this game scratches an itch for me.
There is just so much to love. Instead of fixed skills, your abilities change based on the cards you have in your deck. You can strategize whether you want to be more offensive or defensive-minded, and what role each character in your party will play. This game also uses a unique dice system during attacks, which can enhance your abilities with extra effects and crits.
Along with its unique gameplay, it has an interesting hand-drawn aesthetic that I find appealing.
Why Children of Zodiarcs is Great for Teens: This is another game meant only for older kids, as it may be too overwhelming for younger ones. While building your deck and customizing your dice sound easy, the nuance of putting them together to create the best combos can be a bit of a challenge. I love this game, and my son has watched me play, but I definitely think he has a few more years before he’s ready to tackle it himself. Kids who are old enough to master these elements of the game will have a blast playing.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Mercenaries Blaze Is Slim And Streamlined
Recommended Age Range: 12+
What Sets Mercenaries Blaze Apart: They say video games are the new movies, and sometimes it feels like game developers believe that hype with long cut scenes and paragraphs of dialogue between every battle.
This is one of many in the Mercenaries franchise, but it is the one that cuts the bloat best. Everything is designed to keep this game going, from shorter missions to cleaner, faster class progression; it’s made to be beaten quickly.
That being said, it uses Fable-style moral-choice storytelling, so you can replay the game over and over with different outcomes. As far as mechanics and playability go, it has the familiar grid-based style that many turn-based RPGs use.
Why Mercenaries Blaze is Great for Teens: There is some mild mature content in this game, but the thing that makes it better for tweens and up is the moral choice storytelling. Kids will be forced to make ethical decisions they may not be ready to understand. Kids in the ten-to-twelve range will have no problem understanding the controls or the dialogue.
Also Available On: PlayStation
Chroma Squad Is One-Of-A-Kind
Recommended Age Range: 12+
What Sets Chroma Squad Apart: You won’t find another game like this one, and parents will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek humor behind it.
It somehow manages to blend a tycoon-style sim where you manage a TV station with the tactical strategy of an RPG. The station broadcasts Sentei shows in the vein of Power Rangers and Super Sentai. Outside of combat, players are responsible for tasks like hiring actors, upgrading the studio, and choosing scripts.
Even when you are in battle, the goal isn’t just to win the fight but to put on a good show for the studio. Your fights earn more fans for the studio when you follow the director’s instructions and finish the fights with flashy finishing moves. It is an interesting take on an RPG, but a lot of fun when you get into the rhythm.
The one polarizing aspect of this game is the super-low-definition graphics, which some people will find part of the fun, while others may feel it ruins the game.
Why Chroma Squad is Great for Teens: Chroma Squad is a one-of-a-kind game that merges multiple genres into one heck of a fun time. There is a lot going on in this game, which may be daunting for kids under twelve. While the graphics aren’t fantastic, the humor and gameplay make this a hidden gem.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Invisible, Inc Is A Genre Bender
Recommended Age Range: 13+
What Sets Invisible, Inc Apart: If you have a teen who thinks they’ve played every style of RPG there is, this one will prove them wrong.
This turn-based strategy RPG isn’t about the battle; it’s about avoiding it. While it is a turn-based RPG, this unique style of play makes it feel more like a Metal Gear or Ghost of Tsushima than the traditional grid-based RPGs that dominate this list.
My middle daughter is really into spies and stealth, so this is one of her favorite games.
Another thing that makes this game so fun is its challenge. Enemies can and will kill you if you are caught, and death is permanent, which makes this game hard to beat but offers a ton of replay value.
Why Invisible, Inc. Is Great for Teens: There are multiple reasons this game is meant for the teen-plus crowd. Kids younger than thirteen will struggle with the patience it takes to successfully complete this game. They will also likely struggle with the frustration of losing a mission they have spent so much time on. If you have a kid who is into spies like my thirteen-year-old, they will adore this game even if they find it challenging.
Also Available On: PlayStation
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark Is For Kids Who Want To Immerse Themselves In The World
Recommended Age Range: 13+
What Sets Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark Apart: From a purely gameplay perspective, this game doesn’t stand out as anything special. It follows a pretty standard turn-based RPG formula that players will be familiar with.
What really sets this game apart is the fact that there are more than thirty classes with over 300 abilities, which creates nearly endless combinations of fighters. In addition to that there is a wide variety of weapon customization, so creative kids can get into this game and tinker with creating the ultimate group of warriors.
The animation style is also strangely comforting with soft lines and bright colors.
Why Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is Great for Teens: This game is fantastic for kids who are looking for a game that allows them more flexibility with their characters. Unfortunately, this game is meant for teens because there is some blood and mature themes that younger kids may not be prepared for. Kids below that teen threshold may also find themselves overwhelmed by the number of customization options in this game.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
Super Robot Wars Y is for the Kid Who Loves Tech
Recommended Age Range: 13+
What Sets Super Robot Wars Y Apart: This is another franchise that has been around for a while, and as is common but not guaranteed, this is the best game in the series so far.
This is a standalone story unrelated to the other Super Robot Wars games, telling a post-apocalyptic tale of Earth ravaged by years of war between humans and aliens.
What I like about this game is that it’s a bit more science fiction than fantasy, so instead of elves and dwarves, you get a more Gundam or MechWarrior. Despite the more technological feel of the game, it still plays very much like an RPG, with different classes and upgrades that can be combined in a team to achieve different results.
Super Robot Wars Y also has some interesting graphics updates that improve on its predecessors, but it still has a classic arcade feel to its art.
Why Super Robot Wars Y is Great for Teens: Everything about this game skews upward. It’s not gory, but it has visible blood; the storyline is probably a little boring, if not scary, for younger kids; there are suggestive themes and language, and the gameplay may also be challenging for kids younger than thirteen. If your kid is into RPGs but is more of a Star Trek fan than a Lord of the Rings fan, this may be the RPG for them.
Also Available On: PlayStation
Brigandine: The Legend Of Runersia Is For Teens Looking For A Challenge
Recommended Age Range: 13+
What Sets Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia Apart: This is an incredibly fun game, but it is also challenging. It keeps the overall feel of a turn-based RPG, but on a much grander scale. It’s almost a mix of a strategy board game like Risk and more intimate battles, like in a traditional RPG.
There is also a major fantasy component to this game as you build your army with a mixture of soldiers and monsters to come up with the best combination to conquer other lands. The strategy and scale of the armies make this feel a lot like Dynasty Warriors meets chess, as you strategize your turns in advance to take on massive armies.
There aren’t many RPGs on this scale, so if your teen is looking for a challenge and is willing to endure long battles, this may be the game for them.
Why Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is Great for Teens: Although the majority of the game takes place on the battlefield, this game is not excessively violent or gory. The reason it is better left to the older kids is the amount of strategy and planning involved. Kids younger than thirteen may show initial interest but get bored before they reach the real fun part of the game.
Also Available On: PlayStation
Disgaea 7 Brings The Franchise Back To What Players Love
Recommended Age Range: 13+
What Sets Disgaea 7 Apart: Disgaea 7 is the newest entry into a beloved turn-based RPG franchise. This game builds on all the best parts of the previous games. The premise of this entry is a quest to overthrow a ruler and restore the Samurai code of honor.
The sixth entry strayed from many of the mechanics players love in these games, so it is nice that the seventh entry returned to the grid-based strategy RPG everyone loves. It brings with it a long-standing sense of humor that both teens and parents will love. The item and battle systems make this a game that kids who love turn-based RPGs can really sink their teeth into.
They could have copied and pasted Digaea 5, and players would have still loved it, but this game comes with some major upgrades, including being able to stack item abilities, reincarnate items, and go on optional side quests for more rewards.
Why Disgaea 7 is Great for Teens: Disgaea 7 is solidly for teens for several reasons. The complex item and battle system may be overwhelming for younger kids, the humor may be inappropriate or go over the heads of kids younger than thirteen, and long-term strategy and patience all make this game skew older. While younger kids may get the gist of the game, they will probably become frustrated before they can truly enjoy it.
Also Available On: PlayStation
Tactics Ogre: Reborn Is Complex But Fun
Recommended Age Range: 14+
What Sets Tactics Ogre: Reborn Apart: I couldn’t tell you for the life of me why, but I love grid-based RPGs, and I think it’s cool I get to share my love with my son.
This is very much a classic turn-based strategy RPG where skills, terrain, and position are all considerations for victory. I love this game for various reasons, but the highest on the list are character customization variety and the tarot systems that let you replay old battles or move back in the middle of a battle to correct mistakes. This is especially helpful for younger players who are still learning.
The pixelated aesthetic of this game reminds parents of the JRPGs they grew up with, but also curbs the depictions of blood and violence.
Why Tactics Ogre: Reborn For Teens: While younger kids can clearly grasp the idea behind the gameplay, there are a few things working against them. The story uses a lot of political jargon and doesn’t clearly define good guys and bad guys, which forces kids to contemplate the morality of what they are doing. Battles are also longer than most, reaching up to forty minutes, which may get boring for younger kids.
Also Available On: PlayStation
Triangle Strategy Feels Familiar
Recommended Age Range: 14+
What Sets Triangle Strategy Apart: It’s no surprise that this game is developed by Square Enix because the aesthetics have a strong Final Fantasy vibe to them.
It mixes some industry standards with unique gameplay ideas to set itself apart from the rest. It has the turn-based combat and strategy you expect, but it also has a Fable-esque quality where your decisions shape your character’s values, which can not only change the trajectory and ending of the story but also dictate which characters you can recruit. Parents could even use this as a teaching moment about making the right choices and running with the right crowd.
There is also a fair amount of diplomacy in this game. Characters in your party can vote on actions essential to the party, such as whether new members can join, and you are capable of swaying their decisions. So kids familiar with the board game Diplomacy may love that feature.
My favorite part of this game is earning Kudos to purchase one-time effects that can be used outside of the normal skills that you level up.
Why Triangle Strategy is Great For Teens: This is an incredibly fun turn-based strategy game, but it requires a lot of work and features themes that are not only age-inappropriate but also likely to be boring for younger kids. There are long cut scenes that talk about politics and themes of violence and war that parents may not want to expose their younger children to. Mostly, the child should be ready for the moral ambiguity of this game and understand how their choices will affect them.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
