10 Most Overlooked RPGs From The 2000s | Game Rant
Everyone knows the classic RPG titles out there: Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, Dragon's Quest, and The Elder Scrolls games. With titles like these, gaming companies were inspired to make a plethora of modern RPGs including Mass Effect and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
However, for every RPG that became a massive success, there are also the games that became forgotten over the years. This was the most prevalent during the 2000-2010 era; plenty of great games released that unfortunately did not see the same success as other titles. Some titles became cult classics while others remain forgotten gems of the past.
10 Justice League: Heroes (2006)
In an era when DC videogames were completely awful, Justice League: Heroes was a diamond in the rough. While not perfect, Justice: League Heroes is a decent DC equivalent to the Ultimate Alliance games from Marvel. In many ways, it is a clone.
If one overlooks the awkward voice acting and less than stellar visuals, Justice League is still a fun action-RPG. The characters' abilities are all fun to use, the game runs at a buttery smooth framerate, and the roster is impressive for back then.
9 The Last Remnant (2008)
With a name like Square Enix, one would think every game of theirs would be a massive success. Well, The Last Remnant was one of the most slept on RPGs of all time. Rather than the typical JRPG, The Last Remnant is more of a hybrid of tactical and JRPG.
Think: if Final Fantasy Tactics and Chrono Trigger had a baby. The result is a very unique gameplay experience. Add a neat world, fun characters, and monsters to fight and The Last Remnant becomes one of Square Enix's most underrated titles.
8 Skies Of Arcadia (2000)
The Sega Dreamcast had a plethora of underrated titles: Skies Of Arcadia was one of them. Fans of the console will often list Skies Of Arcadia as one of the best games of the system. The unfortunate truth is that not many gamers owned a Dreamcast.
Skies Of Arcadia is not exactly new in terms of plot; it recycles the evil empire from nearly every Final Fantasy title. However, that does not diminish its awesome sky pirate-centric world and characters. It's a JRPG done right in nearly every department.
7 Wild Arms Sequels (2003 - 2006)
While the original Wild Arms debuted in the 90s, most of the sequels launched in the 2000s. Wild Arms games are JRPGs that mix technology and magic together. Rather than just swords and axes, characters wield firearms as well.
Wild Arms also features a world that is a mix of wild west and high-fantasy. It creates unique looks for the environment and characters that are fun to explore in each game. Give them a try, they deserve more attention.
6 Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (2001)
Swapping from the classic Baldur's Gate gameplay style, Dark Alliance goes for a more console-friendly control scheme. Dark Alliance is essentially a Dungeons & Dragons version of the Diablo games.
This does not diminish the fun of Dark Alliance; it's simplistic but there's enough challenge to keep the player intrigued. The visuals are great as per usual with Baldur's Gate games and the local co-op experience makes for a great time with friends.
5 Final Fantasy XII (2006)
A cult classic these days but Final Fantasy XII received quite the backlash on release. Fans were not fond of the Gambit system (which can be turned off at any time) and many critiqued the game's overly convoluted story.
However, over the years, Final Fantasy has a following that earned it a remaster on the PS4. The gameplay is very fun to master and the characters are some of the best in the franchise. Final Fantasy XII's license board made for a very unique experience in creating a class for characters.
4 Alpha Protocol (2010)
Ditching fantasy for a more contemporary/cyberpunk setting. Alpha Protocol received a lot of negativity at launch due to bugs and very untypical controls. Though as years have gone by, Alpha Protocol has become an underrated gem from the Xbox 360/PS3 era.
Many of the glitches that plagued the game have been patched. As for the controls, it is difficult to grasp them but once over the learning curve, Alpha Protocol remains a unique RPG experience. There are even fans hoping that Obsidian ends up making an Alpha Protocol 2.
3 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (2009)
The first Ultimate Alliance was a smash hit Gauntlet-styled RPG. With a name as recognizable as Marvel, one would expect the sequel would be an even bigger success. Well, despite nearly every aspect of Ultimate Alliance 2 is superior to the first, it did not sell well at all.
The roster of heroes and villains was perfect and the visuals were great. Ultimate Alliance 2 features two campaigns depending on the player's choices of factions. This allows for great replayability as Ultimate Alliance 2 features the same action-RPG gameplay that made the first game so beloved.
2 Jeanne D’Arc (2007)
Not many gamers owned the PlayStation Portable so some great titles were quickly forgotten. Jeanne D'Arc was one of them. Jeanne D'arc is a clone of Final Fantasy Tactics but rather than feeling watered down, it is just as fun to play.
The PSP remake also features some of the best visuals for the portable console. Jeanne D'arc is based on Joan Of Arc blended with fantasy. While not historically accurate, Jeanne D'arc remains a tactical-RPG that deserves more time in the spotlight.
1 Rogue Galaxy
Final Fantasy meets Star Wars. That alone should have gotten people interested but instead, Rogue Galaxy is another forgotten gem for the PlayStation 2. Rogue Galaxy was developed by the team behind the Dragon Quest games.
Despite featuring some of the best visuals on the PlayStation 2 and extremely fun gameplay, Rogue Galaxy was a sleeper hit. Great reviews that earned it a cult status and a re-release years later but nobody talks about it. Rogue Galaxy deserves its own franchise so if the chance to play it comes up, take it!
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