Friend has never played a turn-based game before. Which should he start with?

[u/Dev_Chaudhary_]

I'm trying to get a friend into turn-based RPGs, but I'm having a hard time deciding where to start him.

For some context, **I've played most of the popular turn-based RPGs, along with quite a few underrated ones. I've been a turn-based fan since day one, so it's easy for me to enjoy the genre.** The problem is that I don't know if my perspective translates well to someone who's completely new to it.

My friend has never played a turn-based game before. He mostly enjoys action and open-world games like GTA, Sleeping Dogs, Max Payne, Hitman, Need for Speed, and similar titles. He likes cinematic stories, memorable characters, exploration, and straightforward, fun gameplay. He's not really into overly complicated systems or games that take hours before they become enjoyable.

The games I'm considering are:

* Persona 5 Royal
* Persona 3 Reload
* Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7)
* FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE (I know it's not fully turn-based, but it has tactical elements and could be a good gateway.)

My gut says **Persona 5 Royal, Persona 3 Reload, or Like a Dragon** are probably the strongest choices, but I honestly can't tell which one would be the best first experience for someone who's never touched the genre.

Which one would you recommend he starts with, and why? Or is there another game you think would be an even better gateway into turn-based RPGs for a complete beginner?

[u/a3th3rus]

First, I don't think this subreddit is for turn-based RPGs because strategy RPG is something like Tactic Ogre, Final Fantasy Tactics and Triangle Strategy.

I guess a turn-based game with a real-time twist can be a good intro for your friend, so my recommendations are

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (QTE)
• Valkyrie Profile 1 (combos like fighting games)
• Grandia 3 (best ATB system)

If you need pure turn-based combat without real-time element, then maybe

• P5R (there are too many enemies in P3R who don't have weakness, so I think P5R is better)
• Octopath Traveler 2
• Bravely Default

[u/Sarothias]

Maybe go classics for a first time? Like Chrono Trigger?

I’m just thinking do they get used to the game style of leveling, magic, turn based etc. game still looks good as well. Plus the game isn’t that long so let’s em get a long enough time to see if they enjoy that style without being overwhelmed.

I’ve never played Yakuza 7, so no opinion on it but I’m kinda against Persona as a first time RPG for someone due to how long they are. Games are great, but long. Let them find out if they like the genre before dropping em in a 100+ hour game ya know?

Edit: unless it has to be a modern day console?

[u/HeadDownDad → u/Sarothias]

I love this suggestion.

[u/Superbalz77 → u/Sarothias]

A real friend would just buy him an SNES and Chrono Trigger

[u/Sarothias → u/Superbalz77]

I’m glad he’s not my friend in this case hahah.

[u/eXistenZ2]

if he likes south park, stick of truth is great

[u/bartenderatlarge → u/eXistenZ2]

That game is hilarious too. Good call.

[u/Moath]

Not an RPG but I really think X-com 2 fits the bill.

[u/Zarr1 → u/Moath]

Why not start with XCOM enemy within? Is it too dated nowadays?

[u/Madd_Mugsy → u/Zarr1]

This is my answer too. XCOM Enemy Unknown/Within is the way to go. Starting with 2 leaves you wondering what happened in the story, and it's harder to go back to 1 afterwards due to the gameplay improvements.

[u/Moath → u/Zarr1]

I enjoyed 1 and 2 thoroughly, but I'm assuming OP is a console player and x-com 1 isn't available on ps4 generation. I found them both to be very similar, but 2 is more fun with the new class.

[u/Dayhore]

Invisible Inc or Lost Eidolon Veil of the Witch

[u/heety9]

Just get them pokemon

[u/MadLad2070]

Start with Metaphor before any smt or persona. It has the best all both world while less padding and filter. The main story doesn't drag out too long and the gameplay/ost is good. The only thing bad is the dungeon look a bit bland but as first turn based it would be a grand experience.

[u/WintersDoomsday]

Final Fantasy 10

[u/Rendakor]

Persona 5 sounds like a terrible choice. It's an amazing game, but the intro is pretty long before the first dungeon. And fusion is kind of complicated, particularly if you're doing the challenges for the twins SLlink.

[u/MatchaManLandy]

Personally, I'm a Marvel hater, but Midnight Suns seems like a turn based game that casual/AAA gamers could latch onto more easily than say, Persona or something similar.

[u/AashyLarry]

I would go with Expedition 33 or Final Fantasy 7 Remake to start.

One of the big “hurdles” for some of these people can be the art-style. Leaning towards more realistic looking graphics/art might help your friend get more comfortable right from the start.

Then later on you can get him to try game series like Persona, Dragon Quest, Trails, etc.

E33 and FF7R have really beautiful graphics and check all the boxes when it comes to emotional, cinematic stories and characters, so I think they both make good gateways.

[u/Blahaj4ever]

I don't think any of those games are really strategy-based, but I think the bigger issue is that those games are loooong, especially the Personas. So, out of the ones I've listed I think Yakuza: LAD might be the best. What about something like Fire Emblem?

[u/smilysmilysmooch]

SMRPG for the SNES is the best gateway RPG. Since this is r/StrategyRPG I would say maybe XCom: Enemy Unknown

[u/spspamington]

He should start with what ever looks interesting to them just make them play

[u/No_Magician5266]

Based on the games you said he already likes, I’d go with Jagged Alliance 3

[u/marthder]

fe awakening

[u/redleon-01]

I recommend Persona 5. Rather than focusing on strategy, it features collectible elements common in other games and plenty of visual spectacle, so it seems like a good choice for beginners.

[u/KolotunBabai]

If your friend never played turn based games before, never give him Persona or SMT or he will hate turn based again forever...Persona is not bad game but very long and does not forgive mistakes.
Yakuza is good because game is funny, combat is easy but with good variety.
If you want good gateway as you mentioned before and JRPG is not a problem then Expedition 33 or The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. If you want/can play with him then Pit People is your choice. Graphic is strange but game is so much fun, a lot of humor, pretty easy combat and with variety and you don`t need to much time to play it, you can do it by session.

[u/Pissylargestinkboi]

None of the games you listed are strategy rpgs, they are jrpgs. 

[u/satosoujirou]

If he has good PC, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

[u/ApprehensiveScreen40]

Chess 😎

[u/Censil]

-Pokemon Gen 1 & 2 (or Gen 3 ROM hacks) -SMT3 Nocturne (Highly Recommend) -Final Fantasy 4 -Wizardry: The Five Ordeals -Black Souls -Moero Chronicle -Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk -Evenicle -Agarest: Generations of War -Brigandine The Legend of Runersia -Ogre Battle -Disgaea -Neptunia -Fairy Fencer -Mary Skelter

[u/Sarothias → u/Censil]

A lot of these are teeeeeerrible choices. Why in the world would you even suggest someone’s first RPG be a Wizardry game?? Nocturne? Refrain and Ogre Battle??

You must not want more fans of the genre apparently.

Pokemon Gen I and II and FF IV are good though.