The Monster Multiverse

There is many, like the old school turn based (Final Fantasy), the tactical (Fire Emblem), the real time (Star Ocean) etc. and many more!

Do you have a personal favorite?

Mine would be the Star Ocean battle system, real time and lots of flashy fun moves to spam.

Mine would be the simple, yet unique Fire emblem system. Easy to get into, but can be expansive

Tactical turn-based: Front Mission 4 (Until they went "Evolved" which looked like an AC knockoff..)
As for FF games, only 3,4,5,7,10 and X-2.

Hmmmm.....

I like some turn based (FF, FF2) and Quasi-turn based (FF4,6, FFT, Grandia) the best

Real time hack and slash with slow down menu for choosing magic or item

I'm actually playing Alpha Protocol right now and since it's made by the Obsidian Studios (Knights of the Old Republic) I've enjoyed it unique battle system and Choice of how to interact with the characters....

Especially with the women... like SIE

In other words kind conversion with a person could prevent your character from being shot in the back or get your laid more than once.

Real time skill based.
With cancels and all of that other jazz that takes months to master.

Second favorite is real time turn based, where you don't have an eternity to make a decision.

Etrian Odyssey holds the style that holds my heart.

You've got room to take up to five dudes out to fight, leaving one space for any guests (either via your own skills, like in EOIII, or actual guest adventurers like in EOIII's sea quests and certain story segments and quests in EOIV) if you bring the maximum party size, your party's split into two rows (of up to 3 dudes) of strategic significance (back row takes less damage but has to use magic or ranged weapons if they want to not take a damage penalty, but certain skills are based on the line they're in [e.g., EOIV's Dancers' dances, Front Mortar in EOIII, etc.]).

And after you input each character's tasks for that turn, the turn plays out with your guys' actions interspersed with the enemies' based on speed (so faster enemies might fire attacks off before slower party members get to act, but some party members can outspeed other enemies), meaning you have to factor that into your decisions . . . and, last but not least, in EOIV the enemy monsters can now end up having the same sort of line dynamics that your party of dudes has -- for even more tactical decisions.

There's a lot to love. Even amidst some of the piss-all annoying postgame mooks like the Muskoids I'm fighting (they love Petrify status way too damn much).

(Interestingly enough, by the by, EOIV's actually got some playable characters in unlockable classes that fit the criteria of 'monster girl' -- both of the 'Our Elves Are Different' and 'Petting Zoo People' varieties! Recommend getting it for your 3DS even if that news doesn't immediately pique your interest, though, as the battle system's just one of the many virtues it has.)

I've heard a lot of good things about Etrian Odyssey 4. I have 3 and it did look like a great game on the surface, but once I found out there is no characters (all blank slates) I sort of lost interest and stopped playing it. No doubt it's an amazing game with it's map maker and exciting air ship gimmick, but I'm upset about the lack of character dev. The thing I like most about RPGs is watching the characters grow and converse amongst each other. I may give it a try in the future after I finish Unchained Blades.

Now Unchained Blades (also recently on the 3DS), it seems to be exactly what I was looking for- a dungeon crawler RPG with a monster catching system, with colorful monster people characters (Phoenix, harpy, dragon, medusa, golem, kitsune, etc.). This game brought out a new RPG style that I came to appreciate even more- dungeon crawlers. I never thought I could like another besides SMT Strange Journey, but I think I may becoming an DC addict. ^^:

Mine would have to be the Turn Press from SMT Nocturne (Which I have yet to play) and SMT IV (Which I have) or Alternatively: The Position based battle system From Chrono Trigger.

I like the ATB or Active Time Battle System from FF4-FF7. The characters have ATB gauges that fill and allow them to act. I also prefer turn-based and real time battle as well.

Turn-based and the ATB system of FF7-13 as well as real time battle is what I'm for.

inc1013 wrote:Mine would have to be the Turn Press from SMT Nocturne (Which I have yet to play) and SMT IV (Which I have) or Alternatively: The Position based battle system From Chrono Trigger.

Hmm I'd have to agree, I loved those 2 battle systems as well. When it comes to turn based, they would be my picks. You really have to plan out your fights in them. I miss the Nocturne battle style a lot. The games feel like they have been simplified down since then (along with Persona 3/4). I miss watching the MC punch huge demons in the face..

L337 m4n wrote:Turn-based and the ATB system of FF7-13 as well as real time battle is what I'm for.

FF10 doesn't use the ATB system. 11 qns 12 are both real time and 13 uses the Command Synergy Battle. FF13 is okay but it isn't true ATB in that you don't really control much of anything.

And the ATB system was actually introduiced in FF4, and used in FF5 and 6 as well. 10-2 also had it, but in a slightly modified form.

Jinouga87 wrote:

L337 m4n wrote:Turn-based and the ATB system of FF7-13 as well as real time battle is what I'm for.

FF10 doesn't use the ATB system. 11 qns 12 are both real time and 13 uses the Command Synergy Battle. FF13 is okay but it isn't true ATB in that you don't really control much of anything.

Well yeah but I guess in FF13:Lightning Returns you have to switch outfits while planning your attacks. Kinda like that in Bravely Default as the outfit you use could make or break a battle.

L337 m4n wrote:

Jinouga87 wrote:

L337 m4n wrote:Turn-based and the ATB system of FF7-13 as well as real time battle is what I'm for.

FF10 doesn't use the ATB system. 11 qns 12 are both real time and 13 uses the Command Synergy Battle. FF13 is okay but it isn't true ATB in that you don't really control much of anything.

Well yeah but I guess in FF13:Lightning Returns you have to switch outfits while planning your attacks. Kinda like that in Bravely Default as the outfit you use could make or break a battle.

Yeah every outfit has an ATB Gauge that recharges. It's an interesting system.