Artful Dodgers - name some older arpgs with roll/evade/dodge mechanics

[Bootyfan]

Preferably with banging soundtracks (basically, titles like the later games in the Ys series).

Some games like KingdomHearts258/2÷pie give this ability as a skill progression, which drives me nuts because sometimes it's hard to tell if the game has this feature.

Preferably for handhelds like DS, psp, vita but if you want to throw out some ps2, gc games I wont hold it against you. Bonus points, however, if you want to surprise me with gen 4 or 5 games where you can roll out of the way like a sneaky coward.


Games already on my radar:
Ys 7,8,9
Avalon Code
Kingdom Hearts 256/3^2
Tokyo Xanadu
Zelda phantom hourglass
Lufia curse of the sinestrals
Kingdoms of amalur
Ever oasis
Freedom wars
Legend of kay
Skyrim, through a mod i just found out about
Modern Souls-like games

That's all i can think of right now

 

[moon200218]

I was very surprised when I found out the extremely dark souls looking dodge present in Phantasy star portable 2 Infinity on the psp, with invincibility frames and everything. I think its even tied to that green bar? (Forgot what its called) that depletes when you dodge

And the monster hunter games too i think ?

 

[Bootyfan]

I was very surprised when I found out the extremely dark souls looking dodge present in Phantasy star portable 2 Infinity on the psp, with invincibility frames and everything. I think its even tied to that green bar? (Forgot what its called) that depletes when you dodge

And the monster hunter games too i think ?

Yeah aside from the amazing Pokke village theme, im not too familiar with MH but it seems they have a dodge since Freedom Unite

 

[Stookymalarkey]

You forgot about Ys X: Nordics. That has a great damn good soundtrack.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

You forgot about Ys X: Nordics. That has a great damn good soundtrack.

That one's not really older to be fair. It's even getting a new definitive edition (Controversially. I do NOT need to see Ys become another Persona)

That said, Fantasy Life (the OG, not i) is somewhat older but has the mechanics that are specified in the post. Soundtrack's ok, but when it's good, it's actually pretty good. Grassy Plains at Night or Peaceful Town at Night are the songs I think of when it comes to the game. Fantasy Life 1 has never left the 3DS. I remember them playing with idea of a sequel around 2018 for mobile phones. I don't know what happened with that.

 

[Stookymalarkey]

That one's not really older to be fair. It's even getting a new definitive edition (Controversially. I do NOT need to see Ys become another Persona)

That said, Fantasy Life (the OG, not i) is somewhat older but has the mechanics that are specified in the post. Soundtrack's ok, but when it's good, it's actually pretty good. Grassy Plains at Night or Peaceful Town at Night are the songs I think of when it comes to the game

Fair enough. For a proper older title, there's the Splatterhouse reboot that came out in 2010 for PS3 and Xbox 360. That game has a skill tree and dodge mechanics.

 

[Zerohour2k12]

The Toukiden games. I've played through Kiwami a while ago. It's pretty good. Got my eyes on the 2nd game.

 

[Stookymalarkey]

Just had a thought. I think the Yakuza games fit the bill here too. Aside from Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, they're all brawlers with some RPG elements like having an inventory with equipment and healing items, and gaining experience to unlock skills. Plus there is dodging and parry mechanics too. It ain't Dark Souls hard, but something you just wanna demolish some mooks with a bicycle. On top of that, they all have some great tracks.

The series started on PS2 through to now, so if you can find older titles on PS2, and PS3, as well as remakes on PS4 and PC.

 

[CharlesPhoenix]

This might be too obvious but...Monster Hunter?

Back when i was going through an ARPG hunger and ppsspp was the most my pc could handle,that was it

Maybe it lacks in the RPG department,story wise,but it was one of the few games whose mobility felt fluid

Crisis Core was disappointing to me back then because of that action-turn based mix,not really turn based,not real time either,it used to drive me crazy,eventually got over it though,it is a great game after all

 

[momobiased]

This might be too obvious but...Monster Hunter?

Back when i was going through an ARPG hunger and ppsspp was the most my pc could handle,that was it

Maybe it lacks in the RPG department,story wise,but it was one of the few games whose mobility felt fluid

Crisis Core was disappointing to me back then because of that action-turn based mix,not really turn based,not real time either,it used to drive me crazy,eventually got over it though,it is a great game after all

The remastered version of Crisis Core is much more of a traditional action rpg, and does have a dodge if I'm remembering right

 

[Bootyfan]

The remastered version of Crisis Core is much more of a traditional action rpg, and does have a dodge if I'm remembering right

Gonna have to keep an eye out for a physical copy for Switch. Hopefully it runs bc some dummy softmodded my console in 2023 & got it instabanned. Does anyone know it they just ban your console, or does it include accounts & ipbans too?


Right now I'm having a blast with Lufia for the DS. Phantasy Star 0 for DS is also kind of comfy in a janky sort of way. Strafing with a Cast is fun (whilst letting your companion get dogpiled). I also like how it kind of leans into rp by letting you pick different answers, even if what you reply had zero outcome on the story (hence the name maybe?)