Best Linear RPGs – Investment Policy

I love games where I can really lose myself in a huge world, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is still one of the best for that – it’s been out for over ten years and it’s still amazing! The world is incredible, the fighting feels awesome, and the story just pulls you in. If you’re into JRPGs, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is another fantastic option, and it’s great to see another classic Final Fantasy game get such a good remake.

Many RPG and JRPG players don’t want to fully explore every single part of a game, even if they enjoy playing for a long time. There are plenty of straightforward games, both short and long, that fans will enjoy, especially if they haven’t tried them before.

Scarlet Nexus

The Future Is Now

In Scarlet Nexus, you begin by choosing to play as either Yuito or Kasane. While they both start with similar abilities, their stories and the team members who join them on missions quickly become unique. You directly control either Yuito or Kasane throughout the game; other characters assist you but aren’t playable.

Beyond the main story missions, there aren’t a lot of extra things to do except get to know your teammates and explore hidden areas. While the game follows a fairly straightforward path, the combat is the most enjoyable aspect – it’s simple to learn and visually impressive.

Indivisible

A Metroidvania RPG

Indivisible is a unique game that combines turn-based RPG battles with the exploration of a 2D Metroidvania world. You’ll navigate interconnected dungeons and explore different areas. When you encounter enemies, weaker ones can be defeated with basic attacks, but stronger foes will trigger a battle when struck.

As a fan, I’m really excited about how they’re letting you control your whole party! You map each of the four characters to a face button, and then you can either just summon them randomly, or really get into it and build combos. Plus, the hand-drawn animation is absolutely gorgeous – honestly, it’s one of the best-looking RPGs and Metroidvanias I’ve seen in a long time!

Undertale

Monster Mash

Undertale is a brief and straightforward RPG, but it stands out as one of the most original and unforgettable games ever made. Players have the option to fight monsters or find peaceful solutions, and choosing to spare enemies allows for a special, non-violent playthrough.

Successfully completing this task unlocks tougher enemies and powerful bosses, letting players learn about their stories. Surprisingly, choosing to avoid fighting is actually harder than battling, because you’ll need to skillfully dodge a lot of attacks – it feels like playing a fast-paced bullet hell game! Despite the challenge, it’s a rewarding experience thanks to the game’s funny writing and upbeat music.

Final Fantasy 13

Funneled Fantasy

As a long-time Final Fantasy fan, I have to say Final Fantasy 13 was a bit of a shock at first. It’s way more focused and linear than any of the other main games. You’re pretty much stuck on a set path for a good chunk of the game – you can’t change your characters’ classes or even switch who’s in your party, and side quests are pretty limited early on. Some of us who loved exploring in older Final Fantasy games weren’t thrilled, but others who prefer a more streamlined experience actually really enjoyed it!

Dividing the gameplay between different locations and objectives allowed players to develop stronger connections with characters in smaller groups, a technique also used effectively in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This likely drew inspiration from Final Fantasy 13. Although not flawless, the game boasts excellent graphics, music, and combat, and the final portion offers plenty of optional activities for players who want them.

Parasite Eve

Solving The Case

Okay, so I recently played Parasite Eve, and it’s seriously creepy! You’re a detective in New York City dealing with some really bizarre stuff – people are literally melting, rats are mutating, and you’re chasing bad guys through the sewers. It’s an RPG, but definitely leans into the horror side of things. It’s a wild ride!

During battles, players are free to move and dodge, and can pause at any time on their turn to carefully aim weapons or psychic abilities. The immersive experience, focused locations, and engaging combat system make Parasite Eve a standout title for the original PlayStation. While the first playthrough doesn’t have a lot of extra content, New Game+ adds a substantial optional dungeon to explore.

The World Ends With You

Week After Week

Like many games, The World Ends With You is set in a city – in this case, Shibuya, Japan. The story follows Neku, a teenager who has recently died and finds himself in a strange, alternate version of Shibuya. He quickly discovers he can only communicate with other people who are also stuck in this in-between world.

In this game, you compete in battles to become the ultimate champion and earn a wish, like the power to come back to life. The combat is special because you control one character with touch controls on the bottom screen, and switch between partners using buttons on the top. The Switch version is a streamlined, single-screen remaster and is the most accessible way to play. The game focuses on progressing through each day, so there aren’t many optional things to do beyond leveling up your characters.

Live A Live

An Episodic RPG

In Live A Live, players experience the game through the eyes of seven unique characters, each with their own complete story set in different time periods. Some stories, like that of the gunslinger Sundown Kid in the Old West, follow a set path. Others, such as Pogo’s journey in the prehistoric age, allow for more open-ended exploration. Completing each character’s story unlocks even more of the game, in a way that’s best discovered by playing.

This updated version of Live A Live, originally released in Japan for the SNES, is a fantastic collection of turn-based RPG battles with strategic grid movement. While the overall story isn’t the most seamless, the game’s unique approach and beautiful HD-2D visuals make it worth playing.

Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow

Following The 2D Path

So, I’m playing Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, and it’s a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow. You play as Soma Cruz, who’s basically a vampire hunter, and it’s set in the future, which is kinda cool. Even though it’s the future, Dracula’s still around with his castle, so the fighting never stops! The Belmont clan isn’t really helping out this time, though. Just like the last game, I get to battle enemies, earn experience to level up, and grab new weapons and armor from shops. It’s a really solid setup.

Players can also learn skills from monsters, gaining both active and passive abilities – it’s similar to collecting and training in a game like Pokemon. The game is designed as a 2D Metroidvania, so expect some revisiting of areas and side paths, but these are kept relatively short overall.

Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance

Back To Basics

Unlike newer Fire Emblem games such as Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which offer a lot of optional content, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is a more traditional experience. Players move directly from one challenging, turn-based battle to the next, and with permanent character death enabled, every decision in combat is crucial.

If a teammate falls in battle, they’re gone for good unless you restart the game. It’s a definitely a tougher, more strategic experience, but now Switch 2 owners can try it out with the recent addition of GameCube titles.

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance

Not As Open As BG3

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is an action-packed dungeon crawler, similar to Diablo but with a more compact experience. Players select from three character classes – Archer, Fighter, or Sorceress – and can play through the campaign solo or team up with friends for faster-paced, loot-filled combat.

If you found Baldur’s Gate 3 overwhelming with its many choices and lengthy story, you might enjoy this older game in the series, especially since it’s now been updated and is available on most platforms.

2026-02-04 08:36