Honkai Star Rail was the first gacha I played with this turn-based combat and team building. I haven’t played something like this since FF7 back in the day, but it’s live service and on my phone, so I’m 100% into that.
I don’t like the dupe system, though. Hoyo creates visually appealing games, but they’re not particularly F2P-friendly. Was hoping for some suggestions on games I could swap to please.
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I’ve been wondering about this too, after starting HSR.
Tried rerolling on a bunch of other turn-based gachas, but they don’t compare. Everything else is either basic 2D or just doesn’t seem to have the money behind it like HSR does.
It seems like there are plenty of ones with tons of content but the graphics are older and might not have the same QoL.
The more tactical turn-based ones, like Langrisser or Brown Dust 2, are not quite the same JRPG style, but they are more F2P-friendly.
Limbus Company might be good for you? 100% F2P friendly and turn based team combat but a bit of a different system.
Persona 5X plays like hsr’s turn-based stuff but with persona styling. I’m still waiting to see if I like the end game personally.
I’ve noticed games like Star Ocean and the Tales series have that same satisfying postgame climb where you can power your team up a ton. HSRs endgame feels familiar for that reason.
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent might work. It keeps the classic turn-based JRPG feel and seems a bit friendlier to F2P than Hoyos’ setup. I’m still figuring out which gachas actually balance depth with fair monetization.
Coming from HSR, Epic Seven might work for you. Similar turn-based combat with elemental matchups. They let you pick a 5-star after 30 rerolls and pity transfers between banners.
Build for Wyvern hunts first since that’s your main gear source. You get enough free pulls to build a decent roster, but gear drops are pure RNG so prepare for some grinding.
They have a pretty interesting approach to F2P balance since it is mostly a PvP game but the PvE is great too.
You know, HSR took what worked in classic JRPGs like Trails and Persona and slapped gacha on it. They didn’t start the trend.
Combat’s pretty solid compared to other mobile stuff. The problem is that those inspirations were full games you paid for once, not these endless money pits with dupes and limited banners.
Limbus Company might scratch that itch if you want tactical turn-based combat without the whale bait. You can actually farm the characters.
Honestly games like Summoners Wars or Epic Seven don’t have the 3D graphics but they are very similar in gameplay and more F2P friendly.