You Won't Believe These 7 Bandai Namco RPGs You Totally Missed Out On

Summary

Bandai Namco has a diverse RPG portfolio featuring emotionally-charged epics and unique premises.
Games like Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth explore mature themes with deep turn-based combat mechanics.
Titles like Ni No Kuni and Scarlet Nexus offer stunning visuals, engaging combat, and emotionally resonant storytelling.

Bandai Namco is primarily recognized for its anime adaptations and fighting games, but when it comes to Role-Playing Games (RPGs), they have quite a few hidden treasures in their collection. From heartrending epics, strategic surprises, to titles with outlandishly imaginative concepts, the studio has stealthily amassed a remarkably varied RPG catalog throughout the years.

Among these games, some remained relatively unknown while others gained widespread popularity, but each one made an indelible impact. From psychic sci-fi characters to musical time travelers, here are seven exceptional role-playing games that bear the Bandai Namco brand.

7. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth

The Game Where Digimon Finally Grew Up

In an unexpected yet delightful manner, veterans of the Digimon series were taken aback by the innovative approach of “Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth”. Instead of merely sticking to the franchise’s digital roots, it completely transformed them. The game is set in a futuristic Tokyo that seamlessly blends digital worlds with reality, providing Digimon with a narrative depth comparable to more mature Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). Instead of simply nurturing adorable creatures, players found themselves immersed in a full-blown cyberpunk detective story, replete with identity theft, AI conspiracies, and a sense of impending doom under the neon lights.

Instead of just turn-based combat, it’s surprisingly complex. You can raise, evolve, and fuse more than 240 Digimon, offering tremendous possibilities for team dynamics and strategic planning. The evolution paths enable continuous adjustments and respecs, meaning that even early partners like Agumon could transform into formidable late-game monsters with the right care.

Cyber Sleuth demonstrated that the Digimon series could explore deeper themes without compromising its unique character. This was a reminder that Digimon could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with heavyweights like Pokemon, Persona, and Shin Megami Tensei, without appearing out of place.

6. Summon Night 6: Lost Borders

The Tactical Oddball That Deserved Better

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reflect on the moment Summon Night 6 graced our shores, a bit too late for its own grand entrance. Arriving long past the golden era of console-based tactical RPGs, and with minimal promotional efforts, this gem managed to evade the notice of many gamers. It’s truly unfortunate because nestled within its gameplay was some of the most endearing, heartfelt storytelling the genre has to offer.

Instead of relying on apocalyptic scenarios or dark, brooding themes, Summon Night 6 opted for a softer, contemplative approach. The narrative circles around three characters who live secluded in a pocket dimension, gradually unveiling the cause behind characters from past Summon Night games showing up in their world. It’s less about strategic domination and more about relationships, recollections, and emotional recovery.

In my gaming experience, I must admit that the grid-based combat isn’t just passable; it packs a punch. It’s got its peculiarities – certain gameplay elements seem to favor style over strategic balance – but once you get the hang of it, it becomes engaging and fulfilling. Plus, the option to summon characters from previous games adds an extra layer of nostalgia, making this game feel like a loving tribute to the franchise’s history.

Now, it might not be the tactical RPG that every list raves about, but Summon Night 6 has a soul, and in a genre often consumed by darkness and sharp edges, sometimes a touch of warmth is all you need.

5. Doraemon Story Of Seasons

Wholesome Farming With A Side Of Robots

It wasn’t anticipated that Doraemon, a time-traveling robot cat from a famous Japanese children’s manga, would shine in one of Bandai Namco’s most comforting RPGs, but Doraemon Story of Seasons manages to succeed. It combines the appeal of Harvest Moon with the soothing nostalgia of a Saturday morning cartoon.

Fundamentally speaking, it remains a simulation game revolving around farming. Players cultivate crops, nurture livestock, enhance their tools, and traverse the picturesque countryside. However, what sets it apart is its unique atmosphere. The environment is imbued with a sense of innocence reminiscent of Doraemon, featuring gentle piano melodies, exquisitely hand-drawn landscapes, and non-player characters (NPCs) who feel more like members of a close-knit small town rather than just tasks on a list.

Doraemon’s inventions, such as those for controlling weather or stopping time, bring an exciting and unforeseen element to the typically realistic gameplay of Story of Seasons, allowing players to explore mechanics in unexpected ways. Remarkably, even though it is a spinoff, this crossover manages to resonate with its emotional messages about friendship, maturity, and appreciating the present moment, hitting all the necessary emotional chords.

4. Eternal Sonata

Chopin’s Final Dream Is A JRPG Fever Dream

In very few role-playing games does one find Frederic Chopin as both the protagonist and the ultimate adversary. However, Eternal Sonata seizes this unique premise, weaving an entire narrative around the concept of the composer creating a fantastical realm in his dying moments as he slips into unconsciousness.

In this game, everything is infused with melodic themes, characters are given names inspired by musical instruments or musical concepts, and the combat system adapts based on whether a character is in light or darkness. The music, skillfully crafted by Motoi Sakuraba, seamlessly blends grand symphonic pieces with Chopin’s piano compositions, creating an atmosphere of respect. Despite its dreamlike nature, it all comes together harmoniously.

In a nutshell, the battle system exhibits a blend of real-time actions and turn-based strategies, evoking reminiscences of the Tales series rather than typical Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). The success of attacks relies on both timing and placement. Each character brings their unique style to the fray, while light and shadow transformations ensure that battles remain engaging, even during prolonged encounters.

What’s truly captivating is how Eternal Sonata seamlessly combines surreal dream logic with authentic historical details about Chopin’s life. Throughout the game, you’ll encounter real-life history lessons between chapters. It might seem odd for a role-playing game where characters battle with magical umbrellas and glowing staffs, but that’s what makes it stand out – it’s sincere, quirky, and utterly unique.

3. Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch

A Ghibli Fairytale With Teeth

As a gamer, it was a heart-pounding moment when I heard about Level-5 and Studio Ghibli joining forces – it felt like a long-awaited wish coming true! Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch didn’t disappoint; it brought to life the visual and emotional magic we fans had hoped for. With Studio Ghibli shaping the art direction and animation, and Joe Hisaishi creating an enchanting full orchestral score, playing this game was like stepping into a Miyazaki movie!

Yet, beneath its charming exterior lies an intricate RPG. Players take charge of Oliver, a young boy grappling with his mother’s passing, who embarks on a journey into a mystical realm in search of a way to resurrect her. Although the storyline is weighty, it skillfully combines innocent enchantment and genuine emotional resonance.

The game unfolds in a semi-realistic pace, allowing players to switch among party members and summon familiars – these are your combat companions that grow, develop abilities, and learn skills. It shares the essence of Pokémon, but with a more hands-on approach and a stronger focus on teamwork and synergy.

Regardless of certain tempo inconsistencies and challenging sections, Ni no Kuni maintains its appeal quite impressively. It’s not common for an RPG to excel simultaneously in visual aesthetics, gameplay mechanics, and emotional impact, but this one does it brilliantly. When Drippy, the Fairy Lord, opens his lantern-shaped snout and delivers jokes with a thick Welsh accent, it’s moments like that which make it an enduring classic.

2. Scarlet Nexus

A Brain-Punk Power Trip

The description “anime X-Men” for Scarlet Nexus is quite superficial. This game takes place in a future where certain individuals possess psychokinetic abilities due to a unique hormone in their brains. It plunges deeply into a “brain-punk” aesthetic, combining futuristic sci-fi and disturbing body horror elements. While it’s stylish, it also delves into heavy political themes and offers surprisingly mature storytelling.

In combat, it truly outperforms. Players get to command either Yuito or Kasane, two main characters whose stories intertwine. They can manipulate objects like cars and debris with psychokinesis, followed by chaining these into brutal melee combinations. The option to connect with teammates and utilize their unique abilities such as teleportation or invisibility adds an element of controlled chaos to each battle. Additionally, the design of the monsters is worth mentioning. The primary antagonists known as ‘Others’ are grotesque concoctions of limbs, flowers, mannequins, and metal. Engaging with them isn’t just visually stunning; it’s unsettling in a way that feels appropriate.

What truly makes Scarlet Nexus stand out is its dedication to duality. It offers two perspectives, two paths, and contrasting views of the same conflict. Playing through both narratives isn’t just an option—it’s crucial. By experiencing both sides, players can grasp the entire complexity of the situation hidden behind the scenes. And the conclusion? It’s strange, thought-provoking, yet incredibly rewarding.

1. Tales Of Arise

The Tales Series Finally Hits Its Stride

For a long time, the Tales series had been cherished but often overshadowed by heavyweights such as Final Fantasy or Persona. However, with the release of Tales of Arise, Bandai Namco raised the stakes significantly – and succeeded magnificently.

In terms of visual appeal, the game surpasses its previous versions significantly. The “Atmospheric Shader” lends a unique blend of anime and oil painting to characters and environments, making it truly captivating in motion. The user interface has undergone a sophisticated makeover. Thankfully, the camera doesn’t spin uncontrollably during battles this time around. However, at its core, Arise remains focused on combat. The action system is swift, fluid, and reactive, more akin to a fighting game than a typical RPG. Each character offers a distinct playstyle—Law is all about quick fists, Rinwell manages spell cooldowns during casts, and Alphen can expend his own health for powerful finishers. Linking Boost Strikes with teammates remains an enjoyable experience.

The narrative unfolds around a band of revolutionaries hailing from conflicting planets, delving into topics such as slavery, emotional scars, and self-discovery, all without coming off as didactic. Reminiscent of the iconic dialogues within Tales, the conversations during the storyline have been revitalized with contemporary framing. Notably, this series manages to avoid any missteps in its conclusion. It delivers a satisfying resolution and an extraordinary final battle scene.

2025-04-30 13:37

You Won’t Believe These 7 Bandai Namco RPGs You Totally Missed Out On