Top 5 Time-Based RPGs That Redefined the Genre

by

The genre of games that take turns to play gained popularity on the NES, largely due to hits such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. Although some games aimed to introduce changes during the time between NES and SNES, it wasn’t until near the end of the SNES era that a particularly innovative game would be released. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars marked Mario’s first role-playing game journey, and it was jointly developed by Squaresoft and Nintendo, with the latter overseeing the project development.

In that combat mechanism, players could synchronize their attacks strategically to earn advantages or shield themselves to prevent harm from adversaries. It offered a dynamic twist on turn-based play and although it didn’t become universally popular, numerous games experimented with this interactive approach. Here are the top ones, listed in order of how immersive the gameplay proved to be.

8. The Legend Of Dragoon

The PS1’s Forgotten One-Off

Originally developed and published by Sony for the PlayStation 1, The Legend of Dragoon was a game released relatively late. Its turn-based combat system isn’t particularly active, but when players attack enemies, they must press buttons like Square or Cross rapidly to score extra hits, which can be tricky to time correctly. Compared to other PlayStation 1 RPGs that tried active systems, such as Final Fantasy 8 and its protagonist Squall’s Gunblade, or Beyond the Beyond, The Legend of Dragoon executed this concept most effectively. Despite never receiving a sequel or full remaster, it did receive an upgrade through its PlayStation 5 re-release on PS+, offering improved textures and save states.

7. Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

Paper Mario’s Tiny Cousin

Following my epic adventure in “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars”, the Mario universe branched out into two distinct franchises: “Mario & Luigi” and “Paper Mario”. The charming game “Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling” pays tribute to the latter, featuring the same 2D graphics as the original N64 title. As the name suggests, you’ll embark on a tiny yet momentous journey with your band of bug friends, battling to protect your kingdom from invaders. By timing my attacks and defensive moves with button presses, I can execute regular actions, while more complex mini-games are reserved for special abilities. Although it doesn’t have voice acting, it makes up for it with a delightful sense of humor typical of indie RPGs.

6. Mother 3

Fighting To The Rhythm

For years, Western video game enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating Mother 3, as it was exclusively launched on the Game Boy Advance in Japan back in 2006. Despite this, a renowned fan translation patch has been available for English speakers, allowing dedicated fans to enjoy the game while patiently waiting for Nintendo to make a decision and re-release it officially.

In this game, the interactive element of turn-based combat isn’t immediately obvious, but it can be enjoyed in a more conventional way too. However, if you sync your attacks with the rhythm of the music, you can establish a sequence that significantly speeds up most fights.

5. Project X Zone

A Tactical Fighter

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that Project X Zone was an unforgettable journey on my 3DS. It brought together some of my favorite characters from Sega, Bandai Namco, and Capcom universes in a tactical RPG. Each unit on the map was like a dream team, with characters like Jill and Chris from Resident Evil joining forces with Jin and Ling from Tekken. During battles, it felt like I was playing a fighting game, using quick button presses to chain together powerful combos and extend the length of my attacks. It wasn’t always easy, especially when stages seemed to go on forever, but the creativity and dedication to the fans made every challenge worthwhile.

4. South Park: The Stick Of Truth

A More Explicit EarthBound

South Park: The Stick of Truth remains unrivaled as the top game based on the South Park franchise, outshining others significantly. This achievement is due to a collaboration between Obsidian Entertainment, who developed the game for Ubisoft, and creators Matt and Trey, who penned the script and provided character voices. The game mirrored the TV show’s visual style and offered players an open-world opportunity to traverse South Park in its 2D splendor. Players were able to design their character before teaming up with Cartman and others for turn-based combat, reminiscent of a blend between EarthBound and the Mario RPG series. The game was bold in its humor, pushing the envelope on numerous occasions.

3. Sea Of Stars

Mario RPG + Chrono Trigger

Sea of Stars is another blend of classic RPG elements, serving as a tribute to the likes of Chrono Trigger and various Mario RPG games. It features the aesthetic style of Chrono Trigger, particularly on the world map, and incorporates combo attacks.

As a passionate gamer, I can tell you that turn-based battles keep me on my toes, demanding precise timings and cleverly choreographed combos for those jaw-dropping special attacks. It’s a shame Square Enix hasn’t woken up to the idea of a new Chrono Trigger yet, but indie games like Sea of Stars are stepping in to fill the void. And let me tell you, there’s an exciting expansion on the horizon, tentatively scheduled for 2025 – it goes by the name of Throes of the Watchmaker.

2. Undertale

An Indie Breakout

Undertale, upon its release in 2015, swiftly gained widespread popularity on the internet. It blends the wit of EarthBound with the intricate mechanics of a Mario-style RPG, resulting in a turn-based game that encourages players to avoid combat with monsters rather than engage in it. Although combat is an option, the true ending requires players to resolve conflicts through dialogue while skillfully evading attacks. The gameplay has evolved to such an extent that it resembles a bullet hell shooter more than traditional RPG systems. Regardless of how one chooses to categorize it, Undertale offers an unforgettable and immersive experience from start to finish.

1. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Redefining Mario’s RPG Legacy

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars set the stage for the active turn-based genre, but its successor on Game Boy Advance, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, truly refined the concept. The gameplay focused on a duo, Mario and Luigi, each requiring separate buttons for control during both battles and exploration. Each adversary featured distinct attack patterns, making evasive maneuvers and counterattacks even more engaging than in Mario’s initial RPG journey. This first installment of the series remains enjoyable to revisit with numerous laughs and unexpected twists along the way.

Read More

2025-04-09 13:40