RPGs With Better Combat Than Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 learned from the best to create an incredible turn-based battle system. In combat, each character has a unique behavior pattern that affects their skills. For example, Gustave can build up energy in his cybernetic arm while Lune can gather elemental energy to amplify her magic. Beyond character differences, players can defend, dodge, or parry enemy attacks. As great as Clair Obscur‘s combat is, a few turn-based RPGs arguably have it beat.

This active element in battle makes combat more engaging, even if it’s still turn-based at its core. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, without a doubt, a great RPG, but is it truly better than the turn-based games that came before it? It may beat these games in some fields, but the combat in the following RPGs makes them more accessible than Sandfall’s GOTY winner.

Chrono Trigger

An RPG As Old As Time

Chrono Trigger was ahead of its time in several ways on the SNES, and the battle system was near the top right next to the time-traveling aspect. The world map was devoid of monsters, and players instead encountered them in dungeons. Battles were much faster than other turn-based RPGs at the time, making the combat seem more action-based. Players could bring in three party members with them, who could attack normally or activate skills that they learned from leveling up. Most skills had an area of effect, so if players chose to target the right monster, they could potentially hit multiple enemies.

Eventually, most party members could learn magic, too. Crono could use electric attacks, and Lucca was attuned to fire. Since no one character played the same way, switching between them during certain story arcs became important to exploit enemy weaknesses. The best part of the battle system was the dual and triple attacks that characters could perform with others. For example, Crono and Frog could cross-cut into a monster, while Marle and Ayla could perform an ice-throwing technique. Chrono Trigger was fast, dynamic, and party members mattered in a way that few games have matched even 30 years later.

Final Fantasy 10

The Power Of Summons

Of all the turn-based combat systems in Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy 10 has one of the greatest of the PS2 generation. Battles were still randomized at the time, which was a chore, but at least the battle system had a nice flow to it. In combat, players could have three characters engage, but at any time, they could also swap out for their reserves. Each character started out as a unique individual: Lulu was the Black Mage, and Wakka had a ranged advantage, for example. Instead of gaining EXP, they would earn AP that they could then use to expand their skill tree-like system, called a Sphere Grid.

With enough patience, every character could eventually be the same. Regardless of class, each character could attack or use any skills/spells. Killing an enemy with an attack that was too strong would create an Overkill, which would earn players more rewards. Also, late-game items could unlock higher damage levels, meaning characters could do more than 9999 damage (something Clair Obscur fans are likely familiar with). The best part was Yuna, who was a Summoner/White Mage, who could summon creatures called Aeons into battle. Aeons temporarily replaced all party members, and if they died, Yuna could simply send out a new one. It was almost like an endless supply of party members. Between the Aeons, character swapping, and Overkills, there was a lot to love about Final Fantasy 10.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Let’s-A-Go!

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is the first game in the Mario & Luigi series and was released for the Game Boy Advance. Like its RPG predecessors, the game’s turn-based combat was reactive, but the party system was pared down to just Mario and Luigi. In the environment, players control both brothers simultaneously. Eventually, they unlock Metroid-like power-ups, like the ability to glide and go underground, which open up new pathways.

In combat, players control Mario’s movements with the A button and Luigi’s with the B button. This includes selecting attacks as well as defending or countering during the enemy phase. Every special skill uses both brothers, and players have to remember a Quick Time Event to boost their max potential, from shooting fireballs to kicking turtle shells. Everything in battle is involved, and if players aren’t paying attention, they will lose quickly. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is a tough RPG, but the combat is still praiseworthy, along with the colorful world Mario and Luigi get to explore between the actual environments, characters, and music.

Valkyria Chronicles

World War Tactics

Valkyria Chronicles is PS3 turn-based tactical RPG that turned the genre on its head. The game takes place in a less fantastical world, mirroring the darkness of World War 2 but set on a continent known as Europa. Players are part of Squad 7, a volunteer military unit that joined the war effort after their neutral nation was invaded. In combat, players are presented with a variety of objectives, from killing all targets to making it to a certain area of the map.

On the player’s turn, they select any of their units that fall under classes like snipers, heavy weapon specialists, or even a tank driver. Once a unit is selected, it has an energy meter that dictates how far it can travel, which will deplete real-time. This means that eventually, units can fire upon them freely, and players can even step on traps if they’re not careful. When they want to attack to end their turn, the game will pause, allowing players to manually aim their weapons at a target, which does make a difference. Smart players can set their units up to counterattack freely against enemies on their turn as well. Valkyria Chronicles is one of the most hectic tactical games of all time, but that’s a good thing, as players must truly think about strategy.

A Cross Between Action And Turn-Based

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the most recent game from the Persona team at Atlus, which was released for multiple systems, including the PS5. In this fantasy world, players go through trials, typically dungeons, in their goal to become the next king in a sort of race to the throne. Enemies appear on the map, and if they are a low enough level, players can attack and kill them in real-time. Most of the time, though, players will have to engage in turn-based combat by choosing four characters to be in their party — although they can be switched out mid-battle like in Final Fantasy 10.

There is a class system in the game called Archetypes, which ranges between RPG standards like warriors and mages. Archetypes will react differently to other Archetypes, meaning they can create dual attacks like in Chrono Trigger, but the nice thing is, most Archetypes can be equipped by any party member. Experimenting with these Archetype combos, leveling them up to unlock new ones, and using them to exploit enemy weaknesses are all great aspects about Metaphor: ReFantazio’s combat system. Plus, the active measures players can take are pretty revolutionary, too.