Summary
ThePlayStation 3took a while to get going, with its disappointing launch event letting Xbox 360 establish its dominance in the console wars for the longest time. However, a lineup of tantalizing exclusives, coupled with more reasonable prices and the eventual acceptance of Blu-ray technology, helped the PS3 stand tall at the end of its console generation.
The games on this console looked and felt better than ever before, with some ofthe best role-playing gamesbeing a must-play on the PS3. Meanwhile, otherRPGssplit fan opinion down the middle but are still worth checking out for players who don’t mind working around their faults.
The ugly UI and a myriad of bugs caused many fans to be disappointed byAlpha Protocolwhen it launched. The game needed more time in the oven, and it’s a shame that it was rushed out without proper QC.
After all, most people agree thatAlpha Protocol’s belnd of RPG elements with the spy-thriller genre was a winning combination when everything fell into place. The excellent writing helped Michael Thorton’s adventure come to life, as players uncovered a conspiracy and strove to save everyone they could in their mission to be a stellar agent.
The news that Miyazaki wouldn’t spearhead the development ofDark Souls 2didn’t worry too many fans at the time, but the game’s launch made it clear that this director’s input was more valuable than many people realized. The lack of a cohesive world and a game that misunderstood the appeal ofDark Souls' difficulty caused its sequel to become the black sheep of the trilogy.
However,some aspects ofDark Souls 2deserve their praise, with players loving the new gameplay elements and the variety in the game’s visuals. As long as players figure out how to manage enemy groups and surprise ambushes, they’ll have a great time powering throughDark Souls 2and its many challenging boss fights.
Dragon Age: Originswowed many fans back when it came out, and many wondered how BioWare would top this experience. However, in contrast to the first game,Dragon Age 2’sscope was noticeably reigned in—likely due to its stunted development time—which impacted the role-playing opportunities players could enjoy.
The attempts to appeal to a broader demographic didn’t sit right with many, but fans have calmed since the game’s release. Despite its faults,Dragon Age 2still boasts an excellent story that adds to the franchise’s allure, introducing iconic series characters and making it a must-play for fans who love the dark and brooding fantasy world ofDragon Age.
Final Fantasy 13is the arguably most polarizing game in the series, with the confusing script and poor level design alienating large groups of fans. Many felt that this game marked a noticeable downturn in the franchise, one thatFinal Fantasyhas struggled to get out of for a while now.
However, the game’s combat system is fast-paced and opens up once players get past the ridiculous number of tutorials bogging down the early-game experience. By the time players reach Gran Pulse, they’ll be able to enjoy the strengths ofFinal Fantasy 13and understand why many fans are so passionate about this title.
Back whenGame of Throneswas at the peak of its popularity, many people loved the idea of playing an RPG inspired by the franchise. However, the eponymous video game failed to win over fans courtesy of shoddy presentation and lackluster combat that cheapened the experience in the eyes of many.
It’s a shame, since many people agree thatthe story inGame of Thronesis compelling and does justice to the IP. As long as players are willing to accept the egregious reuse of models and some irritating battles, they’ll have a blast checking out this originalGoTstory.
To enjoyMass Effect 3, players must realize that it’s about the journey rather than the destination. Up until the ending,Mass Effect 3is every bit as compelling as its lauded predecessors, if not more so.
However, the ending was laughably bad and turned many people off from the experience. Now, with the addition of DLCs and some tweaks to flesh out the conclusion,Mass Effect 3stands out as an excellent talethat fans of Commander Shepard will love, despite its faults.
The PS3 wasn’t a great platform for JRPGs to thrive on, which is why many peopledidn’t giveResonance of Fatethe timeit deserved. Players who didn’t take the time to learn a ridiculously complex combat system never had a chance to appreciate this weird and compelling experience unlike any other JRPG out there.
The hex-based exploration grew on players after a point, and the combat looked incredible every single time. Sitting through hours of tutorials in the Coliseum didn’t sit right with many, but it was a small price to play to enjoy this quirky and memorable JRPG.
Before Yoko Taro became a household name courtesy of his work onNieR: Automata, this video game director’s genius was criminally underappreciated.TheDrakengardtrilogywas a blast to play through despite its faults, andDrakengard 3was no exception here.
Technical issues ran rampant and the graphics are be hard to stomach even now, but the game made up for it with a story that showed Yoko Taro at his very best. Fans of theNieRseries can’t wait for theDrakengardtrilogy to be remade for new audiences, with the final game being hailed as the very best by many. Even the hint of aDrakengardsecret hidden inNieR: Automatasparked an internet furor a couple of years back, althoughit turned out to just be an impressive mod.
