Ever experienced one RPG that blows everyone else out of the water? This can be for several reasons, such as the story being bold and hard to put down, or the gameplay being stable and interactive. The available customization options can also be fun and inviting for anyone who likes to create their own experiences.
Then there are RPGs that go beyond the standards of classics like Final Fantasy 7, Persona 5, Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo 2and so on; game that is unlike anything else out there. They may have sequels that double down on those ideas, but overall they are completely original RPG that are must-plays or are so far out there that they have to be seen to be believed.
EVO: Search for Eden
Start from nothing
EVO: Search for Eden is an SNES action RPG that teaches players about the mysteries of evolution, albeit with a fast-forward approach to time. Players start as a small fish and, by attacking other aquatic creatures, can level up and evolve.
It's not as branched out as other SNES RPGs of the era, but the evolutionary benefits are wild to behold. There are even segments on land with dinosaurs and cavemen to look forward to, and it remains one of the most unique gaming experiences decades later.
Dark half
Light and dark side
- Developer: West One
- Publisher: Enix
- Released: May 31, 1996 (Japan Version)
- Platform: SNES
Dark half is another obscure SNES RPG, but this one has never been released outside of Japan. The game follows both the main antagonist and the hero, and players can switch between the two campaigns as each character battles the other.
It's a strange concept, and challenging too, as each action counts down to a meter, and if it reaches zero, it's Game Over. Thankfully, there's a fan translation for anyone curious to take on the challenge of this bizarre double-sided RPG.
Parasite Eve
Survival horror meets RPG
The Parasite Eve series is a trilogy of games, but the first is a unique experience from the other, more action-focused entries. As a New York City police officer, players will explore locations looking for Eve, a corrupt monster infecting the populace, and the all-time Christmas.
In combat, players can run around freely and then pause combat to fire their weapon or use a psychic ability. Ammo is limited, and their range is displayed in a dome, similar Vagrant Story's combat system. This collection of survival horror and classic turn-based combat Parasite Eve special in the genre to this day.
A thousand weapons
Doki Doki Blacksmith
A thousand weapons is a turn-based RPG and one of the few on PS1 to feature voiced dialogue and 2D anime-inspired combat. The star, Meis, is a blacksmith in training, but like his father, he requires love to make weapons.
Players must befriend and date their female party members, and depending on their band levels, they can make better upgrades to their gear. There are plenty of RPGs with dating mechanics, but not many with forging as the context they are based on.
Infinite space
Battle Stations!
Infinite space is one of the weirdest titles PlatinumGames has ever produced. It is presented as a visual novel set between the space battles, which are fought exclusively in ships. Players can customize their ship and place party members in areas during battle to man battle stations or perform repairs.
The battles are tough and players need to plan their strategies well. It's kind of like an anime version of Star Trek. Infinite space wasn't a huge hit when it launched on the DS in 2009, but perhaps more RPG fans would be ready to give it a shot today.
Breaking the fourth wall
There are many RPGs that break the fourth wall, from Grounded to Undertalebut Contact is on another level. Graphically and narratively, a professor exists in a 16-bit world, but he then lands in a more 3D environment in his spaceship.
An island boy decides to help the professor, and that's who the players will play as. They will explore beaches, caves, groves and so on, fight monsters and collect materials for the professor. In addition, the player himself has a role in the game, as the professor talks to them at regular intervals throughout the adventure. All in all, it's an amazing action RPG for the DS that really has no equal.
Little Town Hero
Imaaaaaagination
In addition Pokémonnot many Game Freak games have broken the mold, including Little Town Herowhich is perhaps one of their weirdest RPGs. Players are essentially guardians of their city, but they don't have to worry about fighting random hordes of enemies for EXP or traveling around on an epic quest. Instead, they stay behind, talking to NPCs in town and helping to prepare everyone for an impending, Kaiju-like presence.
As players fight the monster in town, players will use ideas which then go into attacks based on the information they have gathered. Imagine if MacGyver was a young anime boy who invented spot attacks to fight Godzilla. It is Little Town Hero briefly.
No one saves the world
The Blank Slate RPG
No one saves the world the stars are a literal nobody, a shell of a person with no personality or purpose in life until one day they are given a wand and forced into a mission to save a beloved wizard. The overworld map and dungeon layout are reminiscent of one Zelda experience, except with a very bizarre twist: with the wand, players can level up various animal and human forms, which act as classes.
Some of these classes are ready for combat, like the archer, while others are more for exploration, like the rat. As strange as it sounds, No one saves the world is convincing alone or with a partner.
