GameXplain Says: "2011 is quickly building itself to be the “Year of the Western RPG.” Six months in and there is already a fair share of releases (some good, some forgettable) for sword swinging fans to sink their blades into. Not only are these titles hitting the store shelves in record numbers, but many are among the most anticipated games of the year , and command huge marketing campaigns. Dragon Age 2, The Witcher 2, Torchlight 2, Dungeon Siege 3 (had to break the streak), The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and lets not forget the born of Japanese blood, but very much western, Dark Soul’s, will be giving many gamers some long nights. It was not that long ago when Final Fantasy VII brought forth the onslaught of Japanese RPG’s to the west. That time seems long lost now as the west shines brightest for those looking to partake in an epic adventure."
Replaying Skyrim after 13 years is a reminder of the progress made in western RPGs over the last decade, but also what's been lost.
RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.
"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!
How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera
And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.
Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.
Pity.
A new Partner Spotlight Sale is now live on the Switch eShop, including Skyrim, lowest price ever for Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, and more.
Agreed, there are a few possibly good JRpgs this year aswell though, hoping Next year Versus truely blows the balls off the japanese industry. If it doesn't then...ah well. This year is the best year this gen...imo
Are jrpgs dead?
The *century* of the Western RPG.
more like the death of RPG's.....aside from Elder scrolls they all managed to get streamlined and bent to let call of duty players play the game even though they never do cause they don't understand complicated things
Mass Effect was awesome.....2 streamlined
Dragon Age.....2 streamlined
Fallout.....brown and fps (i liked fallout 3 but it lacked a lot to make it great)
Elder Scrolls hasn't lost its charm
but then again in a generation revolving around terrible games and casual people what can you expect but to see our great games be murdered.....and if it comes from japan people automatically thing FF and if it dosn't involve "clooooouuuuuud" its bad.....people don't look at the story, char development, or plot anymore
I don't think jrpgs are going to die ever. There are still great jrpgs coming out, and many of them are hidden gems. I can't wait for:
*Ni No Kuni (level 5 and studio ghibli)
*the new tales game.
*Valkyrie chronicles 3 (please localize this D:)
*Xenoblade (pleas localize this as well)
*the last story (I also want this localized!)