Highlights
- The PSP had a great selection of strategy games that showcased the console’s competence in the genre, despite its perceived control scheme limitations.
- Sid Meier’s Pirates!, Valkyria Chronicles 2, Jeanne d’Arc, and Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together are standout strategy games on the PSP, offering engaging gameplay, unique settings, and compelling narratives.
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions is considered one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made, with tight gameplay, a memorable story, and impressive worldbuilding.
The PlayStation Portable is one of the most popular and beloved handhelds in gaming history, with Sony’s incredible support of this handheld being lauded by many. The system was filled to the brim with some truly great games that made the most of the PSP’s on-the-go functionality and limited but impressive hardware to develop some gems that fans loved.
There are games from many genres on the PSP that are worth mentioning, with the strategy genre witnessing its fair share of titles that are all pretty impressive in their own right. People lucky enough to own the PlayStation Portable back in the day were graced by many great strategy games that proved how competent the console was in this genre despite what many perceived to be an awkward control scheme.
5 Sid Meier’s Pirates!
Metascore: 82
Sid Meier’s Pirates!
- Platform(s)
- iOS, PC, PSP, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360, Wii
- Released
- November 22, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Action-Adventure
Sid Meier’s games end up being the gateway into this genre for many players. Sid Meier’s Pirates! is no exception, with this title doing a great job of letting players live out their swashbuckling fantasies as they simulate the life of a pirate.
The game has surprisingly not lost a lot in this port, which is pretty impressive. Everything from ship battles to exploration does a great job of lending this world a sense of scale. The adventures players can embark on are numerous, quite satisfying, and something that will keep them occupied for hours on end.
4 Valkyria Chronicles 2
Metascore: 83
Valkyria Chronicles 2
- Released
- January 21, 2010
- Developer(s)
- Sega
- Platform(s)
- PSP
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
Valkyria Chronicles is one of the more underrated strategy RPG franchises that more players need to check out. After a bombastic first entry on the PS2, many people were surprised to hear that the second game would be developed for the PSP. It was certainly a weird shift, but the portable console’s owners were more than happy to enjoy a great, competent SRPG with fun characters and unique mechanics.
The focus on war and its realities made this game quite thought-provoking in its own right, allowing players to enjoy a gem of a title that deserves more time in the spotlight. The title wasn’t afraid to ramp up the difficulty at times, with the story being one of its many highlights that kept fans engaged till the very end.
3 Jeanne d’Arc
Metascore: 87
Jeanne d’Arc
- Released
- November 22, 2006
- Developer(s)
- Level 5
- Platform(s)
- PSP
- Genre(s)
- Tactical
A unique strategy JRPG that focuses on the popular French hero Joan of Arc and her revolution, Jeanne d’Arc combines elements of history with the fantasy genre to make for a truly unique experience that is one of the PSP’s highlights. The fact that this game is trapped on the PSP is a crime, and fans can only hope that it receives the remaster that the title has rightfully earned.
The polish of the title’s gameplay coupled with this riveting setting made Jeanne d’Arc a must-play on the console for any fan of competent strategy games. It’s a delight that deserves more time in the spotlight, and anyone who still owns a PSP owes it to themselves to play this title if they haven’t already.
2 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
Metascore: 87
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
- Released
- February 15, 2011
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Platform(s)
- PSP
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Strategy
A remake of 1995’s brilliant tactical RPG, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a brilliant strategy title with gameplay so engaging that fans of the genre will find the hours fly by in no time flat. Being able to craft equipment and revisit points in the story where the narrative branches out is a welcome addition that makes the narrative more interesting and dynamic to experience.
Fans of this game were glad to see its remastered version, titled Tactics Ogre: Reborn, hit store shelves. It let them experience this amazing SRPG, which was finally not exclusive to the handheld anymore.
1 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions
Metascore: 88
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, PSP
- Released
- May 10, 2007
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Tose
- Genre(s)
- Tactical
Final Fantasy is one of the most popular RPG franchises of all time. It’s a legendary series that has spawned many beloved mainline entries that are still revered to this day. However, the series has also enjoyed its fair share of spinoffs, with arguably the best one of the lot being one of the PSP’s highlights.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions is a remake of this excellent tactical RPG, set in the glorious land of Ivalice. The tight gameplay, memorable story, grand sense of adventure, and some impressive worldbuilding make it clear why this spinoff is touted by many as one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made, which is really high praise indeed.
