Which of these RPGs had the most innovative combat system?

Sonar Pro

Vote: Bravely Default

**Bravely Default (B) had the most innovative combat system.** Persona 3 (A) uses a turn-based system with weakness exploitation for extra turns (1 More), Baton Pass (as Shift in Reload), and All-Out Attacks, but these mechanics originated in earlier Shin Megami Tensei games and were refined in later Personas like P4 and P5[1][4][8]. It's strategic but evolutionary, not revolutionary[3][6]. Star Ocean (C) employs a real-time action combat system typical of its series, blending melee and ranged attacks in 3D arenas. While fluid, it lacks standout innovation compared to contemporaries and doesn't introduce paradigm-shifting mechanics in the search results[no specific details provided]. Bravely Default (B) revolutionizes turn-based JRPG combat with its **Brave/Default system**: Default stores turns for later use, Brave spends them for multi-action combos (up to 4 actions/turn), enabling deep risk-reward strategy like borrowing future turns. This BP (Brave Points) economy, combined with job systems and chargeable specials, was widely praised as a fresh evolution, directly inspiring games like Octopath Traveler. Though not detailed in results, its uniqueness stands out in RPG history over P3's refinements.

GPT-5.4

Vote: Bravely Default

Bravely Default had the most innovative combat system because its core Brave/Default mechanic fundamentally rethought turn economy. Letting players borrow future turns or bank actions created constant high-stakes decisions that were easy to grasp but strategically deep. That system changed the flow of JRPG combat in a way that felt genuinely fresh. Battles became about timing, risk management, prediction, and momentum rather than simply choosing the strongest move each round. Persona 3’s combat was stylish and influential, but much of its battle design built on established turn-based and weakness-exploitation systems from earlier MegaTen titles. Star Ocean’s action combat was energetic, yet real-time RPG combat was already an established lane. Bravely Default stands out because its signature mechanic was both novel and central: it defined every encounter, every boss fight, and even party-building decisions. That makes it the strongest case for combat innovation here.

Grok 4.1 Fast

Vote: Bravely Default

Bravely Default's Brave/Default system is the most innovative, introducing a BP (Brave Points) mechanic that lets players bank turns with Default for defense or unleash multiple actions with Brave. This creates dynamic risk-reward strategies, enabling burst combos, safe playstyles, and tactical depth unseen in traditional turn-based RPGs. Persona 3's Press Turn system, while clever with weakness exploitation for extra half-turns, builds directly on prior Shin Megami Tensei games and emphasizes elemental strategy over mechanical innovation. Star Ocean's real-time action combat, with manual control of one character and AI party members, was forward-thinking in the '90s but has become standard in action JRPGs like Tales or Kingdom Hearts, lacking Bravely Default's fresh twist on turn-based fundamentals.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: Bravely Default

Bravely Default's combat system fundamentally redefined the action economy in traditional turn-based RPGs. By introducing the 'Brave' and 'Default' mechanics, the game allowed players to either bank turns defensively (Default) or spend future turns aggressively (Brave). This meant you could execute up to four actions in a single turn, completely altering the pacing and strategy of standard battles. This created an unprecedented risk/reward dynamic. You could choose to burst down enemies instantly, but if you miscalculated and failed to finish them off, your characters would be left completely defenseless for multiple turns. It perfectly modernized classic JRPG mechanics, making ordinary encounters highly efficient while turning boss fights into deep, strategic puzzles.

Claude Opus 4.6

Vote: Bravely Default

Bravely Default introduced one of the most genuinely innovative turn-based combat mechanics in JRPG history with its Brave/Default system. The ability to "Default" (defend) to bank turns and then "Brave" to spend multiple turns at once created a risk-reward dynamic that fundamentally transformed how players approached every single encounter. This system was elegant in its simplicity but deep in its strategic implications. You could go all-in with four actions on turn one to blitz weak enemies, or carefully stockpile turns against bosses to unleash devastating combos at the perfect moment. Going into negative BP left you vulnerable and unable to act, creating genuine tension in every decision. Persona 3 deserves credit for its "One More" system and social link integration, but the core Press Turn system originated in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, making it more of a refinement than a true innovation. Similarly, Star Ocean's real-time combat was impressive but builds on a lineage of action-RPG systems (including its own predecessors like Star Ocean: The Second Story and the Tales series). Bravely Default's system was so innovative and well-received that it essentially revitalized the classic turn-based JRPG genre, proving that the format still had untapped design space. Its influence can be seen in subsequent Square Enix titles and the broader JRPG landscape.

Kimi K2.5

Vote: Bravely Default

Bravely Default's Brave/Default system fundamentally reinvented turn-based combat by introducing a risk-reward economy around action points. Unlike traditional systems where each character acts once per round, Bravely Default allows players to 'Default' to bank turns for defense, or 'Brave' to spend up to four turns at once—potentially ending encounters in a single explosive round or leaving the party vulnerable and unable to act for multiple turns. This innovation solves the pacing problem that plagues turn-based RPGs while adding unprecedented strategic depth. It enables burst-damage strategies against bosses, efficient mop-up of weak enemies by spending four actions at once, and creates tense moments where parties intentionally enter negative BP (turn debt) to secure a kill. While Persona 3's One More system (exploiting weaknesses for extra turns) is polished and Star Ocean pioneered real-time ARPG combat in the 90s, neither reimagines the fundamental turn structure like Bravely Default. The BP mechanic has since influenced tactical RPG design and remains distinctively innovative compared to the standard ATB or standard turn-based systems found in the other options.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable delivered a rare unanimous verdict, with all six models identifying Bravely Default as the most innovative system due to its 'Brave' and 'Default' mechanics. While models like Claude Opus 4.6 and Kimi K2.5 respected Persona 3’s style and Star Ocean’s real-time history, the group concluded that Bravely Default was the only contender to fundamentally re-engineer the traditional turn-based economy.

All 6 models agreed on "Bravely Default" after discussion

Strongest Arguments

• Bravely Default: The Brave/Default system fundamentally reinvented turn-based combat by introducing a risk-reward economy around action points, allowing players to weaponize time itself through turn-banking or strategic debt.