I cut my teeth on Final Fantasy Tactics. Admitedly, it's a rough introduction to SRPGs, like getting thrown in the fire, but if you can conquer that, the rest is gravy.

I used to love SRPGs. My favorite is Shining Force for the Sega Genesis, which admittedly, is probably the simplist SRPG out there, but it was my first one, and it introduced me to the RPG genre way back when I was in the fourth grade (and I played it on the Sega Channel). However, SRPGs are dead, on consoles anyway.

Valkyria Chronicles was a pretty good game (with a terrible story), but it was a commercial flop for the PS3. Front Mission evolved into a mediocre third person shooter (and we never got FM5). Shining Force turned into an action RPG about hearts and tears. I think that only leaves Disgaea and Fire Emblem as the major SRPG releases on consoles this generation, and I don't like Disgaea (I really liked Fire Emblem though). It seems like all of the SRPGs worth playing are on handhelds, but I have handheld ADD. I can only give a handheld game of any genre a few hours before getting bored and putting it down to play something on my large TV screen, and forgetting about it entirely.

I, like many others, got my start by playing Final Fantasy Tactics... and boy, that game scared me away from SRPGs for a good while.  It wasn't until I tried Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones years later that I was able to truly get into and enjoy the genre, even if I still suck at the tactical warfare.

For starting players, though, I would recommend the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance games.  While they aren't the simplest SRPGs, everything is explained well in the game, and the quest-based story allows you to progress when you feel ready, instead of having to consolidate experience and resources like in games like Fire Emblem.

I actually didn't care for SRPGs until I played Advance Wars. As simple as it was, I really enjoyed how the whole unit vs. unit system worked. Then I played Disgaea and almost lost my interest in the genre altogether. Some of those throwing sections were hard to figure out.

Thankfully, I found other games that rekindled my interest in SRPGs. Sonic's Ultimate Genesis collection included Shining Force, so I figured out the roots of the entire genre. Then I decided to try out Record of Agarest War. I still really love Agarest because of its incredibly long storyline.

Disgaea's still tough for me to handle, but maybe I'll play the first one again someday. I thought all the characters were cute enough for me. And I like the whole concept of angels working with demons. Heh heh.

By the way, I'm still waiting for Final Fantasy Tactics to arrive on the iPad. Square-Enix claimed that the iPad version would arrive in the fall. Obviously, that didn't happen. I think the company was trying to fix some nasty resolution problems with the iPhone version before trying to handle the iPad.

Also, (I forgot to include this game in the article itself) I have found that Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits (on PS2) is a pretty good starting point.  I have good memories of the PS1 Arc the Lad titles as well, but I haven't touched them in a LONG time, so it might just be my nostalgia talking.

See I got started on Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (didn't own a PlayStation then), which was just deep enough to make me interested in SRPGs but not too complex. If anything that game could be a tutorial or at least a ramp into the original FFT. Now I've started FFT and am struggling with just the first few battles but am willing to keep trying. The storyline feels just as complicated too though.

I don't understand what the issue is with Final Fantasy Tactics. That's the first game of its type I ever played, and I didn't have any problems with it. In fact, I played it obsessively until I beat it the first time.

I had never thought of Advance Wars as a SRPG, but now that you mention it, I see the connections. So I guess I got my start there. I also didn't have a PS when Tactics came out, but played the GBA one and loved it! The sequel was okay, but it left a lot to be desired. Now that I have a PS3, I've considered downloading it to get back into the genre.  But I've also had Valkyria Chronicles on my radar for over a year. I'd definitely like to try one of them, but you have me leaning towards Valkyria Chronicles...

I love the idea of SRPGs, but I have to judge each franchise/game on a case-by-case basis. Advance Wars is one of my all-time favorite franchises, and I'm just starting to get into Fire Emblem, but there are numerous SRPGs I just couldn't get acquainted with due to their complexity (FF Tactics being one of them.)

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is another great entry to consider as well. It's a pretty good jumping off point as well.