Best PS1 JRPGs That Are Not Part Of A Franchise

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Summary

  • PS1 had great RPGs like FF7 & Suikoden, but some one-off games didn’t become franchises.
  • Xenogears led to Xenosaga/Xenoblade, Legend of Dragoon didn’t get a sequel.
  • Vagrant Story & Guardian’s Crusade were unique, Thousand Arms focused on relationships & crafting weapons.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the vast and varied world of RPGs, I must say that these games from the PlayStation 1 era truly take me back to my younger days. Each one offers a unique experience, transporting players to different eras, settings, and even genres within the realm of role-playing games.

As a retro gaming enthusiast, I must say that the PlayStation 1 (PS1) didn’t exactly burst onto the scene with a bang, but boy, did it make up for its slow start! This console was a goldmine for Role-Playing Games (RPGs), and not just from one company – oh no, it was a smorgasbord of amazing games from various developers.

Although there are more RPGs to discuss, unfortunately, some didn’t make it as far and didn’t evolve into successful franchises. Many of these games never even moved beyond their original console, let alone received a follow-up. Here, we examine what they offered on the PlayStation 1 and evaluate whether they warrant a second opportunity.

Special Mention: Xenogears — A Religious Mech-Based Oddity

Xenogears was among the numerous unique games that Square Enix (previously known as Squaresoft) developed for the PlayStation 1. This sci-fi RPG featured two distinct types of turn-based battles, with characters on the ground executing button combinations to carry out moves akin to Sabin’s special abilities in Final Fantasy 6, when fighting.

In time, the gathering acquires mechs for combat reminiscent of turn-based engagements. Regrettably, no follow-up was produced; however, some crucial personnel, including Tetsuya Takahashi, who served as the game’s director, subsequently established Monolith Soft. This team later developed two games that can be seen as spiritual successors: Xenosaga and Xenoblade Chronicles. Despite sharing the “Xeno” label, these three series are not officially linked.

6. Beyond The Beyond

Should Be Named Golden Sun Origins

  • Developer: Camelot Software Planning
  • Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
  • Platform: PS1
  • Released: September 11, 1996 (NA)

Beyond the Beyond” was among the initial turn-based RPGs for the PS1. Before “Final Fantasy 7” popularized the PS1 and the genre, it was a challenging market to penetrate. The game was developed by Camelot, a studio that Nintendo enthusiasts might recognize from the “Golden Sun” series or various Mario sports games. The town and dungeon sprites are quite simple and resemble chibi characters, but in battle, the characters and animations are beautifully drawn as sprites.

As a passionate film enthusiast diving into the realm of video games, I can’t help but marvel at the innovative mechanics of games like Super Mario RPG. Its active commands set it apart from other turn-based RPGs in its time, offering an engaging and immersive experience that was truly ahead of its era.

5. Guardian’s Crusade

How To Train Your Dragon

  • Developer: Tamsoft
  • Publisher: Activision (WW)
  • Released: March 3, 1999 (NA)
  • Platform: PS1

In North America, the game was known as Guardian’s Crusade, but its original Japanese title, Knight & Baby, is sweeter and more descriptive. In this game, players assume the role of a young knight who is tasked with caring for a pink hippo-like dragon and returning it to its mother.

During the journey, participants will encounter and engage in turn-based combats with enemies that are visible on the map prior to engagement. Players can nurture their creature by feeding it and showing affection, which aids in its evolution. This game resembles a medieval version of Digimon, as trainers only raise one monster to develop, unlike Pokemon where players can capture numerous monsters.

4. The Legend Of Dragoon

Sony’s House Of Dragons

Originally developed in-house at Sony as a final attempt to boost sales for the PlayStation 1, “The Legend of Dragoon” garnered a devoted fanbase but never received a sequel from Sony. However, it did get an updated version on the PS5, complete with features like save states. The game follows the character Dart as he embarks on a mission to avenge his homeland against an invading army.

In battles, players can strategically coordinate their strikes, similar to how it’s done in Mario’s RPG series and the game “Beyond the Beyond”. While this wasn’t a groundbreaking concept, it was reminiscent of “The Legend of Dragoon”. However, what wasn’t innovative was the recurring and somewhat frequent battles with enemies, a feature that even classic PS1 RPGs like “Final Fantasy 7” included.

3. London Seirei Tanteidan

If Professor Layton Was An RPG

  • Developer: Unit
  • Publisher: Bandai
  • Platform: PS1
  • Released: May 20, 1999

The game titled London Seirei Tanteidan is challenging to find details about online due to its exclusive release in Japan. Moreover, as there isn’t a well-known English fan translation available, many Role Playing Game (RPG) enthusiasts have not had the opportunity to explore it through emulation.

It does come from a high pedigree though within Bandai before they merged with Namco. It’s a typical turn-based RPG set in a not-so-typical RPG era: Victorian London. It looks like a Professor Layton game if it were mixed with Oliver Twist thematically and that’s a pretty cool idea for an RPG on any system.

2. Thousand Arms

Dating A Blacksmith

Thousand Arms, which is likely a role-playing game for the PlayStation 1, may not be well-known by many gamers. During that time, Atlus was still a modest publisher and developer that specialized in bringing lesser-known games to Western markets. The main character of Thousand Arms is a blacksmith named Meis, and the family’s hidden power comes from their relationships with others.

Building connections with the female companions in the game will facilitate Meis’ development as a blacksmith, enabling players to enhance and create superior equipment. The combat system is based on turns, but it’s visually appealing due to its 2D design and large character models.

1. Vagrant Story

A Medieval Metroid-like

Originally developed as an independent game by Squaresoft, Vagrant Story was later associated with the Final Fantasy series by setting it in Ivalice, a location shared with Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy 12. However, beyond this shared location, there are few significant connections between the games. Therefore, considering its standalone nature, one could consider it a powerful one-off title, given that even this association is tenuous at best. The game follows Ashley, a young knight on a mission to track down a heretic within the confines of some crumbling castle ruins.

In simpler terms, the game combines elements of “Parasite Eve” and “Dungeons & Dragons,” offering an unique blend of styles. Players navigate a large castle map similar to Metroidvania games, engage in real-time turn-based combat using a spherical grid for movement, allowing them to dodge attacks. The gameplay is tough but strategically designed, however, it’s the political intrigue within the story that leaves players intrigued and captivated.

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2024-12-20 15:34