Summary
The late 90s and early 2000s introduced the32-bitera, with consoles such as the 3D0 Interactive, Sega Saturn, and the Sony PlayStation revolutionizing 3D visuals for a new era. Action RPGs emerged as a dominant force during this revolutionary period, blending fast-paced combat with deep storytelling in ways we’d never seen before.
From dungeon-crawling adventures to the cherished Metroidvania games that offer intricate exploration, specific action RPGs have defined an entire generation of video games and inspire video game developers today. Nearly thirty years later, they continue to provide enjoyable experiences for all ages, appealing not just to those looking to indulge in nostalgia.
8Dragon Valor
Hacking And Slashing Dragons Is Simple Fun
As basic of an action RPG as one can get,Dragon Valorfeatures a character moving from left to right. With the occasional platforming challenge to break up the gameplay of slaying any enemy warrior or monster, there is not much complexity to Dragon Valor. It does introduce some RPG elements, with more emphasis on monitoring health and using currency to upgrade characters.
There is six to seven hours worth of gameplay across the main story of Dragon Valor, with multiple protagonists that deliver a simple yet fun fantasy adventure by Namco. The game was critiqued for its repetitive grind, but also praised for having done what titles likeGod Of WarandDevil May Crywould bring to the table later and heavily improve on.
7The Legend Of Oasis
If The Legend Of Zelda Merged With Prince Of Persia
Many companies have played their hands in trying to replicate the success ofThe Legend Of Zeldaand the developers at Ancient are no different with their prequel toBeyond Oasis.The Legend Of Oasisfeatures the same top-down view, sword-based combat, and a main character traversing dungeons to stop an ultimate evil.
The Legend of Oasis has its unique qualities, including D-pad-based combos for the protagonist, Leon, and a world influenced by Middle Eastern culture and the tales of Arabian Nights. Unfortunately, the game was largely forgotten, as it wasexclusive to the Sega Saturn, a 32-bit console that was overshadowed by the PlayStation and Nintendo 64.
Sometimes going back to the original entry of a famous series can be jarring, which can be said forDiablo. That doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s more of a testament of how much theDiablofranchise has evolved. The original is still anaddictive isometric hack and slash RPGthat pits the player in a large gauntlet of demons and monsters to find and destroy the titular demon lord.
Even with theHellfireexpansion,Diablohas a small roster of character classes: the warrior, wizard, rogue, and the monk. Each of them has their own benefits and detractors worth experimenting with, but the result is a thrilling action game that delivers gothic visuals, horror atmosphere, and iconic foes that would be the start of a beloved Blizzard franchise.
5Guardian Heroes
Action-Packed Arcade Fun With An RPG Twist
Another title for the Sega Saturn,Guardian Heroesresemblesyour typical side-scrolling brawlerlikeFinal FightorStreets Of Rage, but that is not the case. While it does feature the action-packed gameplay expected from a brawler, it mixes it with RPG elements such as leveling up characters to upgrade their attributes such as: strength, vitality, intelligence, mental protection, agility, and luck.
Guardian Heroeswas successful enough that it would spawn a sequel withGuardian Heroes Advancefor the Game Boy Advance. The different characters feature different abilities and weapons to appeal to anyone’s personal style, from swords and shields to powerful magic spells.
A main herocrawls through various dungeonsto find various mystical talismans to save a fantasy land from an ancient evil named Melzas.Alundrais another attempt atThe Legend Of Zeldaformula and much likeThe Legend Of Oasis, it is a mostly effective one, especially with its pixel art style that is reminiscent of JRPGs likeChrono Trigger.
The real-time action combat and exploration closely resemble what is found inThe Legend of Zeldagames. This similarity showcases the idea that if something isn’t broken, there’s no need to change it. However, the game features a unique setting where the main character enters people’s dreams to battle nightmares, which serve as the equivalent of dungeons.
When it came to JRPGs, the late 90s had plenty that tried to compete with theFinal Fantasyseries but ultimately faded into obscurity.The Legend Of Dragoon, developed by Sony Interactive and Japan Studio, is no different, with many of the same gameplay tropes within a fantasy world featuring dragons and magic.
Over the years since it released in 1996 on the PlayStation,The Legend Of Dragoonhas gained a following due to its unique aspects, such as the detailed visuals that gave fans 3D character models before Final Fantasy did it. It also features a more dynamic combat system that uses theclassic JRPG turn-based systembut introduces quick-time events that, when executed correctly, extend attacks for not only more damage but to keep the player engaged in the gameplay.
Mega Man Legendsdrastically changed its gameplay style to be a third-person open-world RPGset on a visually stunning island. This led to immediate backlash from fans of the classic 2D games, but over the years, it has gained love and appreciation for trying to be different, as it delivered various upgrades for Mega Man, many side quests to accomplish, and a memorable story.
The 3D gameplay is not without its quirks that result in a difficult learning curve, but that does not negate the ambitious route that Capcom took withMega Man Legends. With different dungeons to explore filled with different key items, loot, and bosses, a comparison toThe Legend Of Zeldafranchise can be made.
Often regarded as one of the bestCastlevaniagames,Castlevania: Symphony Of The Nightwas the first to embrace what is known as Metroidvania gameplay. It mixes 2D sidescrolling action with non-linear levels and RPG progression as Alucard rather thanone of the Belmont family. Nearly every mainlineCastlevaniagame that followed took on the same gameplay template.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Nighthas been re-released on various systems over the years due to its popularity among fans. Initially, it was a defining title for the PlayStation 1, alongside iconic games likeFinal Fantasy 7and Crash Bandicoot.
