Summary
The PS4 succeeded the PS3 when it launched in 2013. Unlike the PS3 which struggled to create a fast library of classic RPGs, the PS4 seemingly had an easier time. Some of the best RPGs on the system include the remake ofFinal Fantasy 7which blew away expectations.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntbrought the series to a new audience and exploded the fan base.Bloodborneis the only exclusive Soulslike experience via FromSoftware that fans are still talking about and the list goes on. These are all great RPGs but what are some of the lesser-known RPGs from the early years of the system? It’s time to give these games a renewed spotlight.
Child of Lightwas made using the UbiArt engine at Ubisoft. The UbiArt project specialized in 2D games with hand-drawn aesthetics whichtheRaymanrebootswere a part of. Instead of a platformer like theRaymangames,Child of Lightwas an RPG.
It followed a young girl in a mysterious land who was trying to bring light back to it, hence the name. Gameplay was turn-based and players could see the order of turns. A well-timed attack could interrupt enemies though, so there was a bit of strategy involved as well. It never got a sequel despite its relatively good review scores.
Citizens of Earth
Citizens of Earthwas a smaller indie game that was trying to bring backEarthBound.EarthBound-like RPGs havea very distinct feel to them from the turn-based combat to the battle windows and commands to the wacky enemies. For example, a common enemy in the game were protestors.
Players were a politician trying to become the leader of the planet, one vote at a time. It did its best with the comedy, but not every joke landed. It got close to emulating that EarthBound vibe overall but it didn’t quite hit it out of the park. It did well enough to get two sequels though. Who has played them?
Fat Princess Adventures
Fat Princess Adventuresis a spinoff from the main game that no one probably even knew existed. The original game was a PS3 exclusive that pitted red and blue teams against each other. It was a capture-the-flag concept with some tower-defense elements wherein players had to kidnap the other castle’s princess, feed her cake, and make her heavy enough so that it was hard for the opposing team to bring her back to base.
This spinoff instead was adungeon crawler RPG. There was still an emphasis on multiplayer, but the princess part of the equation was smaller. It was a fine enough early dungeon crawler on PS4, but it did not evolve the genre. Sometimes all one needs is a good group of friends and a dungeon calling their name to have a good time.
Hand of Fateis a strange hybrid of card games, RPGs, and choose-your-own adventures. The game begins with the player-created character sitting down with a mysterious masked stranger who then proceeds to create an adventure. Everything is represented by cards including equipment, gold, food supplies, and so on. Even the map is made up of face-down cards.
When players get into battle, the game switches to a 3D-action RPG in small arenas. Characters can attack with their equipped weapon, dodge, block, and use special moves that build up over time. Playing it feels like a cross betweenOregon Trailand getting into a virtualDungeons and Dragonssession. Players need a lot of luck to survive, but given time, they’ll get the hang of it. While a bit more obscure, it did at least get a sequel.
Toukiden: Kiwamiwas a remaster ofToukiden: The Age of Demonswhich was a portable game. It was made by Omega Force within Koei Tecmo who is most known for theDynasty Warriorsfranchise. While there is plenty of hacking and slashing in this game, it’s not as mindless. It’s one of those types of games that is better in multiplayer and a lot easier too.
Toukiden: Kiwamiinstead was aMonster Hunterclone, set in Japan with an emphasis on classic demons. Kill giant boss-like monsters, get materials, upgrade gear, and carry on. It was a decent albeit familiar gameplay loop that generated a sequel along with Omega Force’s spiritual sequel to this concept,Wild Hearts. That game will probably carry on the legacy, but one never knows.
Transistoris one of Supergiant Games’ forgotten titles. AfterHadescame out, most of their past library of games kind of became irrelevant because of how explosive that game was. Hades will be the first game in their history to get a direct sequel which should say something. Transistor though wasa turn-based RPGstarring a female singer in a futuristic society.
She was aided by her talking sword which narrated her adventures just like the narrator in Supergiant Games’ first title,Bastion.Transistorwas a hard-as-nails RPG if players weren’t careful with their movements. It may be forgotten, but it’s never too late to unearth an old game to revitalize its wonder.
