Best DS JRPGs With No Random Encounters, Ranked

Summary

DS RPGs offered non-randomized battles, enhancing player experience.
Tactical experiences on the DS could match up with graphics limitations.
Games like The World Ends With You utilized DS functionality creatively.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that the list of RPGs for the Nintendo DS is nothing short of phenomenal. From the classic Dragon Quest 9 to the innovative The World Ends With You, these games have not only kept me entertained but also expanded my understanding of the genre.

As a devoted moviegoer, I’d rephrase it like this: Among handheld gaming devices, the DS stands as an all-time great, possibly paving the way for the Switch’s massive success we see today. For me, as an RPG enthusiast, the DS was an exceptional platform. However, there was a minor hiccup that might have irked veteran RPG gamers like myself: the random encounter system.

For example, walking around in tall grass or caves in the various Pokemon games could get old. Most Final Fantasy games also had random battles. These other DS RPGs were different though, and offered non-randomized battles in both turn-based and action varieties. Let’s rank them based on how purely good they all were.

7. SaGa 2: The Treasure Legend – Goddess of Destiny

Started As A Fantasy, Ended As A Saga

Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: September 17, 2009 (Japan)
Platform: DS

The Treasure Legend – Goddess of Destiny” is actually a remake of “Final Fantasy Legend 2,” but it’s not linked to the “Final Fantasy” series at all. Instead, it belongs to the “SaGa” game franchise. Both versions share similar gameplay mechanics where you can customize your character and gather party members who are proficient in various weapons as well as monsters.

As a dedicated moviegoer, I must say that this game is a captivating blend of strategy and character development. In this fantastical realm, your allies, or “monsters,” can transform based on the items they’re fed or equipped, enhancing their abilities over time. For instance, wielding a sword not only grants you a fighting companion but also boosts their proficiency and attack power.

6. The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road

For Wicked Enthusiasts

Discussing “The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road” is fitting right now due to the buzz surrounding “Wicked.” This game offers another intriguing take on the “Oz” mythos, with Dorothy and her companions pursuing seasonal witches that The Wizard of Oz has labeled as wicked.

In this game, characters will encounter creatures out in the open and engage in classic turn-based combat. Each team member possesses unique abilities that offer an advantage over specific enemy types. For instance, the Tin Man excels against plant monsters due to his chopping capabilities. This title was created by Media.Vision, a company recognized for their work on role-playing games like Wild Arms and Valkyria Chronicles.

5. Radiant Historia

Time Traveling Portability

Among all the unique games Atlus has produced, fans are particularly eager for a sequel to the game titled _Radiant Historia_. In this game, players take on the role of Stocke, who possesses the ability to manipulate time using a book. A minor adjustment in one universe can lead to multiple paths, allowing players to move between them freely. This time-travel system was more immersive than the one presented in the classic SNES game _Chrono Trigger_.

As adventurers delved into the landscapes and subterranean lairs, foes would materialize, and contact with them triggered a turn-based confrontation. Columns of adversaries popped up, and using player skills allowed for clustering enemies to deal greater harm, which proved the most potent path to triumph.

4. Chrono Trigger (DS)

A SNES Classic Returns

The classic game Chrono Trigger made a comeback on the DS following its initial release on the SNES and subsequent port to the PS1. Although the PlayStation version had some appealing features such as anime cutscenes, it was less than perfect. The DS version, however, harkened back to the basics while improving upon aspects that needed enhancement, like the timeline chronicle and endings. Crucially, it left undisturbed what was already exceptional, including the battle system and graphics.

In its day, Chrono Trigger stood out by incorporating enemies that roamed dungeons, eliminating constant random battles on the world map. This change in battle dynamics and the introduction of combo attacks made exploration less tedious and turned-based combat more engaging.

3. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

The King Of Koopas Has A Plumber Infestation In His Gut

In the role-playing game (RPG) series known as ‘Mario & Luigi’, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is the third installment. The story unfolds by switching perspectives, with Bowser attempting to seize control of the Mushroom Kingdom while simultaneously defending it from invaders, and Mario and Luigi finding themselves trapped within him.

Exploring Bowser’s inner world is akin to delving into a labyrinth, offering an imaginative, enjoyable experience for all players. Regardless of whether you choose to play as Bowser or the plumbers, adversaries will populate the field. The combat system, though turn-based, offers active attacks, allowing players to evade enemies and retaliate effectively.

2. Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky

An Evolution For The Series

The game titled “Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky” marked a significant departure for the main series by eliminating random battles. This groundbreaking title also introduced innovative gameplay elements such as cooperative play and its release on the DS platform, rather than a traditional console.

In the game Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky, one effective method to advance is by utilizing Metal Slimes. These creatures can be found in the field or dungeons, making the tedious process of leveling up less daunting. Additionally, tracking down other monsters for fusion materials or side quests further reduced the grind’s intensity. Despite the turn-based combat, the Vocation system added an engaging element to the gameplay.

1. The World Ends With You

Drown Out The Noise

The Nintendo DS game titled “The World Ends With You” was a groundbreaking role-playing game that broke many conventions and effectively utilized the portable’s features. The main character, Neku, passes away and enters into an afterlife where he participates in a death game with the hope of being reborn.

As a passionate film enthusiast immersed in the cinematic world of Neku’s adventure, I find myself engaged in thrilling combat sequences where my character is often accompanied by an automatic combatant who mirrors my moves, but superior players can input their own strategic moves using the D-Pad. The versatile Neku can be effortlessly maneuvered with a stylus, and the strategically placed pins on his person determine his arsenal of abilities, ranging from swift slashes to explosive fireballs. In this captivating afterlife rendition of Japan, players have the power to summon monstrous entities known as Noise whenever they seek out battle.

2024-12-16 06:34