Some of the best RPG franchises are anthologies. That means one sequel doesn't bleed into another. final fantasy This is a perfect example. final fantasy 5 I don't care who's in there final fantasy 8. There is also a direct sequel within the series. final fantasy 7But they are more outliers than anything else.
The 5 Best RPG Series with Anthology Games, Ranked
This long-running RPG series has been brought together in an anthology game that brings together different worlds and characters into one epic story.
This is an example of how RPGs have an anthology within their genre. But there are also anthology collections hidden within one game. This means that the game can feature multiple campaigns taking place in different worlds or the same world but featuring different characters. To paint a clearer picture, let's look at a few key examples.
live a live
a sampling of the times
live a live Players start with seven characters to choose from, and each scenario only takes about two hours at most. This applies to both the SNES original and the remake. Players can journey to the Old West with the Sundown Kid, travel to prehistoric times with Pogo, or become a ninja with Oboromaru in ancient Japan.
Combat is turn-based, but characters can also move around on a grid, like a mini tactical RPG. Once all the scenarios are completed the eighth opens up with some connective tissue, but overall this is a perfect example of an anthology RPG.
Octopath Traveler
one party
Octopath Traveler It was released exclusively for the Switch in 2018 and later received ports elsewhere. It was Square Enix's first HD-2D game and allowed players to choose one of eight characters, such as the cleric Ophelia or the warrior Olberic.
All characters can eventually be recruited, but the characters do not interact with each other. They simply existed as background support for battles, and each character's story was an individual episode that the player had to watch chapter by chapter.
Odin Spear Leipsrasir
2D Nordic Action
Odin SphereVanillaware's 2D action RPG was released for the PS2 in 2007, and was eventually remastered for multiple platforms under a new name in 2016. Odin Spear Leipsrasir. Players will begin with Gwendolyn, a Valkyrie, and progress through her story to the end. When that happens, more stories are unlocked, each related to the storybook.
Other characters include Mercedes, Cornelius, Oswald, and Velvet, whose stories and overall design borrow heavily from folktales and various myths. Although players may encounter similar characters and environments, the five stories were largely independent.
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song
a challenging remake
that death The series is known for providing players with a wide variety of characters. Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song This is a good example. It is a remake of the 1992 SNES original, released for PS2 in 2005 and later remastered several times for other platforms.
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Move slowly or quickly, rush straight to the next quest or explore for a bit. This RPG lets you play as fast as you want.
There are eight characters you can start with in various areas of the map. There's the pirate Hawk, the warrior Sif, the traveler Gray, and more. The story content is low compared to other turn-based RPGs, but it's definitely enough to justify it as an example in the anthology.
samurai warrior 5
younger than before
Most Musou games dynasty warriors and samurai warriorThe short campaign gives players plenty of characters to choose from. samurai warrior 5 is the latest in a particular series that changed things in a variety of ways.
Instead of dozens of stories, there are two main stories between Oda Nobunaga and Akechi Mitsuhide. Players will still have to play as other classic heroes in action battles, including Kenshin Uesugi, Hideyoshi Hashiba, and Hanzo Hattori, but there will be no individual stories. The game also features a new cell-shaded design, making everyone look much younger compared to previous versions.
Kingdom Hearts: Born from Sleep
Keyblade Masters
Kingdom Hearts: Born from Sleepprequel to Kingdom Hearts The series is divided into three separate campaigns: Ventus, Terra, and Aqua. Aqua is the newly crowned Keyblade Master, Terra is like Riku in that he has both light and darkness in his heart, and Ventus is a more scrappy trainee.
They follow similar, alternative paths through the Disney world and fight enemies in real time, but overall, their stories are their own. Completing them all will give players a better understanding of how these three warriors fit into the story.
Nier: Automata
Three Opportunities for Humanity
Nier: Automata It begins with 2B and 9S, battle androids sent to Earth to reclaim the planet for humanity's last bastion in space. After players finish 2B's long campaign, they can start over with 9S, which follows a similar path but with a different perspective and alternative gameplay style.
Finally, the player plays as A2. There are 26 endings Nier: AutomataHowever, to see the true ending, players must play these three characters in order. An example of an anthology is an action RPG that, while outside the scope of an anthology, has several stories in the overall scheme of things.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
heroes vs villains
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy It is a PSP fighting game featuring heroes and villains. final fantasy universe. Each hero has a campaign with special cutscenes and an explorable world.
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Tifa will primarily focus on her interactions with Sephiroth and Cloud. final fantasy 7Yuna mainly interacts with Tidus and Jecht. final fantasy 10. There are also crossovers between characters in the franchise, which is all the more reason for super fans looking to make their dream scenarios come true should buy this product.
front mission
OCU vs USN
when front mission It was released for the SNES in Japan in 1995, but had only one scenario. Players followed the exploits of Royd Clive, who fought for the OCU side in the war. The Japanese PS1 port added a new scenario featuring officer Kevin Greenfield fighting the USN.
When the game first released in North America on the DS, both campaigns were initially available to choose from, and the same holds true for the latest remake, released in 2022. Regardless of version, players can fight an alternate path to war in tactical combat using customizable machines called Wanzers.
thread of fate
ax and magic
thread of fate
- released
-
October 14, 1999
thread of fate is a PS1 action RPG that, beyond being ported directly to PSN, remained primarily played on platforms like PSP and PS3 for decades. Players can choose between two characters who follow similar paths but have completely unique stories.
Players can take on the role of Rue, who starts off with an axe-like sword and gains the ability to transform into monsters. There is also Mint, a genius magician who attacks with a ring-shaped ring. Both campaigns are relatively short, but still fun if players know where to find them.
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