Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition (Switch eShop)
From its opening moments upon a prison ship bound for Fort Joy to non-stop adventures that take you across the high seas to the Reaper’s Coast, Nameless Isle and beyond, Divinity: Original Sin 2 simply dazzles. In its seemingly endless parade of well-written characters, hilarious narration, deep and rewarding physics-based combat and the myriad ways in which it allows to you to engage and toy and with its systems, this is a truly epic RPG that revels in choice more than any other that’s come before it. It takes the old-school isometric style of Baldur’s Gate, layers it with an unparalleled level of attention to detail and fuses it with a thoroughly modern take on meaningful player decisions, resulting in one of the greatest role-playing games available on any platform; and it’s all here, present and correct on a portable console.
Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Editions (Switch)
Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Editions aren't magical ground-up reworkings or spectacular remasters; these are games that are showing their age in many ways and there’s no doubt that some of the more recent tributes to the glory days of the Infinity Engine – games such as Divinity: Original Sin 2 or Pillars of Eternity – are, in many ways, more readily accessible and appealing to modern audiences. However, these are still classics of the genre that are absolutely worth persisting with. Once you get to grips with some of their more antiquated ways you’ll be handsomely rewarded with some of the deepest combat, best writing, voice-acting and characters you’re likely to find in the genre.
A special mention should also go to Planescape: Torment & Icewind Dale Enhanced Edition, another strong showing from Beamdog that sees a real odd couple of classics in the best shape they've maybe ever been, coupled with a control system designed for consoles that makes them as effortless to play on the move as they are sat at a keyboard and mouse. Icewind Dale is probably as good as old-school combat ever got and is still an absolute gem for fans of epic dungeon-crawling who don't mind the brutal difficulty involved in getting the hang of its action. Planescape: Torment, on the other hand, is a narrative masterclass which still feels fresh as a daisy and is as bizarre, funny and endlessly replayable as it's ever been. Together, these two make for a pretty essential addition to your Switch's RPG library if you can't get enough of Infinity Engine classics on Switch.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (Switch)
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is an experience unlike any other on the Switch, expertly blending standard RPG tropes with a heartwarming story, innovative art style, and an immersive soundtrack composed by some of the best in the business. In more ways than one, this is a ‘dream project’ that’s very existence is a gift to fans of the genre the world over. That said, it also notably falls short of being an undisputed masterpiece, as pacing issues and shoddy AI drag down an otherwise pitch perfect experience. Those issues aside, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch still proves to be lightyears ahead of many other RPGs. If you consider yourself a fan of the genre – or even if you’re just looking to get your feet wet – you owe it to yourself to give Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch a shot.
Pokémon Sword and Shield (Switch)
Pokémon Sword and Shield succeed in bringing some new ideas to the table, although there are areas where it could be pushed further. What’s done right is done right, but there are also elements that feel like they've come from a decade-old design document. There are moments contained within that are the best the series has ever been, but this joy is ocasionally spoiled by contrasting moments that left us disappointed. It's an experience full of highs and lows, from the unadulterated wonder and joy of seeing a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium full of cheering crowds, to the monotonous and dragged-out dialogue we just wanted to skip. The wonders of exploring the Wild Area feel like the true evolution of the series.
On the whole, Pokémon Sword and Shield are a very solid start to the HD generation of Pokémon games, although there's some room for improvement with the next outing, too.
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The Alliance Alive HD Remastered (Switch)
Nearly two years on from its initial release, The Alliance Alive HD Remastered proves to be a perfectly competent port of an already fantastic handheld game. A well-written story, a smartly interwoven and complex system of gameplay mechanics, and a distinctive visual style makes this a no-brainer for anybody looking for a consistently high-quality RPG experience on their Switch. It may feel a little simple, given its origins on the 3DS, but don’t make the mistake of passing up on The Alliance Alive HD Remastered, it’s well worth your time.
Rune Factory 4 Special (Switch)
There’s something here for everyone in Rune Factory 4 Special, but its greatest strength is how it ties together everything into one thoroughly enjoyable package. Varied gameplay, strong writing, and an emphasis on progressing at your own pace make this one of the best farm sim games available on the Switch to date. We’d give this one a high recommendation to anyone looking for an engaging yet undemanding game for their Switch. the new features do little to justify the cost of entry for those who have already played it on the 3DS, but on Switch Rune Factory 4 Special proves itself to be a modern classic that melds farming and combat into a beautiful RPG experience.
Collection of Mana (Switch)
What you've got here are two of the finest examples of the genre, accompanied by a third likeable entry which is also well worth a look. When you consider how many titles Konami is packing into its Anniversary Collection packages – and that their retail price is almost half what Square Enix is demanding for the three games included here – it's impossible to not question the value of Collection of Mana. However, there's no denying the fact that Secret of Mana is one of the finest console RPGs of all time, and even though it's readily available elsewhere, playing it on Switch is like wrapping yourself up in a warm and familiar blanket; it's just right somehow. We could argue that Secret of Mana is merely the appetiser for the real star of this collection: Trials of Mana. It's nothing short of a masterpiece and finally getting the chance to play it officially in English is a landmark moment for SNES and RPG fans alike.
Trials of Mana (Switch)
A 3D remake of the Super Famicom title included in the collection above, Trials of Mana proves itself to be a successful revival of a lost classic, smartly infusing new design and content where necessary while still maintaining the spirit of the original. Multi-threaded storylines, an enjoyable combat system and flexible character progression combine to make this one a fantastic experience from start to finish, even if occasional performance problems hinder the experience somewhat. We’d give Trials of Mana a high recommendation to RPG fans and newcomers alike; there’s plenty here to love for both camps, and we hope that this release could act as a blueprint for future entries in the Mana series.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III (Switch)
Trails of Cold Steel III is another excellent addition to a franchise that gains so much of what makes it absorbing from the huge amount of background detail and world-building that's been achieved in earlier entries in the series. Newcomers should be aware that taking the time out to play Trails of Cold Steel I and II is advised to get the absolute maximum amount of enjoyment out of this one but, even if you're jumping in fresh, there's still plenty to love here once you find your feet. With a massive cast of well-written characters and tons of excellent combat and exploration spread across its epic running time, this is a top-notch addition to the Switch's library of JRPGs.
Moero Crystal H (Switch eShop)
Moero Crystal H is a saucy dungeon crawler that parents should note is most definitely not one for the kids! It is, however, an outstanding dungeon crawler that combines the light-hearted, sexy, character-centric comedy of harem anime with deep combat and progression mechanics, plus a healthy dose of dating sim for good measure.
Unlike other games in the genre, it respects the player’s time with quality-of-life features such as adjustable speed controls for both combat and exploration as well as a helpful autopilot mode – though it would have been nice to also see an option to save and recall party lineups and load-outs. It’s beautifully presented, too, with delightful animated Live2D characters, gorgeous (if infrequent) event images and incredibly catchy music. Most importantly, though, it plays well – and provides enough content in both its main story and endgame to keep even the most avid RPG fan busy for hundreds of hours.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (Switch)
Simply put, there’s almost nothing one can reasonably complain about with Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. It's an already-excellent JRPG that has been improved in nearly every conceivable way, short of a complete reimagining. On top of the fantastic story, enjoyable combat, and incredible world design, Monolith Soft has included an entirely new epilogue story arc while improving upon and polishing up nearly everything in the base game, from progression systems to visuals to UI design. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is easily one of the greatest RPGs available on the Switch to date, and will no doubt stand the test of time. It goes without saying that if you were ever a fan of the original or of RPGs in general you absolutely must get this game for your collection as soon as you reasonably can. Even if you wouldn’t consider yourself a fan, we would still strongly encourage you to think about adding this one to your collection, as this is the standard against which most RPGs should be judged.
Not a bad ol' collection, is it? Think there's something missing? As always, share your thoughts in the comments.
This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games , the Best Free Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Visual Novels, Fighting Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Run and Gun Games, Sports Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-builders, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch., and the Best Switch Collections And Compilations.
If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, as well as Every Nintendo Switch Online NES Game and Every Nintendo Switch Online SNES Game.
Comments (119)
The only real Zelda is Ocarina Of Time!
Sorry mate, the best Zelda (maybe best game ever) is Breath of the Wild.
I’m kinda surprised YIIK is on this list, considering how many things I’ve heard about people hating that game. I guess somebody at Nintendo Life likes it, which, good for them.
I’m also surprised Final Fantasy IX is the only FF on this list. IX is great, but I’d argue that it’s the weakest of the four FF games on the Switch. I’m playing through XII for the first time, and oh my goodness, that game is every bit as good as people have been telling me for the past 13 years. I’m very surprised it’s not on this list.
Interesting list, I own quite some of them. Think Diablo III (campaign) fullfills my RPG wants the most though. I love the levelling and gearing, and the seasons keep it replayable.
Great stuff!
Skyrim, Ys VIII, Dark Souls, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, Dragon Quest Builders, Disgaea, etc. The rpg genre is already pretty deep on Switch and it's only going get deeper now that Switch is #1 in Japan.
Disgaea 5, a beautiful game, is kinda of an RPG in my opinion and I greatly advice anyone that likes turn based strategy rpg to try it out.
@Cissero I really couldn't get on with Diablo. I put about 12 hours into it but it was just so easy. I had it on the hardest setting that you can choose initially, and I don't think I died once. I was playing a wizard and there is an energy beam attack which is so overpowered that I never used a single other attack. All I had to do was walk around holding down a single button while doing a bit of mana management. I really don't get the love for it. I sold it and bought Civ 5 though so I'm not too fussed
I love that Golf Story is on here! That is a hilarious game but it also is a little challenging with mechanics and strategy.
If I can ever get rid of my backlog, I want to play Octopath!
@jcvandan Nice yeah Diablo isn't for everyone. The game turns different at max level though, but it's mostly just a gear grind at that point haha. I do enjoy it as I can do it solo and get my competetiveness from the leaderboards. The beam will not feel that overpowered anymore then haha. Still good that you tried and build your own opinion Civ 5 is a great game too!
Surprised at the lack of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and FF7
"Unless you’ve not got a humorous bone in your body." I've got a humerus bone in my body. It's connected to my shoulder..
Stardew valley? ,dark souls?, mario + rabbids, ff 7,10,12 , and cosmic star heroine are much better picks than some of the other games on the list
Dragon's Dogma is missing! ...imho
For me its up there with skyrim and dragon age
No more FFs, really?? Not even VII, considered as one of the best games ever made? And what about Ys VIII? And Dragon's Dogma?
I don't know, I would change several indie games from the list for these ones in a heartbeat... But this is not my list, of course.
Anyway, regarding the new ones (no ports), I can't recommend Xenoblade 2 enough, along with its expansion. In my top 3 of Switch games (just after Zelda and Smash).
@Ryan_Again ok, I'll cut you a deal: if you can find an underwater temple in BOTW, or a well that you can go down and fight zombies, I'll admit that BOTW is as good as OOT.
Not sure how many of these really qualify as RPGs.
Found myself disappointed by Octopath which is a shame because I wanted to love it. And the art style and music can't be faulted to be fair to it... but the story was severely lacking or engaging.
@AndreaF96 It's a strategy game, not an RPG.
I am Setsuna over Lost Sphear for sure my god!
"I’m kinda surprised YIIK is on this list, considering how many things I’ve heard about people hating that game."
@LunarFlame17 The game sure is bad (too pretentious), but stop listening those Resetera dumba***s.
@Crono1973 It is a SRPG though.
Disgaea 5 have more "RPG" than Diablo III.
@the_beaver How they can coun't Yiik but not FFVII or XII is beyond me. IX isn't as good as either of them.
@Tirza Agreed but it is a strategy RPG. I think it's important to separate RPG's like mainline Final Fantasy games with games like Final Fantasy Tactics. People looking for a Final Fantasy type RPG probably aren't interested in an SRPG.
@aznable FF9 benefits from hype.
@the_beaver Oh man, I forgot about Ys VIII! That game definitely deserves to be on this list. And why aren’t there more Falcom games on Switch?
@Tirza Huh? I don’t even go to ResetEra...
@Crono1973 they are Tactical RPGs considered RPGs at their core. That’s where people look for them. And unless they are making separate list for strategy/tactical RPGs, which I doubt. It does harm to separate them because no one would find them. They are smaller subset of RPGs. Where would you put them?
@Crono1973 Really? Even when it came out back when I was never hyped about it. I recall first seeing it and thinking "Well that's a regression."
West of Loathing and Darkest Dungeon, but no Dark Souls.
@aznable Yes, it didn't do too well in 200 but since then many people have decided it's the best FF. It's not.
Steamworld Quest is incredible. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m enjoying it thoroughly.
Dragon's Dogma should be on this list.
Definitely would've put YS VIII on this list; it's a bit cookie cutter, but it pulls everything together really well. Also, I'd put FFX (and maybe XII) over FFIX
LOLWUT
Yeah, how about Skyrim, Disgaea 5, FF7, FF12, and World of FF.
The World Ends With You is overrated obtuse garbage. The gameplay was no fun, I just ended up tapping the screen and the same button over and over again, and the story is headache inducing.
@Crono1973 I agree, but this site doesn't even know the difference between a roguelike and a roguelite.
I, for example, love roguelikes but dislike roguelites. Some people think that only because a game have procedural generation, it is a roguelike. It is not.
I’m absolutely livid that Dragon’s Dogma is not on this list.
Ys VIII Lacrimosa of Dana.
As usual, Nintendo Life list that both confounds and disappoints.
@N64-ROX Heheh, I can follow your logic and respect your criteria. But likewise, if you can show me a hang glider or ability to climb just about any wall in OoT then I guess you win. 😁
@Crono1973 it is kinda an rpg game because it has deep leveling system for characters, weapons, skills, etc. This is my opinion.
@AndreaF96 Yes, it's a strategy RPG.
@Crono1973 exactly, it's inside the intersection of the set of RPGs and the set of strategy games. At least that's how I see it.
@N64-ROX epic bait
Hello everybody! We've updated the list to reflect some new releases, including the deluge of FFs. All these lists will evolve over time and get updated periodically.
As for any obvious action-RPG absences, we're well aware As outlined in the introduction, this genre in particular is a nightmare of stratas, substratas, etc. The above selection focuses on RPGs with more traditional mechanics, but it could obviously be further subdivided. Watch this space for further (d)evolution
Amazing how many on this list are not RPGs
No Kemco games???? /s
Oh good, they added the rest of the Final Fantasies.
Still no Disgaea but we have freaking Yiik.
Yikes man.
@BeefSanta My top 5 Kemco RPG’s:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Nevermind.
I've just sold Octopath Traveller along with a couple of other games to make way for the upcoming realease schedule. I thought to myself, you're never going to have time to play though that again, but I've already got sellers regret. Darn!
As much as every compilation like this is bound to be very subjective, I am really glade Atelier Lulua made it onto the list! That is, indeed, one of the best Atelier games, which are really different from other RPGs.
A good chunk of this list will be largely responsible as to why my Switch backlog, when I do FINALLY get one, will be insane. I'm a sucker for a good RPG.
the lack of Skyrim is puzzling to me.
@Mando44646 yes, the Skyrim port is awesome. Something that cannot be said of Child of Light: Every other version (Windows, PS3/4/Vita, 360, One, WiiU) runs better than the botched Switch port.
once Ni No Kuni is out for me it will be the best RPG on the Switch
As an RPG fan/player im always with the story, battle style, character, skills and Im always relieved whenever Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is on the list or gets recognized! The game and most specially the story is really massive and superb for me! Best RPG game for me next to FFIX (which was my childhood game)! Im currently playing the Tales of Vesperia and im also hooked.
@LunarFlame17 it's FFiiv that's on the list not ix
@Dirty0814 They’ve updated the list since I wrote that comment. Every Final Fantasy on the Switch is on the list now, which is as it should be.
No Ys VIII or Setsuna (if Sphear’s here, than so should ‘I’...); then Neptunia, Steamworld Quest, Romancing SaGa 2, Cosmic Star and Deltarune (again, if Under’s here, then so should D:c1).
Also, ditto @many: RPGs, in this freaky mind, are turn-based affairs only. Got a grid while alternating turns of action.? You’re strategy, a separate category, again, in my twisted perception.
Bonus ditto @many: at release, both Earthlock and YIIK were generally panned. What gives? Was everyone, including reviewers found on this site, wrong? Hmm..
The absence of Ys VIII is shameful. Especially when plagiarized tripe like YIIK has a presence on the list.
Darkest Dungeon was great
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is still number 1 for me love the game it death
@LunarFlame17 VII and XII are both on the list?
@pattybean They weren’t when I wrote that comment. NL updates this list periodically.
@LunarFlame17 I see. Apologies.
curse my lack of money & time
Yep. If you like RPGs you need a multi-console home.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna is a great standalone grab for the lower price. It basically refined all the systems of the original but also streamlined them.
More importantly it took about 40 hours to complete vs the almost 100 hours to finish the main game for me, which was much more manageable for my available free time.
i actualy want to know wich, one has a great story. i dont care if it have dlc or is massive or look beautiful.
story is what counts in a jrpg or rpg
@PALversusNTSC Pillars of Eternity is really rich. Dragons Dogma is also good, tho might feel a bit slow at first.
Skyrim
Ys
Diablo III
Witcher 3 ?
Octopath Traveler would have been WAY better if it weren't for that awful story... keeping track of eight separate storylines is exhausting and pretty jarring when you switch from one story to another.
So glad Fire Emblem: Three Houses was left off this list. Worst RPG to come out in a long time.
No Dragon Quest Builders 2 (or 1)???
No Skyrim??
No Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate?
No Dark Souls Remastered?
No Disgaea 5 Complete or Disgaea 1 Complete? (Disgaea 4 Complete+ is coming soon)
No Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana?
No I am Setsuna?
No Dragon's Dogma?
No Fire Emblem: Three Houses?
No Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch?
Is Battle Chasers Nightwar really that much better?
@Patron As a strategy RPG, it wasn't eligible for the list. If it were eligible, I'm sure it would have ranked - considering it's one of the best SRPGs to come around in a long time.
@DockEllisD Kemco: soulless husks marauding as games.
@Marshmallow Agree 100% I adored I Am Setsuna and couldn't even finish Lost Sphere.
@LunarFlame17 It is on the list
Added the Baldur's Gate collection, Planescape/Icewind Dale and Ni no Kuni
Maybe I lost some details along the way, but I can't see the Witcher 3 in the list, nor any Zelda game.
Edit: uh, ok, those are listed among the action-rpgs... uhmm...
@N64-ROX you just can't tell what the best zelda is, they all rock and that would be very reductive for the other titles of the series. All you can do is tell which ones you have a "slight personal prefencence" for.
Battle Chasers and Undertale made the list, but not Witcher 3, Fire Emblem, Dark Souls, Skyrim, any of the Disgaea games, Dragon's Dogma, or Ys 8? Really?
Ys: VIII? Really?
Lol this list is pretty ehhh. Outside of Xenoblade chronicles I'd rather play any of them on either PC or PS4.
Added The Alliance Alive HD Remastered
Child of Light got a physical release in France, bundled with Valiant Hearts: The Great War on one cartridge.
Seeing no Dragon's Dogma here tells me the author has no damn idea he's talking about.
@AcesCharles think again: Divinity: Original Sin II in the go.
@AcesCharles Lol this list is pretty ehhh. Outside of Xenoblade chronicles I'd rather play any of them on either PC or PS4.
Typical of Trolls. Try taking the PC/PS4 outside of your house to the park or transits and you see how poor this statement is.
@Gwynbleidd we do recall the article did mention Switch console format. Witcher 3 just came out and probably wasn't in the running phase here.
Why the hell would I play video games at the park? Plenty of other things to do. Transits, I'll grant. Honestly though I'm ok with waiting until I get home to play so in that case either PC or ps4 beat the switch versions by a landslide.
@LunarFlame17 Completely agree with everything you said about FF series. 12 is probably my second or third favorite of the entire series and 9 has always been a bit bewildering to me, if I'm to be completely honest. People praise it for capturing classic FF while simultaneously modernizing to the PS1 era of games but I always felt it missed the mark on both counts. To top it all off the game CHUGS, even with the added ability to speed up combat the game still feels slow and there are moments in battle where the game seemingly has no idea what to do or who's turn it is and then just chooses who goes next at random after thinking about it critically for 10-15 seconds or about 5 seconds if you are fast-forwarding the thing.
Why Xenoblade 2 and Diablo 3 are in both list, here and in Action RPGs?? That makes these articles very confusing...
I would create just one list for all of them, and the games that can't be considered RPGs (like Hyrule Warriors or Fire Emblem Warriors) or are nit good enough (Lost Sphear, some indies) just kick them out. It'd be much more useful.
@LunarFlame17 there are three pages on the list and FF X/X-II and XII are in the list.
Surprised Pillars is on the list. I ended up getting a refund last month because even after about half a year of patches the game still had issues for me.
Just a reminder: Ubisoft is giving away Child Of Light for PC on Uplay starting March 24th.
1) Breath of the Wild
2) Dragon's Dogma
3) The Witcher III
4) Skyrim
5) Dragon Quest XI
6) Assassin's Creed: Black Flag
7) Assassin's Creed: Rogue
8) Ashen
plus two predictions:
9) Gods and Monsters
10) Genshin Impact
@KBuckley27
I enjoyed everything about Ni No Kuni apart from the combat which is neither action-based nor turn-based. I prefer to have full control over my character(s)' actions in battle. That's the secret to Zelda (action RPGs) and Dragon Quest (turn-based RPGs).
@NintendoLife: Collection of Mana is there twice...page 2, and 3
Skyrim?
The Witcher 3?
Dark Souls?
YS III?
@gavin - terrible list. And your reasons for not including them are plain stupid.
Wanna go for balance and 90% of this list is JRPGs. Nice balance.
@jipiboily yeah because they wanted to exclude the best RPGs, so to pad out the list you'll need to double up on the sub par ones.
Perfectly makes sense.
Baldur’s gate 2 is my all time favorite but I play it on pc mostly, don’t fit the consoles too good IMO.
I am just now finishing up Trials of Mana for the first time (one elemental boss and then the big bad to go). I had already finished DQXI and I was surprised how much DQXI used similar game play things that are in Trials of Mana. It almost felt like I was playing DQXI at times. Still good though.
Added XC:DE and removed the rogue Collection of Mana dupe. I mean, I know it's good but two entries is pushing it
"Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has a huge standalone DLC, Torna: The Golden Country, that's also well worth playing through. It serves as a prequel to the events of 2, so you can play it before or after."
Least accurate, worst thing I've read on this site in a while. Being a prequel absolutely doesn't mean you can play it before or after. There's no fathomable reason you should or would play it before Xenoblade 2. And if you did, it would ruin about 80% of the game's plot in a matter of hours. A lot of it in a matter of minutes. It 100% assumes you know the story of Xenoblade 2 already. And in fact, it was originally meant to be backstory revealed late in the game before the end, but they fleshed it out enough that it deserved a full game, essentially.
@TheWingedAvenger Zelda isn't an action RPG.
@Deltath
All the main-series Zelda games are action RPGs. When you play, you feel like you are the main character, and that's because the games have all the characteristics of true RPGs: a world to explore at your leisure, combat, character growth, and a story that is not written by a writer but created by you and the actions that you decide to take.
Not only are Zelda games action RPGs, they are among the very few action RPGs in existence. The "Tales Of" games aren't RPGs, because too often you don't decide what you do: the combat plays itself, since you have a bunch of hangers-on that you don't control. Star Ocean is similar. Apart from Zelda, the only true action RPGs that come to mind are Zelda clones such as Golden Axe Warrior, Neutopia and Sylvan Tale.
@TheWingedAvenger Feeling like the character and deciding what you do aren't elements that are related to the VIDEO game genre called RPG. The silly concept that because it has "roleplaying" in the name it means any game where you play a role is something a lot of people argue (and it seems like you're doing that now), but the level to which you're invested in being a particular character is genreless. There are tons of games of every genre where you make tons of decisions and get deeply entrenched as a particular character. That doesn't mean a first person shooter or a life sim or a puzzle platformer are suddenly RPGs because they have those elements.
From a gameplay perspective, there are a number of particular attributes that have become universally accepted to be part of the RPG genre and nothing you mentioned is it. The Tales games are absolutely RPGs and the Zelda games are not. It doesn't make them better games, it just makes them RPGs. FYI, if you think Tales plays itself, you've either barely ever played Tales or you've played on too easy a difficulty. Some of the Tales games have the most blindingly challenging action RPG combat of any games out there. And they make great co-op.
This idea that only a few games are "true action RPGs" is something you've created in your own head. Not a reality.
The two most overlooked games in the last three console generations are Alliance Alive Both HD and DS ver. as well as Nostalgia for the DS. The former had great graphics even on the DS version. They both appear generic and are in fact unique as those style games go.
I would love to know why gaming companies don't hire professional scriptwriters/authors such as oh I don't know, just look at the top ten in sci-fi writers (Steven King or whoever but sci-fi) and take a pick.. have them write the story, dialog and create to game around that, once the general concept is created of course... I would LOVE to see THAT sell!
i can get behind that list Octopath and the mana games were all pretty fun, Xenoblade was amazing as well as FF9 which i never played before. I really want to try Ni no kuni and Alliance alive next
@SyFyTy I am not sure how good you can compare those two. First of all: There is more to a game than story, there are also mechanics, which are usually more the focus of many games and even setting, atmosphere, music and direction of it all. Also there have been attempts at putting proffesional novel authors behind a games story like in Fire emblem fates and the story was hated a lot. Big authors like Steven King of course would also need to want to participate and they might need to adapt to suddenly writing an rpg story, along with several constrictions for the age rating. There are still some good stories in games every now and then and there can just be good directors as well like yoko taro(Nier Automata). Finally, the market for good stories is not that high actually, most people wanna have a good time after all
I'm starting to fear RPGs don't do it for me anymore like they used to. Got Xenoblade DE on launch, and...just no. Didn't like it. I stopped playing when Riki joined the party. I couldn't deal with that annoying speaking beast.
For me (Completed All)
1. Divinity Original Sin 2
2. Witcher 3
3. Skyrim
4. Xenoblade Chronicles 1
5. Ni No Kuni
I think Dragon Quest XI deserves to be high ranked but it was so dull to me. Unpopular opinion but it felt cook cutter. Gorgeous art though.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel all day long
So garbage YIIK gets an entry here but not Tangledeep. Big oof. PSA: YIIK is one of the worst games on the Switch, it's abysmal.
Added Moero Crystal H.
@Bork yeah, it’s still a bloody mess. I ended up having to start over on my PC as I crashed every time I went to jump in the Burial Isle pit on the Switch.
Dragon Quest XI, Octopath Traveler and Ni no Kuni are all must-plays. One day I'll finally get around to Xenoblade(s), Atelier(s) and The World Ends With You... One day.
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