One of the worst feelings in the world is when you fall in love with a series when you’re younger, and as you get older you yearn to play something from the series again as you get older. Several fans of specific series know the struggle of waiting years for an update from a game in a series they love.
While that is hard enough, imagine waiting a decade or more to get any news of your favorite series and whether it’ll be doing anything at all. When thinking about classic titles that need to make a comeback, there are a few that truly deserve the spotlight again.
Breath Of Fire
Launched on the SNES back in 1993, Breath of Fire was Capcom’s deep dive into an RPG set in a medieval fantasy. Your classic RPG, the game features turn-based combat and a protagonist that can turn into a dragon, hence the title.
The last entry in the series (discounting the Japanese exclusive Breath of Fire 6: Hakuryū no Shugosha-tachi) was Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, released for the PS2 back in 2003. The series is well overdue for a revisit to sit comfortably in the genre alongside other greats.
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Eternal Sonata
A unique music-inspired take on an RPG, Eternal Sonata is unlike anything you’ve ever played. While you have the classic tropes of an RPG, a party you travel with, equipment, and party levels to upgrade, you’ll be introduced to one of the most unique combat systems in an RPG.
A tragic backstory, interesting characters, and unique combat that’s time based but also turn-based, while also taking place in the arena and more, we haven’t seen anything from the series since its launch in 2007. It absolutely deserves another chance, as most people haven’t had the experience of playing it.
Skies Of Arcadia
If you’re a fan of classic JRPGs, then you need to try Skies of Arcadia. Launched back in 2000 and later ported to the GameCube in 2003, it’s been well over a decade since the series has seen any traction.
Though there have been rumors and trademark filings, Skies of Arcadia remains an RPG staple that deserves a revival. With a focus on exploration and a story that’s as grand as its characters, there’s so much to gain from playing this classic RPG, and that could be enhanced with a revisit or a sequel.
Dark Cloud
Action RPGs are all the rage, and Dark Cloud deserves a place in the conversation of good action RPGs with so many available now. You’ve probably seen an image of Dark Cloud before, as it’s a classic RPG with similar but unique mechanics, such as town building that’s influenced directly by your dungeon crawling.
The sequel, Dark Cloud 2 (Dark Chronicle), launched in 2003, and we haven’t seen anything since. This is a series that needs to be revisited with action RPG elements, dungeon crawling options, and even more opportunities for town building after games like Octopath Traveler 0. There’s so much that can be done with this system a decade later.
Chrono Trigger
Everyone has heard of Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross, the quintessential RPGs that are as classic as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. At this point, not asking to see something from the series would be a crime.
Though you can access Chrono Cross digitally on the Nintendo Switch, fans are still waiting for the same treatment for Chrono Trigger. Chrono Trigger launched in 1995, Chrono Cross in 1999, and in 2022, we finally got the ability to replay Chrono Cross. Still, we are waiting for the classic original title to make a return.
Threads Of Fate
A little on the obscure side, Threads of Fate is another action RPG on the list that needs some love and attention after all these years. Originally launched in 2000, Threads of Fate is a hidden gem that deserves the classic label.
You take control of one of the protagonists, and depending on who you choose, you’ll have a unique experience as both protagonists have different storylines, different powers, and create a completely different experience. We love RPGs with choices, and revisiting Threads of Fate after all this time could provide even more opportunity.
Legend Of Dragoon
If you can believe it, the Legend of Dragoon launched back in the year 2000. There’s been nothing new from the series for that long. The saving grace is that you can play the original on the PlayStation at least, but this classic RPG drastically needs to be revisited.
The artwork, music, and story can all be revisited today on the PlayStation, but since its 2000 release, we need more from this classic title. Whether it be a sequel or even another game in the universe, we need more from the series after all these years.
Vagrant Story
One of the most unique things about Vagrant Story is that, unlike most RPGs on this list, it takes a unique approach to the RPG genre with its combat and interactions.
Unlike most RPGs, you can attack certain body parts of the enemy, and if you keep yourself in combat, you can get timed chained hits that’ll increase damage. This classic deserves a complete remake, with its amazing story, iconic art style, and need for a bit of refining.
Shadow Hearts
The Shadow Hearts series hasn’t been seen since Shadow Hearts: From the New World in 2006. The third entry in the series sets it up to be a decade old, since we’ve seen no other games being talked about.
Another unique entry, Shadow Hearts mixes Lovecraftian horror and an alternative history into an RPG, but otherwise follows the classic RPG formula. With three entries in the series so far, we’re well overdue for more gothic and comedic RPG entries.
Lost Odyssey
The standout RPG on the Xbox, Lost Odyssey, is still compared to games today thanks to its innovative combat and rich story. A quintessential classic RPG, Lost Odyssey has everything you’d expect from the genre, and still stands the test of time since its launch in 2008.
Turn-based combat with a twist, and the vibes of early Final Fantasy games of the time, it’s well past a decade, and we’ve seen nothing as unique or interesting. It’s about time Lost Odyssey made a triumphant return with even more innovation.
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