Summary
From the NES to the PS2, random battles were often a big part of old-schoolRPGs. By the HD generation, that mechanic was largely displaced on consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3. Random battles still popped up though, like in the HD version ofFinal Fantasy 10.
As classic as that game is, it’s hard not to want some kind of reduced encounter meter added in a patch. As backwards as random battles are, they have their time and place. These PS3 games fortunately allowed players to see their enemies before engaging with them, from turn-based affairs to exciting action-packed brawls. Here’s how those games rank in terms of overall RPG quality.
7Folklore
A Gothic RPG
Folklorewas an early PS3RPG published by Sonyas an exclusive. It was an action RPG that was kind of like a European version ofPokemon. Players would come across folklore-inspired creatures in the field, like faeries, and befriend them to join the party. These creatures could be mapped to the face buttons on the controller, and they could perform different combos when tapped.
UnlikePokemon, the story was much darker and told in a novel way at the time through various forms like comic panels using the game’s engine. Players can assume the role of two different characters, Ellen or Keats. They each have their own campaigns and gameplay styles.
Eternal Sonatais one of the weirdest RPGs to hit the PS3, and it never got a sequel. It’s based on the composer Frédéric Chopin, and it takes place in his dying days when his consciousness is swept into a dream world. There, he aids characters named after music, like Beat, to try and save the world from destruction.
It’sa colorful, cel-shaded worldfilled with monsters roaming around. In battle, a meter ticks down and characters can move and take action within that meter’s time limit. Light and darkness also play into battles, as enemies can grow weaker or evolve.
Final Fantasy 13was a divisive game for many, but it was still a stellar RPG in many ways. It was thefirst mainlineFinal Fantasygamewith turn-based combat to feature enemies appearing in the field.Final Fantasy 11andFinal Fantasy 12were technically turn-based too, but with MMO-style combat in real-time.
InFinal Fantasy 13, characters could inhabit Jobs and switch between party members on the fly in battle. There was a lot of strategy involved, as enemies needed to be thrown off balance to deal true damage. Most of the game was linear, but things opened up in the final third.
Tales of Xilliawas the bigTales ofentryon the PS3, and it was so well-liked that it got a direct sequel. This game had all the franchise’s features, from enemies roaming around the field to action-based gameplay once players warped into an instanced arena. There were funny skits between characters and players could cook recipes to boost stats and heal.
The biggest difference from other entries is that players could choose to play as Jude or Milla at the start. Both characters followed the same path and joined each other, but the perspective was different and this led to alternate dialogue.
The developer Vanillawarehas never made a direct sequel. Among the many one-offs they have created,Dragon’s Crownstands out as a great RPG to highlight. In many ways, it was like a throwback to the arcade generation of brawlers, likeGauntletor the Capcom-madeDungeons & Dragonsgames.
Dragon’s Crownwas light on story, and instead focused on giving players multiple classes to choose from and a plethora of loot as they progressed through dungeons and fought monsters similar to a brawler. Said dungeons hid secrets, and certain exits would change playthroughs. Best of all, it supported co-op on all platforms, including the PS4 when it was later ported to it past the PS3 and PS Vita versions.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchstars a young boy named Oliver who travels into another world filled with magic in the hopes of finding his mother. He’s aided by Mr. Drippy, a doll that comes to life and teaches Oliver how to befriend monsters called Familiars. Oliver will gain two more party members, Esther and Swaine, for the turn-based/action battle hybrids.
Monsters can be seen roaming around the world map and in dungeons, so it’s easy to find the monsters players want to catch. Each character can act in battle, or they can summon one of their three Familiars, for a total of nine, who operate on cooldowns after using up their stamina.Studio Ghibli helpedwith the art and cutscenes, while the core game was developed by Level-5.
With so many ports and enhancements, it’s hard to believe thatPersona 5was released on the PS3 alongside the PS4 version. While not perfect, it ran well for those who were unable to upgrade to a new console at the time.
Dungeons were a big upgrade in thislatestPersonaiteration, as they had a distinct design compared to the randomized levels of the past. Players could see enemies skulking around and then surprise attack them before entering turn-based battles. Another new element was talking to monsters in battle to recruit them, which was borrowed from the mainlineShin Megami Tenseigames.
