Sega is a studio known for developing and publishing some of the greatest video games ever. The company has a long and distinguished track record in the video game industry, full of notable highlights.
The 7 Best Sega Characters, Ranked
There have been countless iconic Sega characters created over the years, but the following seven stand out above the rest.
As one would expect, Sega has played a role in developing and publishing some of the best games with turn-based combat players can get their hands on. From well-known masterpieces to underrated classics, Sega's track record in this department is quite impressive.
Games developed by subsidiaries of Sega have been taken into consideration as well.
8 Shining Force
An Underappreciated Turn-Based Tactical Game That Is Still A Blast To Play Through
Shining Force
- Released
- July 13, 1993
- ESRB
- E // Mild Animated Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
It's a shame that Shining Force doesn't get the love and adoration it deserves. This classic tactical JRPG boasts unique visuals, a compelling story, and excellent combat that fans can't get enough of.
For a strategic role-playing game, it's impressive how accessible Shining Force is. Players will get a hand of the turn-based combat in no time and beat down their foes in style, making it perfect for players who like Fire Emblem but don't necessarily appreciate its difficult gameplay and permadeath mechanic.
7 Resonance Of Fate
The Hard-As-Nails Turn-Based Combat Looks Incredible When Everything Falls In Place
Resonance Of Fate
- Released
- January 28, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Tri-Ace
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Fantasy, Narrative
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PC
Resonance of Fate is a video game that went under the radar for many fans. It's a shame since the title features stylish gun-toting real-time combat that is a blast to master once players get a hang of the basics.
The tutorial can be excessive, but players who make an effort to head to the Coliseum and learn the intricacies of the combat system will run and leap around combat arenas with ease. However, bosses will always pose a challenge, and players must make it a point to keep their Hero Gauge high at all times to avoid getting stuck in a bad spot.
6 Panzer Dragoon Saga
Turned A Popular Shoot-'em-Up Into A JRPG With Impressive Results
- Platform: Sega Saturn
- Release Date: January 29, 1998
Panzer Dragoon is a beloved Sega series that was usually known for its emphasis on rail shooting gameplay. However, in a bid to compete with Nintendo, Sega decided to turn one of the entries into a JRPG that is hailed by many as the best entry in the series.
Panzer Dragoon Saga boasts compelling combat and exploration that fans will get into with ease. It may be a stark departure from its rail shooting roots, but there's a reason why the fun turn-based combat and excellent story helped this title stand out in the eyes of many.
5 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Perfects The Combat From Ichiban's First Adventure To Make For A Faster And Satisfying Combat System
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Yakuza: Like a Dragon was an impressive leap for the series, switching to turn-based combat reminiscent of a classic JRPG. Since this was a first effort, it was only a given that the combat showed huge room for improvement.
This is why fans were impressed by the smooth and satisfying gameplay of Infinite Wealth. Switching out jobs and taking out the many enemies standing in Ichiban and Kiryu's way is something fans can't get enough of.
4 Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance
A Worthy Entry In A Hardcore JRPG Series With Amazing Turn-Based Combat
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
- Released
- June 14, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
With the Persona series becoming the most popular Atlus franchise by a country mile, some fans were worried that the parent series would be left in the dust. However, all these doubts were silenced with the release of Shin Megami Tensei 5, which boasts an epic scale and the hardcore combat that people have come to expect from this series.
As one would expect, it's important to recruit demons wisely to make the game's many bosses easier to deal with. The Press Turn system is advantageous if players make the most of this turn-based system, but deadly if a challenging boss punishes players from coming into battle with weak and vulnerable demons.
3 Phantasy Star 4: The End Of The Millennium
The Best Game In The Series That Fans Of Story-Driven JRPGs Will Have A Great Time With
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
- Released
- December 17, 1993
WHERE TO PLAY
It's a shame that Phantasy Star didn't receive the same amount of love as Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. The tantalizing worldbuilding and story-driven approach ensured that each title was magical in its way, with many fans considering the fourth mainline entry to be the best of the lot.
Using combination techniques and watching party members get stronger with each victory is a classic gameplay loop that fans will never get tired of. Phantasy Star 4 is a must-play for JRPG fans who want to get into this and see what makes it so special.
2 Metaphor: ReFantazio
An Amazing Modern JRPG That Uses Atlus' Modern Engine To Great Effect
Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Studio Zero
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The engine made for Persona 5 has kept Atlus well-fed for quite some time. Along with Persona 3 Reload, Atlus also released a new game called Metaphor: ReFantazio that blew critics and fans away, with many people calling it one of the best modern JRPGs of all time.
Switching archetypes and getting the jump on enemies is something fans can't get enough of. Metaphor: ReFantazio is easy to get into for fans of Atlus' games, who will find the mature tone and high fantasy setting to be a fresh change of pace from the modern setting found in every Persona game.
1 Persona 5 Royal
One Of The Most Important JRPGs Of The Modern Era That Attracted A New Generation Of Fans
Persona 5 Royal
- Released
- October 31, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- P Studio, Atlus
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
One of the greatest modern JRPGs of all time, Persona 5 broke new ground and quickly became one of the most successful entries in the series by a country mile. However, Atlus didn't stop there and decided to release an updated version of the game with updated gameplay mechanics and new story content.
Persona 5 Royal gives unique traits to each Persona and rewards players who are meticulous about Joker's loadout. With the right combination of Personas, Joker can become a one-man army that can exploit enemy weaknesses and decimate them in no time.