Older Loot Heavy Games?

[inkyrolled]

So I've become enamored with games from the generations available on the Repo (discounting Vita since well, I can't really access those) which have a heavy emphasis on looting, and grinding as core gameplay elements or loops. PC games of equivalent generations as well, since I just kind of find the older games more digestible than modern equivalents (Diablo II Median XL, for example, is amazing).

So far the console games I'm aware of are:
- Phantasy Star Online, Universe, & Portable 1, 2, and infinity (absolutely phenomenal, and the franchise that sparked the whole curiosity on older loot driven games)
- Monster Hunter (The most obvious besides PSO I think)
- Diablo, D2
- Champions of Norrath ? (I haven't touched this yet, but I have heard it's effectively Diablo-clone meets everquest?)
- Baldur's Gate's PS2 games (Haven't touched these, either, but have also heard these are just diablo clones in forgotten realms)

I'm not entirely sure how many titles there are that'd fit this, since I realize it's a modern(ish) concept to put emphasis on random loot, or grinding mobs for rare drops. Though, I'd love to know any I've missed, or even any romhacks/mods of games that break them down into fittingly grindy, loot-driven experiences.

 

[RustySK]

Maybe I'm just out of the loop and don't know the modern definition of this subgenre - this type of game isn't really my thing usually - but I don't know about this being a modern trend.

Diablo 1 and 2 were all the rage for quite a few years and established that whole concept in the zeitgeist. Diablo 2 in particular is still considered one of the best loot farming games ever, after all.

I think pretty much any of the Diablo imitators of the time would fit this. Sacred 1 and 2, Prince of Qin, Throne of Darkness, Revenant, the Dungeon Siege series - that kind of thing. I wanna say Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity also fit this, but I don't remember those very well.

Oh and a couple years later you also had Titan Quest and Torchlight 1 and 2.

 

[NeonKnights]

Try Dark Stone on PS1. I added it to my collection recently and have been playing through it slowly on my SCPH-1001. Lots of Character classes, stats and quite a lot of loot. It's an action rpg similar to Diablo and quite a fun one, though be warned the game needs 6 blocks of memory card storage. I had to delete many extraneous MGS saves just to be able to play it.

 

[psvitaforever]

I've looked for a video of Norrath and it reminds me of a pc game I played, "Dungeon Siege" (both gameplay and menu, you can find lots of items and they are arranged in a grid).

 

[inkyrolled]

Maybe I'm just out of the loop and don't know the modern definition of this subgenre - this type of game isn't really my thing usually - but I don't know about this being a modern trend.

Diablo 1 and 2 were all the rage for quite a few years and established that whole concept in the zeitgeist. Diablo 2 in particular is still considered one of the best loot farming games ever, after all.

I think pretty much any of the Diablo imitators of the time would fit this. Sacred 1 and 2, Prince of Qin, Throne of Darkness, Revenant, the Dungeon Siege series - that kind of thing. I wanna say Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity also fit this, but I don't remember those very well.

Oh and a couple years later you also had Titan Quest and Torchlight 1 and 2.

I had totally forgotten about Sacred. Also Torchlight 2 modded was the greatest experience of my highschool gaming, ha.

 

[AncientBehemoth]

Mmm try Neptunia series. DS castlevanias are loot heavy.

 

[SLEDGE_DOG]

In terms of older games and ignoring online-only MMOs, the genre is relatively small. Feels like 90% of applicable games have already been mentioned.

Neverwinter Nights for PC isn't strictly a loot grinder, but can be played as one.

Shining Soul 1 and 2 for GBA and Ragnarok Odyssey Ace for Vita/PS3 are some I've been told are similar to PSO, but haven't gotten around to trying yet.
Cross Treasures for DS seemed cool, but when I played it the English translation was incomplete and was kinda hard to get into.

Master Sword is a Half-Life mod that makes it into an MMO style RPG. Haven't played it yet because I'm waiting on an updated rerelease called Project MSRebirth.

RPGmod for Tribes similarly turns the game into an MMORPG. Pretty interesting to check out, but it's very jank and I don't think it's worth playing for very long.

Sven Co-op has RPG servers that let you gain XP for doing damage and level various skills. You also can buy different guns, but they aren't retained between map changes.

Garry's Mod also has loot grinding servers. Seems alright, haven't played them too much.

Warlords Battlecry 3 for PC is a bit of a reach, but I really like it as a grinding game. Old RTS with persistent hero characters. Tons of races and classes to choose from and can be leveled with customizable skills and stats like an RPG character. Loot can be found in chests, stores, from clearing monster lairs, and killing enemy heroes. Protectors of Etheria is a standalone mod for it and the best way to play it these days.

 

[squeeeeee]

baroque psx/saturn