Highlights

• Fire Emblem has a wide range of games in the series, with earlier releases available on various Nintendo platforms.
• Dark Deity and Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga are similar games that offer squad-based tactical gameplay and character recruitment.
• Triangle Strategy, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, and Langrisser 1 & 2 are other notable games similar to Fire Emblem in terms of gameplay and story.

Many gamers who purchased Fire Emblem: Three Houses or Engage on the Nintendo Switch might be on the lookout for similar games. The formula of squad-based tactical gameplay, blended with RPG elements, and being set in a fantasy world is not unique to the Fire Emblem series.

Games in the Fire Emblem series are fantastic examples of this type of gameplay, but many similar titles are just as good – and a few are even better. Coming from both Western and Eastern developers, here are some of the best games similar to Fire Emblem.

Updated on April 14, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Fire Emblem is a video game series that needs no introduction. Ever since its debut on the GBA for Western fans, the series has attracted a fanbase that laps up each and every one of these strategy JRPGs. The difficulty of these games, coupled with their epic stories, have made Fire Emblem a huge hit, and it's easy to see why fans of this series would want to check out more games in the same vein. Thankfully, there are more than enough titles that scratch the itch left behind by the Fire Emblem games, including the newest entries on this list, which were added in its latest update.

32 Unicorn Overlord

An Excellent Tactical RPG Developed By Vanillaware, One Of The Most Underrated Developers Around

Unicorn Overlord is a pleasant surprise that took over the SRPG scene by storm. The game certainly looks interesting, but most people didn't expect it to be such a fun title, with fans of the genre savoring this stellar game. Vanillaware doesn't miss, and this title is a great example of the same.

The large-scale battles in this game, where everything moves in real-time, adds a level of tension to each combat scenario, making it important to issue proper commands to ensure victory. The game's classic tale of war, strife, and unity is told well, and serves as a great backdrop for the many wars that are waged in the game's combat system.

31 Tyranny

A Deep CRPG Where Being Evil Is The Goal

There's no denying that the battles in Fire Emblem take place on a large scale, with entire empires and nations at stake in some wars. So, it's easy to see why some fans of the series would want the stakes of these battles to be toned down a bit without losing the inherent strategy goodness present in such games.

CRPGs can step in to save the day here, with Tyranny being one of the most unique titles in this genre. The game's exploration of evil is fascinating and very much unlike the goody-two-shoes RPGs that the market is rife with, as players are not only cast as the villain, but encouraged to be villainous. Fire Emblem's morality can become a bit monotonous at certain points, which is why players would love a game that lets them explore the other side of the coin in a nuanced manner.

30 UnderRail

A Hardcore CRPG That Takes No Prisoners And Requires Pristine Tactics

• Platform(s): PC
• Developer: Stygian Software
• Release Date: September 24, 2013

A throwback to the CRPGs of the past, UnderRail is a game right up the alley of fans who want combat to feel more personal and strategic. Players who loved the original Fallout games will feel right at home in a title where a single misstep can lead to a character's death, with the game rewarding ingenious and unique strategies in combat.

UnderRail is a game that requires a fair bit of thought in every combat scenario, which is something Fire Emblem fans are quite familiar with. A single misstep can have dire consequences and force players to reload an earlier save, with the learning curve being pretty brutal until players finally get a hang of how this game works.

29 Into The Breach

A Brilliant Sci-Fi Turn-Based Strategy Game From The Developers Of FTL

Into the Breach is a game where players control humans who wear giant mechs and fight back against an invasive army of monsters who are slowly eradicating humanity. The Vek are fearsome opponents who can destroy the three mechs players control if they aren't careful.

Each failed run in Into the Breach is a lesson on what not to do, something that FTL players are quite familiar with. The roguelike mechanics are executed with great panache, making it clear why Into the Breach has such a dedicated fanbase, even if the title didn't make waves the same way that FTL did.

28 Dark Deity

A Game Reminiscent Of Classic Fire Emblem Where Characters Form Bonds Over Successive Battles

• Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Sword & Axe LLC
• Release Date: June 15, 2021

This game resembles earlier Fire Emblem games in nearly every way. The graphics are reminiscent of the 16-bit era, with animated sprites, and simple battlefields presented in a top-down view. Like Fire Emblem, numerous characters can be recruited, each with attack and defensive capabilities.

Dark Deity also allows the player to form bonds between characters during battles via dialogue. This bonding will make characters perform better when fighting together. The story is a tad generic, but games like this are more about tactical combat than the story.

27 Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga

A Shockingly Good Turn-Based Strategy Game Made In RPG Maker

• Platform(s): PC
• Developer: Dancing Dragon Games
• Release Date: June 10, 2022

Not every game needs to be made using Unity, Unreal, or Godot. For Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, developer Dancing Dragon Games used the RPG Maker game engine. Many reviewers used this fact as a caveat during their review, with many seeming shocked that such a high-quality game could be made using RPG Maker.

Players can organize their army into several units; with each unit having some customization options (like formations). The interface is simple and intuitive. The retro-style graphics look fantastic. Finally, the squad-based tactical combat is on par with nearly every game on this list. Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga is worth playing, even if it is a bit derivative of games like Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Shining Force.

26 Super Robot Wars

Strategic Gameplay In A Sci-Fi Setting

Super Robot Wars has been around since 1991, with the most recent entry (Super Robot Wars 30) in the franchise being released in 2021. When a gaming franchise has been around this long, it usually has a large fan base, and at least a few of the titles are probably worth playing.

Admittedly, some fans of the Fire Emblem games might be turned off by the futuristic/sci-fi setting instead of the sword and sorcery setting. If the setting isn't important, then players will find the experience of playing Super Robot Wars very similar to Fire Emblem. Sadly, licensing issues have prevented many games in the series from getting a North American release.

25 Triangle Strategy

A Great Turn-Based Strategy Game Made In The HD-2D Engine

Triangle Strategy has a lot going for it. For starters, this game was developed and published by Square Enix. Square Enix has built a sterling reputation for producing quality role-playing games. There are several games on this list from Square Enix, but Triangle Strategy is perhaps the closest to Fire Emblem in terms of gameplay.

Battles in Triangle Strategy are presented in a top-down isometric view. Players have to keep various factors in mind during a battle, such as weapon range, terrain bonuses, penalties, and whether there are spellcasters in the opposing force. Fans of the Fire Emblem games will not be disappointed with Triangle Strategy.

24 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

A Revival Of A Classic Strategy Game

Tactics Ogre is the sequel to the cult classic SNES title Ogre Battle, and even though it was not originally given a North American release, it was later released for multiple systems. Upon playing Tactics Ogre for the first time, gamers might notice a similarity to the classic PlayStation game Final Fantasy Tactics. That's because it was developed by some of the same people.

This game was quite advanced for the time, incorporating elements such as 3D battlefields in which terrain could affect a character's performance. This was quite revolutionary for a 16-bit game. The plot of Tactics Ogre is engrossing as well. It was later given a remastered and slightly different version for the PSP; however, most gamers prefer the original.

23 Frozen Synapse 1 & 2

Amazing Visual Design Separates This Strategy Game From The Rest Of The Pack

The Frozen Synapse games have a distinctive visual presentation that sets it apart from every game on this list. The playstyle of these games is also a bit different. The graphics in these games resemble old vector-style graphics, or, better yet, the display of a thermal imaging camera.

In Frozen Synapse, the player issues commands to the entire squad during the preparation phase. Then, they watch the results play out during a turn that lasts a few seconds before stopping for another preparation phase. The player can set waypoints for each soldier, as well as attack vectors. This franchise is a bit different, but it's no less fun.

22 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked

A Shin Megami Tensei Spin-Off Game With Tactical Combat

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked takes place in present-day Tokyo, so it isn't a sword and sorcery-themed game like the Fire Emblem games. The plot involves an invasion by demonic forces; it is up to the player to help the protagonist and his companions defeat them.

The battles and role-playing elements in Devil Survivor are very similar to those in Fire Emblem. Each playable character can control two demons; there are a lot of available replacement demons if one of these demons dies. Overclocked is an enhanced version of the original Devil Survivor, highly recommended for players.

21 Langrisser 1 & 2

A Fun Strategy Game With Branching Storylines

This entry is for the remakes of Langrisser 1 & 2, though the originals for the Sega Genesis are just as entertaining and challenging. The Langrisser games feature branching storylines, so multiple playthroughs are necessary if players want to experience all that they have to offer. The remakes feature some very well-drawn, anime-style, characters.

As with the Fire Emblem games, characters (and their accompanying soldiers) move in a turn-based fashion across maps during combat. In Langrisser, the fights are impacted by the terrain features and the types of soldiers in a unit. The individual fights are fast-paced, well-animated, and never get tiresome to watch.

20 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

A Sequel To A Much-Beloved Tactical Spin-Off To Final Fantasy

This was one of the most eagerly anticipated games back in 2003. The original Final Fantasy Tactics caused a lot of gamers to finally purchase a PlayStation. The same can be said for Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and the Game Boy Advance. This game used the same formula as the original game but was a stand-alone title that introduced a lot of new features.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance added three new races to the mix; however, a lot of players wish all the classes would have been open to all races. This entry in the Tactics series also introduced the Law System. Judges are present during battles and set combat parameters that all participants must abide by, like forbidding the use of certain types of weapons or spells (among other restrictions).

19 Phantom Doctrine

A Turn-Based Tactical Combat Game Where Players Control A Group Of Spies

• Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: CreativeForge Games
• Release Date: August 14, 2018

Phantom Doctrine is a perfect blend of tactical turn-based combat and espionage. The player controls a spy network whose reach extends across the entire planet. Much of the game is resource management and planning, with action played out through tactical missions. In this regard, it's very similar to the XCOM games.

There is an overarching story to Phantom Doctrine that's designed to always keep the player on their toes. There are also plenty of plot twists. The combat in Phantom Doctrine isn't quite as intense as some other tactical RPGs, but it is still suspenseful.

18 Advance Wars

A Classic Strategy Game For The Game Boy Advance

Released for the Game Boy Advance around the same time that the first Fire Emblem game hit North America, Advance Wars was another tactical RPG to grace gamers around the world. However, one commands more modern units, such as tanks and mobile artillery.

Much like the weapon triangle in the Fire Emblem games, different weapons are effective against specific units. The terrain is also a factor, giving buffs or debuffs to units depending on the tile they rest on. In addition, most weapons have limited usage, similar to durability. These factors and more make Advance Wars so awesome that it started a whole series of following games. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is also a good option.

17 The Banner Saga

Combines Turn-Based Strategy With Tough Decisions Reminiscent Of The Oregon Trail

Set in a fantasy world, though one far removed from the kind with knights and dragons, The Banner Saga is a trilogy of games where a resounding impact occurs with each decision. It has a sense of permanence in some events, which immerse the player for hours at a time. The finality of letting down a unit due to poor tactics and watching them fall into the frigid mud of the battlefield is a sensation that echoes what happens when one loses a unit in the Fire Emblem games.

The player also has a wide selection of unique, interesting, and potentially powerful units with which to fill their ranks. There are witty characters and mysterious beings one can align themselves with that can draw one into their particular slice of the story, and each character has a role to play in this game's intricate universe.

16 Blood Bowl

A Bloody Sports Game Set In The Warhammer Universe That Plays Out Like A Tactical Strategy Game

This game gives new meaning to 'fantasy football.' Blood Bowl is a spin-off from the Warhammer franchise that revolves around the eponymous game of Blood Bowl. It is very much like American football in that teams try to get a ball to the opposite end of a large field from where they begin — as violently as possible, of course.

The game is played turn by turn, like a tactical strategy game. As the player either makes their way across the field or has to defend against enemies encroaching into their own space to score, they will need to coach their units deftly or suffer defeat. Each athlete has an identity and certain traits that make them stand out. Furthermore, they can level up and get more specialized for the implementation of better strategies.

15 Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics

A Strategic Title Steeped In Cosmic Horror

• Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Auroch Digital
• Release Date: October 4, 2018

The supernatural element of Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics is much more cosmic horror than medieval fantasy; however, the importance of unit cooperation is similar to what players can experience in Fire Emblem games. The player must delve into hostile territory populated by enemy soldiers and monstrous abominations with only their wits and skill to truly defend them.

Unit specialization and advancement are key features that allow gamers to feel satisfied as their units get more proficient at dispatching enemies. There are lots of skills and weapon combinations to try out as well, making this game a strategist's dream.

14 Wasteland 3

Reminiscent Of Classic Fallout Games And Its Hard-As-Nails Turn-Based Combat

The original Wasteland was a groundbreaking game. It was Fallout before there was Fallout. Modern gamers, though, might be turned off by the extremely dated graphics, which may be primitive but still have a lasting charm to them. Wasteland 3 combines role-playing and turn-based squad combat.

Fans of the recent Fallout games should give this one a try. It's essentially Fallout, but the battles are turn-based (like using V.A.T.S. for every move) and viewed from above. Gamers who enjoy games like Fire Emblem and Fallout need to give this one a try.

13 Pokemon Conquest

A Tactical RPG Where Players Control Pokemon Like Regular Units

This crossover of Pokemon and Nobunaga's Ambition took the world by storm when it was released in 2012 for the Nintendo DS. Pokemon Conquest, much like the title implies, is a game centered around defeating rival forces with one's pocket monster companions.

However, the Pokemon in this game cannot be caught by traditional means. Each warrior is connected to very few, often only one, Pokemon. These fighters must be recruited similarly to how the player must sometimes meet certain criteria to unlock units in Fire Emblem games.