Over the years, the rivalry between Microsoft and Sony via Xbox and PlayStation has become arguably the most well-known in gaming console history. Spreading over twenty years, both consoles have had exclusive games released in an attempt to sway gamers over to their particular side.
While PlayStation might have won the battle for better exclusive games, especially in recent years, Microsoft has published some notable Xbox-only titles, such asHalo.However, Microsoft has published a good number of RPGs in their time, with some often held as the best in the genre. Some are more unknown titles, while others are giants of the industry that helped pave the way for the RPG genre. Although, oddly, not all these RPGs can be found on contemporary consoles, but with some available on Steam instead.
PlayStation had always been popular with Western audiences with their exclusive games.Sudekiwas an attempt to do the same but for a Japanese audience. The style of the game was meant to replicate a JRPG, with the final version indeed looking like such.
The game features multiple characters for the player to control in their party, and allows them to interact with as well as explore the various landscapes of the world. The combat is a variety of different mechanics, as some characters fight in third person while others fight in first person, each with their own unique method of gameplay.
Lost Odysseyis the type of game that players would expect would be picked up by PlayStation instead of Microsoft. It is a JRPG intended for the Xbox 360 and follows a traditional gameplay layout for such a game of the genre.
The combat is similar to other JRPGs, such assome of the numerousFinal Fantasygames, in being turn-based, with the main character fighting with a party. Via combat, players can utilize skills that they might have learned from leveling up, with some characters only able to execute skills once paired with another character. Players can navigate the world to explore, talk to NPCs, or engage in combat with enemies. The narrative is also a unique point ofLost Odyssey, taking place around the time of a magical industrial revolution.
Blue Dragonwas one of Microsoft’s main attempts at having a Japanese-styled game for the Xbox 360. Published by Microsoft, the development team included legendary members such as Akira Toriyama, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and Nobuo Uematsu.
With these figures, it should come as no surprise thatBlue Dragonis a very heavy JRPG where players will navigate a world filled with enemies that can be engaged in combat. Battling enemies takes place in a turn-based system, with various attacks, spells, and skills, which each of the various classes possess.
Most of theTorchlightseries wasn’t published by Microsoft, even the original game mostly wasn’t. The exception was the Xbox 360 version, which was published by them.
While it is a highly regarded game, it manages to getovershadowed by its successors for the best top-down RPG. Regardless, players will navigate through randomly generated dungeons fighting as three classes, each with their own specializations when it comes to combat. As players are exploring dungeons, they will find loot, and can advance their skill trees throughout progressing.
Microsoft has a habit of publishing RPGs that are very highly rated, but not all too popular.Dust: An Elysian Tailis a perfect example, being ranked extremely highly, but with seemingly no-one talking about it, especially when compared to other RPGs. While the game might also be a decade old,a sequel could potentially be on its way.
The game takes place within a 2D aesthetic in which players can acquire new skills that change how the player navigates the gameplay of a side-scroller. In RPG fashion, defeating enemies will reward experience points that can be used to level up and upgrade stats.
TheDungeon Siegeseries has had various publishers throughout its years, but the original was published by Microsoft only for Windows. They also published the second entry, with Destineer publishing the first game for Mac, while Square Enix ended up publishing the third game.
Dungeon Siegewas an attempt at creating an ARPG from developers who had previously worked on strategy games, which clearly paid off due to its high reputation. Action was meant to be a main feature, with players fighting numerous creatures in a party with seven other characters. There are various ways of dealing damage such as magic, as is natural for an RPG, but players do not level up a class. Instead, they level the proficiency of whatever weaponry or magic they use.
WhenJade Empirelaunched, it was during the glory days of BioWare. It shouldn’t come as a surprise thatJade Empireis highly regarded as a result.
Steeped in Chinese mythology,players can explore the eponymous Jade Empire, a realm comprised of humans as well as various creatures. Given it is a BioWare game, dialogue plays a large part ofJade Empire, with good or evil choices for players to engage in. These choices can affect the reactions of party members, of which there are a good variety. Combat is mainly tied to hand-to-hand fighting, with heavy attacks, AoE attacks, and blocking, but also features some magic abilities.
TheFableseries never gets as much attention as other entries in the RPG genre. It always seems to fall by the wayside compared to giants such asSkyrimorThe Witcherseries.
However, those who have played it will testify to the second game being one of the best RPGs ever created, and arguablyPeter Molyneux’s strongest game.Fable 2features a fantasy open-world in which the player can interact and influence events either positively or negatively.
TheMass Effectwas a major point for RPGs, being games that pushed the boundaries of the genre and were incredibly popular. Microsoft published the first game back in 2007 when it became a hit that has mainly stood the test of time asone of the greatest RPGs.
Most features of the RPG genre are present, as players can find various weapons to use, level up to use talents, start as six different classes, and navigate the world to accept quests. A multitude of companions are also available for players to travel with, and romance if they desire. Mainly, the story and the way players could interact with the narrative earned major appraisal, with how dynamic the companions were being another strong point.
