But instead of just honing in on the battle system, the developers created charming characters along with witty dialogue leagues above other RPGs.
No surprise really, as Nihon Falcom (creators of the Ys series) is the mastermind behind it. When Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky was released in 2011, it quickly climbed its way to fan favorite status. Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (PlayStation Portable) After all, bringing demons and magic into history only makes things more interesting. Even more exciting is being cast in the role of the infamous Joan of Arc with a fantasy-styled France’s future in your hands during the Hundred Years’ War. Jeanne D’ Arc meshes history and fantasy in a thrilling tale, while also providing deep tactical warfare. Action battle systems had always been their forte, but they weren’t afraid to test the waters with a strategy RPG. Jeanne D’Arc was an experiment for Level-5. With characters and a world to overtake you, Nier is easy to get lost in. Their humorous dialogue also provides perfect balance throughout Nier’s emotional plight. In these heavy moments, Nier has the perfect companions – the feisty Kaine and sarcastic Grimoire Weiss (yes, a book), who both provide banter and genuine friendship. Nier isn’t about a petty adventure the story centers on a father’s desperate journey to find a cure for his dying daughter. The graphics aren’t flashy and the combat is easy, but Nier still leaves a lasting impression with its well-written characters and story accompanied by a memorable soundtrack. Nier brings a missing simplicity to the RPG genre. In 2010, many blockbuster RPGs hit, such as Mass Effect, Fallout New Vegas, and Final Fantasy XIII, but Nier provided a completely unique experience.
The following games never achieved the level of recognition they deserved, but maybe one of these diamonds in the rough is just the RPG experience you’ve been craving. Some are purely strategy, others are more action-based, and we even found one with dating sim elements. We searched far and wide to find a variety of games with RPG elements to feature. These role-playing games may have not been the flashiest, and their budgets probably weren’t bursting with dollar signs, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t special.