RPGs that don't require levelling up?

[majinbuu]

I remember the great time I had playing the original Zelda on the NES many years ago. It was different than other RPGs in that you did not have to spend hours mindlessly levelling up to be able to progress in the game.

I know that for some this is the best part of an RPG, but for me it just gets boring and I never get far into the game. So I was wondering what other RPGs are out there that don't require levelling up? The systems I am looking at are NES, SMS, TG16, Genesis and SNES.

Please help, I am bored and need something to do over the weekend :)

[InsaneDavid]

Illusion of Gaia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusion_of_Gaia), SNES. Go play it now, great way to kill a weekend. The only "leveling up" really is that of you get status boosts once you kill all the enemies in the area, which you're going to do anyway. It's my all time favorite video game.

[Yukio]

AD&D Heroes of the Lance does not require leveling up the characters ... In fact, if someone manage to get past the DUNGEONS it could find the 'Red Dragon'. The "Dark Queen" that is a Five Headed Dragon is not on this part of the series ...

[majinbuu]

Thanks guys, Illusion of Gaia seems like a great game from what I have seen so far. Please chime in with any other suggestions so I can keep a list for the future :)

I will try that AD&D game next

[Sudo]

You don't have to level up in Zelda because it's not an RPG. ;) The other two games in the series Illusion of Gaia is in (Soul Blazer and Terranigma) are excellent as well, with Terranigma being the best of the three IMO.

[Haoie]

Soul Blazer and Terranigma do have levels though.

Don't forget the Adventures of Alundra.

[Wraith Storm]

Sounds to me that you dig action RPGs and not traditional menu based RPGs. There are LOTS of good ones to choose from.

TG16:
Neutopia 1 (A solid Zelda clone that starts good but the level design gets sloppy near the end)
Neutopia 2 (Much improved Zelda clone. I thought this best the first in almost every way. )
Dungeon Explorer (A cool multi-player Gauntlet meets Zelda style action RPG. Pretty good)
Dungeon Explorer II (A phenomenal sequel. Improved on everything from the first! )

Genesis:
Crusader of Centy (A VERY good Zelda clone that even guest stars Sonic in a scene!)
Beyond Oasis (Beautiful hand drawn game with LOTS of style. Much better than the Saturn prequel.)
Land Stalker (Do I need to explain this one? If you haven’t heard of it go and buy it.)

[dao2]

omg ><

Zelda is not an rpg :|

It doesn't have rpg elements :|

It doesn't even have the loose affiliations that JRPGs have :|

It's an action adventure game :P

but if you're looking for good action adventure games check out alundra on the ps1 ;p (not alundra 2 :|)

Dark Cloud 1-2, yes the have levels but it's not like you have to grind or do anythin about em :P Also missing out a bit on the action part (though not entirely :P) Beyond Good and Evil, it's fantastic give it a gander. If your into the mech/scifi go for Zone of the Enders 2, also awesome, but pricey ;p And only a couple hours long :| The original is dirt cheap but not 1/4 as good, WHY DIDN'T THE SUBWEAPONS HAVE LOCK?! And is even shorter :| Like 1 hour short.

[majinbuu]

You don't have to level up in Zelda because it's not an RPG. ;)


omg ><

Zelda is not an rpg :|

It doesn't have rpg elements :|

It doesn't even have the loose affiliations that JRPGs have :|

It's an action adventure game :P

but if you're looking for good action adventure games check out alundra on the ps1 ;p (not alundra 2 :|)

Dark Cloud 1-2, yes the have levels but it's not like you have to grind or do anythin about em :P Also missing out a bit on the action part (though not entirely :P) Beyond Good and Evil, it's fantastic give it a gander. If your into the mech/scifi go for Zone of the Enders 2, also awesome, but pricey ;p And only a couple hours long :| The original is dirt cheap but not 1/4 as good, WHY DIDN'T THE SUBWEAPONS HAVE LOCK?! And is even shorter :| Like 1 hour short.

Ok Ok, I get it. :) The original Zelda itself is not a RPG but it has RPG elements. Anyway, you guys know what I'm getting at.

Some great suggestions so far but in the case of alundra on the ps1, I'm looking for games on the NES, SNES, TG16, SMS and Genesis.

Landstalker was pretty cool, I remember finishing it back in high school about 12 years ago. The only annoying thing about that game was the bloody jumping sections :)

Cheers

[dao2]

Ok Ok, I get it. :) The original Zelda itself is not a RPG but it has RPG elements. Anyway, you guys know what I'm getting at.

Some great suggestions so far but in the case of alundra on the ps1, I'm looking for games on the NES, SNES, TG16, SMS and Genesis.

Landstalker was pretty cool, I remember finishing it back in high school about 12 years ago. The only annoying thing about that game was the bloody jumping sections :)

Cheers

no its a non-rpg with zero rpg elements :| whats with the zelda and rpg elements :| hmm geni and stuff that's a tough one ;p I like my ps2 ones better.... les see....

Secret of Mana is along the lines of Illusion of Gaia (very similar actually ;p) Golvellius or however u spell it for SMS >< there were a lot more action adventure games on the ps1/ps2 >< I don't think this fits in the category but is lots of fun. For the SNES - Zombies Ate My Neighbours.

Not sure if these use levels or not - Gauntlet and Faxanadu for NES.

Also lacking the action: Toe Jam and Earl. Kings Quest games.

[Fuyukaze]

I've yet to play it but I've been told Albert's Oddysey would be a good recomendation. It has levels but from what I hear, it doesnt require you sit around power leveling, just go thru each dungeon, beat everything, and continue progressing till the end. Magic Knight Rayearth is more action but that's another I sopose.

Defining an RPG? Pointless, stick to the toppic people.

[InsaneDavid]

Defining an RPG? Pointless, stick to the toppic people.

Agreed.

Illusion of Gaia is again the way to go. Putting aside my love for the game, you can also complete it in a solid weekend's worth of play. Read my review here (http://classicplastic.net/dvgi/reviewsSNESillusionofgaia.html).

[SeverThe7th]

Soul Blazer and Terranigma do have levels though.

Don't forget the Adventures of Alundra.

Just too add, Soul Blazer and Terranigma are very level friendly though. The only time you can really grind in Soul Blazer is at the last area and Terranigma doesnt really require grinding either.

[j_factor]

The entire Saga series handles the idea of levelling up pretty differently. Generally, humans improve individual stats based on conduct in battle, robots' stats are based on what items they have equipped, and monsters transform to different species by eating meat. The games are kind of all over the place in many other ways, but they all have good battle systems (except Unlimited Saga).

[carlcarlson]

I'll second Crusader of Centy.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

There really aren't many RPGs where you absolutely have to level up...

http://www.thelogbook.com/phosphor/apple/2007/w6.gif Ultima II for Apple II

...but there are a lot of them where it's an awfully good idea. LOL

[backguard]

How about Final Fantasy II? Do you actually level up in that?

[Volcanon]

Characters dont level, but stats and magic does.

You could play Oblivion. If you level up there the game gets harder, not easier.

[Zebbe]

I hear this Wizardry IV doesn't require any levelling up. Try it!

[majinbuu]

Thank you all for your responses. This is the only forum I know where you can get such good advice and so quickly. This should keep me playing for a long time. Great stuff :)

[dao2]

Characters dont level, but stats and magic does.

You could play Oblivion. If you level up there the game gets harder, not easier.

go with morrowind instead of oblivion :|

[ScourDX]

Legend of Mystic Ninja SNES is another sleeper. The sequel is only out in Japan called Goemon. Check it out.

Other RPG which I recommend - Twisted Tales of Spike Mcfang for SNES. Unfortunately this one has level up.

[dao2]

Legend of Mystic Ninja SNES is another sleeper. The sequel is only out in Japan called Goemon. Check it out.

Other RPG which I recommend - Twisted Tales of Spike Mcfang for SNES. Unfortunately this one has level up.

I think there was one for the n64 as well, ain't 100% if it's good though never played it.

[boatofcar]

omg ><

Zelda is not an rpg :|

It doesn't have rpg elements :|

It doesn't even have the loose affiliations that JRPGs have :|

It's an action adventure game :P

but if you're looking for good action adventure games check out alundra on the ps1 ;p (not alundra 2 :|)

Dark Cloud 1-2, yes the have levels but it's not like you have to grind or do anythin about em :P Also missing out a bit on the action part (though not entirely :P) Beyond Good and Evil, it's fantastic give it a gander. If your into the mech/scifi go for Zone of the Enders 2, also awesome, but pricey ;p And only a couple hours long :| The original is dirt cheap but not 1/4 as good, WHY DIDN'T THE SUBWEAPONS HAVE LOCK?! And is even shorter :| Like 1 hour short.


go with morrowind instead of oblivion :|

Please repeat after me: A :| is not a period. A :| is not a period.

[Lady Jaye]

BOC: No need to play grammar police, please. Otherwise, you'll have to spend all your time in the forums correcting others' writing. We understood his message (without spending hours trying to figure out what it was), that's good enough for me.

[shivers]

rivercity ransom! you do have to level but its not a grind its more of collect $$ and buy alot of fun food and stuff.

and someone mentioned final fantasy 4... not really a grind out of all of the ff games i find this the least that you "need" to level up. as long as you go with the flow and battle the random encounters you find and dont worry about finding them you should have no problem. only maybe twice i found myself grinding for a level or two. the remake on DS is even easyer.

[StakeRaiser]

Ghost Lion for NES

It's Dragon Warrior style, but you collect "Fragments Of Hope" to level up

Only grinding is to collect money

[dao2]

Please repeat after me: A :| is not a period. A :| is not a period.

Is to me :P


rivercity ransom! you do have to level but its not a grind its more of collect $$ and buy alot of fun food and stuff.

and someone mentioned final fantasy 4... not really a grind out of all of the ff games i find this the least that you "need" to level up. as long as you go with the flow and battle the random encounters you find and dont worry about finding them you should have no problem. only maybe twice i found myself grinding for a level or two. the remake on DS is even easyer.

River City Ransom is a beat em up >< So is mystical now that I think about ti were kinda diverging here ;p

edit: I think what he's looking for is action adventure games. Not RPGs without levels, the afore mentioned illusion of gaia fits in well because of it's real time battle. Unless if your looking for turn based as well op?

[Yukio]

If you like Rogue types of games, there is Dragon Crystal (Master System) and the sequel Fatal Labyrinth (Mega Drive). In Dragon Crystal it is not necessary to kill all enemies and if a person clear the levels these would be enough to level up the character. Since the game does not save at all, excessive levelling up is unnecessary ...

In the Dragon Crystal there is a companion (a Dragon EGG) that later evolve into a full dragon, unfortunately the young dragon is just a companion. It does not attack .

[Ruudos]

NES:
The Battle of Olympus
Faxanadu

SNES:
Illusion of Gaia/Time
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Mana
Terranigma

Genesis:
Beyond Oasis/The Story of Thor
Crusader of Centy/Soleil
Wonderboy in Monster World

[Jorpho]

I'm told it's theoretically almost possible to play through one (or both?) of the Fallout games without ever actually fighting anything, and that the same can be said of Planescape Torment. Haven't tried it myself.

And I'll mention The Spirit Engine again, which technically has levelling but which so beautifully turns so many RPG conventions on their heads that it might still be what you're looking for. What a great game. (I ought to play the sequel demo sometime.)

[majinbuu]

edit: I think what he's looking for is action adventure games. Not RPGs without levels, the afore mentioned illusion of gaia fits in well because of it's real time battle. Unless if your looking for turn based as well op?

Turn based games are a definite no for me. Games like Final Fantasy Tactics and Shining Force hold no real interest for me if that's what you're getting at. Or do you mean games like Phantasy Star and Final Fantasy? I don't mind that type of game as long as there is no or very minimal mindless grinding. As you can see, I am quite a picky gamer :)

Real time battle is what I am really looking for, followed by the Phantasy Star/Final Fantasy style of play. I don't have much experience with first person RPG's but I am willing to try.

So far you guys have given me a ton of games to work with, you guys rock.

[kaedesdisciple]

Final Fantasy Legend II for the GB has no levels per se. What happens is that your stats increase depending on the class of character and what equipment you are using. Interesting changes to the typical system are the robot that changes its stats on the fly when you change its equipment and the monster class that can change stats and appearance drastically depending on what you feed it. It's a slightly different kind of leveling. One of my favorite RPG's from my childhood, give it a shot.

[Drixxel]

Final Fantasy Legend II for the GB has no levels per se. What happens is that your stats increase depending on the class of character and what equipment you are using. Interesting changes to the typical system are the robot that changes its stats on the fly when you change its equipment and the monster class that can change stats and appearance drastically depending on what you feed it. It's a slightly different kind of leveling. One of my favorite RPG's from my childhood, give it a shot.

Linking this with what j_factor said about the SaGa series..


The entire Saga series handles the idea of levelling up pretty differently. Generally, humans improve individual stats based on conduct in battle, robots' stats are based on what items they have equipped, and monsters transform to different species by eating meat. The games are kind of all over the place in many other ways, but they all have good battle systems (except Unlimited Saga).

An awesome series of RPGs with unconventional stat development, but still the sort of turn-based, random encounter-laden thing our topic creator isn't ideally looking for.

I recommend the following as yet unmentioned titles for real-time combat, bird's-eye view, RPG-ish glory:

NES
- Arkista's Ring
- Crystalis
- Faria
- Magic of Scheherazade (blend of real-time & turn-based combat)
- StarTropics
- Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II

SMS
- Ys: The Vanished Omens

TG16
- Ys Book 1 & II
- Ys III: Wanderers from Ys

Genesis
- Ys III: Wanderers from Ys

SNES
- Brain Lord
- Lagoon
- Ys III: Wanderers from Ys

There's a fair bit of Ys repeat here, as you can see. The games are worth playing however you feel like going about it.

[Fear The Turtle]

Ghost Lion for NES

It's Dragon Warrior style, but you collect "Fragments Of Hope" to level up

Only grinding is to collect money

lol Wow, I came here to mention this game and someone already did :)

I love this website :)

EDIT - Also, I am really surprised no one mentioned Chrono Cross.

[Xian042]

I dont think anyone mentioned:

The Immortal

You can grab it on the NES and Genesis. Get the Genny version for all the gory goodness!

[murdoc rose]

considering I play runescape I'm not sure I should even be posting in this lol but to kill some time you might try gauntlet for any of the systems no lving but lots of repetitive action more fun with 4 people. I consider it fun even if I don't invest the time to get to lv 110.

[kupomogli]

Yeah. Like other people said, Zelda isn't an RPG.

For action/adventure games similar to Zelda I'd recommend Illusion of Gaia(SNES,) Evergrace(PS2,) Forever Kingdom(PS2,) Alundra(PSX,) and Dragon Valor(PSX.)

For some action/RPG games you really wouldn't have to grind on. Crystalis(NES,) Magic of Scheherazade(NES,) Terranigma(SNES,) Secret of Evermore(SNES,) Seiken Densetsu/FFAdventure(GB,) Sword of Mana(GBA,) Secret of Mana(SNES,) Seiken Densetu 3(SNES,) and Legend of Mana(PSX.)

-andrew- -kupomogli-

[R.Sakai]

I've got to give a nod to the Saturns Legend of Oasis.

I thought it was great that the more damage you took in game, the more you'd level up. As it turns out once I beat the game, you were supposed to beat it at the lowest level possible.

So there's an rpg where you don't want to level :)

[kupomogli]

EDIT - Also, I am really surprised no one mentioned Chrono Cross.

I would have mentioned Chrono Cross but assumed he only wanted action/adventure or action/rpg titles(though I did post after you did.) I'm not such a big fan of the game, but I do like how the only exp gain is through bosses once you acquire a star.

-andrew- -kupomogli-