Obscure sprite-based RPGs?

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:37 pm

There's been quite a bit of talk on RPGs in the off-topic forums lately which is fine by me! I'm trying to locate good quality but obscure sprite-based RPGs... you know, the kind that were heralded back on the SNES... but didn't make a huge impact on the 32-bit machines (though a few did make it - the Lunar's got published as did Suikoden 1+2 and I'd consider Legend of Mana one of Squares last "16-bit-ish" games with lovely 2D backdrops). I just love the look of games like Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana - I'm looking for games like these... only lesser known ones.

I've got a good dela of the US released SNES and Genesis RPGs and don't need any recommendations there unless there is something really obscure. I've also got a few good import RPGs (Seiken Densetsu 3, Dragon Warrior VI, Star Ocen, Tales of Phantasia, Tengai Makyou: The Apocolypse, Magic Knight Rayearth). I'm not opposed to a Japanese game - especially if there is a FAQ or has mostly action-RPG elements. Mostly I'm interested in beautiful sprite-based gameplay and lots of lush 2D hand-drawn backgrounds. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:59 pm

Well...there is always Valkyrie Profile for the PS1. Tri-Ace was the company resonsible and it featured some pretty beautiful 2d sprites. The battle system wasn't half bad either. Since you mentioned the Mana series I will also toss out Soul Blazer for the SNES. Its pretty simple and easy but for some reason I absolutely love this game. The other two games in the series (Terranigma and Illusion of Gaia) are incredible too.

serge · Post by **serge** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:07 pm

Mostly I'm interested in beautiful sprite-based gameplay and lots of lush 2D hand-drawn backgrounds.

Elemental Gimmick Gear? If you have a Dreamcast that is. This game looks beautiful (just google for screenshots). It's a relatively unknown action RPG for DC. Speaking objectively its gameplay is only slightly above average, but I personally think it's a very fun game (and let me repeat that it looks beautiful).
More 2D RPGs on Dreamcast are "Eldorado Gate" games and a game from the "Fushigi Dungeon" series (Japanese releases only), they all look great but I never really played any of them, so can't comment on the gameplay, but they do look very nice.

"Solid Runner" (SNES) is quite obscure, only released in Japan but there is a walkthrough/FAQ for this one.
Also speaking about unknown RPGs (unknown outside of Japan that is), all those Megaten spin-offs are quite decent games (like Devil Children on Playstation or Last Bible 3 on SNES), the main "Shin Megami Tensei" line are much better games (the best traditional RPGs on any system, in my opinion), but they are not 2D. These games have traditional battle systems though, so probably not what you're looking for.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:49 am

have you tried alundra on the ps1? the first one only though, as the second one sucks donkey balls.

it's kind of zelda esque action rpg that has some tough as hell puzzles and is great fun. please bear in mind that i haven't played it in years as i traded it in for £2 in my young stupidity.

i have no idea from simple recollection if wild arms is sprite based (again played it many years ago) but the first game on the ps1 is great, and harks back to classic 16 bit rpgs. the way that the world map opens up and you progress through vehicles feels remarkably similar to the early final fantasys, and the amount of lacations is great.

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 7:26 pm

sjewkestheloon wrote:have you tried alundra on the ps1?

Interesting that you should suggest it... I recently picked it up but haven't played it yet. I'm definitely looking forward to it! (I also heard the 2nd one wasn't nearly as good and so I skipped it).

The suggestions from all above are great... thanks! In case I gave the wrong impression, turn based RPGs are also fine as I like both types (turn based and action oriented... I somewhat prefer turn-based).

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 7:30 pm

I avoided this thread until I realized he meant "sprite".

Anyone played Saiyuki: Journey West and Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth for PS1? They're hard as hell to find now.

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 7:35 pm

wasn't Hoshigami just plain hard as hell?

highlandcattle · Post by **highlandcattle** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 8:52 pm

A very interesting looking RPG on the GBA released today;Brandon from insert credit speaks about it all the time
http://www.atlus.com/riviera/
It's very pretty and said to be very original. I ordered it straigt away.

OmegaFlareX · Post by **OmegaFlareX** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:21 pm

Atelier Iris comes out tomorrow for PS2. It's all high-res 2D and looks absolutely spectacular. Lots of screenies here: http://nisamerica.com/games/a6/index.html

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:35 pm

Some I can think of off the top of my head:

SNES:
Bahamut Lagoon
Earthbound (not obscure but excellent)
Lufia I & II
Romancing Saga I, II & III
Shin Megami Tensei Series (someone's already mentioned this I think)
Treasure Hunter G

Saturn:
Albert's Odyssey

PSOne:
Saga Frontier I & II

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:36 pm

Turn your computer off. Go to the store. Buy Aterlier Iris: Eternal Mana right now. It's a brand-spanking new RPG (in the US) with lovely 2D graphics. Eternal Mana 2 came out about a month ago in Japan, which I'm working on now.

OmegaFlareX · Post by **OmegaFlareX** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:12 am

GaijinPunch wrote:Turn your computer off. Go to the store. Buy Aterlier Iris: Eternal Mana right now.

I wish I could! They should have it in tomorrow (it's 9pm here). I've had it on pre-order for over a month. I'll pick it up on my way to the post office. This may very well be the only console RPG I play until DQ8 comes out this fall, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Hey, are these Atelier PS2 games progessive-scan-compatible?

shariar07 · Post by **shariar07** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:21 am

I think the best sprite based 2D RPG is made by Tri-Ace called Valkyrie Profile and the game has a very cool combo and special attack battling system. its for the PSX the best RPG console to date in my opinion.

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:00 am

Hey, are these Atelier PS2 games progessive-scan-compatible?

Zero PS2 games are progessive scan compatible... they might work w/ component cables, but the signal is not progressive.

OmegaFlareX · Post by **OmegaFlareX** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:51 am

GaijinPunch wrote:Zero PS2 games are progessive scan compatible...

False. There aren't many, but they do exist. Most of the time, the proscan can be enabled by holding Triangle and X at boot-up. Here are some titles that can be made to run @ 480p:

Mega Man X8
Alien Hominid
Atari Anthology
Burnout 2
Burnout 3
God of War
Gran Turismo 4
Guilty Gear XX
Jak 3
Simpsons Hit & Run
Soul Calibur 2
Star Ocean 3
Suikoden 4

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:05 am

Princess crown on the Saturn is supposed to be the dogs bollocks (pardon my English slang there).

Its in Jap though and requires a faq to play.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:21 am

Magi Nation GBC is very obscure and very sprite based, but it is a monster collection RPG. However, I felt it was a breath of fresh air with it's often hilarious dialog, often dark plot, and challenging gameplay. The battle system is pretty cool too.

Nemo · Post by **Nemo** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:47 am

neorichieb1971 wrote:Princess crown on the Saturn is supposed to be the dogs bollocks (pardon my English slang there).

Its in Jap though and requires a faq to play.

Princess Crown is definitely a lovely ARpg, if you ever only import one Rpg this (and Ys IV) are it.

Linkle Liver Story (aka Rinkle River Story) for Saturn is another pretty basic and enjoyable ARpg.

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:56 am

neorichieb1971 wrote:Princess crown on the Saturn is supposed to be the dogs bollocks (pardon my English slang there).

Its in Jap though and requires a faq to play.

Princess Crown is being re-released on the PSP later this year, so if you don't mind the wait, that will be much cheaper than the Saturn version. Also... please don't abbreviate "Japanese" as "Jap"... that's a very derisive term. Say "JP" or something please.

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 6:49 am

GaijinPunch wrote:Zero PS2 games are progessive scan compatible... they might work w/ component cables, but the signal is not progressive.

Already corrected, but I'd just like to point out again that you're wrong.

Most games that have progressive scan have it turned on when you hold X and triangle as the system boots up. Oddly enough, it's X and circle for Alien Hominid.

Also, for the love of god, no matter what anybody says or recommends, do not pick up a SaGa game. If there are more ineptly designed games out there, I haven't played 'em. But apparantly the series sells well in Japan, so Square keeps cranking them out. Their lead designer is a moron, though.

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:02 am

sethsez wrote: Also, for the love of god, no matter what anybody says or recommends, do not pick up a SaGa game. If there are more ineptly designed games out there, I haven't played 'em. But apparantly the series sells well in Japan, so Square keeps cranking them out. Their lead designer is a moron, though.

I think the Romancing SaGa games are good enough to be worth playing, but there are indeed some real duds in the series. In fact, everything outside f the Romancing games (I guess SaGa Frontier 2 was -okay- ... 1 was shite though) is pretty poor. Unlimited SaGa is one of the worst pieces of crap I've ever played. Be very, very careful before buying a SaGa game indeed.

That said, the remake of Romancing SaGa 1 for the PS2 is actually fairly good. I wrote a pretty long review of it for GameFaqs that got some pretty positive feedback:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/review/R87611.html

It's totally in 3D though. The original SFC game is done with sprites, of course. [/url]

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:10 am

My problem with the SaGa games is that they're extremely directionless (and not in the open-ended Morrowind or Fallout way), far too convoluted, and leave way too much to chance. There's a ton of stuff, and almost zero polish. This is especially true of the later games in the series.

Just for some perspective to anyone who hasn't played a SaGa game, keep in mind that Final Fantasy II might as well be considered the spiritual beginning of it all.

Honestly, the only game I ever enjoyed in the series was SaGa II, ie Final Fantasy Legend II on the Gameboy. It was unbalanced as hell and had a myriad of idiotic ideas, but the music was good (I can still hum the title theme) and I wanted a portable RPG at the time.

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:27 am

I quite enjoyed the open-endedness of the Saga games. They're not great, but they're relatively obscure.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:00 am

atelier iris... mmmm... let's hope for a uk release.

i do like a good ole bit of nippon ichi. playing through disgaea and it's destroying any chance that i had of finding a job.

OmegaFlareX · Post by **OmegaFlareX** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:09 pm

sethsez wrote:Honestly, the only game I ever enjoyed in the series was SaGa II, ie Final Fantasy Legend II on the Gameboy. It was unbalanced as hell and had a myriad of idiotic ideas, but the music was good (I can still hum the title theme) and I wanted a portable RPG at the time.

You can seriously own the game with a party of four robots, providing you get enough money to equip them. You can stack multiple suits of armor/helms/shields on them, making them nearly invincible. I used to have FFL2, and while all my other characters (I had one of each) kept getting slaughtered at the later levels, my robot never took so much as a scratch. It was sad. The last area of the game met its match, though. I never did beat it.

For the record, FFL2 is a much better game than FFL1, which I do own. I think it was one of the first portable RPGs, and it shows. It's very very short and lacks a lot of the features of its sequel. For whatever reason, I really like the cave music.

Just called EB and no Atelier Iris... yet. I'm going to stop by after work.

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:23 pm

FFL was, if I'm not mistaken, the first RPG on the Gameboy, both in Japan and in America. It definitely shows.

Legend III actually had some potential, but like all the SaGa games, potential didn't equal quality.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:30 pm

FFL2 is a collection of interesting ideas that fail at being a game.

FFL3 is much more playable, but far less inventive.

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:52 pm

GaijinPunch wrote:Turn your computer off. Go to the store. Buy Aterlier Iris: Eternal Mana right now. It's a brand-spanking new RPG (in the US) with lovely 2D graphics.

You're not kidding! Got my copy today... looking forward to playing this through!