8 JRPG Flops That Deserve A Second Chance

In today’s era of re-releases and enhanced versions, it appears that the gaming industry is persistently offering games that have previously demonstrated their success.

From a commercial perspective, it’s clear, yet numerous games exist with substantial qualities that unfortunately didn’t manage to attract a significant player base.

Numerous JRPGs, notable for their groundbreaking concepts, have been overlooked or forgotten over time. This happens either due to suboptimal implementation or because stronger competitors overshadowed them. It’s these games that deserve a second chance and reevaluation. Here, we will explore eight such titles.

8 Loop8: Summer of Gods

Persona Wannabe

8 JRPG Flops That Deserve A Second Chance

If we blended the societal aspects from the Persona series with a time-loop roguelike gameplay, we might have something like “Loop8: Summer of Gods“. However, it didn’t receive widespread approval in its execution.

The game is located in a delightful 1980s Japanese town on the edge of disaster due to terrifying beings known as Kegai. In this game, you assume the character of a protagonist, and the strength of your relationships serves as your power to counter the imminent threat.

Should the adversaries remain overly strong, the timeline resets to the beginning of the month, allowing you an opportunity to establish fresh connections and make another attempt.

The game didn’t quite live up to its potential due to mediocre performance and limited audience appeal, yet the fundamental concept is intriguing enough for a second attempt at success.

7 The Last Remnant

Ambitious to a Fault

8 JRPG Flops That Deserve A Second Chance

The game “The Last Remnant” stands out as a title that was undeniably ahead of its era. In this Japanese role-playing game, players experienced a unique combat system centered around massive clashes involving entire armies – a concept previously unseen in gaming.

Regrettably, the magnitude of the battles was beyond the capabilities of the hardware from 2008, leading to frequent frame rate drops and extended loading periods. Furthermore, several gaming elements demanded significant improvements.

A complete update tailored for contemporary players could bring out the best in this game. With technological upgrades, easier learning experience for newcomers, and balanced challenges, the game’s appeal will significantly improve, enhancing its overall value.

6 Koudelka

We Need More Spooky JRPGs

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel that JRPGs tend to shy away from the chilling realm of horror, which is truly a missed opportunity. Back in 1999, Koudelka boldly tried to merge these two genres, providing an intriguing backdrop and an eerie atmosphere that left quite an impression on me.

In a spooky Welsh monastery, players assume the role of the main character, a medium, who investigates the eerie environment, seeking answers to its secrets while battling spectral beings hiding among its dark corners.

Regardless of its captivating atmosphere and distinctive blend of genres, the game garnered a variety of opinions because of its awkward combat mechanics and rhythm problems. The primary cause for concern was the strategic grid-based battle system, which suffered from sluggish animation speeds.

Koudelka blends an unusual combination of gothic horror and role-playing game (RPG) aspects, making it a unique gaming experience that’s worth exploring. A contemporary reimagining could iron out the existing issues, enabling the game’s chilling narrative and atmosphere to captivate a fresh audience of players.

5 Resonance of Fate

Amazing Stylish Combat

As a gamer, I was utterly captivated by Resonance of Fate – a game that turned heads with its one-of-a-kind combat system where you could fire guns mid-leap during jaw-dropping acrobatics. The dystopian steampunk setting served as the ideal backdrop for this action-packed experience, immersing me in a world like no other.

It’s regrettable that a game with such fashionable visuals may have lost numerous potential players due to its complexity. The combat sequences it offers are incredibly impressive, but the rules governing these battles can be hard to grasp because the game doesn’t explain them well enough, which seems to have been a major deterrent for many.

Should you successfully decipher the intricate workings, a delightful experience awaits. However, Resonance of Fate could greatly benefit from an improved introduction for wider appeal and easier access to its intended audience.

4 Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Dungeon Crawling Monster Negotiator

Sometimes, even critically acclaimed games fail to find success with the audience.

In contrast to the previous installments of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey offered a unique perspective by being a first-person dungeon crawler, and it was set in the uncharted territories of Antarctica.

At its initial release, despite garnering favorable critiques for its intricate storylines and complex gameplay, the game failed to connect with the general audience, resulting in lower-than-expected sales.

It’s possible that players found the shift in viewpoint challenging, or alternatively, they might have been deterred by the game’s steep learning curve and intricate mechanics, making it harder for more casual gamers to enjoy.

In time, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey has earned the status of a beloved cult favorite and remains an enjoyable experience for players, yet some improvements might entice a broader range of gamers.

3 Chrono Cross

The Burden of the Legacy

It’s fascinating to ponder over the fact that several games now hailed as cult classics didn’t find success initially upon their release. Occasionally, this outcome is due to the pressure of living up to the reputation of a previous title. This can be seen in the case of Chrono Cross.

As a spiritual successor to Chrono Trigger, bearing the same half of its title, came with numerous connotations and anticipations. However, while Chrono Cross was an extraordinary game, it fell short of the towering expectations set by the first installment’s fans, leading to less-than-impressive sales.

Nevertheless, Chrono Cross is an amazing JRPG with a huge cast of characters, a great storyline, an innovative combat system, and one of the best music scores in gaming. It was remastered not too long ago, so if you missed it, it’s time to catch up.

2 The Legend of Dragoon

Flawed but Loved

Speaking about timeless video games with a cult following, The Legend of Dragoon often brings nostalgic feelings to gamers, despite not initially garnering widespread acclaim upon release.

In simpler terms, The Legend of Dragoon isn’t typically considered a great work of art. Its main flaw lies in its slow pace, while the narrative itself is straightforward without many surprising or unforeseeable turns.

Regardless, the world held an allure, and the characters were endearing. Moreover, the real-time battle mechanics struck a perfect balance, offering both challenge and enjoyment.

Consequently, The Legend of Dragoon attracted a large following who have passionately campaigned for a remake over many years.

Restaging The Legend of Dragoon with a contemporary perspective could help address the issues that have hindered its potential in the past.

1 Panzer Dragoon Saga

Gaming’s Greatest Lost Gem

Few individuals have had the chance to play Panzer Dragoon Saga, a title that carries quite a reputation despite its scarcity. This isn’t shocking, given that approximately 20,000 units of the game were allegedly distributed across North America.

What a pity it is that this groundbreaking gem encountered such an unfortunate end. The game tested the delicate capabilities of the Sega Saturn to its utmost extent, achieving feats that other games powered by superior hardware could not replicate until several years had passed.

In contrast to many ’90s Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), which typically lacked fast and heart-pounding combat, Panzer Dragoon Saga stood out as an exception with its thrilling battle sequences. This is a game that I strongly recommend for everyone to experience.

It seems that the original source code for Panzer Dragoon Saga appears to be missing, and since authentic copies of it are valued at over a thousand dollars, it looks like a remake or sequel won’t be developed any time in the near future.

2024-11-22 16:40