Tactical genius

10 incredible tactics games like Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Test your tactical skills with these great games.

by Robin Bea
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Square Enix

Intelligent Systems

Fire Emblem: Three Hopes is a great continuation of Three Houses, but plays much differently. If you miss the tactical gameplay of the main Fire Emblem series, there are plenty of games to hold you over until the next one.

Intelligent Systems

Here are the 10 best tactics games to play if you like Fire Emblem: Three Houses

10. Fae Tactics

Xbox, PC

Perfect for: Pokémon fans who want more strategy

Endlessfluff Games

In Fae Tactics, you’ll need to manage positioning and damage types very carefully thanks to some complex interlocking mechanics. Summoned creatures can fill in the gaps in your own team and choosing the right one can be key.

Endlessfluff Games
9. Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark

PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC

Perfect for: Genre veterans and character customization fanatics

6 Eyes Studio

6 Eyes Studio

Fell Seal’s challenging combat is a fairly straightforward but satisfying take on the tactical combat formula. Its skill and class system is incredibly deep and just as fun as combat.

8. Valkyria Chronicles 4

PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC

Perfect for: Anime fans, players who need a little more pew-pew in their tactics games

Sega

If WW II were an anime, it would be Valkyria Chronicles. The series’ combat mixes familiar weapons and themes with a fantasy setting. Battles use free movement and aiming, and you’ll need to manage troops’ likes and dislikes to survive.

Sega
7. Divinity: Original Sin 2

PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC

Perfect for: Fire Emblem fans who want a deeper, more chaotic experience

Larian Studio

Larian Studio

Original Sin 2 plays very differently from Fire Emblem but scratches a similar itch. Its hectic combat has tons of interacting elemental effects that can set a whole battlefield ablaze, and its deep, dark story still has plenty of humor.

6. Triangle Strategy

Switch

Perfect for: Game of Thrones fans, debate club members

Square Enix

Square Enix

Triangle Strategy has a deeply rich story with important choices you need to convince your party to agree on. Each character fills a specific combat role, and stages often have gimmicks to spice things up.

5. Shadowrun Trilogy

PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch

Perfect for: Anyone who loves fantasy and cyberpunk or wants to beat up digital fascists

Harebrained Schemes

Shadowrun Trilogy’s satisfying combat mixes cybernetic enhancements and magic, but its main appeal is story and worldbuilding. If you like bonding with teammates in Fire Emblem, you’ll love getting to know your squadmates here.

Harebrained Schemes
4. Into the Breach

Switch, PC, iOS, Android

Perfect for players with a busy schedule, kaiju enthusiasts

Subset Games

Subset Games

Into the Breach packs complex strategy into quick skirmishes on tiny battlefields. Each of your three mechs functions completely differently, and pre-determined enemy attacks make each turn into a miniature chess problem.

3. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

Switch

Perfect for: Switch owners who want a cheerier tactical game

Ubisoft

Ubisoft

Mario + Rabbids may look like a kid's game, but its colorful exterior hides surprisingly tough tactical combat. It’s much more forgiving than most in the genre, making this the perfect way to chill out while still flexing your tactics skills.

2. The Banner Saga

PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, iOS, Android

Perfect for: Fans of Norse mythology, players who like making tough decisions

Stoic

Stoic

The three games of The Banner Saga tell an epic Norse-inspired story of survival. Characters can be permanently removed in battle and gorgeously drawn story segments often have plenty of difficult, plot-crucial choices to make.

1. Final Fantasy Tactics

PS1, PSP, iOS, Android

Perfect for: Final Fantasy fans, retro game players

Square Enix

Final Fantasy Tactics battle play mostly like Fire Emblem with tons of character classes and skills to build your perfect team, plus a top-notch story and soundtrack. If you don’t have a way to play the original, the mobile ports are your best bet.

Square Enix