Games of the Year

RPGFan Games of the Year 2021: Best Strategy RPG

GOTY 2021 Strategy RPG Super Robot Wars 30

Winner: Super Robot Wars 30

The venerable Super Robot Wars series of crossover strategy RPGs featuring giant robots from popular mecha anime has enjoyed immense popularity for the past 30 years. Sadly, none of the mainline games ever made it outside of Japan until Super Robot Wars 30. Gargantuan gatherings of glorious anime crossover moments, such as characters from Magic Knight Rayerath seeking mentorship from characters from Getter Robo, could only happen in the majestic — yet surprisingly cohesive — massive multiverse mythos that is Super Robot Wars 30. The real magic of this immensely replayable game, though, lies in its robust and addictively fun strategy RPG gameplay that will keep players up past their bedtime, saying, “Just one more mission.”

by Neal Chandran    


Runner-Up: Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny

Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is the latest entry in the illustrious Disgaea series, and while it mostly sticks to the series’ long-established core mechanics, this entry is the first to present its character models in full 3D. Some fans might miss the beautiful sprites of past Disgaea games, but the 3D models are very faithful to the traditional class and monster designs.

Among its spattering of quality-of-life updates, perhaps its most prominent is the addition of a fleshed-out auto-battle system. Dubbed Demonic Intelligence, this gambit-esque system can help alleviate the tedium of grinding for those sweet, sweet stats. But really, Disgaea 6 brings more of what the series’ dedicated fans want: big numbers and lots of grinding.

by Sam-James Gordon


Readers’ Choice: Best Strategy RPG

Winner: Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny

Runner-Up: Super Robot Wars 30

Neal Chandran

Neal Chandran

Neal is the PR manager at RPGFan but also finds time to write occasional game or music reviews and do other assorted tasks for the site. When he isn't networking with industry folks on behalf of RPGFan or booking/scheduling appointments for press events, Neal is an educator, musician, cyclist, gym rat, and bookworm who has also dabbled in voiceover work and motivational speaking.