Best Anthology RPGs – Investment Policy

Many popular role-playing game (RPG) series are structured as anthologies – each new game tells a completely separate story. A great example is Final Fantasy; the characters and events in Final Fantasy 5 have no connection to those in Final Fantasy 8. While some games, like those in the Final Fantasy 7 series, do have direct sequels, these are less common overall.

RPGs often include multiple stories or campaigns, much like an anthology. Sometimes, these anthologies are built right into a single game. This could mean playing through several different adventures in various settings, or exploring the same world from the perspectives of different characters. Here are a few great examples to illustrate what that looks like.

Live A Live

A Sampling Of The Ages

I’m so excited about Live A Live! What’s really cool is that you start by picking from seven different characters, and each of their stories is pretty self-contained – they only take around two hours to finish, which is awesome whether you played the original on SNES or are checking out the remake. You can be a gunslinger in the Wild West as the Sundown Kid, go way back in time with Pogo in the prehistoric era, or even be a ninja named Oboromaru in ancient Japan. It’s such a unique way to experience different worlds!

Combat happens in turns, but characters move around on a grid, adding a bit of tactical strategy. After finishing the main stories, an extra one unlocks that ties things together, but the game is best understood as a collection of independent adventures.

Octopath Traveler

A Party Of One

Originally released for the Nintendo Switch in 2018, Octopath Traveler was later made available on other platforms. It was Square Enix’s first game using their unique HD-2D style, and players began their adventure by choosing one of eight different characters, such as Ophelia, a cleric, or Olberic, a warrior.

While you could unlock all the characters, they didn’t really connect with each other. They mostly just helped in battles, and each character’s story played out separately, unfolding gradually through the game’s chapters.

Odin Sphere Leifthrasir

2D Norse Action

Originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2007, Odin Sphere is a 2D action role-playing game developed by Vanillaware. In 2016, it was beautifully remastered as Odin Sphere Leifthrasir and made available on multiple platforms. The game begins with players controlling Gwendolyn, a Valkyrie, and completing her storyline. After finishing her path, additional stories become available, each presented as a unique storybook.

You’ll meet a bunch of cool characters like Mercedes, Cornelius, Oswald, and Velvet, and honestly, their backstories and how they look are totally inspired by old myths and folktales. Each of the five main stories felt pretty separate, so even if you see familiar faces or places, they mostly stand on their own. It was cool to jump between them!

Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song

A Challenging Remake

The SaGa series lets players choose from a diverse cast of characters at the beginning of their adventure. Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song showcases this well – it’s a revamped version of a classic game originally released for the SNES in 1992. It first came out on the PlayStation 2 in 2005 and has since been updated for various other systems.

You can choose from eight different characters, each starting in a unique location on the map – like Hawke the pirate or Sif the warrior, and a wandering traveler named Gray. While the story isn’t as extensive as in some other turn-based RPGs, it offers enough content to feel like a collection of interesting stories.

Samurai Warriors 5

Younger Than Before

Many Musou games, like those in the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series, offer a wide selection of characters but relatively short story campaigns. Samurai Warriors 5 is the newest game in the Samurai Warriors line and introduces several significant changes to the formula.

The game focuses on two main storylines revolving around Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi. While players can still battle as popular characters like Kenshin Uesugi, Hideyoshi Hashiba, and Hanzo Hattori, they won’t experience dedicated stories for each of them. The game also features a fresh, cel-shaded art style, making all the characters appear younger than in previous versions.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

The Keyblade Masters

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep tells the story leading up to the main Kingdom Hearts games, and it’s played through three different storylines. You experience the game as Ventus, Terra, and Aqua. Aqua is a skilled Keyblade Master, Terra struggles with both light and darkness within him – similar to a character named Riku – and Ventus is a determined but inexperienced trainee.

Players will experience unique journeys through Disney worlds with each character, battling enemies in fast-paced combat. Though they share some common ground, each story is distinct. Completing all three will reveal a deeper understanding of how these heroes connect to the overall story.

NieR: Automata

Three Chances For Humanity

NieR: Automata starts with two androids, 2B and 9S, tasked with fighting to win back Earth for the remaining humans who live in space. After completing 2B’s extensive story, players replay the game as 9S, experiencing a similar journey but with a new viewpoint and different ways to play.

Eventually, players take control of A2. NieR: Automata has twenty-six different endings, but to unlock the real ending, you must play through the game as all three main characters in a specific order. While it’s almost an anthology, it’s still a significant action RPG with interwoven stories.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy

Heroes Vs Villains

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy is a fighting game for the PSP that brings together iconic heroes and villains from the Final Fantasy series. The game features a unique campaign for each character, complete with exclusive cutscenes and worlds to explore.

Tifa’s story will mainly revolve around her relationships with Sephiroth and Cloud from Final Fantasy 7, while Yuna’s will center on Tidus and Jecht from Final Fantasy 10. The game also features interactions between characters from different Final Fantasy titles, making it especially appealing to longtime fans who want to create their ideal scenarios.

Front Mission

OCU VS USN

When Front Mission first came out on the SNES in Japan in 1995, it featured a single storyline. Players experienced the war through the eyes of Royd Clive, fighting for the OCU. Later, the PlayStation version released in Japan included an additional scenario starring Kevin Greenfield, a USN officer.

Since its original release on the DS and continuing with the 2022 remake, players can choose either of the game’s storylines from the beginning. In every version, you’ll command customizable robots called Wanzers in strategic battles, allowing you to experience different sides of the war.

Threads Of Fate

Axes And Magic

Threads of Fate is a classic action RPG originally released on the PlayStation 1. It’s remained largely a PS1 experience, with availability limited to ports on platforms like the PSP and PS3. The game features two playable characters, each with their own distinct story, though they follow similar paths.

The game features two main characters you can play as. Rue begins with a sword that resembles an axe and can shapeshift into monsters. Mint is a powerful magic user who fights using magical rings. While both of their stories are on the shorter side, they’re enjoyable experiences for players who know where to find the key content.

2026-02-10 11:35