Best unknown JRPG

[Hiero]

Whatever the console, generation etc...

What is the unknown jRPG that you loved and that you recommend to people?

For me : Eastpolis 2 on Super Famicom (I have other games in mind but this one was a suprise day one, and I don't know lot of people that played the game)

(English is not my native language, sorry)

 

[Yousef]

Really cool thread idea. Genesis actually had a few of those I really like. Light crusader springs to mind. It’s a fascinating game, being a Japanese rpg with a western-fantasy setting and photorealistic artstyle. Goes to show how some standards were still not fully set in stone. But it’s also a fun game in its own right. I recommend it!

 

[RetroLaw]

 

[Karnik]

Well, several titles from the Super Robot Taisen series, not yet translated into english, but hopefully will be, in the not too distant future.

 

[Hiero]

Really cool thread idea. Genesis actually had a few of those I really like. Light crusader springs to mind. It’s a fascinating game, being a Japanese rpg with a western-fantasy setting and photorealistic artstyle. Goes to show how some standards were still not fully set in stone. But it’s also a fun game in its own right. I recommend it!

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That's crazy I was waiting for this game so much, because I am un big TREASURE fan, but Saturn came out and totally forget about it... I will do it for sure next year ! Thanks for remembering me this.

Post automatically merged: Dec 4, 2024

Well, several titles from the Super Robot Taisen series, not yet translated into english, but hopefully will be, in the not too distant future.

Which ones ? I loved all "Z" games. I played them all in japanese, so I don't remember which ones are translated...

 

[Karnik]

Which ones ?

For me, SRW 4 for SNES (pending translation), SRW Alpha for PSX (another pending translation), SRW R for GBA, SRW Z2 for PSP, SRW Alpha 2 for PS2 (played via NetherSX2 apk). Among the english translated games, SRW Alpha Gaiden, SRW A Portable are my favorites, and SRW OGs (PS2) is a close second.

 

[Batman]

Among the JRPGs that are rarely mentioned on the "big internet", i would name:
-Asuncia (PS1), unique game-play style, about just 4 hours to beat the game with the best ending possible!
-Chaos Seed (SNES/SS), hard to describe this one, but it's kind of Japanese Dungeon Keeper... but RPG.
-G.O.D. (SNES/PS1), Modern/UFO setting, funny, surreal, sometimes great story
-Saiyuki: Journey West (PS1), unreasonably underrated tactical RPG!
-Silva Saga II (SNES), nothing special, but a good quality game.
-Linkle Liver Story (SS), nice little game about a squirrel girl saving her forest from some bad evil.
-Suikoden: Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki (PSP), I think it's a nice game on its own. No reason to skip it!
-Black Rock Shooter: The game (PSP), It's based on anime I have never seen, but it's a good game with unique Action-JRPG battle system.

 

[Cu-Neo]

These two

 

[lvl]

I really liked Eternal Legend for the game gear. There is a english patch for it!

 

[XXDaisukeXX]

Might I suggest Heracles no Eikō III: Kamigami no Chinmoku, on the Super Famicom? It's an amazing JRPG, with an incredible story, specially for those who like Greek Mythology.

 

[Akien]

I dont know about how unknown it would be considered, but I played MS saga on the ps2 last year and it was a really fun time. A really unique take on gear and equipment in jrpgs, and surprisingly difficult to boot (But rewarding once everything starts to click).

 

[Strategist]

I was exploring the catalog of strategy games on the PSP a few years ago and stumbled upon Gungnir. It is kind of a rip off of Final Fantasy Tactics, but it introduces enough new twists to keep it interesting. I recommend it to anyone who likes that type of thing.

 

[Stingy Perry]

Never knew this existed ‘til it got fan translated.

 

[JPC]

Albert Odyssey on Super Famicom. Partial english translation (5%).

 

[miguk]

Depends on what you consider unknown. These days, JRPG fans are split between casuals who think Dragon Quest is obscure, base-level hardcore fans who played Live A Live before the rerelease, and super hardcore fans who can name their favorite blobber/dungeon crawler. Anyways, here's my list:

• Tengai Makyou series (PCECD, SFC, Saturn, GBA) - A best seller in Japan, mostly unknown in the West. Most games are still not in English; only the Neo-Geo fighting game was officially translated, while only a few others got fanslated. The Saturn/PSP game should have been given a western release, as it almost feels like it was meant to.
• Treasure of Rudras (SFC) - Pretty well known among SNES rom fans, but obscure outside the community. Had the most unique (and exploitable) magic system in any SNES RPG.
• The Twisted Tale of Spike McFang (Chō Makai Taisen! Dorabotchan) (SNES) - "Unknown" in the sense that you never hear anyone talk about it. Not the most complex action RPG, but still fun in its simplicity.
• Popful Mail (SegaCD, PC98, PCECD, SFC) - Only the Sega CD version ever got translated. A nice entry in the side-scrolling RPG category. Each version plays a bit different.
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (SFC) - JoJo was still obscure in the west over a decade after this game was released, and most current fans probably don't know it exists. You probably need to get into the anime before playing it to fully enjoy it, though, as the main draw is that it's JoJo as an RPG.
• Radia Senki (NES) - A fun little action RPG.
• Hydlide (NES) - This game is utter s ⃠ ⃠ t. Despite that, it was possibly the first ever action RPG, and it has some charm underneath the s ⃠ ⃠ t. It's a joy to play if you enjoy kusoge.

 

[Act_unraiser]

Soul and sword and it's sequel(prequel?) Traverse Starlight and Prairie, never finished them but played enough of both of them to see their uniqueness, both made by the defunct Pandora box.

 

[Stookymalarkey]

There's Linda Cube on PSX, which got a English translation recently. You can find it pre-patched in the Repository. Definitely got an original premise and setting like no other.

 

[RageBurner]

-Chaos Seed (SNES/SS), hard to describe this one, but it's kind of Japanese Dungeon Keeper... but RPG.
-Silva Saga II (SNES), nothing special, but a good quality game.

Cool that you should mention these two. I helped playtest the translations and played extensively.

 

[Darklink]

Not sure how "Unknown" people would consider, but I really liked Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans. I mostly question that status because it was developed by Monolith Soft after all. But the spritework is top notch, and while I wish the a action commands in the game were more involved, it's still nice to see them used in a game that isn't Mario.

 

[tenkaistar]

Tear ring saga is fire emblem for ps1 made by the original creator of FE. Very player hostile, so I wouldn't recommend playing without a guide, but it's still a ton of fun

 

[Batman]

Radia Senki (NES) - A fun little action RPG.

How could I forget about this beautiful game! It's practically "Tales Of" before "Tales Of"! Somewhat repetitive, but still super impressive.

Speaking of other great NES JRPGs, there is an often overshadowed game called Dream Master. Not the platformer (Little Nemo)! But an RPG! This one:

Cool that you should mention these two. I helped playtest the translations and played extensively.

Thanks for good playtesting then! I experienced no bugs/translation issues whatsoever!

These two

Never even heard about Dragon 2020! Thanks!

 

[RageBurner]

Thanks for good playtesting then! I experienced no bugs/translation issues whatsoever!


Never even heard about Dragon 2020! Thanks!

Glad you enjoyed the games! sadly our group is no longer active (the last release in English was Hyper Iria, I believe. Playtesting Chaos Seed was kind of hellish, let me tell you, there are just so many variables to consider... I wish someone would pick up the Saturn version and translate that, though, it seems to be the definitive version.

As for the Dragon 2020 games, if you like Etrian Odyssey, you're sure to enjoy those.

 

[lvl]

How could I forget about this beautiful game! It's practically "Tales Of" before "Tales Of"! Somewhat repetitive, but still super impressive.

Speaking of other great NES JRPGs, there is an often overshadowed game called Dream Master. Not the platformer (Little Nemo)! But an RPG! This one:
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Thanks for good playtesting then! I experienced no bugs/translation issues whatsoever!


Never even heard about Dragon 2020! Thanks!

Thanks for the tip about Dream Master, didnt know it existed. Found an english patch in romhacking.net. Going to give it a try, it looks great!

 

[Batman]

Playtesting Chaos Seed was kind of hellish, let me tell you, there are just so many variables to consider...

I can only imagine! The game is huge - even with a guide I found on the internet, I'm not sure I've seen half of it! And the Saturn version, I read somewhere, adds even more content!

As for the Dragon 2020 games, if you like Etrian Odyssey, you're sure to enjoy those.

I'm just looking for more JRPGs with a somewhat dark modern setting (but not Persona). Ideally something close to Parasite Eve.

Going to give it a try, it looks great!

Oh, yes, it is one of the best looking JRPGs on NES - lots of "cut-scenes", big enemies. (Close rivals would be Lagrange Point, Esper Dream 2, Sweet Home, Grand Master may be - all great games too!)

 

[jankusanagi]

-Black Rock Shooter: The game (PSP), It's based on anime I have never seen, but it's a good game with unique Action-JRPG battle system.

Wow, that one is pretty great. Thanks!