It’s finally time to wrap up this list! I probably won’t receive any overtime pay for my around-the-clock writing, but that’s okay. Writing this 100 Legendary Games feature is something I’ve always wanted to do, so it was nice to just finally put this on paper. I hope you all had a great time reading this, and make sure to check out installments one, two, and three if you haven’t already. Enjoy!
#24
Title: Okami
Platform: PS2
Okami may not have completely redefined the adventure genre, but it eclipsed the well-established Zelda franchise in many ways. Its beautiful watercolor art style usually gets the most media attention, but equally impressive is Okami’s traditional Japanese music and world steeped in Japanese Mythology.
During my play-through of Okami, I had the opportunity to battle mythical Japanese beasts from the folk tale of Momotaro, and I was fortunate enough to learn about several gods and goddesses that would appear on a multiple choice test in an introductory Eastern Religions class.
The word immersive is thrown around regularly when describing video games, but Okami truly feels like a living, breathing world, with its memorable characters that are an important part of traditional Japanese culture. It’s a shame that many of these incredible stories were forgotten after the atrocities committed by Japan during the 20th Century, so hopefully more people will experience what ancient Japan had to offer through Okami.
#23
Title: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Platform: Xbox
If you’re a Star Wars geek and an RPG fan, you should be ashamed of yourself if you haven’t played Knights of the Old Republic. What’s great about KOTOR is that the gameplay is easy to grasp — even if you aren’t an RPG veteran, and yet character development options are plentiful. Even better than the gameplay, however, is the true to Star Wars storyline featuring one of the most surprising plot twists to ever grace a video game. Oh, and did I mention that you can be a goody two-shoes Jedi or a Sith Lord that murders his own allies?
#22
Title: Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
Platform: GBA
Many gamers are impatient people who live in the moment, so they typically despise slow-paced RPGs featuring turn-based battles. My advice would be for RPG lovers and haters to try Mario & Luigi Super Star Saga, because it features one of the most involving battle systems to ever grace an RPG. Mario & Luigi’s combat relies heavily on the player’s quick reflexes, but it also features the character development options that most RPG fans crave. It also includes a wonderful soundtrack by the composer of Mario RPG, in addition to gut-busting dialogue that the Mario & Luigi series would later become known for. If you’re a Mario RPG fan who hasn’t played Mario & Luigi, go cop it, now!
#21
Title: Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars
Platform: Super NES
Thirteen years ago, I was greeted by one of the Super Nintendo’s most innovative titles the day I returned to America from Japan. It featured an excellent cast including many classic Mario characters and several newcomers, while taking place in familiar and brand new regions.
This Square-developed RPG truly felt like a Mario world, and it somehow managed to combine the platforming action of Mario games with several role-playing game essentials. Mario RPG also featured humorous dialogue and brilliant pre-rendered visuals that made a person forget that this was a Super NES title. The isometric perspective may have prevented Mario RPG from achieving platforming perfection, but regardless, it’s s a wonderful title that should be experienced by anyone with eight bucks and a Wii.
#20
Title: Jade Empire
Platform: Xbox
As someone who’s deeply interested in history and legends, I was excited when I heard that Bioware was developing a new property steeped in ancient Chinese lore. Jade Empire featured a deep storyline that Bioware titles were known for, and it allowed players to make even more decisions than in Knights of the Old Republic. I wasn’t as surprised by its plot twists as I was with those in Knights of the Old Republic, but I quickly fell in love with the game’s characters and visuals that made me feel like I was exploring ancient China. It’s a shame that Jade Empire is Bioware’s least successful RPG, because this title is equally deserving of success as Knights of the Old Republic.
#19
Title: Super Mario Galaxy
Platform: Wii
I had a lousy 22nd birthday. No one was around, and I was having a bad day, but then I decided to pop in Super Mario Galaxy. As a result, my b-day instantly transformed into an awesome time from a miserable day of loneliness. Super Mario Galaxy didn’t quite have that magical feeling Super Mario 64 had in 1996, but it was a flawless 3D platformer that I had a hard time putting down. It was good enough that I beat it in a couple marathon gaming sessions, and I even made it into one of my first video game reviews. Few other games of this generation are as polished as Super Mario Galaxy, and I’m thankful that a game like that can exist so I don’t feel bad about owning a Wii.
#18
Title: Super Mario 64
Platform: Nintendo 64
Super Mario 64 is easily one of my top three most anticipated games of all time, and despite that it somehow exceeded my expectations. Whenever I saw it at the store, I had to play it, and when the Nintendo 64’s release date finally arrived, I somehow scrounged up enough money to purchase it. Super Mario 64 was worth all 260 of those hard earned dollars, because I was entertained for at least a month with its amazing 3D worlds. It’s the only game of mine that friends fought over to play, and even to this day, I doubt they regret getting scars and black eyes.
#17
Title: Final Fantasy IV
Platform: Playstation (original: Super NES)
Final Fantasy IV is special to me for two reasons: It was my first RPG and it provided me with a best friend. During the early ’90s, I hadn’t played a game with a story as interesting as that of FFIV with betrayal, sacrifice, character transformations, and death, so I was gripped from the very beginning. I also loved FFIV’s stat building gameplay, its memorable cast, and the surprises that resulted towards the end of the game. Even though FFIV had several serious themes that were enhanced by its wonderful soundtrack, it also packed plenty of humor, so I had enough to talk about with two of my closest friends for years. I’ll never forget the great experiences this game provided during each of my several play-throughs.
#16
Title: Final Fantasy VII
Platform: Playstation
It’s hard for me to rank Final Fantasy titles, but I remember being especially with Final Fantasy VII. Its gameplay wasn’t as revolutionary as that of its predecessor, but Final Fantasy VII managed to be one of the most influential games of the 32-bit era, and for good reason.
Final Fantasy VII had gorgeous FMV scenes that played an important role in bringing emotion and personality to the game’s characters and events, but it was also notable for changing the FF series’ setting. Previous Final Fantasies were mostly fantasy-based affairs with a touch of steam punk, so Final Fantasy VII’s modern setting was drastic departure.
Final Fantasy was also special because it touched on current events such as the human-caused destruction of the planet, terrorism, and even corporate corruption. It didn’t hurt that Final Fantasy VII also featured colorful pre-rendered backgrounds and 3D polygons, as opposed to the PlayStation’s typically dark, pixelated visuals. In addition, Final Fantasy VII was more action-oriented and user-friendly than previous games in the series. Clearly, there’s no mystery as to why so many RPG virgins were drawn to this title.
#15
Title: Final Fantasy VI
Platform: Super NES
Final Fantasy fans are usually divided into two camps: Those who love Final Fantasy VI and those who love Final Fantasy VII. Unless you’re an odd individual like me, you can’t like them both. Honestly, I’ve had a tough time deciding which game I like more over the years, but for this list, I’m choosing Final Fantasy VI. Why?
It has an enormous cast of characters that are also some of the most memorable individuals to grace an RPG, there are dozens of unique events such as the play at the Opera House, the destruction of the world, Celes’ attempted suicide, and Locke sneaking through an occupied town by stealing the clothes of soldiers and merchants.
It’s also important not to forget FFVI’s deep battle system that allowed players to equip magical beings called Espers for the purpose of learning new spells. Oh, and did I mention that Final Fantasy VI has some of the best lines of RPG dialogue in existence such as: “He’d slit his mama’s own throat for a nickel”?
#14
Title: Starcraft
Platform: PC
I’m tempted to list one of my favorite single player games at this high of a rank, but there’s no question that the legendary RTS known as Starcraft deserves this lofty position. For months, I was addicted to its strategic multiplayer matches where I could truly command and conquer. I have dozens of matches that I can remember nearly ten years later, and rarely can I remember being so hooked on a multiplayer title. Starcraft even encouraged me to create my own website and clan. It also managed to stomp nearly every RTS that has come out ever since. Maybe that’s a bad thing, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Starcraft is one of the PC’s finest titles.
#13
Title: Halo 2
Platform: Xbox
By the time I had enough money to get an Xbox, Halo 2 was nearly here, and that’s a good thing, because that’s the only reason I wanted the bulky black and green system. Its single-player campaign was fun, but what really blew me away was its 16-player online multiplayer that kept me busy for nearly three years. That’s an incredible achievement for any game (especially those of the non-MMORPG variety), so clearly Halo 2 deserves to be in my top twenty. If people still played Halo 2 today, I’d play a round or two every other weekend, because I haven’t played an FPS ever since with such spectacular multiplayer arenas.
#12
Title: Final Fantasy X
Platform: PS2
As with Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy X is special to me for two reasons: Its storyline moved me and it was the last game I played with my former best friend. I knew that it’d be nearly impossible for Square to top the amazing Final Fantasy IX, but they came pretty damn close.
Final Fantasy X’s world influenced by cultures and religions of East Asia was a breath of fresh air from the sci-fi worlds I’d experienced in previous Final Fantasy releases, as was the overhaul of the standard ATB battle system introduced in Final Fantasy IV. To top it off, the majority of the dialogue in this tragic tale was voiced. Some voice actors may have stumbled, but for the most part, this addition complemented the wonderful soundtrack in bringing emotion to the title. As long as I live, I’ll never forget the last true Final Fantasy and Tidus’ awful laugh.
#11
Title: Secret of Mana
Platform: Super NES
Secret of Mana is a criminally unrecognized title, so I make a point of mentioning it whenever I get the chance. This 1993 SNES title is easily the best action-RPG I’ve experienced. I’ve yet to play more recent action-RPGs like Demon’s Souls, but I imagine it’ll have a hell of a time challenging Secret of Mana’s epic three-player quest.
Not only can you play the majority of the adventure with three players — you also have numerous attack combinations and a variety of useful magic spells at your disposal. Mana’s battle system is slick, but its music and art style are equally stylish. Even the game’s simplistic story resonates with players, so clearly this package is a winner. If you don’t own Secret of Mana, go to the Wii Shop Channel and purchase it for $8. Now.
#10
Title: Tales of the Abyss
Platform: PS2
Towards the end of 2006, there were three titles I was excited for: Final Fantasy XII, Tales of the Abyss, and Twilight Princess. Surprisingly, my favorite title of that bunch ended up being Tales. I guess I should have expected that, since I loved Tales Studios’ previous game: Tales of Symphonia, but I worried about the title based on its lack of online impressions.
When I finally got to play Abyss, I felt that it started a bit slow, but its story soon captivated me like few other games had in recent years. The main character was initially a spoiled brat, but part of what makes this Tales game special is the main character’s gradual transformation into a caring individual who owns up to his actions. Few video games have characters that make major transformations as they progress, so Abyss was quite unique in this regard.
The plot also gained my interest with its focus on issues that are highly relevant to the modern world such as the ethics of cloning, whether or not humans have free will, and issues regarding religious orders and governments.
Thankfully, Abyss also delivered from a gameplay standpoint by introducing an enhanced version of Symphonia’s battle system. The game may have had some technical issues, but it’s still one of my favorite PS2 RPGs.
#9
Title: Lunar Silver Star Story Complete
Platform: Playstation
During the PlayStation era, there was a little-known remake of one of the best games to grace the ill-fated Sega CD: Lunar Silver Star Story Complete. Lunar may have been neglected by most gamers, but it resonated with nearly everyone who experienced it. Its simplistic visuals looked like they belonged in a previous console generation, but the excellent voice work, moving story, and a nearly unparalleled localization made Lunar one of the Playstation’s best RPGs.
You’d be hard pressed to find a game with characters that are as humorous and loveable as those of Lunar. It also has an interesting theme regarding whether or not humans should be able to make choices for themselves, or if they need to be governed by a highly intelligent being (basically democracy vs. absolute monarchy). Its plot also involves several other serious themes without losing its light-hearted feel and epic sense of adventure. Hopefully the PSP remake will do this title justice, and will reach a broader audience.
#8
Title: Suikoden II
Platform: Playstation
In my nearly twenty years of gaming, I’ve found few games that are as engrossing as Suikoden II. Its rich plot is a drastic departure from standard RPG fare. Suikoden II’s story involves a conflict between two nations: the northern Highland Kingdom and the southern Jowston City States. Sure, there have been two-sided conflicts in other RPGs before, but the difference here is that this conflict feels like it could be real.
Suikoden II’s scenario reminded me of World War II when Western Europe could have done more to prevent Hitler’s rise to power. Instead of allying and facing the impending danger of Hitler’s political machine that was on the rise, France and Britain squabbled. They cared more about extracting as much money as possible from the already impoverished Germany instead of recognizing an incoming threat. Why I mention this is the Jowston City States did the same thing in Suikoden II. They could have easily decimated the invading Highland forces, but instead, they were embroiled in petty disputes.
A realistic military conflict isn’t where Suikoden II’s greatness ends however. Part of the story’s prominence arises from a betrayal of someone close to you, the resulting ideological conflict that ensues, and from Suikoden II’s complex characters who you grow attached to over the course of the adventure.
Suikoden II is also famous for including one of gaming’s most feared villains besides Kefka. When you witness Luca Blight slaughter innocent townsfolk that are begging for mercy, you really learn how inhuman he really is. You also witness his incredible power when you face him in one of the most memorable and realistic boss encounters in an RPG.
In addition to its plot and characters, so much could be said about Suikoden II’s beautiful 2D visuals, its impressive animations, speedy combat system, and its phenomenal soundtrack, but by now, you should be able to see why it’s ranked #7 on my list.
#7
Title: Lost Odyssey
Platform: Xbox 360
As I entered the current console generation, I worried for the future of RPGs and storytelling in games. I saw other genres aiming to make their games’ stories like those of Hollywood blockbusters, while epic forty-hour tales were on the decline. With the increased cost of production of video games, I felt that there would be few attempts by developers to create original RPGs.
Fortunately, the producer of the Final Fantasy series, Hironobu Sakaguchi, left Square shortly after the Square and Enix merger, and began work on a Final Fantasy-inspired title called Lost Odyssey. This title would be a risky endeavor, much like the original Final Fantasy. The final product turned out to be quite stunning even though there were a few technical issues due to the complex production process the game went through, and the development team’s unfamiliarity with Unreal Engine 3 prior to the initiation of the project.
Lost Odyssey’s gameplay wasn’t drastically different from that of Final Fantasy IX and X — it was basically a combination of those two battle systems, but what was next-gen about this RPG was the way its story was told.
Sakguchi-san hired a famous Japanese novelist to pen 32 stories to help flesh out the characters of Lost Odyssey, which was quite a feat, since some of the characters were immortals who’d existed for over 1000 years.
Lost Odyssey’s stories are beautiful literary works that really expand on the realistic characters of the game. I especially appreciated these stories because all of them are highly relevant to issues we face in the real world (no, not the MTV kind). These stories involve serious issues such as coming to terms with the genocide of other peoples, racism, the often closed-nature of small towns, endless cycles of hatred resulting from continuous warfare and a lack of understanding, as well as more peaceful themes regarding the purpose of life.
Fortunately, the in-game cut-scenes, music, and locales you’ll journey to are stunning as well, so Lost Odyssey doesn’t entirely feel like a book. This epic sixty hour adventure is a journey that should be experienced by all Xbox 360 owners as long as they can tolerate random battles.
#6
Title: Tales of Symphonia
Platform: Gamecube
During 2004, Tales of Symphonia meant a lot to me. As a college student and restaurant worker, I had little time for gaming, so fortunately this wonderful RPG came out during the summer. At that time, I was satisfied with certain aspects of my life, but I yearned for simpler times and was dealing with some difficult struggles. So along came this surprise Gamecube title that made me as excited inside as when I first played Chrono Trigger as a kid.
I was aware of this Gamecube title’s existence, as I had just learned about the Tales series through Tales of Phantasia, which occurs in the same world thousands of years in the future. What I didn’t expect, however, was a fifty-hour multiplayer RPG that never felt like a chore. I was impressed by its fluid fighting game-like battle system that gave me an impressive amount of control over my character and AI allies. I also loved learning new abilities every few battles and challenging myself to perform increasingly larger combos.
What really impressed me about Symphonia, though was its seemingly simple storyline that blossomed into something highly relevant to our world. It started out imitating the basic storyline of FFX, then it surprised players with its Final Fantasy V-inspired multiple worlds, and later became something more. Symphonia also drew from Secret of Mana, poked fun at games like Final Fantasy VII and the movie Titanic, and it had some surprising plot twists.
My favorite aspect of the story however was its heavy focus on racism and the destruction and hatred it can cause. In modern day America, many of us look at racism as something that has long been forgotten, or we simply think of it as the use of hurtful slurs, but it is really much more complex. Racism, is especially intense for those of dual ethnicities, as they can often face bigotry from those of either of their races.
One important character in the story saved the world from destruction despite the hatred his mixed-race had received, but after the tragic death of his sister, he decided to create a world exclusively for his people, while enslaving humans. Through his actions, however understandable they may have been, he helped perpetuate a cycle of hatred.
Someone of mixed heritage such as President Barack Obama could easily do the same thing and turn against people who make bigoted comments, but instead he’s working towards replacing the ignorance and hatred that has gone on for so long in this nation with acceptance and tolerance. Symphonia’s main theme may be basic, but clearly, it is another much needed reminder for humankind of the destruction wrought by hatred towards those who look different from ourselves.
Even though Symphonia has some serious themes, it’s important to note that much of the experience is driven by character interactions. Some players may find Symphonia’s character interactions childish, but I often found their humorous antics charming. I mean who doesn’t like hot springs scenes and watching a wannabe ladies’ man fail to charm women?
#5
Title: Chrono Trigger
Platform: Super NES
Have you ever wanted to travel to the Middle Ages? If you’re like me, you probably have, but the closest you’ll ever get to doing so is with Chrono Trigger. This Super NES classic is considered the greatest RPG of all time by many, and for good reason. It’s cherished for its cast of six loveable characters — ranging from an intelligent female inventor to a talking bipedal robot, its time travelling quest spanning several fictional, yet believable eras, and its speedy, yet strategic battle system.
Chrono Trigger’s storyline, music, and artwork are all top of the line, but part of what makes Chrono special are the little things. A casual observer may not notice seemingly minor details such as Chrono Trigger’s removal of the grind, a lack of random battles, and its impressive character animations, but these “little” details set it apart from many 16-bit RPGs (and even RPGs of the modern era). There are so many things this title can teach developers, but while we’re waiting for them to catch up, why not try out Chrono Trigger for DS now that it’s only $20?
#4
Title: Chrono Cross
Platform: PlayStation
There are quite a few outspoken Chrono Trigger fans that rail on Chrono Cross, but I feel that much of that hatred is undeserved. First of all, why would they want to play a Chrono sequel with the exact same characters? Even if a game of that nature was made, I’m sure the same people would be complaining that it didn’t feel as original as Chrono Trigger.
Regardless of what camp you fall in, the fact of the matter is that Chrono Cross is one impressive adventure. It’s notable for its phenomenal soundtrack that is still my favorite OST nearly ten years after its release, but Chrono Cross also features excellent environmental artwork that was appropriately denoted as “organic” in an EGM review, due to its natural beauty.
Equally impressive were Chrono Cross’ gameplay evolutions and complex storyline involving inter-dimensional travel and concepts such as fate. Chrono Cross was notable for allowing you to avoid practically any enemy, and it even gave players the ability to run from boss battles if they weren’t prepared. The battle system involving a number of elements and weak, medium, and strong attacks was also a refreshing change of pace from what was typically found in RPGs. Even better was the fact that characters didn’t gain levels, so you could choose to fight when you wanted to.
Chrono Cross’ storyline was quite complex and certainly can’t fully be described in a paragraph, but it had quite an effect on me. It didn’t resonate with me as much as that of Xenogears, but the questions regarding fate and subtle connections to Chrono Trigger made it something that was truly special.
#3
Title: Final Fantasy IX
Platform: Playstation
Final Fantasy IX impressed me for many reasons. I was overjoyed that Square finally put the fantasy back into Final Fantasy, and I was excited to see Square combine the amazing CG cut-scenes and stories they’d developed in Final Fantasy VII and VIII with characters reminiscent of those in Final Fantasy IV and VI.
This nostalgic title managed to exceed my lofty expectations with my favorite cast of characters to ever grace an RPG and its gorgeous environments. Final Fantasy IX’s new environments such as the Lifa Tree and Alexandria were beautiful, but it was also great to see dwarven villages make a return.
Somehow, Final Fantasy IX managed to have a coherent plot while adding in elements from each of the previous Final Fantasies. There were so many references to FF games of old, that it’s doubtful that fans caught them all. To name a few, there were the four fiends of Final Fantasy, a story you piece together ripped directly out of FF2, winnable auction house items from FF3, and the return of a lame, surprise final boss, which is a play on the end of FF4.
The amount of fan service in this title is simply amazing, but it still includes an interesting, original plot that is heavily concerned with cloning and human life. One of the moments that stands out to me in particular is the spectacular ending that is drastically different from that of other Final Fantasies. It’d be a disservice to spoil it to those who haven’t played FF9, so I’ll let you experience one character’s honorable deed yourself.
#2
Title: Final Fantasy Tactics
Platform: Playstation
I’ve played relatively few strategy-RPGs, so I can’t tell you how many other games in the genre fare when pitted against this master of strategery (yes, I used Dubya’s word), but I know that it’s one hell of a game that should be experienced by any gamer who likes complex narratives, involving gameplay, and grand soundtracks. Final Fantasy Tactics’ narrative has many parallels to medieval and renaissance European history, but what’s special about it is the tapestry of subplots that are woven together.
There’s a lot of grey area in Final Fantasy Tactics’ storyline, so it’s no simple “Good Vs. Evil” affair. Instead, you’ll find multiple warring factions, and various people within those factions vying for power. You’ll also encounter a diverse group of characters from a variety of social backgrounds, so there’s also issues of class and religion that are dealt with.
I especially appreciated the main point of the story, which was to illustrate that what’s written in recorded history isn’t necessarily the truth, and that sometimes we need to dig deeper to uncover what really occurred.
I also enjoyed the subplot involving a commoner named Delita that manipulates people from various backgrounds (including his former friends) to eventually become the sole ruler of the land and “hero” who ends the devastating Lion War.
Even if Final Fantasy Tactics didn’t have a great story, it’d still be an amazing game, because of its strategic battles that make use of the job system developed in Final Fantasy III and V. These battles are a bit difficult to learn for one unaccustomed to strategy RPGs, but once you learn the nuances of the gameplay, it’s an incredibly addictive, rewarding system that rewards smart character building. It’s very player involved, so you never feel as if the battles are mind-numbing affairs like those in many standard turn-based RPGs. One day, I hope to experience this amazing title again.
#1
Title: Xenogears
Platform: Playstation
My favorite game of all time is far from perfect, but I had to include it, because of the profound effect it had on me. Xenogears may have had too high of an encounter rate, a ridiculous final dungeon, and occasionally muddy visuals, but its unique gameplay, complex storyline, and stunning soundtrack impressed me in a way that no game has done ever since.
What impressed me with Xenogears’ gameplay was its turn-based battle-system that involved simple button combinations to pull off fighting game-esque moves. In addition, the player could cast various magic spells with each character.
Another way in which Xenogears broke from the norm is that it allowed you to battle in huge Gundam- like robots called Gears. These stylish robots allowed players to input button combinations, use magic, and perform special moves that required some advance planning. In addition, the player had to keep an eye on the Gear’s fuel gauge, and had to carefully choose his Gear’s equipment.
Xenogears was also special for being one of the first console RPGs to include a fully rotatable camera, and for allowing players to jump. Unfortunately, the jumping wasn’t as precise as it could have been due to slowdown and clunky controls, but I appreciated the additional freedom it provided.
Even though Xenogears had some innovative gameplay concepts, the meat of the experience was its deep storyline that involved several complex philosophical concepts in addition to religious themes from many world religions. Some of these elements were cleverly disguised, while others were easily identifiable by individuals familiar with those topics. The best part about the inclusion of these themes, however, was that they were often used in meaningful ways.
Xenogears also had a memorable cast of characters and many underlying themes that weren’t strictly of a religious nature. One of these themes seems to be a commentary on the carefully disguised atrocities committed by certain imperialistic nations. With a plot that also touches on cannibalism, cloning, reincarnation, slavery, and human relations, you’ve got an unforgettable tale that can be difficult to piece together, but is certainly worth experiencing. Hopefully, those who missed out on this innovative sci-fi/fantasy hybrid will get the chance to experience Xenogears on PSN if Square ever decides to re-release it in North America.