Move Over, Gameplay: RPGs That Are Carried By Their Characters
Summary
- Characters often salvage RPGs, making weak or dated gameplay worth seeing through to the end.
- Beloved characters from the Persona and Tales of series carry the story.
- You'll play for the characters, even when combat feels repetitive or clunky.
RPGs are often known for having long-winded stories with complex and engaging gameplay, which can either be an all-timer for years on end, like Chrono Trigger, or show its age over time and feel extremely dated, not only in its plot but also in its gameplay. But, there will always be one saving grace for most RPGs, and that's their characters.
Characters, especially in RPGs, are often some of the most beloved, determined, and well-written in the industry, allowing them to save a game that may not play the best or even have the most cohesive or engaging overarching plot. There's nothing that solid character development and exploration can't solve, and this genre proves that time and time again!
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
Characters You Will Die For
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
Action RPG Systems Released December 13, 2022WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALOverall, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion isn't necessarily a bad game, but it is a substantial step back from the new Remake Trilogy and even the OG Final Fantasy 7. Its gameplay can be a tad repetitive and easy, and its combat doesn't quite reach the heights we know this series can achieve.
Despite all that, Crisis Core has heart, and it shines through brightly with its characters and excellent narrative. Seeing Zack and Aerith interact will melt anyone's heart, and seeing everything that transpired before the events of Final Fantasy 7 is soul-crushing. We adore pretty much everyone in this game (except you, Genesis), and would play through anything just to see them again!
Tyranny
Oozing With Personality
Tyranny
RPG Adventure Strategy Systems Released November 10, 2016WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFextralife Wiki
Powered by Expand CollapseTyranny is an excellent CRPG from Obsidian Entertainment, with a strong focus on its characters and player freedom. While its overarching gameplay isn't tremendously deep or engaging, its world, play choice, and ever-changing narrative are phenomenal through and through.
Pretty much every character you meet has excellent writing and personalities, complete with tough choices to make, which will have direct consequences. Even if the combat isn't anything to write home about, the characters are, and that's more than enough to keep you locked in from start to finish!!
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Even The Worst In The Series Still Has Stellar Characters
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Action RPG Systems Released March 1, 2017WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONFextralife Wiki
Powered by Expand CollapseWe all know that Mass Effect: Andromeda is the worst entry in the series, as its gameplay doesn't feel nearly as strategic or immersive as the original trilogy, and it has its fair share of bugs, glitches, and tedium. Still, it is a BioWare game after all, so at the very least, we can rely on their characters and story to pull us through to the end.
Mass Effect: Andromeda has an incredibly underrated cast of characters, as most people dropped the game (understandably) relatively early on. The choices you make as Pathfinder Ryder are heavy-hitting and will help forge bonds and make enemies with some of the best characters in the series!
Kingdom Hearts
How Can You Not Love These Guys?!
Kingdom Hearts
8.0/10 Released September 17, 2002 ESRB E for Everyone: Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unreal Engine 4 Cross-Platform Play android, ios Cross Save yes Franchise Kingdom Hearts Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PS2 How Long To Beat 29 Hours X|S Optimized no PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Powered by Expand CollapseNo, this isn't a 'Kingdom Hearts bad!' type of entry, as we quite like the series a lot, but we need to admit that the first Kingdom Hearts is a bit outdated. Sora controls incredibly poorly, the combat is the furthest thing from fun, and it can look visually rough in some areas.
However, its cast of wonderful characters remains front and center, which will be the driving force of your journey, especially if you're new to the series. These goofballs and edgelords are very special to many of us, and they are undoubtedly the stars of the show in the first installment of the game!
The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings
Its Characters Will Get You Across The Finish Line
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (Enhanced Edition)
RPG Systems Released April 17, 2011WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALBefore CD Projekt blew up and became the juggernauts they are today, they released two Witcher titles that were received relatively favorably, with The Witcher 2 being praised for its stellar cast of characters and strong narrative.
But, there's a catch, even back then, the performance for The Witcher 2 wasn't what we'd call steady, and the combat definitely doesn't hold up all that well, especially if you've played The Witcher 3. However, everyone is correct; the characters, world-building, and narrative are all top-tier, and that's pretty much all we need to see it through to the credits!
The Outer Worlds
Parvati Makes Everything Else Seem Worth It
The Outer Worlds
4.0/5 Released October 25, 2019WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONFextralife Wiki
Powered by Expand CollapseOh, The Outer Worlds, a game that had tremendous potential but sort of fumbled the bag with almost no enemy variety and decent, at best, gunplay and exploration. But, as expected from Obsidian Entertainment, it had many lovable characters that dragged you through its story.
Parvati, Maximillian, and Nyoka did a lot of heavy lifting, getting everyone to the credits. Again, it's not a terrible game by any stretch, but it lacks many things that would have made it an all-time great. Hopefully, its upcoming sequel can right all its wrongs!
Red Dead Redemption 2
Not Everyone's Cup Of Tea, But You'll Adore The Characters!
Red Dead Redemption 2
5.0/5 10.0/10 Released October 26, 2018WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFextralife Wiki
Metascore 97 Powered by Expand CollapseOkay, listen, we LOVED every single second of our time spent in Red Dead Redemption 2, but we understand and recognize that its gameplay isn't for everyone. It can often be slow and feel a bit clunky, and performing monotonous tasks from time to time could, understandably, deter average gamers.
Fortunately, Red Dead Redemption 2 features some of the best and most beloved characters of all time, and will reel in anyone thinking about walking away from it. They are arguably some of the most well-written and realistic characters in gaming, and we cannot get enough of them. Arthur's journey with the Van der Linde gang is legendary, emotional, and worth experiencing!
Tales Of Berseria
Fantastic Characters, Okay Combat
Tales of Berseria
JRPG Action Systems Released January 24, 2017WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIn the grand scheme of things, Tales of Berseria's combat and overall gameplay are a bit weak compared to the rest of the series, but it makes up for it in spades with its main cast of characters and gripping storytelling. There's no shot anyone can dislike this group.
Tales of Berseria's party is arguably one of the best in the genre, let alone the Tales of series, and they earn that by having engaging and potent backstories and character development that will make you want to fight for them and see everything to the end. While the combat is servicable, it's not what will keep you moving forward!
Final Fantasy 15
Nothing Like Hanging With The Boys
Final Fantasy 15
Action RPG Systems Released November 9, 2016WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFextralife Wiki
Powered by Expand CollapseSpeaking of a game with lovable characters and okay-ish combat, we have Final Fantasy 15, which is the most direct example we have of coasting through an RPG on pure vibes and a strong love for its cast of characters.
Don't get us wrong, we think it has its gameplay moments, but the combat is arguably the weakest and most mind-numbing of the genre, and just flat-out isn't fun or engaging. However, hanging out with the boys and chasing their story beats, as well as seeking out unique interactions, gives us more than enough fuel to see this heart-wrenching tale play out!
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Arguably Persona's Best Cast
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
JRPG RPG Systems Released June 24, 1999 ESRB Teen // Drug Reference, Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Violence Developer(s) Atlus Publisher(s) Atlus, Atlus USA, Ghostlight Franchise Persona Platform(s) PlayStation (Original), PlayStation Portable How Long To Beat 35.5 hours How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 64.5 hours Powered by Expand CollapseFinally, we have Persona 2: Innocent Sin. Yes, the PSP version. Innocent Sin arguably has the best cast of characters in any Persona title, and the same can be said for its ambitious story. However, its gameplay is tedious and irritating, and is undoubtedly the weakest entry in the series.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin's cast is unique, well-developed, and has motivations that make sense, while also allowing you to explore them more if you want by forming stronger relationships. Sure, its gameplay stinks and it has some questionable themes, but its characters and narrative are godlike, and will get you through the monotony and anguish!
