Great 2000s RPGs That Were Ahead Of Their Time

Highlights

RPGs of the 2000s broke new ground and set standards for modern games to follow, like The Witcher and Mass Effect.
Games like Valkyria Chronicles and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines were innovative for their time, influencing future genres.
Titles like Diablo 2 and Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind revolutionized RPG gameplay with diverse classes and open-world exploration.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that these games were truly pioneers in their respective genres. Each one left an indelible mark on the gaming industry and continues to influence new releases even today.

Role-playing games (RPGs) have played a significant role in gaming ever since its inception. Over time, they’ve continued to adapt and grow, frequently incorporating aspects from this genre into other game categories.

In the 2000s, the surge in popularity of role-playing games (RPGs) from the ’90s didn’t dwindle as we entered a new century. Instead, it gathered momentum, leading to the release of numerous groundbreaking RPGs at the turn of the millennium. These RPGs from the 2000s weren’t just remarkable; they pushed boundaries and established norms that would only become mainstream much later on. Some argue that modern games are still playing catch-up to these timeless classics.

12 The Witcher

Dense Writing & Focus On Moral Ambiguity

CD Projekt Red, known for its mix of triumphs and challenges during their development journey, experienced a significant setback following the phenomenal success of ‘The Witcher 3’. However, if gamers are still feeling less than satisfied with them, I’d recommend revisiting the company’s earlier work by giving the original ‘Witcher’ game a try.

After diving deep into the third installment of this franchise, it’s quite challenging to jump back into the original game from 2007 – The Witcher. However, even though its gameplay may not stand the test of time, its ambition is truly remarkable and was ahead of its time in the action RPG genre. The choice wasn’t about being a gray character back then, but rather choosing between good or evil. Despite the outdated gameplay, the story remains compelling. Luckily, CD Projekt Red has announced a remake of this classic title, so I can’t wait to revisit and appreciate it anew!

11 Valkyria Chronicles

Blends Third-Person Shooting, Visual Novels, & Strategy

Before the turn-based strategy genre gained widespread popularity, Valkyria Chronicles offered a distinct approach. Rather than navigating characters on a grid with unlimited decision-making time, players could traverse the gameplay field to a specific extent freely.

1. Moving towards enemy gunfire causes characters to take damage in games. Similarly, enemies moving into your team’s territory would return fire. Games such as Mario + Rabbids have revitalized this genre, leading one to ponder if Valkyria Chronicles might have garnered more popularity if it were released a decade later, given its niche appeal. Currently, the series caters mainly to dedicated fans of the specific genre.

10 Final Fantasy 10

A Progression System That Provides More Freedom

In a time when gamers were accustomed to certain elements from Japanese Role-Playing Games, Final Fantasy 10 broke the mold significantly. Unlike traditional JRPGs, this game lacks an overarching world map and follows a rather strict linear path until the final stages, where players are granted more freedom to explore.

Furthermore, instead of conventional levels, the game features a Sphere Grid system that grants the characters greater autonomy in their development paths. Initially apprehensive players found their doubts alleviated upon starting to play.

9 Mass Effect

A Trilogy With Choices That Continue From Game To Game

Launched in 2007, Mass Effect represented one of the most daring ventures any studio had embarked upon. The concept of a trilogy of games where player choices would resonate across subsequent installments was almost unimaginable back then. Yet, BioWare managed to make it happen.

The Mass Effect series experienced a rough patch following the launch of Andromeda, but with the re-release of the trilogy and the announcement of its continuation, fans have once again taken a liking to it. Revisiting the initial installment highlights certain flaws that were later rectified, yet it remains surprisingly well-constructed for an RPG of its age.

8 Vagrant Story

In-Depth Crafting System

The Square Company is known for visually stunning games, and Vagrant Story stands out as the pinnacle of their technical prowess on the original PlayStation.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that this game truly stands out from the crowd. Unlike other action games that seem to focus excessively on shops and towns, this one takes a more focused approach by concentrating solely on combat and dungeons. This unique design allows it to do things that others can’t, such as offering an intricate weapon and armor crafting system. It’s refreshing to see a game take a different path, and I can’t wait to delve deeper into its depths.

7 Deus Ex

Immersive Sim

In the year 2000, this cyberpunk masterpiece offered an unmatched level of immersion. Each stage was meticulously crafted as a vast, open-ended playground, allowing players to tackle situations using a multitude of strategies based on their creativity and the character’s skills.

Under Warren Spector’s guidance, it was a natural progression, much as you’d anticipate from the genius behind the original Thief and System Shock video games. Despite subsequent installments and remakes, many gamers still regard the initial release as the series’ finest.

6 World Of Warcraft

Established MMOs As A Worldwide Phenomenon

In the 1990s, Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs) were quite specialized and not widely available. However, as the internet became more widespread and user-friendly, it was just a question of time until World of Warcraft emerged, capturing a significant part of gaming society in its wake.

In the early years following its launch, you’d struggle to avoid news about a particular game on gaming sites or in magazines. Fast forward 20 years, and World of Warcraft (WoW) remains an unrivaled giant in a market that has become increasingly congested.

5 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

A World Influenced By The Player

Some games strive for too much complexity and end up being more trouble than they’re worth. For instance, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines boasts a wealth of imaginative concepts, but without fan-made updates, the game is riddled with bugs that make it barely playable. Nevertheless, when it functions properly, the content is typically excellent, especially in the early stages of the gameplay.

Experiencing such a complex 3D role-playing game in 2004 inevitably comes with its challenges. The choices made by players and their characters significantly impact various elements within the game. Here’s hoping that the sequel can recreate that immersive experience, but this time with fewer technical glitches.

4 Final Fantasy 11

Cross-Platform Play

Before the release of “World of Warcraft” two years prior, “Final Fantasy 11” made history by launching as the first MMORPG in its franchise and the first to offer cross-platform play. This meant that gamers playing on PlayStation 2 could connect with PC players on the same server.

In modern times, gaining access to Final Fantasy 11 is quite challenging, yet it garnered immense popularity during its initial run. Although Final Fantasy 11 remains playable on PCs, many have shifted their focus towards Final Fantasy 14, a game that is widely regarded as superior in today’s context. However, let us not forget that Final Fantasy 11 was a groundbreaking release for its time and often gets overshadowed in the present day.

3 Diablo 2

All-Around Innovative; The Class System Was Huge

Blizzard’s dungeon crawler series streamlines the narrative, focusing mainly on combat and loot gathering. This simplified approach proved both engaging and addictive for players. Moreover, the game received frequent updates over an extended period, helping to soften the anticipation for the release of Diablo 3. Other dungeon crawlers such as Borderlands adopted a similar design.

Diablo 2 revolutionized gaming in many ways, introducing concepts that would become standard in the isometric action RPG genre. It moved from a linear level design to an open world, making sure there was always something engaging for players to explore. The character classes in Diablo 2 offer much more variety than its predecessor, enabling customized builds suited to various playstyles. This shift had a significant impact on the RPG genre.

2 Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Ambitious Large-Scale Sandbox Built On Exploration

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always been captivated by the unique blend of freedom offered in The Elder Scrolls series. However, Morrowind took this concept to uncharted territories, surpassing even its illustrious predecessors. This game, created by the ingenious minds at Bethesda, not only demonstrated that console-friendly PC-style RPGs were possible but also presented a vast, open-world sandbox that was nothing short of monumental for its time. Revisiting this masterpiece today still leaves me awestruck.

In certain aspects, Morrowind paved the way for games similar to BOTW. Both titles promote free-roaming exploration as a primary aspect, rather than merely rewarding points or markers on a map. As a role-playing game, it not only allows but also encourages blunders and offers an open environment where players can independently engage without constant guidance.

1 Demon’s Souls

The Birth Of The Soulslike

The groundbreaking video game “Demon’s Souls” catapulted FromSoftware into gaming stardom and cemented Hidetaka Miyazaki as an influential figure within the industry. This title revolutionized many aspects of modern games by introducing several innovative concepts. At a time when most big-budget games were easing up in difficulty and offering more leniency, “Demon’s Souls” stood out with its high level of challenge and enigmatic design. The game’s structure placed a strong emphasis on repetition, encouraging players to learn the enemies’ patterns instead of relying solely on leveling up for victory. Although stats still played a role in the equation, skill improvement was prioritized over brute force. Furthermore, the combat system was significantly more complex than most Western action RPGs at that time and took center stage, almost overshadowing the game’s narrative as it told a less conventional story.

Although it may have some oddities and subsequent games from the studio refined their approach, the strong base established by Demon’s Souls remains robust. This is evident in the recently released remake by Bluepoint Games for the PlayStation 5.

2024-08-13 14:24