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, 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.

[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...

Ultima II for Apple II

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

[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