Besides Archon/Archon Ultra, are there any games similar to Dark Legions? Especially ones with no "action" elements? It's basically like Chess with fantasy creatures that all have different abilities, and it's definitely one of my favorite oldies but I wish there was a similar game that was maybe a little newer.

isn't it basically FF: Tactics, Valkyrie Chronicles, Tactics Ogre, Disgaea et.al extensions from this kind of gameplay?

That's interesting. I've heard of most of those but never played 'em. Thanks.

I haven't played them myself yet, but and [url=http://www.gamersgate.com/DD-GOG/guardians-of-graxia]Guardians of Graxiamight be worth a look. The latter seems to be card-based though.

Also, if you can handle the complexity of oldschool boardgame rules, I cannot recommend Blood Bowl enough.

Blood Bowl is what you're looking for.


EDIT: Fucking ninjas...

http://www.gamersgate.com/games?prio=relevance&q=shining%20force

Shining Force 1 and 2 fit the bill.

Whoa, lots of cool recommendations to check out. Thanks and +1 to you all.

And I gifted a Shining Force II to someone ages ago who still hasn't redeemed. Referred him to you if he's not going to play it ever.

Too bad most of the recommendations are console Japanese games.

It's a bit odd, because from looking at the games mentioned, most of them seem to be RPGs, which neither Archon nor Dark Legions are. Those games just used the fantasy setting as a backdrop fro a turn-based tactical boardgame (they also had action sequences for combat, but the OP already stated that he's not looking for that). I'm not sure if the the OP is really looking for an RPG, but perhaps I'm just misjudging the recommended games.

Well, he did say a little newer. And god knows every game has RPG elements now!

But the thing is there just aren't many turn-based grid games without RPG elements that are remotely AVAILABLE for purchase right now.

Guardians of Graxia has the whole "move units around a board" bit though. The game is interesting, but sadly held back by the incredibly slow speed that units move at. And you can't skip these if you want to have a good overview of what is happening during the AI's turn (there is an option for skipping them in the options menu). Also, the way the AI moves things is far from time optimal, which makes things even worse. If you can live with those things though, then there is an interesting game.
There is a board game using the same ruleset that looks quite interesting though.
I've heard that Legio is a pretty crummy game, but I've not played it myself, so I can't confirm that.

Oh, and Blood Bowl, that game is great! Not super similar, still very good. I have not played the later ones you listed, but FF tactics is not all that similar to Dark Legions. They are all tactical games, but FF tactics feels more similar to something like say Chaos Gate than Dark Legions.




Actually, come to think of it. Take a look at Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance. There is a mode there were you just play battles, and skip the whole map campaign.
http://www.mobygames.com/game/birthright-the-gorgons-alliance

Not sure how accurately this fits the bill, but it's freeware so might as well give it a shot:

http://www.wesnoth.org/

I find it unlikely that ANYONE that have used the internet and searched for games, even if he/she only did it once have missed this based on that it usually is mentioned in every instance games are talked about. It even seems that the genre doesn't matter. ;)

Edit: Added a smiley.