5 Perfect Turn-Based RPGs That Nobody Remembers

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Man, finding a new RPG is tough, especially when it comes to the combat. I mean, if you’re really into the flashy, all-out battles in Persona 5, you might not enjoy something super action-packed. And even if you love challenging games like Dark Souls, sometimes you just want to chill and play a turn-based RPG where you can really think things through. It’s all about finding what clicks, you know?

While games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have achieved great success, many other fantastic turn-based RPGs haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. These often-overlooked titles all feature engaging, strategic combat that challenges players to think carefully, but they remain relatively unknown despite their quality.

Lost Odyssey Was Made By the Creator of Final Fantasy

If things were just, Lost Odyssey would be considered among the greatest RPGs of the 21st century. Created with contributions from Hironobu Sakaguchi – the mind behind Final Fantasy – the game centers on a group of immortals struggling with memory loss as they journey through an evolving world.

The story and memorable characters in Lost Odyssey stand out from most fantasy role-playing games. While the combat uses a classic turn-based system, it’s made more engaging by unique elements. For example, attacks and spells have different speeds, encouraging players to prioritize quick actions when necessary.

When Lost Odyssey came out in 2007, it was only available on the Xbox 360, which likely limited its success. There weren’t many JRPG fans on that console, and the game sold fewer than a million copies globally. Unfortunately, Lost Odyssey remains exclusive to the Xbox 360, but hopefully it will become available on Steam and reach a larger audience in the future.

Crystal Project Is the Ultimate Sandbox RPG

While some RPG players care most about a compelling story, others focus on how the game plays. Crystal Project is ideal for those who love gameplay, offering a sandbox experience where you can freely experiment and optimize your character however you like.

Crystal Project offers players a lot of freedom in how they play. You can enjoy a classic RPG experience focused on fighting monsters, or dive deeper into the game’s many features. You can even tame creatures and explore a vast world full of hidden secrets and mysteries.

If you enjoy turn-based RPGs with lots of character classes, Crystal Project is a great option. It has a huge variety of classes and subclasses to unlock, letting you spend hours creating the perfect team. While the story is simple, the game’s engaging gameplay is likely to keep many players hooked.

Chained Echoes Brings 16-Bit RPGs Into the Modern Age

Chained Echoes is clearly inspired by classic RPGs like Chrono Trigger and the Final Fantasy series, feeling like a tribute to those games while still forging its own path. Developed mainly by a single person, Matthias Linda, this indie RPG is set in a fantasy world with a unique system of reincarnation, which allows for deep and thought-provoking storytelling.

Battles in Chained Echoes feel like a modern take on classic combat from games on the SNES and PlayStation 1. A unique feature, the Overdrive Meter, adds a layer of strategy to every fight. When the meter is high, your attacks are stronger and special moves cost less. However, when it’s low, your characters become more vulnerable to damage.

Towards the end of Chained Echoes, players get to control powerful mechs, significantly boosting their team’s abilities. The game is remarkably well-designed, constantly introducing fresh tools and skills that keep the gameplay engaging and exciting throughout the entire experience.

Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu Is the Most Underrated PS1 Game Ever

It’s a shame that many gamers who grew up in the ’90s haven’t discovered Jade Cocoon. This PlayStation 1 game features a world teeming with insect-like creatures that players can catch and use for battles or to create useful items. You can even combine these creatures to make even stronger monsters.

Okay, so Jade Cocoon gets compared to Pokémon a lot, but honestly, it’s way different. It’s got this really cool, almost gloomy vibe, and the story is surprisingly deep – it really focuses on the characters. The battles are pretty straightforward, turn-based stuff, but where the game gets interesting is with the monster breeding. It’s not just about catching ’em all; you’re constantly trying out different breeding combinations to build the perfect team, which adds a lot of strategy.

While not a huge hit at the time, Jade Cocoon did well enough to get a sequel on the PlayStation 2, though it’s largely forgotten now. What really makes it stand out is its beautiful art, created by Katsuya Kondoh, a character designer from Studio Ghibli, which still looks fantastic today. This makes it a uniquely interesting RPG from the 1990s.

Radiant Historia Desperately Needs a Switch 2 Remake

Radiant Historia feels like the RPG that fans wanted after playing Chrono Cross – a true follow-up to Chrono Trigger. First released on the Nintendo DS in 2011, the game lets players travel through different timelines to alter history and prevent a devastating future.

Similar to Chrono Trigger, Radiant Historia features several endings, rewarding players for trying different approaches. Battles happen on a grid, where you can’t move your characters, but you can still use strategy by maneuvering enemies around the battlefield.

Radiant Historia was originally remade in 2017 with an expanded version, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology, released on the 3DS. The game remains excellent, and a version for the Switch could finally give it the recognition it deserves by introducing it to a new generation of players. Its time-traveling story is as compelling as ever.

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2026-02-20 07:14