I have tried a ton of RPGs, and most just don't click for me. Here are a few:
- Skyrim - enjoyed Morrowind for the side content, Skyrim just felt empty
- Chrono Trigger - enjoyed until about halfway through with the battle with Magus; felt very RNG dependent, or maybe I was under leveled; I bailed after 5 or so attempts that all ended the same way (healer got killed and everyone got picked off)
- Pillars of Eternity - burned out somewhere in Act 2 (20-25 hours); combat system annoyed me, and I dislike picking new abilities
- Banner Saga - story is great, but I hate the combat, so I bailed
Some things about me:
- I don't care about leveling up/character builds, it feels like a chore; abilities also don't interest me
- I hate grinding
- using items feels like cheating, so I tend to just use character abilities (I will heal if needed); I'd rather "git gud" than buy and use items
- turn based combat (tactics) is generally boring, but I do like puzzles, so that can make it acceptable
- I don't like the feeling of being OP, I want to struggle through the end
- I don't like loot
That said, here are a few that I've really enjoyed:
- ARPGs like Ys and Zelda - items are rare or are tools in a puzzle-like system; favorites are Ys 1, Ys Origin, Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Zelda: Skyward Sword (probably because I played Skyward Sword recently); I dislike BotW, and Memories of Celceta has been dragging a bit (I'm near the end, but excited to finish)
- interesting RPGs like Undertale - short and very unique experience
- Souls-like games - challenge involving melee/dodging keeps me going
- Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky - not a fan of the combat, but the story is interesting somewhat at least; I'm about 2/3 through I think (30 hours), but I've taken a multi-month break; likewise, Xenoblade Chronicles is interesting so far, but I'm not super excited about it (may bump down to story mode to get through it, the combat sucks imo)
- Nier: Replicant - great story, leveling stayed out of the way, and I never felt like I needed to grind or upgrade gear
I really like the storylines of RPGs, I just don't like actually playing them. Unfortunately, my preferred ARPG genre is filled with loot nonsense, and I've played most of the ones that don't really on that as a mechanic. Perhaps my favorite RPG-adjacent game not mentioned already is Yakuza 0, I'm not a fan of the combat, but he story is amazing and the side content is fun.
Does anyone feel similarly? Do you have any suggestions for other games to try?
Try Sea of Stars, it scratches that Chrono Trigger classic RPG itch, while nearly completely eliminating the grinding. I got every achievement in it, and at no time did it feel like a slog.
Wanna get every item? There's a feature that facilitates that, which lets you know what areas still need to be swept, near the endgame.
Feel like you're not leveling fast enough? There's an easily purchased in-game item to double XP (toggleable)
Only got time for short sessions? Save points are everywhere
And yet, the game isn't too easy, either.
Beat it, finally, this week. Still have two achievements, but got the true ending+ and the... conversation with someone... had me choked up. I'm proud to have supported the studio.
Lemme guess on the two cheevos:
"Bounce the 'rang 25 times"
and
"Equip a certain relic and do some boss fights"
For the first, just find an enemy you fight CLOSE to and just button mash.
For the second, it's not hard, just do it on NG+ and start EARLY.
Also, did you do the Kickstarter? If so, what's your statue code, I'll check you out – would share mine but don't want to dox myself based on what i provided.
Ding Ding! haha I'm sitting at 24/25 bounces. I'll get around to those last two eventually. Apparently the Autumn Hills boss is great for the Moonerang.
Not sure of my code, but just knowing a fellow fan fast scrolled past my name is enough for me. Cheers!