The Ultimate Collection: 8 Unforgettable RPGs That Defy Sequels

Highlights

Many great RPG games, like

Bloodborne

and

Jade Empire

, remain stand-alone in nature, despite the common expectation for sequels or spin-offs in the industry.

Crystalis

, an older RPG, never received a sequel despite its memorable world and unique post-nuclear war setting filled with magic and monstrous creatures.

Super Mario RPG, released back in 1996, captivated fans of the Mario franchise, leaving them eagerly anticipating a direct sequel. Although a follow-up has yet to materialize, hopes remain high with the upcoming remake.

While it is a common practice in the video gaming industry, especially for RPG games, to receive sequels and spin-offs and become part of a larger franchise, this is not always the case. There are several outstanding games that have remained completely stand-alone to this day.

RPG games are typically designed with expansive worlds and compelling characters, making the creation of a franchise around the original game almost expected. However, there have been instances where games were developed without any further accompanying releases, for various reasons.

7 Bloodborne

Most people refer to the collection of games similar to Dark Souls created by From Software as the Soulsborne franchise. However, Bloodborne sets itself apart from the others in various ways and stands as a unique adventure, placing a greater emphasis on Lovecraftian-style horror rather than the themes found in Dark Souls.

From Software has adopted an approach of producing fewer sequels for their games, as seen with the originality of titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Elden Ring, following in the footsteps of Bloodborne. This indicates that the possibility of a sequel to the exceptional Bloodborne is dim, but fans still hold onto hope for its realization in the future.

6 Jade Empire

Originally released in 2005 as an Xbox exclusive, Jade Empire is a captivating RPG developed by BioWare. Drawing inspiration from Chinese Mythology, this game features a remarkable morality system reminiscent of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Unlike its predecessor, Jade Empire introduced real-time combat, seamlessly complementing its enthralling narrative.

Regrettably, despite receiving favorable reviews, Jade Empire did not meet expectations upon its initial release. However, with the advent of a PC port, the game has amassed a dedicated following, with fans eagerly awaiting BioWare's potential return to the world of the Spirit Monk in order to bestow upon it the sequel it truly deserves.

5 Crystalis

Crystalis, released in 1990 for the NES, is an older RPG that, despite not receiving a sequel, remains well-remembered. Its enduring popularity led to its inclusion in the recently launched SNK 40th Anniversary Collection, available on various platforms.

In this classic top-down RPG, players assume the role of a magician who awakens to a post-nuclear war world. They must navigate through a world now inhabited by monstrous creatures spawned from the devastation of nuclear warfare. As a result of the world's end, science has been abandoned and magic becomes the primary focus of study. Crystalis skillfully incorporates this unique blend of elements, creating an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience that stands out even in comparison to modern standards.

4 Super Mario RPG

Several attempts have been made since the initial endeavor to develop a Mario-themed RPG game. Paper Mario is one example, but none have resonated as strongly as the 1996 release of Super Mario RPG. This remarkable game tells the captivating tale of Mario's quest to locate Smithy, a character who crashed into Mario's world and scattered seven-star pieces.

As an exceptional addition to the Mario franchise, fans were puzzled for years, and many remain perplexed to this day, by the absence of any direct continuation. However, the recent announcement of a Super Mario RPG remake for the Nintendo Switch has sparked renewed hope for a potential sequel following the successful launch of the remake.

3 Vampyr

Vampyr, an RPG, has sparked hope among fans for a potential follow-up. The game immersed players in a conflicted vampire doctor's struggle between his Hippocratic oath and his insatiable bloodlust. It skillfully constructed a hauntingly beautiful world that revolved around vampire lore, almost like a multimedia franchise.

Shortly after the game's debut, news of a TV series in the works surfaced, but unfortunately, it never materialized and was ultimately abandoned. Nonetheless, this does not eradicate the possibility of a sequel being released in the future. At present, there is no information concerning such a development, causing many to view it as a missed opportunity.

2 Legend of Dragoon

With a dedicated cult following, Legend of Dragoon is an older game that continues to yearn for a sequel. Released in 1999, it gained infamy for its use of groundbreaking CGI cutscenes that were far ahead of their time in the realm of video games. However, critics deemed it to be inferior compared to games like Final Fantasy, which led to a diminished reception among some gaming enthusiasts.

Nevertheless, despite the mixed reviews, Legend of Dragoon managed to sell a substantial number of copies. It remains surprising that a follow-up was never developed. Even today, fans eagerly await and hold onto hope for the possibility of a remake that could rekindle the possibility of a sequel in the future.

1 Skies Of Arcadia

Despite being hailed as one of the best games ever released for the Dreamcast, Skies of Arcadia in the 2000s failed to achieve success upon its initial release. Unfortunately, this prevented the game from receiving any sequels, remasters, or follow-ups. Skies of Arcadia is a captivating turn-based RPG that follows the journey of a young pilot aiming to halt an evil empire's efforts to resurrect ancient weapons capable of devastating the world. The game's immersive world, reminiscent of the expansive landscapes found in legendary titles like Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy, adds to its allure.