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Little known RPGs that rock your world.
- Thread starter ivar
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Have any of you guys heard of Final Fantasy? I'd be surprised, it's not that well-known ;)
As for actual obscure games, the Persona series is a lot of fun. I also enjoyed the game Legend of Legia. It was one of my favorites when I was a kid. There's some others like Odin Sphere which are kind of obscure but that's about it. I'm probably forgetting some though.
oh! Skies of Arcadia! It's not super obscure, but an incredible game.
As for actual obscure games, the Persona series is a lot of fun. I also enjoyed the game Legend of Legia. It was one of my favorites when I was a kid. There's some others like Odin Sphere which are kind of obscure but that's about it. I'm probably forgetting some though.
oh! Skies of Arcadia! It's not super obscure, but an incredible game.
Lufia (originally entitled Estpolis in Japan). Lufia and the Fortress of Doom was the first RPG I ever beat in its entirety, and is still one of my favorite games ever. I have the SNES cartridges for both Lufia and Lufia II packed away at home somewhere, lol.
Romancing SaGa 3 was pretty awesome. I'm waiting for 2 to get a translation patch atm (the script has been translated). I *have* Lufia 1 and 2 but never got around to playing them.
You should play them, they're hugely fun.
i couldnt stand lufia 1 simply because of how slow you move. ruined an otherwise potentially good game.
lufia 2 is one of my favourite rpgs ever. gameplay is a lot of fun, puzzles can be challenging, and the huge bonus dungeon is easily worth several hundred hours of gameplay if you enjoy it.
other than that, not quite 'little known', but tales of legendia is a favourite of mine. it took a lot of heat because it's very unlike most tales games (very, very linear gameplay, lack of sidequests) due to being made by a different team, and people think the battle system is a step back from symphonia and such. and it is, unfortunately. while the plot is kinda mediocre, the character development is one of the best of any game i've played.
furthermore, it has the best soundtrack in video game history. well, many will disagree with that statement, but this game's soundtrack is fucking perfection. some examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tz-mKuJaWo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj1PRBL9d70&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3wTh3U1Ucs
i can't find the version of the third with strings in place of vocals but it's still good this way. i am usually not that into video game music but this game's soundtrack is life-changing.
lufia 2 is one of my favourite rpgs ever. gameplay is a lot of fun, puzzles can be challenging, and the huge bonus dungeon is easily worth several hundred hours of gameplay if you enjoy it.
other than that, not quite 'little known', but tales of legendia is a favourite of mine. it took a lot of heat because it's very unlike most tales games (very, very linear gameplay, lack of sidequests) due to being made by a different team, and people think the battle system is a step back from symphonia and such. and it is, unfortunately. while the plot is kinda mediocre, the character development is one of the best of any game i've played.
furthermore, it has the best soundtrack in video game history. well, many will disagree with that statement, but this game's soundtrack is fucking perfection. some examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tz-mKuJaWo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj1PRBL9d70&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3wTh3U1Ucs
i can't find the version of the third with strings in place of vocals but it's still good this way. i am usually not that into video game music but this game's soundtrack is life-changing.
The legend of Dragoon for ps1. To be honest I have no idea if it's well know, but I've never heard anyone talk about it, ever. It is seriously one of the best RPGs I've ever played, I absolutely love the combo system in the combat. Also takes the award for most badass half dragon girl ever.
WHIP SMACK
Edit: Glennnn... that soundtrack makes me want to play the game so bad...
I love good rpg music... so epic
Edit again: Is this the nonvocal version you were talking 'bout glen? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYm08xn8Sg&feature=related
WHIP SMACK
Edit: Glennnn... that soundtrack makes me want to play the game so bad...
I love good rpg music... so epic
Edit again: Is this the nonvocal version you were talking 'bout glen? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYm08xn8Sg&feature=related
>Glen+:
Yeah, the movement in Lufia 1 was pretty slow, but back then, that was totally standard, so it wasn't a big deal. It's like comparing how you walk around in RBY compared to the running shoes in the newer Pokemon games, lol. It seemed amazing back then, but nowadays it's like GOD LET'S GO ALREADY.
Yeah, the movement in Lufia 1 was pretty slow, but back then, that was totally standard, so it wasn't a big deal. It's like comparing how you walk around in RBY compared to the running shoes in the newer Pokemon games, lol. It seemed amazing back then, but nowadays it's like GOD LET'S GO ALREADY.
YES that is it, thank you. i really need to replay it to put the songs in context.
ALSO to the guy talking about lufia 1 yes it was standard for the time but at least pokemon had the bike!!
I'm not sure I'd call any Tales game "little known," but man, this one needs more love. I LOVED this soundtrack! BTW, Glen, this should be what you're looking for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y6pC7x4b-M EDIT: Different link than above, but same song.
My personal favorite was this track. The only mistake I think Namco made with the soundtrack was to replace the intro song in the North American version; the original used this song. I love that song; I don't understand why it was replaced...
You'd think with all the PS2 RPGs I've played that I would have found a real gem somewhere, but the ones I've played are all either well-known or mediocre at best. I do have to say this: if you've never played a game from Nippon Ichi, check them out; they can be quite an experience. The same goes for just about any game from GUST, though they tend to have bugs.
Oh! There is one RPG that I really enjoy: Metal Saga. Yeah, the graphics are mediocre, the soundtrack is average at best, and the plot may leave you wanting more, but there's something to be said about hitting the road and making your own living in a post-apocalyptic world; the game is about as non-linear as you can get on a console. In fact, you can end the game as soon as the first screen! Oh, did I mention that you fight with tanks? (ignore the shitty paint job) And dogs? (not an actual dog in the game)
I honestly didn't like Tales of Legendia at all, I just couldn't get into the story/characters or battle system, but I completely agree on the soundtrack, it's really amazing. The Birds Chirp, I Sing is probably the single best world map theme I've ever heard, even better than Terra.
One RPG that I don't think I've seen anyone else mention anywhere is Jade Cocoon 2. It's a monster raising game that never gained any real popularity but the battle system was really simple (besides running away and using items, there are only 4 actions you can make) and yet also really engaging. You essentially had a square divided into a 3x3 board, with each side corresponding to Fire, Water, Earth, or Wind and your main character standing at the center. Instead of picking moves for your monsters to use, you instead just pick a side, and all of the monsters on that side will perform their attack (monsters can only know one attack of an element). Each element has basic attacks but also specializes in different abilities (Fire is pure offense, Water is healing or draining, Wind is debuffs and status effects, and Earth is buffs and barriers). On the other hand, the story was just decent and the dungeons are really repetitive, but raising and fusing a team of monsters is really addicting and fun (there's also a versus mode, though sadly it was made before online play was really big). Some of the monster designs are pretty cool as well, though plenty of dumb ones exist too.
One RPG that I don't think I've seen anyone else mention anywhere is Jade Cocoon 2. It's a monster raising game that never gained any real popularity but the battle system was really simple (besides running away and using items, there are only 4 actions you can make) and yet also really engaging. You essentially had a square divided into a 3x3 board, with each side corresponding to Fire, Water, Earth, or Wind and your main character standing at the center. Instead of picking moves for your monsters to use, you instead just pick a side, and all of the monsters on that side will perform their attack (monsters can only know one attack of an element). Each element has basic attacks but also specializes in different abilities (Fire is pure offense, Water is healing or draining, Wind is debuffs and status effects, and Earth is buffs and barriers). On the other hand, the story was just decent and the dungeons are really repetitive, but raising and fusing a team of monsters is really addicting and fun (there's also a versus mode, though sadly it was made before online play was really big). Some of the monster designs are pretty cool as well, though plenty of dumb ones exist too.
God yes Tales of Legendia has the best soundtrack in the series. And I really do like Sakuraba's work but Namco works the guy so hard his Tales tracks are really lacking compared to what he's done in games like Golden Sun and even the Mario Sports series. Namco needs to give Go Shiina another go and see if Tales of Legendia was a one hit wonder or not.
Edit: And I've been trying to find out which song Tomorrow Will Surely Be Sunny / The Bird Chirps, I Sing were for ages! I knew how it went but couldn't figure out the names to find them.
Edit2: Is there a version with just the woman's vocals and not the guy's?
Edit: And I've been trying to find out which song Tomorrow Will Surely Be Sunny / The Bird Chirps, I Sing were for ages! I knew how it went but couldn't figure out the names to find them.
Edit2: Is there a version with just the woman's vocals and not the guy's?
Damn, Legend of Dragoon was fantastic. Seriously sad they didn't ever get around to making a sequel :(
as for the gba: Lunar Legend and Riviera are pretty good rpgs.
Medabots! Monkey Puncher!!! glen would definitely enjoy monkey puncher
as for the gba: Lunar Legend and Riviera are pretty good rpgs.
Medabots! Monkey Puncher!!! glen would definitely enjoy monkey puncher
The Story of Thor 2, also known as The Legend of Oasis. A little known action RPG on the Saturn.
Also on the Saturn, a game known in America as Blazing Heroes, but in PAL land it became Mystaria: the Realms of Lore. It is a Tactical RPG with a somewhat unique skill system, pretty fun.
Also on the Saturn, a game known in America as Blazing Heroes, but in PAL land it became Mystaria: the Realms of Lore. It is a Tactical RPG with a somewhat unique skill system, pretty fun.
Yes to whomever said Romancing saga 3 for the snes.
One of my favorite soundtracks. You get to choose from like over twenty characters for your party, some being a snowman or an elephant. You basically control what weapons they use and in the case of some characters like Muse, or a couple others you raise them however you want. Want them to be a big magic user. Then go nuts, how about only master axe skills? ok thats fine. addicting game.
In the Saga series thats amazing look up saga frontier 2 with graphics that are really unique with like this watercolor painted deal for backrounds(which is like one of the main braggin points for the game), music composed with a like classical music taste, and the customization feel of earlier Saga games. A great ps1 title. Seriously look at this track from one of its many battle themes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhpcDrmtlm4&feature=related
Ogre battle series (although tactics,which is well known especially for starting up final fantasy tactics with like the same director and pretty much the same battle system) ogre battle for SNES and Ogre Battle 64 ARE awesome.
I am honestly in love with Ogre Battle 64 with its branching little story changes, THE MANY customization deals you can have with all of the units. The MUSIC, and graphics are amazing for the 64 too.
In fact next to Chrono Cross its like one of my favorite RPGS.
Then lastly the huge underrated 64 title aidyn chronicles, the reason why its hated is because the first couple hours of the game is seriously a frustrating hell, your characters suck, and only one of them is actually going to help you and you go up against some really hard enemies, after that though you get into this game full of depth with a fun combat system many characters to recruit and some really really original elements.
Seriously look up these games they are fantastic (except for the first hours of aidyn chronicles, seriously play it without swearing).
One of my favorite soundtracks. You get to choose from like over twenty characters for your party, some being a snowman or an elephant. You basically control what weapons they use and in the case of some characters like Muse, or a couple others you raise them however you want. Want them to be a big magic user. Then go nuts, how about only master axe skills? ok thats fine. addicting game.
In the Saga series thats amazing look up saga frontier 2 with graphics that are really unique with like this watercolor painted deal for backrounds(which is like one of the main braggin points for the game), music composed with a like classical music taste, and the customization feel of earlier Saga games. A great ps1 title. Seriously look at this track from one of its many battle themes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhpcDrmtlm4&feature=related
Ogre battle series (although tactics,which is well known especially for starting up final fantasy tactics with like the same director and pretty much the same battle system) ogre battle for SNES and Ogre Battle 64 ARE awesome.
I am honestly in love with Ogre Battle 64 with its branching little story changes, THE MANY customization deals you can have with all of the units. The MUSIC, and graphics are amazing for the 64 too.
In fact next to Chrono Cross its like one of my favorite RPGS.
Then lastly the huge underrated 64 title aidyn chronicles, the reason why its hated is because the first couple hours of the game is seriously a frustrating hell, your characters suck, and only one of them is actually going to help you and you go up against some really hard enemies, after that though you get into this game full of depth with a fun combat system many characters to recruit and some really really original elements.
Seriously look up these games they are fantastic (except for the first hours of aidyn chronicles, seriously play it without swearing).
i haven't heard of most of these, but glen that soundtrack is ****ing amazing
I have to say, Tales of Legendia was quite disappointing to me -- poor story and poor characters (though the character quests somewhat remedied that). Coupled with archaic 2D battling, and I thought it was a pretty underwhelming game. Soundtrack, I'll agree was nice, but I can't recommend the game to anyone. Play the superior Tales of the Abyss instead!
Anyways, some of my favorite "niche" games would be
Valkyrie Profile (PSX): A stunning game, really. Fantastic characters, and great mythological settings.
Secret of Mana+Seiken Denestu 3 (SNES): The former was one of the first hack n' slash rpgs and a fine game to this date, and the latter offered so much variable gameplay in both playing style and character choices.
Tactics Ogre/Ogre Battle: Same story of games, different playing. The former is SRPG, the latter is a real time stategy. Tactics Ogre (SNES) is defined by just a great, dark story and characters -- it really defined the Job system familiar in other SRPGs like FFT and, like all Ogre games, had branching stories and routes. Ogre Battle was just a grander scale of games. Instead of controlling single characters, you controlled armies. A wonderful (although very slow paced) game.
Anyways, some of my favorite "niche" games would be
Valkyrie Profile (PSX): A stunning game, really. Fantastic characters, and great mythological settings.
Secret of Mana+Seiken Denestu 3 (SNES): The former was one of the first hack n' slash rpgs and a fine game to this date, and the latter offered so much variable gameplay in both playing style and character choices.
Tactics Ogre/Ogre Battle: Same story of games, different playing. The former is SRPG, the latter is a real time stategy. Tactics Ogre (SNES) is defined by just a great, dark story and characters -- it really defined the Job system familiar in other SRPGs like FFT and, like all Ogre games, had branching stories and routes. Ogre Battle was just a grander scale of games. Instead of controlling single characters, you controlled armies. A wonderful (although very slow paced) game.
I just finished playing Black Sigil for the DS. In spite of its numerous bugs and glitches, tedious random encounters and grossly imbalanced gameplay, I had a great time with it. I guess I'm a sucker for SNES-style graphics.
Baten Kaitos is a personal favorite of mine. Beautiful game.
The first time I entered the "world map" and heard this song playing before the rustic island of Sadal Suud (one of many floaty sky islands) and its backdrop of clouds, I melted like hot wax. Probably not the same out of context, though. :V
Fantastic soundtrack, though. Easily my favorite of what I've heard of Sakuraba's work, better than Golden Sun and way better than the Tales games. Plus the battle system's really engaging -- doesn't have a whole lot of depth, but by design it really holds your attention, more and more as the game progresses. Maybe sometime I'll write a full review for it. Ψ _Ψ
edit: Also features some notoriously bad voice acting!
Baten Kaitos is a personal favorite of mine. Beautiful game.
The first time I entered the "world map" and heard this song playing before the rustic island of Sadal Suud (one of many floaty sky islands) and its backdrop of clouds, I melted like hot wax. Probably not the same out of context, though. :V
Fantastic soundtrack, though. Easily my favorite of what I've heard of Sakuraba's work, better than Golden Sun and way better than the Tales games. Plus the battle system's really engaging -- doesn't have a whole lot of depth, but by design it really holds your attention, more and more as the game progresses. Maybe sometime I'll write a full review for it. Ψ _Ψ
edit: Also features some notoriously bad voice acting!
yes, both of those games are fantastic, i personally like origins more.
Ok now im getting into kinda more mainstream territory but I also recommend Shadow Hearts series, dont' know how obscure it is to you guys, it might actually be really popular, but yeah sweet soundtrack, and solid combat in the games.
This. FF is awesome :)
This. Persona is easily the best RPG series nobody has heard of.
Also, The World Ends With You. EVERYONE needs to play this game