View Full Version : A good obscure RPG
VintageNintendo
04-07-2011, 10:55 PM
I want to review a good NES RPG that is a bit obscure. Ive played all the popular ones, Dragon Warrior, FF, Ultimas, Zelda, and even a few like swords and serpents, bards tale, faxandu (ahem). Can anyone think of a good title that just doesn't get mentioned that much and I may have not played yet. I want to get a full beginning to end impression.
NayusDante
04-07-2011, 10:59 PM
Legacy of the Wizard
Star Tropics
Crystalis
Natty Bumppo
04-07-2011, 11:04 PM
Maybe Faria or Scheherazade
VintageNintendo
04-07-2011, 11:07 PM
Got those ones under my belt, I forgot to mention Crystalis, that game was so under-rated, I rate it a top 5 (http://www.8bitfun.com/?p=122)
Blitzwing256
04-07-2011, 11:14 PM
Legend of the ghost lion was alwasy one of my favorate underated late rpgs for the nes.
Jorpho
04-07-2011, 11:14 PM
Actually, Crystalis seems to have quite a loyal following.
Anyway, how about Magician? Or perhaps Sweet Home?
NayusDante
04-07-2011, 11:16 PM
If you don't mind fan-translations, Radia Senki or whatever. Chronicle of the Radia War is what I've heard it called.
TonyTheTiger
04-08-2011, 12:03 AM
You're going to think I'm crazy but try Pinball Quest.
The adventure mode (somewhat Zelda-like) is extremely short but it's just so damn fun. You fight bosses and buy (or steal) upgrades to power up your flippers or add stoppers to keep you from falling.
cynicalhat
04-08-2011, 12:14 AM
kingsfield 1 or 2 for the ps1. its good stuff really.
PapaStu
04-08-2011, 12:50 AM
I want to review a good NES RPG that is a bit obscure.
kingsfield 1 or 2 for the ps1. its good stuff really.
Uhhh.... try again.
If you don't mind fan-translations, Radia Senki or whatever. Chronicle of the Radia War is what I've heard it called.
Yeah, go with this game. I bought the repro of it, Tower of Radia. I'm pretty sure it's the same game as the Chronicle of Radia War.
Rev. Link
04-08-2011, 01:52 AM
Because no one's mentioned it, Hydlide!
Emperor Megas
04-08-2011, 01:57 AM
Because no one's mentioned it, Hydlide!There's a reason no one did. :|
Rev. Link
04-08-2011, 02:11 AM
There's a reason no one did. :|
Yeah, I guess the thread title did specify "good", didn't it? LOL
allyourblood
04-08-2011, 02:27 AM
In all fairness, I haven't played it since I was like 8 or 9, but I remember enjoying Hydlide quite a bit back then. My cousin and I rented it and played the crap out of it. I've always intended to try it again, but never get around to it.
HyruleHero
04-08-2011, 02:28 AM
I think some folks were saying Crystalis...Freaking awesome game, however if you are really being strict about it being an RPG than I would stay away from this one. It has RPG elements such as Zelda would, but technically speaking is not a RPG. It is more of what is known as a 2D platformer. My recommendation for an extremely interesting and like you said obscure RPG would be Princess Tomato and the Salad kingdom. Some people I believe either love or hate this game.. For me I find it to be interesting...check it out!
Gameguy
04-08-2011, 02:42 AM
My recommendation for an extremely interesting and like you said obscure RPG would be Princess Tomato and the Salad kingdom.
Even though that's not an RPG either? It's a good game, but it's not an RPG.
Koa Zo
04-08-2011, 02:48 AM
Legend of the ghost lion was alwasy one of my favorate underated late rpgs for the nes.
Yeah, that's the one I wanted to mention. Certainly overlooked by most people.
Rev. Link
04-08-2011, 03:40 AM
I think some folks were saying Crystalis...Freaking awesome game, however if you are really being strict about it being an RPG than I would stay away from this one. It has RPG elements such as Zelda would, but technically speaking is not a RPG. It is more of what is known as a 2D platformer. My recommendation for an extremely interesting and like you said obscure RPG would be Princess Tomato and the Salad kingdom. Some people I believe either love or hate this game.. For me I find it to be interesting...check it out!
Platformer??? Where are you getting that? Mario is a platformer, or Sonic. A platformer is a game where you run and jump to get through the levels. Or if there's shooting, like in Contra or Mega Man, you might call it an action platformer.
Crystalis, just like Zelda, is an action adventure game. Though at least Crystalis does have a level up system, right (been a long time since I've played it)?
j_factor
04-08-2011, 04:09 AM
Pool of Radiance is pretty good.
Satoshi_Matrix
04-08-2011, 12:44 PM
If you want an obscure NES RPG, you can't get much more obscure than the Legend of the Ghost Lion.
Game was an Dragon Quest-ish RPG made Kemco, a developer not known to make RPGs at all, starred a little girl as the main character, and was released for the NES in 1992 and had no sequels and was basically never heard from again.
As you can imagine, it didn't sell very well in North America. I don't think there's another NES RPG that even comes close to being that obscure.
kupomogli
04-08-2011, 04:23 PM
I wouldn't consider Crystalis or Zelda RPGs, but some people do. Since everyone has listed every other obscure good NES RPG, I guess I'll just throw Willow out there. Very good game.
Wraith Storm
04-09-2011, 01:26 AM
If you want an obscure NES RPG, you can't get much more obscure than the Legend of the Ghost Lion.
Legend of the Ghost Lion is the only obscure NES RPG I can think of as well. Its also a pretty good game too. It has great music, good graphics and a cool battle system.
It's a bit on the simple side, but fun and what other NES game has Daryl Hannah gracing its cover?
Satoshi_Matrix
04-09-2011, 01:45 AM
oh wow, is that who is on the cover? That does it. Legend of the Ghost Lion is now a game that I'm going to review myself. Look forward to it in about a week.
Ninjamohawk
04-09-2011, 05:51 AM
Yeah, go with this game. I bought the repro of it, Tower of Radia. I'm pretty sure it's the same game as the Chronicle of Radia War.
Beat me to it :) Speaking of, where did you get the repro from? I haven't seen it around.
Wraith Storm
04-09-2011, 02:59 PM
oh wow, is that who is on the cover?
Sorry, it was late and I had been up for quite a while... Its supposed to be Farrah Fawcett, not Daryl Hannah.
I had come across a page some time ago that was covering videogame box art. It showed the inspiration for countless box art covers. There was some NES game that they used a famous pose from Van Damme on the cover, they talked about Kyle Reese from the Teminator used for the Metal Gear cover, and some Farrah Fawcett film inspired the Ghost Lion cover.
Just googling her shows quite a resemblance. I just wish I could find the page that I had read that pointed this out. It might have even been an old thread on DP, but i'm too lazy to search right now.
Satoshi_Matrix
04-09-2011, 03:41 PM
if you find it, please let me know. That's perfect for the history section of my written review structure.
Beat me to it :) Speaking of, where did you get the repro from? I haven't seen it around.
thenesdump.com
Dude there does awesome work. You get your game in quick, too.
Rolf&Nei
05-01-2011, 06:57 AM
Arkista's Ring is an action rpg; just don't expect Zelda.
Venus Wars is a mech tactical.
Bandit Kings of Ancient China: traditional.
Uncharted Waters: probably well known enough, but I didn't see it mentioned. Think it may've been available at once on Genesis. An exploring game based in reality.
Tombs & Treasures; Times of Lore; Swords and Serpents: all, to my recollection, pov D&D surrogates--of which there were too many to begin with on so early a system.
Destiny of an Emperor 2. May be a hack; anyhow I had some trouble with the rom, but perhaps didn't choose the best of the bundle (from theoldcomputer.com).
These games are more obscure than great. For perspective, my favourite pure NES rpg is Dragon Warrior, my favourite action rpg Zelda, while I hate Crystalis, Star Tropics, and Zelda 2.