Magical systems go hand in hand with most RPGs, or at least those based on fantasy adventures. For example, it can make a big difference in unlocking a new spell in classic games like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest. For the most part, spells are just spells and don't differ much in how they are implemented in RPGs.
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That is, except for the following RPG example. These magic systems go beyond caring about getting stronger spells for attack purposes. They might be able to increase stats, combine with other elements to create new attacks, and so on. For anyone looking for an interesting magic system to obsess over, these games offer plenty.
Final Fantasy 7
Trust Materia
Final Fantasy 7 allows characters to use magic if they have crystalline orbs called Materia, which come in different colored varieties. By equipping Materia with armor or weapons, characters can cast spells like Ice or Fire, but the other types are more supportive.
For example, blue Materia essentially changes how green Materia works, as combining Fire with All will cause the attack to hit all enemies. Pink Materia can affect stats, like HP; red Materia can summon monsters and yellow Materia can add new attack commands. The variety allows players to customize their characters more than in other RPGs.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Build on skills
Each character i Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 behaves differently in battle. Some characters can use magic while others rely on skills, but either way, most spells and skills react to each other. Lune is perhaps the best example, as her elemental magic requires the use of Stains, which are elemental orbs generated from other attacks.
Another character, Sciel, uses dark magic and tarot cards, with each attack or support skill increasing her maximum potential. Each character has a skill tree that players can flip and experiment with to find the best build to beat the competition.
Avowed
Infect the environment
Avowed
7/10
- Released
-
February 18, 2025
Avowed has a great magic system, as players don't need to build their character into a mage to use spells. Instead, they can find Grimoires to cast, which are limited, but still an interesting way to get players interested in magic.
Those who invest heavily in spells may find that the elements can affect the environment in cool ways that go beyond combat drills. For example, players can use ice magic to freeze paths on water, thus creating shortcuts, which is very useful for the first area.
Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow
Monster Mash
When players attack monsters in Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrowthey have a chance to absorb a monster's skill. Some skills are active and can be used as attacks, including a skeleton spear. Some skills allow players to move through the environment differently, such as getting a glide.
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And then there are skills that can affect stats. There aren't many strict spells in the game, but skills are essentially the magic here. It can be addictive to fight the same enemies on repeat just to see what skill can be unlocked next.
Chrono Trigger
By your powers combined
Chrono Triggers characters start with basic physical attacks, but once they reach the end of time, each character can learn an element to master. For example, Crono can get blizzard attacks while Marle can get ice attacks.
Learning spells also unlocks double and even triple attacks. For example, Lucca and Marle can combine fire and ice magic to form an explosive bomb. It might not be the deepest spell system, but the combo attacks definitely elevate this time-traveling RPG.
Persona 5
Demon Fusion
Persona 5and most of the rest Shin Megami Tensei game, rely on characters befriending monsters, or Persona in this case. IN Persona 5each party member is assigned a Persona that will level up and gain skills and spells.
The main character, best known as Ren in canon, can befriend more than one Persona, and with a fusion ability, players can mix and match magic to create the ultimate creatures. With a versatile set of spells, players can take advantage of enemy weaknesses more easily and thus gain extra turns in battle.
The legacy of Hogwarts
Flick and swish
The legacy of Hogwarts sounds Harry Potter fans live out their dreams as a student at Hogwarts. As they attend classes, they will learn new spells and alchemy techniques that will aid them as they explore the school grounds.
Spells go beyond typical RPG spells like simple fire and ice attacks, which Hogwarts Legacy's spells have more practical uses. Players can create lights, levitate objects, stun enemies, disarm enemies and so much more. The battles are more engaging thanks to trick commands, and the puzzle elements add interest to the exploration.
Immortal Aveum
Turn weapons into magic
Immortals of Aveum takes place in a world engulfed in a magical war. Instead of magically enhanced weapons, players equip different weapons and sigils to recreate classic weapon types from sniper rifles to rocket launchers.
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Each sigil players find can be improved, and there is a rarity for the loot they find. In addition to offensive spell-like weapon attacks, players can also create shields to block attacks and a whip to distract enemies, making Immortals of Aveum one of the most unique first-person shooters of all time with a bona fide magic system.
Dark Clouds 2
Monica's turn
Dark Clouds 2 features two playable characters, Monica and Max, and each has a variety of skills and weapons. Monica can equip bracelets of several variations to cast spells like fireballs, swords to deal melee damage, and leveling up equipment can lead to new attacks.
More curious, however, is her special, which allows her to collect medals from monsters. Once collected, she can then transform into that monster to perform its attacks, including magic. Of the two, Monica is the more magically gifted hero, as Max relies heavily on technology.
Final Fantasy 8
Drag!
Final Fantasy has too many good magic systems that it would be criminal to limit the list to just one. Final Fantasy 8 is beyond weird when it comes to all the mechanics in the game, including magic. Instead of characters learning spells by leveling up or items, they must draw them from monsters, which means absorbing spells.
If a character draws five Cure spells and uses one, that means they can only use Cure four more times unless they draw more resources. More importantly, Drawn spells can be equipped to stats to raise them in battle, but to do so the proper GFs must also be unlocked, which is this game's version of Summons. These systems are complex, but easy enough after practice.
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