RPG List for the Xbox 360

[lendelin]

If you find the lists below useful, check out these lists as well:
RPG List for the PS3 (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125565)
RPG List for the PS2 (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73673)
RPG List for the Nintendo DS (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125487)
RPG List for the PSP (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126374)

For a convenient printable version click on "Thread Tools" above, choose "show printable version," highlight the lists and print or copy and paste in your word processing programs.

Upcoming Releases
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. Ascaron Entertainment, cdv Software Entertainment, 5/12/09.
Alpha Protocol. Obsidian Entertainment, Sega, 6/30/09
Two Worlds: The Temptation. TopWare Interactive, SouthPeak Games, 5/30/09.
Dragon Age: Origins. Bioware, Electronic Arts, 11/30/09.
Final Fantasy XIII. Square Enix, Square Enix, TBA 2009.



*************** Update: March12, 2009 ***************


1. Main List of Role Playing Games for the Xbox 360 (US Releases)

Title: Subtitle. Developer, Publisher, Release Date. (Month/Day/Year)
* = no published strategy guide

Blue Dragon. Mistwalker, Microsoft Game Studios, 8/28/07.
Dark Messiah: Might and Magic Elements.* Ubisoft Annecy, Ubisoft, 2/12/08.
Elder Scrolls IV, The: Oblivion. Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda/2K Games, 3/20/06.
Elder Scrolls IV, The: Oblivion. Game of the Year Edition. Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda/2K Games, 9/10/07.
Elder Scrolls IV, The: Shivering Isles. Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda/2K Games, 10/16/07.
Enchanted Arms. FromSoftware, Ubisoft, 8/29/06.
Eternal Sonata. tri-Crescendo, Namco Bandai, 9/17/07.
Fable II. Lionhead Studios, Microsoft Game Studios, 10/21/08.
Fallout 3. Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Softworks, 10/28/08.
Infinite Undiscovery. tri-Ace, Square Enix, 9/2/08.
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom. Blueside, Microsoft Game Studios, 1/8/08.
Last Remnant, The. Square Enix, Square Enix, 11/20/08.
Lost Odyssey. Mistwalker/Feel Plus, Microsoft Game Studios, 2/14/08.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Raven Software, Activision, 10/25/06.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Gold Edition.* Raven Software, Activision, 5/22/07.
Mass Effect. BioWare, Microsoft Game Studios, 11/20/07.
Operation Darkness. Success, Atlus/Sega, 6/24/08.
Phantasy Star Universe. Sonic Team/Total Entertainment Software, Sega, 10/24/06.
Rise of the Argonauts, The. Liquid Entertainment, Codemasters, 12/19/08.
Spectral Force 3.* Idea Factory, Atlus, 7/29/08.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope. tri-Ace, Square Enix, 3/3/09.
Tales of Vesperia. Namco Tales Studio, Namco Bandai, 9/15/08.
Too Human. Silicon Knights, Microsoft Game Studios, 8/19/08.
Two Worlds. TopWare Interactive, SouthPeak Games, 8/23/07.
Zoids Assault.* Atlus, Atlus, 9/9/08.

Total: 25


Borderline
Culdcept Saga.* Omiya Soft, Namco Bandai, 2/5/08.

Total: 1


Downloads from Xbox Live Marketplace
Arkadian Warriors.* Wanako Games, Sierra, 12/12/07.
Band of Bugs.* NinjaBee, NinjaBee, 6/20/07.
Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Episode One.* Hothead Games, Hothead Games, 5/21/08.
Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Episode Two.* Hothead Games, Hothead Games, 10/29/08.
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus.* Sonic Team, Sega, 11/20/07.
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords.* Infinite Interactive, D3 Publisher, 10/10/07.

Total: 6


MMO Role Playing Games
Final Fantasy XI: Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urhgan. Square Enix, Square Enix, 4/18/06.
Final Fantasy XI: Vana’diel Collection 2008. Square Enix, Square Enix, 11/20/07.
Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess. Square Enix, Square Enix, 11/20/07.

Total: 3


2. Special Lists

A. Deluxe Sets with Extra Content

01) Elder Scrolls IV, The: Oblivion. Collector’s Edition. The cardboard box contains a disc folder with a making-of DVD, a replica coin, a map, and a booklet "Pocket Guide to the Empire." Available in standard and collector’s edition. The collector’s edition doesn’t include a regular game case.

02) Enchanted Arms. The cardboard box contains a softcover comic book. On the front cover is a circular imprint "Exclusive 48-page Graphic Novel Included." Sold only in the special edition.

03) Fable II. Limited Collector’s Edition. Comes in a cardboard slip cover. Included are a making-of DVD in a special slip cover, a card with additional downloadable in-game-content, and a Xbox Live Gold Trial Card. Available in standard and collector’s edition. The game in the collector’s edition is identical with the standard version.

04) Fallout 3. Collector’s Edition. Comes in a metal lunch box with a plastic slip cover. Included are a bobblehead figurine, a hardcover art book, and a making-of-DVD in a special slip cover. Available in standard and two special editions. The game in the collector’s edition is identical with the standard version.

05) Fallout 3. Survival Edition. This was an exclusive release from the retailer Amazon. Comes in its own special packaging in an oversized cardboard box resembling a shipping box with the console logo, title, graphics, developer and publisher printed on it. It contains the Fallout 3 Collector’s Edition (see 04) and a life-size replica of the ‘Pip-Boy 3000’ with a standee, a wrist-mounted device from the game. Available in standard and two special editions. The game in the survival edition is identical with the standard version.

06) Mass Effect. Limited Collector’s Edition. Comes in a metal case with a plastic slip cover. A cardboard disc folder holds the game and a making-of-DVD. Included are a hardcover art book and a fiction book. Available in standard and collector’s edition. The collector’s edition doesn’t include a regular game case.

07) Tales of Vesperia. Special Edition. The metal case contains a soundtrack CD of the Tales series and a special manual with artwork. Available in standard and special edition. The game case and the manual of the special edition are different from the standard version.

08) Two Worlds. Collector’s Edition. Comes in a cardboard box with a holographic slip case. Included are a map, a pen and dice, a hardcover fantasy RPG book, a DVD with music and video content, and a Xbox Live Gold Trial card with Two Worlds artwork on it. Available in standard and collector’s edition. The collector’s edition doesn’t include a regular game case.


B. Regular Cases with Extra Content

01) Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Special Edition. Exclusively released as a Platinum Hits version with a making-of DVD. Available in standard and special edition. The special edition says "Special Edition" and "Includes Bonus Disc" on the front cover.


C. Platinum Hits

01) Elder Scrolls IV, The: Oblivion
02) Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Special Edition


D. Exclusive Titles*

01) Blue Dragon
02) Culdcept Saga
03) Dark Messiah: Might and Magic Elements
04) Fable II
05) Infinite Undiscovery
06) Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom
07) Last Remnant, The
08) Lost Odyssey
09) Mass Effect
10) Operation Darkness
11) Spectral Force 3
12) Star Ocean: The Last Hope
13) Tales of Vesperia
14) Too Human
15) Two Worlds
16) Zoids Assault

*MMO RPGs and borderline cases included; PC releases and Downloads excluded


E. Strategy Guides by DoubleJump Books

01) Operation Darkness. Geson Hatchett, Thomas Wilde, and Alicia Ashby. [Redmond, WA]: DoubleJump Books 2008. 224 Pages. Paperback. Book Format.



*************** Update: March 12, 2009 ***************

[Aussie2B]

Nice, glad to see you making a list for 360 as well. :) I think the most impressive thing is how not only are there a lot of RPG options already, but there are so many from Japanese developers. Definitely a lot different from the original Xbox.

[esquire]

Can you change the white fonts for those of us using VB Blue? At first I thought those sections were empty.

Here are two you missed:

Dark Messiah of Might & Magic: Elements - Action RPG

Arkadian Warriors - XBL Download - Action RPG

[Cobra Commander]

Are you only counting games that have been released or what? Because there are two coming soon that especially stand out for me. Those are The Last Remnant and Star Ocean: The Last Hope; both from Square.

[darkslime]

Thanks for the list.

How is marvel ultamite alliance an rpg though?

It seems more like a beat em up game to me...

[The 1 2 P]

I'm not even an rpg fan(atleast not until the next Knights of The Old Republic game comes out) but your list gives great insight to the vast 360 rpg catalogue. Congrats and keep up the good work.

[Sudo]

Too Human, Silicon Knights, Microsoft Game Studios, 8/19/08.

[roushimsx]

you missed Grand Theft Auto IV and Saints Row 2!

[carlcarlson]

I'm not even an rpg fan(atleast not until the next Knights of The Old Republic game comes out)...

I hope you're a MMORPG fan.


you missed Grand Theft Auto IV and Saints Row 2!

And I hope you're joking!


Thanks Lendelin, I will definitely be using this as reference. Who would have thought you'd be making this thread before a PS3 rpg thread? Not me!

[Daria]

Band of Bugs - SRPG for Xbox Live Arcade

[Lady Jaye]

Among the upcoming ones (although not for another year) is Bioware's Dragon Age Origins.

[chicnstu]

And Fallout 3.

[The 1 2 P]

I hope you're a MMORPG fan.

Who do you think broke that story on here?

[lendelin]

Can you change the white fonts for those of us using VB Blue? At first I thought those sections were empty.

Fixed it. Thanks for letting me know, because in the printable version it didn't show up either.


Here are two you missed:

Dark Messiah of Might & Magic: Elements - Action RPG

Arkadian Warriors - XBL Download - Action RPG

Added both. While I made a note of Dark Messiah and forgot to add it, Arkadian Warriors was new to me. THANKS!

[lendelin]

Are you only counting games that have been released or what? Because there are two coming soon that especially stand out for me. Those are The Last Remnant and Star Ocean: The Last Hope; both from Square.

Released games only. As long as they are not on the shelves, they don't exist. :)

However, I added a short list upcoming releases after the introduction, and followed your suggestions and those of chicnstu and Lady Jaye. Thanks to you all!

[lendelin]

Band of Bugs - SRPG for Xbox Live Arcade

Added. Thanks, Daria! I didn't follow at all the RPGs exclusively available as downloads. (except for Phantasy Star) I should have known that NO strategy RPG slips through your fingers. :) I even had to go to the official Xbox site to get the information on the game.

[lendelin]

I hope you're a MMORPG fan.
Who would have thought you'd be making this thread before a PS3 rpg thread? Not me!

Me neither. A surprise for sure. (see post below)

[roushimsx]

And I hope you're joking!


Please explain how they're not action rpgs.

[lendelin]

Nice, glad to see you making a list for 360 as well. :) I think the most impressive thing is how not only are there a lot of RPG options already, but there are so many from Japanese developers. Definitely a lot different from the original Xbox.

I agree. While the the two traditional RPGs by Mistwalker after the 'cooperation' with Microsoft didn't come as a surprise and are the obvious strategy of Microsoft to get established in the Japanese market, other releases were a big surprise.

These surprises are Eternal Sonata, Tales of Vesperia, Operation Darkness, Infinite Undiscovery, and even the two lesser Zoids and Spectral Force 3. After all, the PS3 is much more established in Japan than the 360 even though the PS3 sold clearly under expectations.

I think this is an indication that Japanese developers learned to think more globally and less locally after the severe slowdown of games three/four years ago in Japan. Japanese publishers don't follow hardware sales numbers in Japan alone anymore. They accept the dominance of the US market and the increased importance of the European markets.

What really surprised me was Namco with the two releases of Eternal Sonata and Tales of Vesperia. Not only did they release these games for the 360 and went multi-platform, but the games were released for the 360 first. (I'm sure we'll get Vesperia like Sonata also for the PS3 at some point). After six months or a year the hype and the newness factor of a game are gone; and Square Enix followed suit with Infinite Undiscovery and, of course, with the multi-platform Final Fantasy XIII.

I have the same list for the PS3, and it looks meager. Seven games and the additional borderline case of Folklore, the only exclusives are Untold Legends and Disgaea 3. Like in the case of hardware sales in the US the PS3 will decrease the gap to the 360, but it seems that the 360 is already too much established as the leading console for RPGs.

Who would have thought after the dominance in every aspect and genre of the PS2?

[lendelin]

Please explain how they're not action rpgs.

Let the definition debate begin. :) I know that you address carlcarlson, and, honestly, I don't mean it in a belittling way at all. Actually, I like discussions about genre definitions because most of them are antiquated.

However, you know that we are then in a discussion about a definition of a RPG, and that will be lenghty, and I'm afraid we will sacrifice the inclusionary character of the list on the altar of consistency based on an (all-agreed?) definition.

Dangerous, dangerous... :) but I don't try to discourage such a discussion at all.

Here is my question about a specific case and I don't know if the game should be included. Sudo suggested Too Human. After reading reviews, I'm still on the edge on this one. I'd tend to put it in a borderline category.

[lendelin]

Accurate and reliable descriptions of the deluxe sets are always a pain in the butt. I have Enchanted Arms and Tales of Vesperia, but none of the others; and the question if the games in the deluxe sets are identical with the standard versions I don't even wanna mention.

I corrected the insufficient and inaccurate description of Mass Effect, but I would like to ask you to check the descriptons of the sets you have!

Anything misleading in there or some items forgotten?

...and here are some specific Qs about the sets after I checked online pics and item content:

Does Fable 2 come in a cardboard box or is there only a cardboard slip cover over the regular game?

Right or wrong? The Fallout 3 "survival edition" (Amazon exclusive) isn’t an edition variant, but just comes with the digital clock as a bonus item separately packaged from the collector’s edition. ($50 more for the clock? uh, that hurts)

Does Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion come in a slip cover over the foldout cardboard or does it come in a cardboard box?

[Sudo]

Let the definition debate begin. :) I know that you address carlcarlson, and, honestly, I don't mean it in a belittling way at all. Actually, I like discussions about genre definitions because most of them are antiquated.

However, you know that we are then in a discussion about a definition of a RPG, and that will be lenghty, and I'm afraid we will sacrifice the inclusionary character of the list on the altar of consistency based on an (all-agreed?) definition.

Dangerous, dangerous... :) but I don't try to discourage such a discussion at all.

Here is my question about a specific case and I don't know if the game should be included. Sudo suggested Too Human. After reading reviews, I'm still on the edge on this one. I'd tend to put it in a borderline category.

I'd say Too Human is definitely an Action RPG if you consider KUF and Marvel Ultimate Alliance RPGs. It has leveling up, stats, branching skill trees, dynamic loot drops, etc.

[fuchikoma]

Love your PS2 RPG topic so I'm happy to help with this one.


Does Fable 2 come in a cardboard box or is there only a cardboard slip cover over the regular game?

Cardboard slip. The cover insert is different from the regular game too.


Right or wrong? The Fallout 3 "survival edition" (Amazon exclusive) isn’t an edition variant, but just comes with the digital clock as a bonus item separately packaged from the collector’s edition. ($50 more for the clock? uh, that hurts)

First image for the SE on amazon looks like a mock-up for a large box judging by the size of the ESRB rating. Here's to hoping for exclusive packaging.


Does Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion come in a slip cover over the foldout cardboard or does it come in a cardboard box?

It's a book-style slipcover.

[esquire]

Does Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion come in a slip cover over the foldout cardboard or does it come in a cardboard box?

Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Collector's Edition comes in a foldout cardboard in a cardboard box. Included is a bonus DVD with a making of featurette, "A Pocket Guide to the Empire and its Environs" guidebook, map and a Akatosh coin of the empire.

Two Worlds 2 Disk Collector's Edition comes similarly packaged with a bonus dvd, map, 48 hour XBL Gold membership with Two Worlds artwork on it, and a "Two Worlds Tabletop RPG" hardcover book.

Mass Effect Limited Collector's Edition comes in a tin with a plastic slip cover. Included is bonus content DVD, "Galactic Codex: Essentials Edition 2183" guidebook and a "Mass Effect - A Future Imagined" artbook.

[lendelin]

I added to the regular list and the deluxe set list Fallout 3. Also added to the regular list was Too Human.

[lendelin]

I'd say Too Human is definitely an Action RPG if you consider KUF and Marvel Ultimate Alliance RPGs. It has leveling up, stats, branching skill trees, dynamic loot drops, etc.

You're right. I added the title to the regular list. Thanks!

[lendelin]

Love your PS2 RPG topic so I'm happy to help with this one.

Cardboard slip. The cover insert is different from the regular game too.

First image for the SE on amazon looks like a mock-up for a large box judging by the size of the ESRB rating. Here's to hoping for exclusive packaging.

It's a book-style slipcover.

Thanks so much! I used your information describing the sets. One question about Fable II though: The cover of the actual game is the same as the standard version, right?

The Amazon special edition of Fallout 3 looks just like the regular special edition with the clock as a bonus item. I didn't see special packaging that would include the clock. But if you know or even get it, let us know! In the case that the clock is part of a special packaging the amazon edition would be indeed a variant of a deluxe set.

[lendelin]

Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Collector's Edition comes in a foldout cardboard in a cardboard box. Included is a bonus DVD with a making of featurette, "A Pocket Guide to the Empire and its Environs" guidebook, map and a Akatosh coin of the empire.

Two Worlds 2 Disk Collector's Edition comes similarly packaged with a bonus dvd, map, 48 hour XBL Gold membership with Two Worlds artwork on it, and a "Two Worlds Tabletop RPG" hardcover book.

Mass Effect Limited Collector's Edition comes in a tin with a plastic slip cover. Included is bonus content DVD, "Galactic Codex: Essentials Edition 2183" guidebook and a "Mass Effect - A Future Imagined" artbook.

Thanks! I changed important tiny bits of the descriptions based on your information.

Two questions: I read that Two Worlds also includes a pen and a dice. Is this the case?

...and for Mass Effect you described one of the books as a guidebook while I read that it is a fiction book. Is it actually a guide or a combination of both?

[fuchikoma]

Thanks so much! I used your information describing the sets. One question about Fable II though: The cover of the actual game is the same as the standard version, right?

Yep. Game disc is the same in both versions.

And Fallout 3 Survival Edition is a variant. The CE lunchbox bundle and Pipboy both come in one box with a 360/PS3/PC cardboard slipcover.

[Cobra Commander]

Isn't the original Fable on XBL?

[lendelin]

And Fallout 3 Survival Edition is a variant. The CE lunchbox bundle and Pipboy both come in one box with a 360/PS3/PC cardboard slipcover.

Is this really a variant? Looks to me like a shipping box with special writing on it. If Amazon would have just written 'Amazon' on the cardboard it certainly wouldn't be a variant of the collector's edition.

But this? Even with the title and some graphics it still looks like a shipping box. Is it a deluxe shipping box or a very cheap special edition variant? :) I really don't know.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/lendelin/Fallout3Survival-2.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/lendelin/Fallout3Survival-1.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/lendelin/Fallout3Survival-3.jpg

[carlcarlson]

I've been playing a lot of Castle Crashers lately and I'm wondering if it could be classified as an rpg. To me it seems very similar to Odin Sphere. You kill enemies for experience to level up, gather loot from bodies, assign stat points to different attributes, and buy weapons/potions/upgrades. I realize it's also firmly in the beat-em-up category, but is the scale tipped one way or the other?

[lendelin]

I decided to put Amazon's "Fallout 3 Survival Edition" in the list of the deluxe sets as an edition variant.

It is a shipping box with printing on it, no doubt, BUT on the box it has
a) the 360 logo
b) the title
c) graphics
d) developer and publisher and
e) the ESRB rating.

I still think this is just a pre-order bonus set, but the special
packaging suggests to regard it as an edition variant; and who am I to decide if the packaging is cheap, worthy or unworthy to count as a variant? That's an arbitrary issue of quality and taste.

[lendelin]

Isn't the original Fable on XBL?

Yes, but in the list of downloadables should be only original Xbox 360 titles and titles exclusively available as downloads. Fable is neither.

[lendelin]

I've been playing a lot of Castle Crashers lately and I'm wondering if it could be classified as an rpg. To me it seems very similar to Odin Sphere. You kill enemies for experience to level up, gather loot from bodies, assign stat points to different attributes, and buy weapons/potions/upgrades. I realize it's also firmly in the beat-em-up category, but is the scale tipped one way or the other?

I looked at the IGN video and review, and read carefully the review.

I think the scale tips to the beat-em-up category although there are significant RPG elements, no doubt. But the feel, atmosphere and gameplay is strongly in the beat-em-up world.

It comes down to this: would you, others and me like to see the title in an RPG list? Would it feel right? ...and for me, it just wouldn't feel right although the 'assign stats' point is a strong one.

[PapaStu]

Castle Crashers is just a Beat 'em Up/Hack N' Slash with RPG elements in it. It's all about the button mash, not anything else. You could beat the game with without using any of those RPG elements (leveling up and not assigning the points) though it would be hard as hell towards the end.

It's not treated as an RPG on other sites, so i'd not call it one here.

[Daria]

I looked at the IGN video and review, and read carefully the review.

I think the scale tips to the beat-em-up category although there are significant RPG elements, no doubt. But the feel, atmosphere and gameplay is strongly in the beat-em-up world.

It comes down to this: would you, others and me like to see the title in an RPG list? Would it feel right? ...and for me, it just wouldn't feel right although the 'assign stats' point is a strong one.

Just shove it in the border-line category.

[Daria]

Added. Thanks, Daria! I didn't follow at all the RPGs exclusively available as downloads. (except for Phantasy Star) I should have known that NO strategy RPG slips through your fingers. :) I even had to go to the official Xbox site to get the information on the game.

Hah! I bought it during a dry period and was intrigued by it's similarities to Vandal Hearts.


You also left off Penny Arcade. Shame. Shame.

[carlcarlson]

It comes down to this: would you, others and me like to see the title in an RPG list? Would it feel right? ...and for me, it just wouldn't feel right although the 'assign stats' point is a strong one.

That's a good point, it doesn't feel quite right to put it on an rpg list to me either. Of course that's a weak way of determining things, but we both agree so who cares!

I wonder if you should differentiate between titles depending on exclusivity. It seems like a lot more games are cross-platform now, so it would be kind of interesting to see which ones remain 360 exclusives.

[lendelin]

Hah! I bought it during a dry period and was intrigued by it's similarities to Vandal Hearts.


You also left off Penny Arcade. Shame. Shame.

Added. Keep 'em coming. The more ashamed I am, the better I'm off. (lowers his head in shame and apologizes to honorable RPG developers and gamers)

[Aussie2B]

I disagree; I think that's the BEST way to determine what genre a game belongs in. Trying to assign various requirements is what causes so much debate in the first place because any single detail can be incorporated into any genre, but it's the package as a whole and the feeling it gives off that defines a game. I think we're smart enough to know an RPG when we see it, but second guessing comes in when people start saying "well... this game has stat building and that game has leveling up and so-and-so game has so-and-so, so... maybe they should be considered RPGs?" It's about identifying the dominate gameplay elements and the overall feel. Your gut knows best.

[lendelin]

I wonder if you should differentiate between titles depending on exclusivity. It seems like a lot more games are cross-platform now, so it would be kind of interesting to see which ones remain 360 exclusives.

That's a good point. Maybe to put an E behind the title in the main list, or maybe even better divide the main list into exlusive games and multi-platform games. That sounds good. Makes also a lot of sense for collecting.

[lendelin]

I disagree; I think that's the BEST way to determine what genre a game belongs in. Trying to assign various requirements is what causes so much debate in the first place because any single detail can be incorporated into any genre, but it's the package as a whole and the feeling it gives off that defines a game. I think we're smart enough to know an RPG when we see it, but second guessing comes in when people start saying "well... this game has stat building and that game has leveling up and so-and-so game has so-and-so, so... maybe they should be considered RPGs?" It's about identifying the dominate gameplay elements and the overall feel. Your gut knows best.

I agree. I think the weak elusive feeling is actually a strong point in determining a genre nowadays. It is also the acceptance of the deficit that the old genres are not replaced by genre definitions for modern games.

We live in a game era where hybrid games are dominant IF we measure them on old genre categories. Let's face it - we all became role playing gamers. Gameplay elements exclusive to RPGs in the 80s and 90s are common place today even in sports games.

As soon as the arcade games (genre determined by the location you play them - does this make sense?) branched out and games became less linear, more complex, and added more and more options the gameplay elements revolutionized slowly and silently game design. Richer gameplay was achieved by complexity not simplicity. That's why we like to play so much the older classics today, that's why we liked so much Mega Man 9, it's simple, it's linear, it's challenging, and it's creative -- not innovative though.

If we would choose the best RPG definition I could come up with...

1) Some kind of statistics which define and describe certain attributes or skills of game characters.
2) The famous leveling-up, that means some kind of method to influence (increase) these statistics for characters.
3) There must be a menu for combat, just broadly a menu-driven combat system.

...then a lot of RPGs we want in an RPG list would be excluded, that goes for SNES, Genesis, PS1, PS2, GC, and Xbox games as well. If we broadened the definition then a lot of games are included we certainly wouldn't like to regard as a RPG.

What's left in lack of a good definition? The feeling and the deep look at what we play with. (same goes for sex -- sometimes)

[lendelin]

I noticed another upcoming release and added the title to the list.

It is Sacred 2: Fallen Angel published by the PC focused cdv Software. The game was released today for the PC but will also be released for the PS3 and 360 in February 2009.

It is an action RPG (hack-n-slash) in the tradition of Diablo.

[lendelin]

Just a heads up:

Amazon sells the Atlus games Spectral Force 3 and Operation Darkness for $20 each.

LINK SPECTRAL FORCE 3 (http://www.amazon.com/Spectral-Force-3-Xbox-360/dp/B00122OBH8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1226871017&sr=1-2)
LINK OPERATION DARKNESS (http://www.amazon.com/Operation-Darkness-Xbox-360/dp/B0013TLQH8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1226871104&sr=1-1)

[lendelin]

The Last Remnant kept its street date. I added it to the main list.

The game will get a guide by Brady! (released on December 8) The guide is delayed which is really unusual. The guide will be released three weeks after the game was released. The vast majority of guides sell in the first two weeks after a games release.

[esquire]

The Last Remnant kept its street date. I added it to the main list.

The game will get a guide by Brady! (released on December 8) The guide is delayed which is really unusual. The guide will be released three weeks after the game was released. The vast majority of guides sell in the first two weeks after a games release.

The same thing happened with Infinite Undiscovery.

[lendelin]

Just a heads-up:

Amazon sells (from Friday to Monday)

Too Human for $20
Infinite Undiscovery for $19 (w/o the gift card; with the card it was $20 but isn't available anymore)
Spectral Force 3 for $20 (same price for over a week now)
Eternal Sonata for $19.18 (not from Amazon directly, no free shipping!)

Gamequest Direct sells

Eternal Sonata for $20
Two Worlds for $15 (stand alone game, not the Collect. Edition)

...all of the above free shipping, no taxes

Noteworthy non-RPG deals from Amazon: Nights Journey of Dreams for the Wii $10; Ridge Racer 7 (exclusive on PS3) $20 (this game held surprisingly its price for much more since its release)

Noteworthy non-RPG deal from Gamequest Direct: Prey for the Xbox360 for $5.

[Daria]

Just a heads-up:

Infinite Undiscovery for $19

Awesome. Just bought this, along with Last Remnant for $40. It's like getting a free game.

[lendelin]

Awesome. Just bought this, along with Last Remnant for $40. It's like getting a free game.

Infinite Undiscovery for $19 is a good deal, seems to be my kind of RPG.Too bad Amazon doesn't have great deals for PS2 RPGs or even for the new Tales game for the Wii.

[lendelin]

I added to the list of upcoming releases:

Rise of the Argonauts. Liquid Entertainment, Codemasters, 12/12/08.
Alpha Protocol. Obsidian Entertainment, Sega, February to June 2009

Rise of the Argonauts is labeled an action-RPG. I don't know if it is on the action or RPG side. :) We'll see if it qualifies as a RPG.

[lendelin]

Just a heads up:

Amazon dropped The Last Remnant to $30!

Not a bad deal for a game released just a week ago. Probably soon it can be had even cheaper.

[lendelin]

LINKS to AMAZON

Infinite Undiscovery Xbox360 (http://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Undiscovery-Xbox-360/dp/B00149NCYW/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_18_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856371&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BSNXK05RHJJ1TJ8377Q) $18.95

The Last Remnant Xbox360 (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Remnant-Xbox-360/dp/B001CMJAP6/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_15_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856371&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BSNXK05RHJJ1TJ8377Q) $29.95

Persona 3 Fes w artbook and soundtrack CD (http://www.amazon.com/Persona-FES-Soundtrack-Artbook-Playstation-2/dp/B001G0MG8W/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_5_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856351&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EJN83N2Y7PZ86TFTNPP) $19.95

Eternal Poison (http://www.amazon.com/Eternal-Poison-Playstation-2/dp/B001DT8FUE/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_1_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856351&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EJN83N2Y7PZ86TFTNPP) $19.95


NON-RPG DEALS:

Sony PS2 controller silver (http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Dualshock-Analog-Controller-Silver-2/dp/B000R3OR2W/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_16_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856351&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EJN83N2Y7PZ86TFTNPP) $8

Alone in the Dark PS2 (http://www.amazon.com/Alone-Dark-Playstation-2/dp/B00113NYIA/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_13_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856351&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EJN83N2Y7PZ86TFTNPP) $4

Ridge Racer 7 PS3 (http://www.amazon.com/Ridge-Racer-7-Playstation-3/dp/B000HCMR8E/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_17_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856391&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0TW8V70ACRJZC0SYG817) $9.95

Arcana Heart PS2 (http://www.amazon.com/Arcana-Heart-Playstation-2/dp/B0013LTP4W/ref=br_lf_m_1000170001_1_3_img?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=464856491&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000170001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=18Q4F63CJA0FF0KK93D4) $12.95

[lendelin]

I wonder if you should differentiate between titles depending on exclusivity. It seems like a lot more games are cross-platform now, so it would be kind of interesting to see which ones remain 360 exclusives.

Done. Late, but I did it. Such a distinction makes a lot of sense.

...but instead of splitting the main list, I just added to the special list a section with the exclusive 360 titles. I think it is especially useful for collecting.

It is an impressive list. 14 out of 23 games are 360 exclusives.

Impressive are also the exclusive titles with non-MS developers and publishers which were Sony bound or went traditionally multi-platform. It shows the problems of Sony to get attractive exclusive RPGs. Games like Operation Darkness, Tales of Vesperia, Eternal Sonata, The Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery or Spectral Force 3 would have been PS2 exclusives, now they are 360 exclusives or come to the PS3 months later when the hype is over. (not to mention the MS published games like Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, Fable II and Too Human)

The last Remnant will be released on the PS3 next year, but until then it remains a 360 exclusive.

[carlcarlson]

The last Remnant will be released on the PS3 next year, but until then it remains a 360 exclusive.

Maybe they'll have all of the technical problems ironed out by then!

[lendelin]

Added as a borderline case:
Culdcept Saga.* Omiya Soft, Namco Bandai, 2/5/08.

Added as a Download:
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords.* Infinite Interactive, D3 Publisher, 10/10/07.

Added as an exclusive:
Culdcept Saga

Both games are borderline cases for sure as game board/puzzle/RPG hybrids. But the gameplay elements justify the addition in order to be as inclusionary as possible.

[lendelin]

Just a heads up:

Operation Darkness is sold by Amazon for $20. LINK (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=vg_nav_hp_dotd?ie=UTF8&docId=1000208101&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=0YXH5QZ7BC63X6VESWMH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=457819601&pf_rd_i=468642)

It's the deal of the day, so it will last until around midnight today (Tuesday).

[lendelin]

Added to the list:

Rise of the Argonauts, The. Liquid Entertainment, Codemasters, 12/19/08.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope (also added to the list of exclusives)

Both games got guides.

...and I changed also some release dates of the upcoming titles.

Since I'm still In Germany and can't follow closely the American game scene, please post every news reagrding RPGs which affect the lists.

[ConfessorRahl]

Anyone willing to update this thread if I write up the info?