RPG
Here we have all the games in the RPG Section.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Link dons on his drivers gloves and takes control of a steam train to travel through the exquisite lands full of colour and the Eastern European graphics that work so well on the format. Plenty of battles await, as do Densha De Go style passenger drops where the track signals must be rigorously observed. A few monsters still lurk in dank dungeons and conquering them adds new abilities to Links growing repertoire. Known as Spirit Tracks in the West.
Nintendo 64
RPG
Chasing after chickens, playing musical instruments, leaping across chasms, horse riding, target shooting… Such an eagerly awaited link in the chain and amazingly able to live up to expectations and even exceed them. A lesson in game design from start to finish. Cinematic in its execution, always emotive.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Link continues with his revamped, Eastern European look, but thankfully gameplay remains true to the series deep roots and its a real joy to savour its sweet embrace.
Super Famicom
RPG
Charming RPG that allows players to traverse its many terrains in groups and has off-beat character designs. The graphical effects are impressive to convey the magic spells or even the flight of a dragon across its gaming world. The musical score is top notch too and overall the game very much has its own feel. Also known as Paladins Quest in the West.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Truly wonderful Japanese RPG following the Lunar series with lush anime interludes and great sprite based graphics. Reminiscent of Miyazaki’s fine work.
Playstation
RPG
Advanced RPG engine in that every action in game has an effect on the overall quest, even seemingly insignificant events. Players have full control over their destiny as the game starts you off in a random section of the immense gaming world. This allows RPG-ers to express their own personality: be it peace loving or belligerent. Very impressive levels of freedom for a home console.
Game Gear
RPG
The final release of the four part series on the Game Gear never made it overseas and always seems in high demand from collectors. It is based on part A of the A.R.S. PC versions, yet the story has been re-jigged. Yet its not just down to coming late in the handhelds cycle that this instalment is in demand: Compiles composed hand and slick presentation is present throughout as it guides you by the hand through its 3D dungeons like a kind Carbuncle. The Bakeshon of the title is a pun on the Japanese pronunciation English word vacation, with “bake” meaning ghost…
GameBoy Advance
RPG
Koei has done a fabulous job in miniaturising its Chinese Warring Period Sangoku series to the smaller screen with the smooth, silky interface working a treat in this fantasy RPG. The chip tunes are cheery and the pixelized characters are easy to get attached to, such is their fine design.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Lucious pastal shaded anime adventure springs to life on the Saturn. Painstakingly detailed sprite world with vibrant cut scenes from the popular Lunar world.
PS2
RPG
Not quite the charter granted by King John to acknowledge rights and roles, yet it does get a mention as the power that can overcome all others in this fantasy RPG. Players roam the lands with female characters taking a strong lead as the in game artists show us their fair hand with some beautiful work.
Super Famicom
RPG
A seemingly everyday kid setting to this RPG, if it wasn’t for the legions of fly crossed with men like adversaries. Things quickly get more and more bizarre as Genki is reaching for the Helen McCarthy guide to the cultural references.
Sega Saturn
RPG
A psychological thriller in the mould of ‘D’ with disturbingly realistic rendered graphics and an equally unsettling, in a Silent Hill manner, plot. Subtitle translates as The Reason You Were Born.
Nintendo 3DS
RPG
Bowser comes to the fore as Mario & Luigi negotiate through his body whilst Bowser himself happily romps around terra firma. Colourful, clear graphics help eagle eyed players spot the key to progress. Lashing of the Big N, triple-A polish.
Nintendo 64
RPG
Follows up the spankingly good Paper Mario combining it skilfully with RPG elements to delve deeper into the colourful Mario world. The balance is just right for those who like their RPG action to be kept fairly simple without too many treks to remote caves to light a lantern all beautifully coated in Nintendo’s saccharine sweetness.
Nintendo 64
RPG
Follows up the spankingly good Paper Mario combining it skilfully with RPG elements to delve deeper into the colourful Mario world. The balance is just right for those who like their RPG action to be kept fairly simple without too many treks to remote caves to light a lantern all beautifully coated in Nintendo’s saccharine sweetness.
Super Famicom
RPG
A lesser known masterpiece from the Big N that sadly never made it to the West. Based on a mythical treasure chest known as Marvellous, the player takes on the challenge of locating it with a team of young lads. Each has their own merit such as being nippy and able to squeeze through gaps, or being strong and able to lift large boulders or tall and able to reach high spots. Unfortunately a band of rogue pirates are also in pursuit of the treasure too. Brilliantly carried out with that Nintendo child like charming view of the world. Before long you’ll be drawn in and think nothing of chatting to chimps in underground caves…
Famicom Cart
RPG
Konami shows it class in this action RPG that features possessed hot-dogs and witches set to a skeleton background. Full of those slick touches that announced this company will make gaming waves.
GameBoy Color
RPG
Pretty little sprites in the classic Japanese RPG style to accompany the card based combat.
XBOX
RPG
Space-age style, dank, metallic dungeons reminiscent of Kileak the Blood back on the Playstation in terms of its setting. Players explore RPG style before tackling opponents in well-presented isometric way.
Super Famicom
RPG
Max and his war weary pals once again must all they can manage in the face of some unusual mechanical foes. A tank certainly helps cover explored terrain rapidly. And the combat remains as catchy as ever in this highly polished sequel.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Set in a myopic future where man has a created a computer to solve the seemingly inevitable environmental destruction yet unfortunately the computer has decided to destroy mankind is the solution to the problem. Very stylish setting with a gritty, apocalyptic feel to proceedings as players travel from town to town battling monsters to earn welcomed cash. Luckily there are stores that can be visited advertising the various rewards on offer for the capture of the most heinous monsters – dead or alive.
GameBoy Color
RPG
With a graphical look of Mother/Earthbound combined with adversaries to fight looking like extras from Rockman/Megaman, its easy to see why Metal Walker is a cherished part of Capcom’s back catalogue. Innocent RPG gaming from a simpler era of gaming.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Incredibly emotive chip tunes that strum the heart strings in this fine specimen of a Famicom RPG. Taito have done an excellent job of keeping the sprites cute, but to scale so that a vast world can be explored. The boat makes traversing the world a real pleasure. Square may have grumbled on seeing the results, yet what better a company to model your fantasy RPG on? And Taito have put their own twist on the combat with shooting as opposed to number crunching against adversaries. Subtitled Ragon no Fukkatsu.
PSP
RPG
Keeps up the series impeccable presentation with the cute characters, over the top reactions to success or defeat and some devilishly designed courses looking ever so stunning on the small screen. You can almost feel the sun on your back teeing off on a sunny day with the birds singing. Thankfully includes a putting practise mode to hone your skills on. Best shots can be saved too a la Virtua Striker allowing you to show off your eagle. Perfect way to whittle away long journeys. Known also by its English name of Everybody’s Golf.
Sega Saturn
RPG
An investigative RPG sees you as Inspector Minton scrounging for clues as to why the murder took place.
Playstation
RPG
Konami’s cult Mirumo world looking mighty fine on the Playstation with four adventure quests to savour full of brightly drawn fairies, luscious green backdrops and plinky plonky chip tunes matched and blended perfectly to the in quest action.
PC Engine CD ROM
RPG
Very cute and cartoony Hudson developed RPG starring a little dragon that grows as you gain experience into a bigger, beastly brute.
GameBoy Color
RPG
Play as monster trainer Kabin who has been called to restore order to the monsters running rampage throughout the Iraldi Kingdom. Armed with a torch you hunt down these naughty beasts before tackling them. But bolster your power before taking on the worst fiends.
GameBoy Advance
RPG
Nintendo demonstrates its lighter side in this Japanese tongue in cheek take off of the RPG obsession amongst gamers. Set in America with unique, cartoon-like graphics reminiscent of Charlie Brown and his chums. Known as Earthbound in the West.
GameBoy Advance
RPG
Set in a Japanese high school where Tokyo is experiencing a few strange goings on since the arrival of alien invaders. Plenty of slick cut scenes as you’d expect being based on an NHK anime. Lots of fun, bizarre mini games too. Known in Japanese as Gakuen Senki Muryo.