Summary
Role-playing games with turn-based combat existed in tabletop form before they became video games. Many stunning adventures have been brought to life thanks to the evolution of these lore-rich and character-building games when they appeared on consoles and computers.
The evolution of motion capture animation and the resurgence of hand-painted games have given players some of the best-lookingRPGs, not only in terms of setting, but also characters and other details, like spells, weapons, and gear. Not all of these gorgeous games are recent releases either; some of the most visually impressive gamesare also vintage classics.
Final Fantasy 7was a legend even in its own time for the amazing visuals, compelling storyline, and lovable characters. The 2020 remakewas equally well-received, and is the first in a trilogy of remastered games also focused on the events and heroes ofFF7.
The previous games in this franchise weren’t as visceral or realistic, andFF7raised the bar for graphics and story considerably. Several of the featured characters have earned their places in video game history, and are recognized even by people who don’t play the games. Cloud and Sephiroth are one of the most famous hero-and-villain dichotomies of all time, and both appear in other video games in the franchise.
Welcome to the medieval fantasy world of Rivellon, where the Godwoken have to fight the Source to gain enough strength and experience to fight the Voidwoken. The plot includes all the magic, mayhem, gore, and intrigue of any RPG, plus it has the beautiful visuals of the setting along with the Void. On a more detailed level, the weapon and combat options also look great.
Considering how expensive this game looks, it is always impressive to hear that it was crowdfunded to the tune of a mere 2 million dollars. In addition to how great it is visually, it’s also considered to be one of history’s greatest turn-based RPGs.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteousis the secondin a series of gamesthat takes place in yet another medieval fantasy world. The country of Mendev is plagued by a magical chasm known as the Worldwound, and only the protagonist can close it using their mythic powers.
The medieval depiction of lofty castles and country roads already looks great, but what’s really stunning aboutWotRis the depiction of the various characters, especially the protagonist, according to the class they’ve chosen. Zombies, dragons, demons, and even a lich are some of the many forms the hero can take, and they each have a unique design.
Sea of Starswas launched fairly recently, but it uses the same kind of pixel graphics as the old-school console games from the 1990s. This is an intended part of the design. Pixel art with modern tweaking and color looks amazing, which was part of the intention of the designers.
The view is the familiar isometric setting that is used by most turn-based RPGs, and takes advantage of the view to use both vintage and modern visuals. The player controls a hero called a Solstice Warrior as they fight their way through the world by solving puzzles and fighting enemies.
Chrono Triggermight be the title that made turn-based video games a genre of their own in the mid-1990s. Modern games still use their unique style and appealing design as an inspiration for their own fantasy-based RPGs, withSea of Starsbeing one of the most popular and recent examples.
The designers who createdChrono-Triggerare three of the most talented in the business, which explains its enduring success. Hironobu Sakaguchi is the creator of theFinal Fantasyseries, Akira Toriyama designed theDragon Questcharacters and wrote theDragon Ballmanga series, and Yuji Horii is the creator of the originalDragon Questvideo games.
La Belle Époque was a time in French history when designers and artists flourished, and the setting ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33is based on a dark fantasy version of this same environment. The production studio, Sandfall, intended to create a high-fidelity turn-based game and was inspired by JRPGs likePersonaandFinal Fantasy.
The number in the title comes from the maximum age of the characters in this world. They can only live until 32, and are executed when they reach 33 in a mass sacrifice called the Grommage. This event is overseen by the big boss, a villain named the Paintress, who is also a type of artist.
Baldur’s Gate 3was released almost two years ago, and since then, the game’s fanbase and popularity have remained consistent. Larian Studios, the same company behindDivinity: Original Sin 2,is also responsible for this masterpiece, and the gaming world is looking forward to what they do next.
The recent release of a patchthat included new subclasseswas just as well-received, and includes some new visuals to complement them. The settings and characters ofBG3look great already, and the addition of a few more creative attacks and spells makes it even better.
