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[VGEsoterica]

It's no surprise Last Imperial Prince is dumb obscure...it only released in Japan and was an exclusive for the NEC PC-FX. Doesn't really bode well to be a console exclusive on a console that failed harder than pretty much any console that came before it or after it! But just because a game is an exclusive on a flop platform doesn't mean it cant be super interesting and worth checking out.

It has some serious Zelda 2 vibes by being an rpg that gives you full control over combat. There is a very rhythmic flow to your encounters with enemies and it in some ways almost feels like a small hybrid rhythm game when you are actually engaged in a fight with an opponent. Definitely not that you would be expecting. Throw some awesome fantasy soundtrack tracks on top of some awesome 32 bit 2D sprite art and you definitely have an awesome game that not many people have probably ever heard of.

Granted the language barrier is massive but it has a walkthrough and it can be completed.

But Last Imperial Prince is up there in obscurity with games like Lucinne's Quest or Contact on the DS

but I always love hearing others recommendations when it comes to obscure or rare games in a specific genre so....what are your hidden gem rpg games?

 

[VGEsoterica]

So you know what I am talking about lol

 

[A.Romero]

So you know what I am talking about lol

Looks cool. Are the companion characters just for show? I skipped through the video but didn't get to see them fighting or doing anything (other than one of them being hit).

 

[VGEsoterica]

Looks cool. Are the companion characters just for show? I skipped through the video but didn't get to see them fighting or doing anything (other than one of them being hit).

if your lead character goes down you can control the secondary characters

 

[StreetsofBeige]

I'm gong to assume not a lot of people played it since it cost a lot and was early and buried in Genesis' life, but Sword of Vemillion was decent.

One part action, one part JRPG, and an odd mix of first person linear paths, side scrolling boss fights and traditional overhead town. The game wont knock your socks off as its ok at at everything but not great at any except surprisingly good moody music.

It came with a hint book but you dont need it. To easy if you cheesed the maps and info.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

This looks charming as hell. I miss this era of gaming so badly. Everything drips flavor and nostalgia.

 

[VGEsoterica]

This looks charming as hell. I miss this era of gaming so badly. Everything drips flavor and nostalgia.

right? I enjoy modern style retro games but the classic early to mid 90's 2D RPG's just have "the look and feel" to them

 

[VGEsoterica]

I'm gong to assume not a lot of people played it since it cost a lot and was early and buried in Genesis' life, but Sword of Vemillion was decent.

One part action, one part JRPG, and an odd mix of first person linear paths, side scrolling boss fights and traditional overhead town. The game wont knock your socks off as its ok at at everything but not great at any except surprisingly good moody music.

It came with a hint book but you dont need it. To easy if you cheesed the maps and info.

That’s one I’ve never played but you aren’t the first person to say good things about it. I’ll have to check it out over the winter

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

so....what are your hidden gem rpg games?

RING of REDDU!!!!!!

 

[Mr Hyde]

Vandal Hearts

An underrated and overlooked srpg, made by Konami and released in 1997 to PS (Saturn only in Japan). Was a pretty cool game at the time when JRPGs blew up but it went under the radar and fizzled out in obscurity. Got a sequel but nobody really cared.

 

[CamHostage]

Very cool OT choice, I have never seen Last Imperial Prince and it's a shame there's no translation for that yet since the combat and look seems quite unusual.

As far as other reccs, Square has a couple odd cases in its back history (especially when carts became super-expensive and only Japan got the games, like Bahamut Lagoon and Treasure of the Rudras,) but the one I always thought could have made a comeback was Live a Live. The idea of a series of different RPGs inside one RPG could have been a good concept in the Episodic/DLC boom times.

 

[kurisu_1974]

SD Snatcher

The most criminally overlooked Kojima game.

Perfectly playable in English with the Melancholia patch, only thing I can't get to work on the RetroPi is the FM sound

 

[protonion]

Drod RPG. A spin off of Drod, one of my favourite series of all time.

It is basically a giant efficiency puzzle. Available on steam and gog.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Long live the queen. Basically an rpg/visual novel mish mash where you take control of a upcoming young queen and has to develop her various skills while dealing with the events happening in the story as well as her mental state.

 

[VGEsoterica]

SD Snatcher

The most criminally overlooked Kojima game.

Perfectly playable in English with the Melancholia patch, only thing I can't get to work on the RetroPi is the FM sound

Legit one of the best fan translations outside of Policenauts and I swear nobody played SD Snatcher

 

[FStubbs]

Long live the queen. Basically an rpg/visual novel mish mash where you take control of a upcoming young queen and has to develop her various skills while dealing with the events happening in the story as well as her mental state.

The only way to survive that game is to turn the princess into Tywin Lannister.

 

[Guilty_AI]

The only way to survive that game is to turn the princess into Tywin Lannister.

apparently there are epilogues where you can be a "good" queen too, though i'm assume those involve bending your knee to enemies and becoming a political puppet

 

[VGEsoterica]

RING of REDDU!!!!!!

I can safely say I have NEVER heard of this one

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

I can safely say I have NEVER heard of this one

Next to Valkyria Chronicles and Vandal Hearts (the OG one), RoR is one of the best SRPGs of all time.

It's a gotdamned shame that the IP is owned and sat on by Konami.

 

[Shifty1897]

Sure, you may have heard of the Front Mission series... BUT HAVE YOU PLAYED FRONT MISSION 5?!

Shame it never released in the West. I'd pay top dollar for an HD rerelease.

 

[kalecsan]

Shadow Tower: Best FS level design before DS1

Seventh Cross Evolution: Creature evolution game with great atmosphere and absolutely non-existent exposition or hand holding.

 

[Edgelord79]

Loved this game.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

 

[manfestival]

RING of REDDU!!!!!!

I loved playing this game. Only thing that sucked is how long rounds could take... since everything moved so slow.