Summary
Character customizationis an important part of many video game genres, most notably in RPGs. Strategy is also a compelling and integral part of many gameplay loops, especially in strategy RPGs. As a result, there is an abundance ofRPGs with strategic gameplay and great character customization.
However, there are also a variety of games inmore niche genres, and RPGs that focus more on strategic combat than they do on narrative. In the interest of variety, these are the kinds games that this list will focus on.
This turn-based strategy game is a narrative-driven experience inspired by tabletop role-playinggames such asDungeons and Dragons. The game puts players in control of a party of adventurers, defending the land from an array of horrifying creatures and facing a diverse range of random encounters.
At the beginning ofWildermyth, players are given total control of their party. Players can change the appearance of their characters with a robust customization system, though due to the 2D art style, there are limitations to this. More importantly, however, is the ability for players to meticulously change the personality traits of each of their characters, allowing players to orchestrate specific dynamics for role-playing throughout the game.
This strategic, military-themed game puts players incontrol of a mercenary company. The game features deeply tactical turn-based combat that rewards strategic thinking across a lengthy campaign. Furthermore, each mercenary in the player’s company can be customized to suit their wants and needs.
Jagged Alliance 3allows players to manipulate the stats of their character. However, they can also choose from a variety of perks which affect that character’s personality, as well as their performance in battle. While not the deepest of customization systems, these little additions to the game add an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay.
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord, like its predecessor, is an extremely customizable experience. As a sandbox RPG,Mount & Bladeis notorious for its player agency and freedom,centered around large-scale battlesand the management that goes into making them successful.
However, unlike many strategy games, players physically control the leader of their army in battle. This makes character customization, particularly in character creation, relatively important. This is especially the case early on in the game, when players are likely to be more reliant on their character than their army for winning battles. During character creation, players can choose their starting culture, appearance, stats, and perks. This character creation is wrapped up in a thematic package that tasks players with answering questions, but thankfully, players can see how their answers are affecting their stats throughout.
WhileXCOM 2doesn’t have the most detailed character customization, the control that players have over how their units progress is both integral toXCOM’sgameplay and part of the fun.XCOM’scharacter customization is also responsible for a good portion of its replay value.
InXCOM, players are able to customize and upgrade the weapons and class abilities of each member of the XCOM forces. The simple ability to customize their appearance and name also allows players to get more attached to their squad members. This makes situations all the more intense when characters are in a near-death scenario, and all the moredevastating when those characters die.
Battle Brothersisa sandbox RPGwith tactical, strategic turn-based combat. This combat is brutal and requires strategic thinking in order to succeed. However, one of the most important ingredients to success inBattle Brothersis the careful management and customization of each party member.
Each member of the player’s mercenary company inBattle Brotherscan level up and be highly customized, with players being able to choose which stats to improve and which perks to take. The perks in particular are extremely important, as each of them has its own important use-case. These perks also work better on certain characters, and players need to ensure they have good synergies and diversity within their company at all times.
While players don’t do much in the way ofcustomizing their mechpilots inBATTLETECH, the levels of customization for the mechs themselves are extreme. Players are given meticulous control of how their mechs play in combat, and strategically customizing these machines is also important to success.
Managing mech types and their weapons, and creating a diverse and synergistic squad, is essential to surviving inBATTLETECH. Although the pilots aren’t quite as customizable as the mechs, players are still able to level them up and unlock new skills throughout the game, which can have a massive impact on the strength of each mech in battle.
This sandbox RPG puts players in control of (potentially) multiple characters, allowing them to control and customize entire squads of party members. Each character has deep RPG progression built into them, with plenty of stats to improve and equipment to wear.
Each member of the player’s party can also have their appearance heavily modified. This allows players to better immerse themselves in the game and become attached to their party of characters, resulting in a highly customizable sandbox experience.
