Tactical RPG

an example of isometric projection in Tactics Ogre

A Tactical RPG (or Tactical Role-Playing Game, for short-- sometimes abbreviated as TRPG) encompasses a genre of video games that emphasizes RPG elements (customization, character growth, etc) but is mechanically structured around 'tactical' game decisions, forcing the player to think and play strategically. These games, while they might require a great deal of strategy, are not typically associated with the strategy genre.

Overview

TRPG's function rather similarly to most RPG's in design and mechanic-- typically, your 'party' consists of a main character-- these characters gain experience and grow stronger via engaging in battle. Often, these characters can be customized down to their weaponry and armor (and sometimes accessories, like bangles, necklaces, or cowls) and as the player progresses through the game, they acquire stronger 'gear' for their characters, in essence, making them stronger. Strategic elements come into play here as well, in the customization phase, as some pieces of equipment might be weaker in terms of 'stat' altering values (the amount by which they increment the character's base variables, like strength, dexterity, and so on) but might functionally be stronger in other ways-- for instance, a hood that might be weaker in terms of defense, but functionally viable due to the fact that it protects against status abnormalities like poison, which gradually damages the character over time.

As for elements that differentiate RPG's from tactical RPG's-- TRPG's have become popularly recognizable by the very feature that makes the genre unique-- a grid of some form by which the character's and enemies are aligned, like pawns on a chess board, moving in much the same fashion. The player and enemy team take turns moving units across the grid, the idea being to strategically position units so as to maximize their damage capability, while minimizing their exposure to danger. An isometric grid continues to be the most visually recognizable form of the TRPG grid, though other forms of representation do exist.