RPG Backtrack

Ah, Sony, holder of many now-dormant IPs. One of those was a pretty good tactical series that hasn't been seen for a number of years, but did a lot of interesting things along the way. Not all of those things were successful, but the effort makes for a substantive chat. (Arc the Lad) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 121: “The Rock Goes in an Arc” appeared first on RPGamer .

Blizzard once had an idea to send players through the realms of the afterlife, beating up the locals and grabbing whatever desirable things they happened to drop. The setting may change, but this mechanic has proved enduring through the years, making its origination even more fascinating to remember. (Diablo) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 120: “You Could Wake Up Dead Tomorrow”...

Falcom has a storied development history, and one of its larger series saw multiple versions before ending up on the PSP for a few installments. Many things can be said about these particular renditions, but the majority of them are not overflowing with praise. (Legend of Heroes: Gagharv Trilogy) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 119: “We Can Be Heroes” appeared first on RPGamer .

The ruins of the central Atlantic region of the US are open to in-depth exploration, as Bethesda takes a crack at the post-apocalyptic future. Thinking too hard about one's surroundings may strain neurons to the breaking point. (Fallout 3) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 118: “Can’t We Get Beyond Thunderdome?” appeared first on RPGamer .

Hironobu Sakaguchi, Nobuo Uematsu, and Akira Toriyama got together again to inaugurate Mistwalker as a studio. The results were unfortunately not up to the standard set when they first collaborated, but nevertheless spawned a series. (Blue Dragon) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 117: “The Shadow Knows” appeared first on RPGamer .

Gust makes a long-running, plentiful series that doesn't adhere to many of the usual RPG stereotypes. Here's a trilogy of them on the PS3, sporting a love for pie and relatively few instances in which killing things is mandatory. (Atelier Rorona, Totori, Meruru) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 116: “The Secret Ingredient” appeared first on RPGamer .

After the first Fallout, eight decades passed before a new hero had to undertake a quest. That quest involved meeting a number of strange new people in interesting places. Dealing with these people could take place in any number of ways, but the stark effectiveness of blowing them away was a tempting option. The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 115: “Dust in the Wind” appeared first...

It's Yasumi Matsuno's vast Ogre world, but the game format for this bunch is rather different than March of the Black Queen. Just because things look more like conventional tactical models doesn't mean there are no gameplay depths to describe, though. (Tactics Ogre) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 114: “Ogres in My Pocket” appeared first on RPGamer .

Nippon Ichi has made a number of other titles over the years, but a certain series took off in the public imagination and continues to produce fresh entries. Tactical action in the underworld with explosive Prinnies is the subject, and it's so expansive that this episode sets a new record for our length. (Disgaea) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 113: “Over Level 9000!” appeared...

An early Yasumi Matsuno title on the SNES remains a complex and rewarding experience, while its direct sequel provides one of the few opportunities we get to discuss something on the N64. Enjoy this discussion of some tactical goodness that doesn't play by the usual rules. (Ogre Battle) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 112: “You’re a Real Ogre” appeared first on RPGamer .

The world would have been a different place had World War III happened, and the early Fallout titles showed a number of ways that the radiation could have changed things. The level of realism is subject to debate, but the games themselves are pretty entertaining nevertheless. The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 111: “After the Apocalypse” appeared first on RPGamer .

No longer able to contain its use of Marvel characters to just the X-Men, Raven Software went all-out for a grand spectacle with the license. Then three years passed and Activision handed the reins of Marvel characters smashing the forces of supervillains to someone new, with less appealing results. (Marvel Ultimate Alliance) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 110: “Marvel’s Civil...

No matter where or when the action takes place, Link rarely gets a chance to rest. If it's not sailing or steering a train on the DS, he's got a showcase Wii title in which to save the day. More reminiscing about a premiere Nintendo series awaits. (The Legend of Zelda, part 4) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 109: “Lean and Green with an Edge That’s Keen” appeared first on...

The original PlayStation hosted a great variety of titles that don't come up in conversation much nowadays, and among them are some interesting tactical items. Working Designs and Atlus had hands in bringing all of these intriguing games across the Pacific, though their merits vary. (Vanguard Bandits, Kartia, Brigandine, Hoshigami) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 108: “Coins, Robots,...

There was a long break after Suikoden III, and the results did not seem to warrant confidence in the series' future. The Island Nations and their struggle with the Kooluk Empire are the subject of this fairly restrained Suikoden episode. The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 107: “Tactical Stars of Destiny” appeared first on RPGamer .

The Persona series has been in the news a lot lately, but enthusiasm for the first entry seems relatively lacking. An analysis of both the original PlayStation and the PSP renditions seems warranted to determine why, and it can be found right here. The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 106: “Ingmar Bergman’s Persona” appeared first on RPGamer .

Was it really necessary to extend the Shining series into the action RPG realm? Regardless of how little clamor there was for such a thing, Sega kept at it for years. Analyzing the mostly-misbegotten results is on our agenda this time. (Shining Wisdom, Shining Soul, Shining Tears, Shining Force Neo, Shining Force EXA, Shining Wind) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 105: “All That Glitte...

When it comes to licensed games, the X-Men have been stuck in some real stinkers over the years. A few broke the curse of adapting a famous Marvel property though, and the thrill of smashing the scenery with mutant powers is enough to make them worth investigating. (X-Men Legends) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 104: “I’m the Juggernaut, Bitch!” appeared first on RPGamer .

Konami and tactical RPGs may not go together much, but one series managed it for a little while. It's bloody good fun to dissect in spurts, too. (Vandal Hearts) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 103: “Violent Vandalism” appeared first on RPGamer .

There once was a title on the PS1 that involved saving the world from nasty things lurking in the mist. Doing so was mostly accomplished through martial arts prowess, a mechanic that carried over to its sequel, and was then abandoned in the years afterward. (Legend of Legaia) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 102: “Leeartha… Leterra… Legaia!” appeared first on RPGamer...

Much was promised by Peter Molyneux when it came to a series that took huge quantities of money and time to create. His promises were definitely worth their weight in gold, as this discussion makes clear. (Fable) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 101: “Aesop’s Something or Other” appeared first on RPGamer .

When tactical RPGs were almost unheard of on consoles, the Sega Genesis saw a couple that attracted fans with fond memories many years later. Other Sega consoles saw the series too, including its finest hour, though not without unnecessary difficulties courtesy of the company's localization choices. Celebrate Camelot's premiere series with us on this very special episode! (Shining Force) The post...

Word of mouth built about a tactical title Sega released, enough to justify two sequels so far. The company's handling of the new franchise has spawned many strong feelings, and a lot of them come forth in this episode. (Valkyria Chronicles) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 99: “Flight of the Valkyria” appeared first on RPGamer .

Square could have let roll with sequels to a certain tremendously successful game promptly, but years passed before they came to fruition. The number of purchases the public made once more products became available demonstrates the financial wisdom of the move. (Final Fantasy VII Compendium) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 98: “Rolling a 7” appeared first on RPGamer .

Sega revived a venerable series with the Dreamcast, but was determined to promote multiplayer over the internet with this incarnation. From the era of dial-up to the present, it's turned into one of the company's biggest franchises. (Phantasy Star Online) The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 97: “Another Day, Another Meseta” appeared first on RPGamer .