RPG Franchises That Need To Return
View Large ImageBefore I begin, I think it goes without saying that when I implore developers to bring back certain role-playing franchises, I don't want to see action games. I want an effing RPG. And you can mess with the turn-based if you must, but it better still retain some semblance of turn-based strategy. Oh, and want these on a console, damnit.
Suikoden
Where the hell is my Suikoden VI? I'm probably not alone when I say this ranks second on my all-time favorite RPG franchise list (only behind Final Fantasy); Konami always gave us great stories and characters, and those 108 Stars of Destiny...my God, how addictive was that? I just couldn't rest until I got 'em all! Plus, while it was always turn-based, they tweaked a bit in the latter installments; for instance, in Suikoden V, your position during encounters had an impact. Then there were those larger strategy-based, war-like segments that shook things up a bit.
If there's one RPG I want to see return from the ashes, it's this one.
Secret of Mana/Legend of Mana
Most really don't put the PlayStation's Legend of Mana in the same category as Secret of Mana, the classic RPG on the SNES. Indeed, the two gameplay styles were completely different. That being said, I'd like to see anything with "Mana" in the title. I'm not entirely sure how developers would approach the gameplay just because Secret and Legend were so vastly different; maybe they could try a hybrid mechanic of some sort, like the one in Final Fantasy XII. Role-playing fanatics have been begging for a new Mana for a very long time now, and I think it's long past time Square Enix delivered. Announce one and watch the fans return...
Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross
Two of the greatest RPGs of all time; where's more Chrono? There was a rumor for several years that said "Chrono Break" was in the works but that project never materialized and since that time, we've heard nothing about another Chrono entry. One of the most appealing elements of Chrono Cross was the huge cast of characters, most all of which were playable, and many of which required you to be a crafty recruiter. And I loved the colorful, gorgeous atmosphere and well-written story. And oh yeah, make sure we get to time travel. I want that back.
Legend of Legaia
I really don't like fighting games, but the idea of selecting various attacks to form special combos in an RPG really got me. The second one, Legaia 2: Duel Saga was one of my favorite RPGs of the PS2 generation; it was just so much fun to find new Arts, and the traditional world design was just fantastic. I don't remember the storylines in either title being all that memorable, but they weren't bad and besides, I never ever got tired of random encounters in that game. And yeah, I cheated a little once...I looked up the combinations for the Super and Miracle Arts so I'd know them ahead of time. So sue me.
Vagrant Story
I really don't know why they don't try another title, as this was an action/RPG that actually might translate well to today's faster-paced environment. I really thought I wouldn't like the "action" part of this game but they did it so damn well - and I could still pause combat, which is crucial in my eyes - that I was instantly hooked. The story and writing was also spectacular and if I remember correctly, this was one of the first games that gave the player a lot of incentive to re-play the adventure. Didn't your character advancement transfer over to the new game+? And then you could just keep powering up? At any rate, this game ruled.
Wild ARMs
This is the only series on the list that sort of went downhill; it started great a good 15 years ago. The original Wild ARMs was one of the first great RPGs on the PlayStation (along with Suikoden). I really liked the second and third ones, too, but things started to degrade after that. There were different developers involved and the series really lost its sense of identity. I kind of liked the Western theme in WA3 and I was also a big fan of assembling a party early, and sticking with that same group throughout. It really made you care about the characters, you know? Given the right team, I think another Wild ARMs could be great.
I'm sure there are many others but these are the most pressing, I'd say. :)
6/24/2011 Ben Dutka
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Comments (65 posts)
Claire C
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 11:36:21 PM
What'd that Pepsi ever do to those Coca-cola's?
Last edited by Claire C on 6/24/2011 11:38:44 PM
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Riku994
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:55:53 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 10:22:00 PM
3 up, 1 down
Claire C
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 11:58:29 PM
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Draguss
Sunday, June 26, 2011 @ 12:35:46 PM
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VampDeLeon
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:32:48 PM
Reply
Last edited by VampDeLeon on 6/24/2011 9:33:57 PM
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cLoudou
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:36:51 PM
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2 up, 0 down
SayWord
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:38:04 PM
1 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:48:47 PM
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cLoudou
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 1:13:01 AM
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Underdog15
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 8:58:43 AM
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Underdog15
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 9:11:07 AM
This site's review of it failed though. :p
Don't worry Ben. It wasn't you.
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SayWord
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:37:17 PM
Reply
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Lawless SXE
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:49:03 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 11:13:21 PM
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Riku994
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:57:05 PM
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2: We need another entry in the LoD saga. It probably won't happen, but I'll hope for it every day of my life.
2 up, 0 down
Claire C
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 11:41:02 PM
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godsman
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:57:19 PM
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Dreno
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 10:24:38 PM
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And I think I've only ever tried wild arms2 but from what I remember it was pretty cool.
I've played secret of mana for the snes that game rocks.
I'm gonna agree though, with the person who said they would just like more traditional rpgs this gen. ( don't remember who it was and my comment scroll things not working on my phone right meow. )
I just really hope we get more rpgs. They seem so few and far between its rather depressing.
OH, id would LOVE to see more .hack games. That would be friggin sweet.
1 up, 0 down
zork
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 10:28:52 PM
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1 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 10:49:19 PM
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Yep, been playing that one myself.
I'm not too far but I just did a Imperial vs. Liberation Army battle. Good stuff.
The game can be pretty micro management intensive with items and equipment etc., but I sort of like how much direct control it allows you in that respect.
I'm also pretty impressed by the scripting. In fact, I'd say, for their time, they're scripted better than even FFVII... yeah, I went there.
Graphics aren't as good, that's for dang sure.
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AnonWTF
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 10:57:13 PM
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Last edited by AnonWTF on 6/24/2011 11:00:10 PM
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Highlander
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 11:14:22 PM
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3 up, 0 down
Drake_RB3
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 11:17:17 PM
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Thought the story was better in the first Legaia.
Would love a next-gen Suikoden. I and II are classics. V had some flaws but went back to its roots.
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Claire C
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 11:54:11 PM
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I'm the least fimiliar with Suikoden and Wild Arms. Are they more SRPG like FF Tactics or tradition JRPG?
On another topic, they should do HD Remakes/Collections of Xenosaga 1-3, Shadow Hearts 1-3, Final Fantasy X-X2-XII, and maybe Shin Megami Tensei (Persona? Devil Summoner?).
=^.^=
Last edited by Claire C on 6/24/2011 11:55:27 PM
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cLoudou
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 1:16:23 AM
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Fane1024
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 3:37:54 AM
While we're wishing, can we get Suikoden II on PSN, please?
Last edited by Fane1024 on 6/25/2011 3:42:30 AM
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shadowscorpio
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 3:24:36 AM
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YenooR
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 4:08:32 AM
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marcusfrommo
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 5:02:57 AM
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Oh, and take dragon quest from nintendo please.
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Ludakriss
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 5:17:55 AM
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Shikoro
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 10:13:24 AM
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rowdy
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 6:06:50 AM
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Also, one thing thing in its favour is that if it did evolve into a true action/RPG (like everything seems to), then it could still retain some of its character, especially compared to the others on this list.
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Excelsior1
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 8:22:06 AM
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Underdog15
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 9:03:25 AM
"A classic JRPG with the usual pros and cons. Too much unnecessary running and cumbersome combat preparations"
it's hard for me to make my own conclusions yet. I'm gonna want to see what this site says, I think. lol
Last edited by Underdog15 on 6/25/2011 9:03:43 AM
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Dreno
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 9:10:55 AM
I loved the first one, look at the reveiws it got.
I know ill love wkc2 more.
Besides, been waiting ALONG time for it.
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Claire C
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 11:36:32 AM
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Teddie9
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 1:03:47 PM
P.S I miss Arnold, The most memorable excerpt from said review "One major online site says WKC is worth a 5.1 - and that's absolutely moronic, because a 5.1 is practically unplayable. And unplayable this game is not..."
Last edited by Teddie9 on 6/25/2011 1:05:15 PM
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Lawless SXE
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 8:51:50 PM
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___________
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 8:39:21 AM
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loved playing that game, in fact probably the only game to ever come close to the pokemon classics!
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shindelion
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 10:28:44 AM
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GuyverLT
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 10:51:22 AM
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GuyverLT
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 10:50:02 AM
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Hey you know what Ben since the PSVita is coming out this would be a perfect opportunity to bring some of those back for the handheld..... OR a console version... Either one is fine I guess.
Last edited by GuyverLT on 6/25/2011 10:55:47 AM
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Claire C
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 11:40:04 AM
=<.<=
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GuyverLT
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 3:24:50 PM
Those games would be perfect for the handheld.
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shindelion
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 11:16:27 AM
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A2K78
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 4:22:25 PM
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Its no rumor, but a mistranslation, but at this point DQX is obviously for the Wii.
In regards to the Wii U though, SE obviously looking to expand FF to the plaform which leads me to think that SE intends to take the franchise multiplaform in a big way.
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dmiitrie
Sunday, June 26, 2011 @ 2:17:49 AM
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My only issue was that the battle system could be a little (or sometimes VERY) annoying at times. Instead of a Final Fantasy-esque ATB system where you would pick a characters action and then they would do it, you had to pick your entire party's actions at the beginning of the round and then they (and the enemies) would go in order of their speed.
But with turn-based being all but abandoned, I'm sure that would be a moot point. Still, I'd love to see more stories set in that world with today's tech.
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Araknai
Sunday, June 26, 2011 @ 10:56:08 AM
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berserk
Sunday, June 26, 2011 @ 11:02:37 AM
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Maybe i failed to understand something but Vagrant story should not be in you re list then.
Anyway , i agree will all you re choice but i ll rather see another breath of fire then most of those .
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Jotun
Sunday, June 26, 2011 @ 2:19:25 PM
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shiroxkatsuya
Sunday, June 26, 2011 @ 8:04:16 PM
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smileys_007
Monday, June 27, 2011 @ 10:00:00 AM
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Underdog15
Monday, June 27, 2011 @ 10:10:05 AM
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GamerO1
Monday, June 27, 2011 @ 12:24:52 PM
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Arc the Lad
Breath of Fire
Cosmic Fantasy - TG16 CD (Seriously One of the Best !!!)
Dragon Slayer - TG16 CD (More of an ARPG)
Fire Emblem (SRPG)
Grandia
Legend of Legaia
Lufia
Lunar
Persona
Phantasy Star
SaGa Frontier
Secret of Mana
Shining Force (SRPG)
Star Ocean
Suikoden
Tales of ...
Vandal Hearts
Wild Arms
Xenosaga
These need to get "Back to the Basics", Not Today's Garbage:
• Dragon Warrior/Quest
• Final Fantasy
Not a Series - But I Loved'm !!!:
• Mystaria - Saturn (SRPG)
• Vay - Sega CD (SRPG)
2 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Reply
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 9:31:48 PM
As for Mana games, I'm pretty sure there was a Mana game released late in the PS2 lifetime.