Summary
Non-RPG games get spinoffs all the time and are welcomed into the genre. One of the most profile examples has to beSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starswhich took the platforming mascot and turned him into a classic turn-based hero. Mario’s rival, Sonic, also got an RPG viaSonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.
There are countless other franchises includingMetal Gear SolidandOnimushabut that’s not the focus here. Instead, let’s take a look at spinoffs from RPGs that are not as well-known. Maybe they came out at a bad time or maybe they weren’t even released over here. Either way, there are surprises inbound.
7.hack//Versus
Fighting In Cyberspace
.hack//Versushas to be one of the most obscure RPG spinoffs ever created. There was a movie based on this series called.hack//Beyond the World.On the Blu-ray, there was an unlockable fighting game called.hack//Versusfeaturing characters from the games and anime which could only be accessed if the movie was played on a PS3.
The roster was small as was the game’s scope overall but it was full of fan service for those who had been digesting the series since it began in 2002. It should also be mentioned that this game was never released outside of Japan. The PS3 is not region-locked, so it is possible to play it although getting a working PS3 and Blu-ray of this movie may be tricky.
6Dragon Quest Wars
Tactical Monster Action
Dragon Quest Warsis locked away in a store that no longer exists. It was exclusive to the DSiWare shop which predated the eShop on DS. The game was a tactical RPG wherein players could pit classic monsters, like Slimes, against each other in a tactical battle.
It was a small game as it was seemingly a spinoff for Square Enix to test the waters of the DS’ online capabilities. It was short, but it was also good as it gathered a modicum of praise from reviews at the time. It’s the only game in the franchise to offer tactical combat like this, so it’s a shame a sequel was never made let alone a port.
5Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary
RPG Fun For The Whole Family
Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th Anniversaryis both aDragon QuestandFinal Fantasyspinoffand part of the largerItadaki Streetgames. The overall series began on the NES in 1991 and the only game that was brought over here wasFortune Streetin 2011 for the Wii. That game crossed overDragon QuestandMariocharacters in a board game-infused RPG similar toMonopolyorMario Party.
That’s howItadaki Street: Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th Anniversaryplayed as well and it has been the last game in the series as of 2017. Strangely, there haven’t been more family-friendly games in either theDragon QuestorFinal Fantasyfranchises in the West. It’s also a shame this game remains trapped in Japan.
4Persona 4: Dancing All Night
A Groovy RPG
Persona 4gota few spinoffs following the PS Vita port of the game. First, there wasPersona 4 Arenawhich was a fighting game. It was odd, but it made sense since there was still a lot of fighting involved. There was also the dungeon crawler that crossed over characters fromPersona 3calledPersona Q.
Persona 4: Dancing All Nightis the spinoff that most may not remember as it was bizarre. Characters had to literally dance to save the world or have a good time.Persona 3andPersona 5eventually got dancing spinoffs as well. Unfortunately, they are all rhythm-based using buttons and they can’t be danced to in real time unlikeJust DanceorDance Central.
Pokemonwas practically built on spinoffsfollowing the games in the 90s. Most make sense within the context of the game or anime universes likeHey You PikachuorPokemon Snap. The one that blows the roof off all spinoffs has to bePokemon Conquestwhich is bizarre even for a crossover game.
Samurai from the feudal era of Japan could raise Pokemon to fight battles for them as they conquered the country. It was a crossover betweenNobunaga’s AmbitionandPokemonand it was a tactical RPG on DS. Weird yes, but even stranger was the fact that it turned out so good and Nintendo hasn’t greenlit a sequel.
2Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village
It’s A Palico’s World
Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Villageis another exclusive to Japan which shouldn’t be that surprising since they seemingly have a lot of great content hidden over there. This spinoff was all about the cat-like creatures of this universe, the Palicoes. Perhaps one of the wildest things about this game was that it was developed by FromSoftware.
It was not an action RPG, unlike the main entries. Players instead built little Palico armies and sent them into battles to fight monsters which looked like a cross betweenFinal FantasyandPatapon. The overall style was very cute which is something FromSoftware isn’t known for from their more modern Soulslike experiences.
1Tales Of The Heroes: Twin Brave
Dynasty Warriors Plus Tales
TheTalesof franchisewas forward-thinking when it hit the SNES as it infused traditional random battles with action gameplay. The further the series has gone on, the more action-oriented things became. As exhilarating as the combat is in the latest game,Tales of Arise,Tales of the Heroes: Twin Bravestill features more seamless action.
While not developed by Koei Tecmo,Tales of the Heroes: Twin Bravecan still be considered a Musou game. Players could control various heroes from across the series like Lloyd fromTales of Symphonia. They would go into missions, fight hundreds of enemies, and then level up as the game or pressed on. There is a fan patch for it in English although it’s not 100% complete.
