Some RPG stories play out like an in depth novel, however a few of them take a look at your persistence to the purpose that they make you want they’d been printed on pages as a substitute of being coded onto a sport disc. Whether or not it’s clunky fight, repetitive encounters, or mechanics that simply don’t fairly match the ambition of the plot, these video games make you push by means of each encounter simply to see what occurs subsequent.
These video games show {that a} gripping narrative can hold gamers hooked even when the gameplay stumbles. Listed below are eight RPGs the place the story shines brighter than the swordplay.
8
Xenogears
Gears Might Stall, However the Story Retains Working
With a story that blends philosophy, faith, and psychology into an bold, multi-layered plot; Xenogears options gameplay that alternates between conventional turn-based fight and big mech battles. Besides, animations are repetitive, the pacing of the fight is glacial, and piloting a mech is extra about piloting menu-screens.
Add to that random encounters which might be painfully frequent to the purpose of being downright intrusive, particularly in among the longer dungeons. Leaning additional into its narrative-first philosophy, Xenogears’ closing act is infamous for reducing gameplay virtually solely in favor of heavy exposition. Even so, the sport provides gamers a superbly bittersweet mix of irritating pacing however a rewarding philosophical conclusion.
7
Suikoden 2
A Political Masterpiece Trapped in Random Encounters
Suikoden II
- Launched
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September 29, 1999
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ Due To Gentle Violence, Suggestive Themes
A political epic about loyalty, betrayal, and warfare, all accompanied by deeply private character arcs. Seems like the right recipe, however Suikoden 2 barely sours the style with its overly simplistic turn-based gameplay, with restricted strikes per character. It’s not all a misplaced trigger, although, as among the main set-piece fight encounters nonetheless carry some stage of pleasure.
With 108 completely different characters, referred to as “Stars of Destiny” to recruit and construct a relationship with, the narrative satisfaction of such a feat is slowed down by the repetitive mechanics. Random encounters disrupt the pacing of exploration, and grinding is commonly unavoidable. Regardless of all that, Suikoden 2’s emotional storytelling is gripping sufficient to make gamers neglect the repetitive gameplay loop.
6
The Legend of Heroes: Trails within the Sky
World-Constructing Price Each Sluggish Step
Celebrated for its political intrigue, delicate character progress, and large interconnected lore, The Legend of Heroes: Trails within the Sky options turn-based fight with grid-based motion and a customizable “Quartz” magic system. The battles are tactical, true, however they’ve gradual pacing and prolonged animations, which taints the expertise considerably.
The dungeon design additionally feels padded, with filler battles aplenty to stretch development. The dialogue-heavy exposition dumps make the sport really feel extra like a visible novel at occasions. Even so, story and character payoffs are sufficient to maintain you invested by means of the lengthy gameplay stretches.
5
Ultimate Fantasy 13
When Lightning Strikes, However The Path Is Nonetheless a Hallway
Excessive manufacturing values, a cinematic story exploring themes of destiny, sacrifice, and insurrection. Gamers anticipated all that to be paired with the masterful turn-based gameplay which Ultimate Fantasy is so well-known for, and due to this fact, again in 2009, FF13’s announcement set the JRPG world on hearth with a bang. However what was launched was extra of a Paradigm Shift-flavored whimper.
The fight system encourages switching roles in the course of fight, however early chapters are so overly automated that you just by no means have the chance to be eased into it. It additionally makes the weird choice of foregoing exploration virtually solely, being extraordinarily linear for almost all of its runtime. Although the long battle animations and inflexible fight circulation make encounters really feel scripted, the cinematics, emotional beats, and character arcs are sufficient cause to see the journey by means of.
4
The Witcher
Dialogue Decisions That Outshine Sword Swings
It would look like sacrilege to criticize a Witcher sport after the immense success of the third sport. However gamers who have been there for the sequence’ humble beginnings would possibly recall how this mature fantasy story, with its morally advanced selections and branching storylines, was inundated with stiff and repetitive-feeling fight.
Battles required timed click on sequences and prepping with potions and alchemy, however what didn’t assist was the dumb-as-bricks enemy AI, making fights extra about endurance than a take a look at of ability. Stock and crafting techniques have been additionally cumbersome and unintuitive. Nevertheless, the legacy it left behind, with its wealthy world-building, gritty tone, and penalties in dialogue, make The Witcher’s awkward fight forgivable.
3
Persona 2: Harmless Sin
Rumors Are Extra Enjoyable Than the Random Battles
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Launched
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June 24, 1999
- ESRB
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Teen // Drug Reference, Language, Gentle Blood, Sexual Themes, Simulated Playing, Violence
Typically missed in favor of later entries, Persona 2: Harmless Sin carries a darkish, psychological narrative about rumors changing into actuality, with heavy themes and loads of hilariously correct social commentary. The turn-based fight features a demon negotiation mechanic and fusion, however carries a steep studying curve.
What throws a wrench within the works is the random encounters, that are frequent, and the sluggish circulation of battles. Paired with dungeon layouts that really feel repetitive and tedious in comparison with the fascinating multilayered labyrinths of later video games, navigating the sport’s mazes isn’t probably the most enjoyable expertise. Regardless of all that, the story and distinctive rumor mechanic nonetheless make it a cult favourite within the eyes of hardcore persona followers regardless of its mechanical fatigue.
2
Misplaced Odyssey
A Thousand Years of Desires, Ten Thousand Years of Menus
This Xbox 360 basic from 2008 options an emotional, character-driven story about immortals and the fragility of people. It’s a basic affair of conventional turn-based fight with a timing-based “ring” system for assaults. However the tempo of fight is gradual, with repetitive animations and prolonged ability administration.
Dungeon exploration is commonly padded with an absurd variety of encounters. The sport appeared like a social experiment at occasions, with narrative vignettes resembling “A Thousand Years of Dreams”, an emotional rollercoaster sequence of over thirty tales detailing the primary character’s life as an Immortal accessible to learn throughout the sport itself, it overshadows the lackluster gameplay solely.
1
Drakengard 3
A Wild Journey The place the Cutscenes Are The Actual Boss Fights
In basic Yoko Taro style, Drakengard 3 options an absurd, darkish, and surreal narrative in addition to a number of endings that reframe the story solely. The gameplay is a mixture of hack-and-slash floor fight blended with dragon-riding aerial battles. Clunky hit detection and digicam points made the already repetitive fight really feel like much more of a wrestle.
Restricted enemy selection makes each battle blur collectively. The bottom-based fight, although clunky and repetitive, continues to be satisfactory. What’s extra of a ache is the aerial dragon battles, with their bafflingly obtuse controls and poor AI. Drakengard 3 is really a take a look at to see if gamers can endure awkward, repetitive gameplay to uncover probably the most unpredictable and weird RPG tales ever.
