The development of role-playing games has been wildly different on both sides of the globe. While JRPGs are enjoyable on their own, the allure of Western RPGs is hard to deny as well.
Players love this genre and the developers who experiment with these tropes. This can occur by either bucking certain trends or combining role-playing elements with other genres to make for a surprisingly enjoyable combination.
Indie gaming has allowed players to enjoy some of the most unique and experimental games players can get their hands on, andYes, Your Graceis no exception. Players control King Eryk,the ruler of the struggling kingdom of Davern who is thrust into unavoidable warsand compromising situations after a series of unfortunate events.
The combination of management elements with role-playing and a tantalizing story is a huge part of what makesYes, Your Graceso special. Players must manage their resources and keep their subjects happy to deal with the many threats that come their way.
During a time when isometric RPGs featured some form of combat to keep fans interested,Planescape: Tormentdecided to buck this trend. While there are times when players can engage in combat, it’s optional the Nameless One is just resurrected if he falls in battle.
Instead, the main focus ofPlanescape: Tormentcomes from its gripping writing where the amnesiac protagonist encounters people he supposedly met in the past and slowly pieces together his memories. As long as players don’t mind a ton of reading, they’ll love the rich and engaging storytelling ofPlanescape: Tormentthat goes places.
A roguelike horror RPG withbrutal turn-based combat that takes a while to get used to,Darkest Dungeonis not for the faint of heart. Players can’t get greedy while exploring the dungeons in this game, since all it takes is one challenging battle to leave them in a world of hurt.
Players need to form a well-rounded adventuring party, prioritizing characters with strong traits while sacrificing the ones who can’t deal with the stress inflicted upon them in each dungeon. It’s a challenging game that took many risks, with the vast majority of them paying off.
Players who want to check outan experimental indie RPG with a focus on storytellingand exploration will loveSunless Skies. It’s a near-perfect sequel with everything from multiple compelling hubs to much-needed UI improvements that help the game’s writing feel more impactful.
Fans of theFallen Londonuniverse will love the risky changes this game brings to the formula. Instead of exploring the Unterzee, players take to the skies and engage in real-time battles that’s a huge improvement over the weird hybrid combat system present inSunless Sea.
From the very moment players boot upDisco Elysium, they’ll realize just how unique and experimental this game is. Instead of a valiant hero,players control a wild drunk with conflicting psyches and overbearing personalitieswho must fight his urges at times while trying to solve a murder case.
The game lacks any form of combat whatsoever and relies solely on skill checks. Unlike most other Western RPGs,Disco Elysiummakes failures just as interesting as successes, ensuring that players will love choosing the wackiest options as the game’s hilarious writing accommodates their decisions in unexpected and entertaining ways.
As the name may suggest, players will be in for a bizarre time if they check outWeird West. The game takes place in the Wild West with a dark fantasy twist.
If this wasn’t experimental enough as is, this title combines everything from action RPG gameplay to immersive sim elements, making for a wholly unique experience. As long as players can get past the title’s immense jank,Weird Westwill be a perfect pick for players seeking outthe most experimental isometric RPGsthey can get their hands on.
The mere fact thatKenshihas no main story and just chucks players into a foreign and hostile world with little to no explanation. Given how most Western RPGs feature tutorials and simple opening acts to get used to the game world they’re a part of,Kenshifeels completely different in this regard.
Thetough-as-nails tactical combat will make players think twiceas they prioritize leveling up their skills and building up a squad of competent individuals. Every successful expedition feels like a mini-victory of sorts as players either stick to their morals or perform some truly heinous actions to become powerful figures in the world ofKenshi.
Supergiant Games has never shied away from experimentation in their games, butPyretook this to a new level. The game combines the structure of a visual novel RPG with sports gameplay where players get accustomed to playing the many Rites they must win to reach the finals.
The gameplay loop features a heartbreaking twist where the player must choose which Exile can leave purgatory. This leads to players making tough decisions, since they may empathize with certain members of the team, but their skills in the Rites are so valuable that letting them go would neuter their team’s strength.
