Best Western RPGs That Are Not Part Of A Franchise

Key Takeaways

Developers often abandon potential sequel opportunities for Western RPGs due to financial constraints.
Unique titles like Jade Empire and Tyranny faced challenges in attracting enough interest and sales.
Neo Scavenger and Wildermyth showcase innovative gameplay in niche Western RPG genres.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I must say that it’s a real shame to see so many promising Western RPGs fail to reach their full potential. It’s like watching a beautiful sunset fade too quickly, leaving you yearning for more.

It’s understandable why video game developers often opt for established franchises or sequels rather than launching something completely new, as the costs associated with game development can be high. This strategy is employed due to its perceived lower risk compared to introducing an original title without any prior connection to other games. However, if a new game manages to gain some traction, publishers are quick to capitalize on this success by developing it into a series that enthusiasts can immerse themselves in.

Developing Western Role-Playing Games can be challenging and costly, as creators must construct entirely new realms filled with captivating backstories to maintain player interest. It’s surprising when some of these games turn out to be standalone titles rather than starting a series, given their potential for further expansion.

8 Jade Empire

A Great BioWare Action RPG With Wuxia Elements

BioWare aimed to experiment with the design of Jade Empire, striving to enhance their role-playing game mechanics by incorporating dynamic, action-oriented sequences rather than the conventional tactical ones. This change resulted in a top-tier RPG that offers engaging combat and an intriguing narrative, allowing players to showcase various martial arts techniques while battling opponents with panache.

Although the wuxia aspects and engaging gameplay of Jade Empire brought delight during play, unfortunately, it didn’t draw much attention. Consequently, BioWare was forced to discontinue this project rather than expanding it with a sequel, which is truly unfortunate.

7 Alpha Protocol

An Espionage RPG That’s A Blast To Play Through But Launched In A Broken State

Obsidian Entertainment has a history of creating outstanding Western role-playing games that often come with bugs, and Alpha Protocol unfortunately fits this pattern. It’s disappointing because the concept of an espionage RPG was intriguing and had the potential to draw in many gamers.

Regrettably, Alpha Protocol’s launch was not successful due to technical flaws and unusual user interface elements. However, beneath these problems lay an engaging game where players had freedom to approach missions as they preferred and met a cast of unforgettable characters.

6 Tyranny

Boasts Impressive Writing That Explores The Nature Of Evil

“Tyranny” stands out among RPGs because it delves deeply into the concept of evil, a topic not often explored in these games. The writing style gives it a unique flavor that sets it apart as one of the most distinct CRPGs available to players. However, due to financial constraints, Obsidian was unable to fully realize the vision they had for this game.

Despite an exciting start and engaging story development filled with impressive scenes, the ending of Tyranny felt rushed, lacking the satisfying resolution it needed. Unfortunately, low sales numbers meant that Obsidian had to let go of this intellectual property entirely, even though the writing was exceptional throughout the game.

5 Disco Elysium

A Well-Written RPG With No Combat

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for Disco Elysium. It stands out as one of the most intellectually stimulating and engaging role-playing games you could lay your hands on. What makes it unique is that there’s no traditional combat system. Instead, it offers a fresh take on RPG elements by giving players the freedom to approach detective work in their own way, sometimes stumbling along the way, but also finding success in unexpected moments.

The exceptional writing in the game Disco Elysium is undoubtedly one of its standout features, making it unfortunate that the team responsible for bringing this title to life disbanded. Regardless of whether or not a sequel is produced, it’s likely that the absence of the original creators means that Disco Elysium 2 may pale in comparison to its predecessor.

4 Lionheart: Legacy Of The Crusader

An Amazing Game To Play Through Early On Before It Loses Its Steam

Platform: PC
Release Date: August 12, 2003
Developer: Reflexive Entertainment

In many Western RPGs, a significant challenge was the vast scale that proved impossible to realize within the limitations of development. Regrettably, this predicament hindered the potential for Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader to become an engaging and thrilling CRPG series, which is unfortunate because fans may still fondly recall that captivating instant when they reached Barcelona and gradually discovered the rich role-playing opportunities concealed within this city.

The game struggles and narrows down its focus when players exit the city, transforming into a game primarily focused on combat with somewhat rigid encounters. If Lionheart had realized its ambitions, there’s no doubt that it could have soared to great heights, given the impressive scale and detail hinted at in the opening stages.

3 Neo Scavenger

A Hardcore Survival RPG With Numerous Complex Systems

Daniel Fedor, who previously worked at BioWare, left the company and set out to bring his concept for a challenging survival role-playing game to life. This ambition eventually resulted in the birth and development of Neo Scavenger, one of the most grueling survival RPGs available for gamers today.

Keeping track of Philip’s health and making sure he survives both enemy attacks and severe illnesses is more challenging in theory than it is in practice. This game, although it has a dedicated following, may not create a new Intellectual Property on its own. However, those intrigued by the prospect won’t be deterred as long as they can enjoy an outstanding Western Role-Playing Game experience that promises to be entertaining.

2 Nox

An Underrated Action RPG With A Unique Take On Classes And Storylines

Although Westwood Studios is primarily recognized for its popular “Command & Conquer” series, not everyone realizes that this studio also made an attempt at creating a unique action RPG, which was quite impressive. Despite not receiving widespread attention, “Nox” boasted some innovative concepts that set it apart as a hidden gem within the genre.

The type of character a player selects significantly influences the tale they’ll encounter within the game. Such variety enhances the game’s appeal for repeat plays, enticing players to assume roles as a Warrior, Sorcerer, or Magician, each offering unique and captivating storylines.

1 Wildermyth

A Unique Indie RPG That Combines Procedural Narrative Design With Strategic Combat

Wildermyth” is an outstanding independent role-playing game that many gamers should definitely explore. This game innovatively employs procedural storylines, giving a band of randomly selected heroes distinct personalities that often surpass those seen in popular AAA games.

In a refreshing twist, the magical system stands out, while the tactical battles played in turns offer a delightful balance between simplicity and fulfillment. Together, these elements create an outstanding RPG experience that allows players to immerse themselves for extended periods, even as they notice some story moments and transformations becoming repetitive from time to time.

2024-11-08 09:05