As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I can confidently say that these games have truly left their mark on the RPG genre. Each one brings something unique to the table, from refining systems and mechanics to telling captivating stories.
The art of the sequel is an exceptionally difficult and delicate one.
It’s not that hard to just dump a bunch of existing characters into a half-baked new adventure.
Showing genuine commitment and creativity is necessary to craft a sequel that doesn’t just reuse existing designs, but instead, takes them to new heights with innovative twists.
In JRPGs, it can often prove challenging due to their expansive, meticulously crafted nature from the beginning.
Regardless of the lofty standards set, numerous JRPG sequels throughout the years have managed to surpass them with ease.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve come across titles that have cleverly developed familiar landscapes, personas, and gameplay dynamics, sometimes taking them to unforeseen realms, or even elevating them to new heights.
10 Kingdom Hearts 2
High-Flying Action
One compelling rephrase could be: “The initial Kingdom Hearts game is still considered one of the most daring long shots in video game history, and that’s quite an achievement.
The blending of Disney and Final Fantasy was an unexpected concept that didn’t come without its share of imperfections or inconsistencies.
Despite everything, it continued to carve a place within my heart, and Kingdom Hearts 2 only fortified that connection even more deeply.
In the sequel to Kingdom Hearts, numerous enhancements were made, notably boosting the intensity and aerial combat, making it more dynamic and thrilling.
The introduction of the Reaction Command system for situational super-moves was a stroke of brilliance that’s stuck with the franchise to this day.
9 Mother 3
More Laughs, More Tears
Both Mother and Earthbound offer exceptional gameplay experiences, blending whimsical, oddball environments with an innovative battle mechanism.
It wasn’t until the unveiling of Mother 3 that her real identity became apparent.
Mother 3 incorporated beneficial enhancements such as dashing, as well as unique battle elements like the rhythmic attack system.
Additionally, I found myself deeply moved by the heartfelt narrative of Mother 3, which was beautifully brought to life through its sophisticated character animations.
There’s a reason people still want this game to come westward decades later: it’s just that good.
8 Persona 3
Establishing Its Own Identity
One of the most established Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) series, Megami Tensei, is recognized for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, an extensive array of spin-off titles.
Among the offshoots, one notable title was the initial Persona game, characterized by its focus on modern backdrops and characters, as opposed to traditional fantasy or historical themes.
Initially, the first two Persona games had their merits, but they maintained a strong connection to the gameplay mechanisms of Megami Tensei.
This changed with the release of Persona 3.
The battle system in Persona 3, where players hunt for weaknesses, and the strict schedule, have crafted a compelling gameplay cycle that has propelled Persona into a powerhouse on its own merits, separate from its origins.
7 Pokémon Gold & Silver
A New Realm Of Pocket Monsters
Nowadays, it’s assumed that each new Pokemon game will introduce us to a fresh region filled with novel Pokemon. However, this wasn’t always so in the past.
In the old days of Red & Blue, it was 150 and no more (unless you cheated and caught Mew).
The release of Pokémon Gold & Silver, however, completely threw all of us for a loop.
In addition to discovering a whole fresh territory, we found ourselves with 100 new Pokemon to capture, plus two new types – Steel and Dark – to add to our collection.
6 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Wilder And Wackier
The original Paper Mario was released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64.
The latest RPG adventure for Mario represented a significant step forward, yet despite being an excellent game, it seemed to lack a particular element.
Whatever that something was, they apparently found it and put it in The Thousand-Year Door.
As a passionate admirer, I’d say that Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door surpasses its precursor in numerous ways. It offers a richer, more tactical battle system, grander and more explosive scenarios, and a vastly expanded universe to traverse.
This game handled everything effortlessly, maintaining a user-friendly and family-oriented atmosphere. Such a balance is quite an achievement on its own.
5 Bravely Default 2
Broader JRPG Appeal
In a more specific sense, Bravely Default 2 is indeed the third installment in the Bravely Default series.
The first game in the series was directly followed by Bravely Second, which is a sequel, but Bravely Default 2 marks the second overall installment in the game series.
The transition from 3DS to Nintendo Switch certainly brought with it a greater degree of technical complexity and presentation.
In a clever move, Bravely Default 2 introduced several thoughtful design elements that broadened the appeal of the series for a wider audience within the realm of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs).
Here, we’re enhancing the battle system with richer, subtler combats, replacing traditional random encounters with visible enemy markers on the field, and speeding up the pace at which the main story unfolds.
4 Octopath Traveler 2
Stories Intersect
Octopath Traveler marked Square Enix’s debut into the “HD-2D” genre, an innovative artistic approach that blends classic pixel characters with high-definition graphics and backdrops.
It was a great game, though there were some shortcomings, particularly the lack of interaction between character stories.
In simpler terms, Octopath Traveler 2 not only resolved various issues but also deepened the connections between characters within their individual narratives. Additionally, it made the climactic ending more accessible for players to enjoy.
As a seasoned gamer, I can’t help but notice the game’s enhanced combat speed, job revamps, and engaging travel conversations that are simply too good to skip!
3 Tales Of Berseria
Building A Future From The Past
2015’s Tales of Zestiria felt like a daring leap for the series, abandoning familiar gameplay conventions to craft something fresh and innovative instead. As a fan, I was both excited and apprehensive about this change, eager to see where the journey would take us.
In simpler terms, the outcome wasn’t entirely satisfactory initially, but tactfully spoken, however, those issues were quickly addressed and rectified in the sequel game, Tales of Berseria.
In Tales of Berseria, the gameplay elements presented in Zestiria were significantly improved, resulting in more seamless combat and exploration systems.
In a fresh and intriguing manner, Berseria expanded on the previously established narrative of Zestiria by serving as a prequel.
2 NieR: Automata
A Fighting Machine
The original NieR: Replicant was a bit of an odd duck of an action JRPG.
The battle scenes could have been more refined, and although the narrative was captivating, it required multiple plays to fully comprehend.
In comparison to Nier: Replicant, Nier: Automata boasts refinement where its predecessor fell short, primarily due to a sophisticated combat system crafted by the skilled action game developers at Platinum Games.
In simpler terms, the narrative of Automata is easier to follow compared to that of the Replicants, yet it maintains the unique and thought-provoking complexity typical of a Yoko Taro creation.
1 Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Improving On A Cult Classic
The original Shadow Hearts was a cult classic JRPG of the PlayStation 2 era.
The game was somewhat innovative, hence its success wasn’t overwhelming, but it’s still highly respected given the era in which it was released.
As a result, the initial installment in the series began to attract a wider audience upon the debut of its first sequel, titled Shadow Hearts: Covenant.
Although some found Covenant’s lighter story less appealing, there was no denying that it made significant enhancements in its gameplay mechanics. For instance, the dungeons and side quests became more engaging and enriching.
Adding combo attacks provided a unique opportunity for characters and their battle strategies to be fine-tuned and enhanced in unprecedented ways.
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2024-11-11 14:39