The role playing genre is one of the most unique genre in video games. Who doesn’t like to take on dragons, undertake missions in dungeons and in some recent games, start a family? RPG’s of today are evolving every time and every new game brings along something innovative and great elements of gameplay. But this, the seventh generation of gaming we have had some stunning RPG’s released so far. We at GamingBolt lists our top 10 RPG’s this generation.
10. Lost Odyssey
Year of Release: 2008
Platforms: Xbox 360
Lost Odyssey was developed by Mistwalker exclusively for the Xbox 360. Now I don’t know how many of you may agree with me, but this game was very under rated. The game centers around a man named Kaim Argonar who is immortal just like the other people around him. The game takes place during an era called as Magical Revolution. As most of the Japanese RPG’s, this game was also a turn based RPG. The most innovative elements of the gameplay were the four classes of Magic, controlling of two types of characters: Mortal and Immortal and the Aim Ring system.
9. Folklore
Year of Release: 2007
Platforms: Playstation 3
Just like its Xbox 360 counter part, Folklore was yet another game that was under sold and under rated. The game was released in 2007 exclusively on the PS3. The game featured a girl named Ellen and a writer named Keats. The game had a very unique setting in which the player can solve mysteries by accessing the memories of the dead. There were a ton of realms that were available for exploration by the player. There were hundreds of characters, monsters and beasts in the game and several mind boggling boss fights.
8. Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventure
Year of Release: 2008
Platforms: PC
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventure is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game released last year in May. The game was the first game in Age of Conan series. Gamers who want to play this game have to pay some subscription fee every month. There are three character classes namely Aquilonian, Cimmerian and Stygian which were further divided in to a number of sub classes. The character customization and the combat were awesome, though the limitation of server based user was a bit questionable.
7. White Knight Chronicles
Year of Release: 2008 (Japan)
Platforms: Playstation 3
Featuring huge enemies, which we don’t often see in role playing games, White Knight Chronicles is a great game that needs to be played by every role playing fanatic. The game takes place in the fictional world of Balandor. The player will take up the role of Leonard who can transfer himself in to a White Knight. I wont spoil the plot since the game is still due in North America and other places. The battles will be automatically triggered when the enemies are in the vicinity of the player. Before players have to prepare themselves in the battle preparation menu. People who are fans of Japanses RPG’s should pick this game when it comes out in 2010. Man why does Japan get the good stuff first?
6. Valykria Chronicles
Year of Release: 2008
Platforms: Playstation 3
One of the most beautiful games to look at, man the CANVAS engine was developed by a team of really talented team of developers. Valkyria Chronicles has to be one of the best RPG’s of 2008 and it was given a very good score by majority of websites. With a great cast of characters and awesome game play backed up by some very nice artwork the game was a stellar achievement. The game is set in world which is similar to Europe, hence the name was Europa in the game. The game has a unique BLiTZ system where the player can control its army on the battlefield. There were a couple of characters which had their own special abilities like time slowing while shooting, snipers and engineers.
5. Fallout 3
Year of Release: 2008
Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
I guess many would have placed this game a bit higher. Now hold on, before you folks go mad at me, there were a couple of reasons why it has missed out. The first one being the ammo for the weapons. They were less and far in between. many times in the game I found myself to be carrying shotguns but with no ammo. The next one is the VAT system, I thought it was a bit overrated. The aiming worked good for sometimes and sometimes it was pathetic. But having said that Fallout 3 is still a great RPG for its plot and its great representation of a post apocalypse world. The game easily had over 200 hours of gameplay. One of the best games of 2008 for sure.
4. Mass Effect
Year of Release: 2008
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
Mass Effect, as I have said many times if the best action role playing game out there. Bioware did their job well and most importantly they actually know what they are doing and achieved success with the game. Mass Effect was an involving game and had a unique take on the relationship between humans and extraterrestrial beings. The awesome customization of the characters, their armor and weapons and the twist that takes place when Commander Shepard has to take decisions was very well implemented by the developers. No wonder the sequel is looking like it will set new standards in the role playing action genre.
3. Fable 2
Year of Release: 2008
Platforms: Xbox 360
One of the most outstanding and stunning games to look at was Fable 2. The game had everything from the stunning lakes to the morning markets, the developers had outdone themselves in making a world that was believable in every sense of the word. Players will visit castles, under ground dungeons, valleys and many more exotic locations in the game. The way the player can earn money by working and use them to buy their own house and even start your own family and have kids too was amazing. In Fable 2, you live, you don’t play.
2. Demons Soul
Year of Release: 2009
Platforms: Playstation 3
2009 is the year where we have not seen many great role playing games coming out. Out comes Software on the PS3 with Demons Soul which is probably going to be the RPG of the year. You start by selecting a hero to save the kingdom and kill all the demon’s, characters are fully customizable from choosing a hairstyle to selecting a class, you can choose to be a Knight, Priest, Thief, Magician, Temple Knight, Soldier, Wanderer, Barbarian, Royalty, or a Hunter. Fans of RPG’s will find Demon’s Souls very similar to other RPG’s, you find weapons, money, and equipment as you progress, you level up, kill enemies on your way, but what makes Demon’s Souls different is the fact that your main goal is to kill bosses, demons as mentioned before, this can all be done alone, or you can choose to slay the Demon’s with a friend online using Online Co-Op.
1. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Year of Release: 2006
Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Developed by Bethesda Softworks, Oblivion was and still is one of the best role playing games around. Featuring not only a great plot that Bethesda is known for, but a beautifully designed world of Cyrodiil with an environment which still cant be bested by many games even today. Combat and levelling up were one of the best features of the gameplay in the game, plus the vastness of the world was just amazing. Players can choose a number of classes, customize them to their needs. Each character class has a bit different plot and people will react to you differently depending which class you have chosen.Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a great game and one that should not be missed by anyone. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is rightly our number one role playing game of this generation.