Summary
Throughout the long-running history of the RPG, from its humblebeginnings in tabletop gameslikeDungeons and Dragonsand text-based adventure titles, this historic genre of gaming has seen its fair share of evolution and change. One of the biggest turning points for the RPG was when it started to expand into video games, where art and role-playing collided, as the earliest examples of the genre used limited hardware to create some truly special experiences.
Since then, the 2D RPG has become one of the staples of the industry, not limiting itself to 8-and 16-bit hardware, as this style has continued into contemporary times. 2D RPGs have been a part of video games for a long time, and thanks to continued interest in the style, likely won’t be going away anytime soon. These games have been ranked based on their art styles, music, design, and importance to the genre, as they’ve all contributed something to the industry in some way.
First introduced byOctopath Travelerin 2018, Square’s HD-2D technology has powered some of their most incredible games recently, as the combination of 2D sprites with 3D geometry and advanced, dynamic lighting is absolutely breathtaking. This gorgeous style was also used forTriangle Strategyin 2022, a tactical strategy RPG that took influence fromSquare’s ownFinal Fantasy Tactics.
Taking place in the kingdom of Norzelia,Triangle Strategyexplores a world filled with political turmoil and a war for resources between three nations. Its sharp, highly engaging turn-based combat system is addictive, and the battles make excellent use of environmental hazards. With a cast of outstanding characters and some of the best music that Square has produced in years,Triangle Strategyis one of the best strategy RPGs on the market today.
TheManaseries was born out ofFinal Fantasy Adventure, aZelda-style spin-off for the Game Boy released in 1991. Building off the foundation of that game, Square produced a sequel in 1993 known asSecret of Mana, a spectacular action RPG with a focus on fast-paced combat.
Featuring brilliant sprite work, a fantastic soundtrack and one of the most enjoyable combat systems on the SNES,Secret of Manais still one of the console’s most outstanding games. This brilliant action RPG was remade with 3D graphics in 2018, but the original is still an absolute blast to play. It is currently available on the Switch via theCollection of Mana, making it easier than ever to experience this incredible game.
After dominating the NES with the first three games, theFinal Fantasyfranchise took full advantage of Nintendo’s next-gen hardware, releasing the fourth mainline entry onthe SNES in 1991.Final Fantasy 4was the first game in the franchise to feature the active-time battle system, which would later go on to influence multiple titles in the series, as well as other RPGs.
Following the tale of Cecil,Final Fantasy 4was one of the first games in the franchise to start veering into darker, more complex themes. It feels like the beginning of whatFinal Fantasywould become in later console generations, as it was beginning to evolve from traditional storytelling in the genre. The combat, music, and outstanding cast of characters are still an absolute delight, and this timeless classic is currently available on all modern platforms.
Of all the CRPGs releasedduring the 1990s,Planescape: Tormentby Black Isle Studios may be the very best one. After completingFallout 1and its sequel, they opted to work on something different for their next project, andPlanescapewas a perfect fit for them.
This dark, avant-garde RPG takes place in the land of Sigil, where players take control of The Nameless One, a wanderer cursed with immortality. It has some of the sharpest, most intelligent writing ever seen in an RPG, and is still one of the genre’s most innovative games. It was recently remastered for modern hardware by Beamdog and is readily available on every current-gen console.
Although Camelot Software Planning is generally known for its Nintendo-based sports titles, one of theirbest efforts wasGolden Sun, a turn-based RPG for the Game Boy Advance. This incredible game is set in the land of Weyard, where four young heroes go on a quest to stop its destruction at the hands of ancient magic.
The sprite work and art direction are excellent, and the music makes great use of the GBA’s fantastic sound hardware. Combat looks and feels terrific, with a battle window that features lively animation and a sense of chaos. It is still one of the best RPGs on the GBA and is still a remarkable experience. Thanks to Nintendo Switch Online,Golden Sunis fully playable on modern hardware and is most certainly worth revisiting today.
There may not have been a more capable team developing CRPGs than Black Isle Studios, whose previous efforts on theFalloutfranchise andPlanescape: Tormentwere just a prelude to what would be their most ambitious project to date. The result wasIcewind Dale,a spectacular CRPG thattakes place in the Forgotten Realms setting ofD&D.
Icewind Daleuses the 2nd edition rule set fromD&D, and it makes excellent use of Black Isle’s Infinity Engine, which had powered all of their previous games. The cold, frosty aesthetic is a delight, and the amazing combat that defined Black Isle’s past efforts feels better than ever.Icewind Daleis a classic CRPG that needs to be experienced, and thanks to Beamdog, it is available on all modern hardware via the 2014 remaster.
Thanks to the massive leap forward that the Game Boy Advance took over its predecessor, it essentially was a portable Super Nintendo. It was a revolution for its time, and one of the reasons for that was its incredible software library that included someoutstanding games, including RPGs. With the new hardware at their disposal, Game Freak opted to remake the first game in their massively popular monster-taming series withPokemon FireRed and LeafGreen.
FireRed and LeafGreenintroduced numerous changes and improvements, updating the sprite art and the music in some spectacular ways. It also included the ability to play as a female character, a feature that was first introduced inPokemon Crystal, as well as all future games in the franchise.FireRed and LeafGreenare easily the best versions of this classic game and are worth finding a GBA to experience.
It’s safe to say thatUndertalehad one of the most important impacts on the indie RPG scene, as its quirky cast of characters and unique combat system are still being sourced by other developers. Taking strong influence fromEarthBound,Undertaleis the compelling tale of a young boy on a questto escape the Undergroundand survive.
Like the games that influenced it,Undertaleis full of charming, off-beat writing and a cast of unusual characters, including Sans and Toriel. It also features a unique, bullet-hell-style combat system that doesn’t adhere to tradition. It may be over ten years old now, butUndertaleis still just as witty and funny as it ever was, and is playable on all modern platforms.
There may not be an RPG more synonymous with the Super Nintendo thanChrono Trigger, a game born from a collaboration between Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yuji Horii, and Akira Toriyama. It is still one of the finest RPGs of all time, and is a key part of the SNES' incredible software library, as it deftly combines gorgeous pixel art, excellent music, and a fast-paced battle system.
WhileChrono Triggerstill uses a variation of the turn-based ATB system first introduced inFinal Fantasy 4, it manages to feel faster and much more engaging. Battles feel swift, with actions unfolding at a rapid pace. This stellar RPG is one of theSNES' most incredible adventuresand is currently available on mobile and Steam.
EarthBoundwasan RPG unlike any other, as most games in the genre focused on high-fantasy settings with swords and knights. So, it cannot be overstated just how uniqueEarthBoundwas, as it explored a realistic world, all while focusing on a cast of young kids in the middle of an imminent invasion from the darkest reaches of outer space.
With its unique blend of humor, drama, and science fiction,EarthBoundhas gone on to become one of the most influential RPGs of all time. Countless indie RPGs have drawn from its sense of otherworldly charm, as well as its unusual combat system. The world is a delight to explore, with a sprawling adventure that takes Ness and his crew from the simple little town of Onett to a dramatic finale against Giygas.EarthBoundis still one of the most important and engaging RPGs ever made and is readily available on Nintendo Switch Online.
