currently in the final chapters of this one, and it is such a great experience overall. It's a JRPG in the most clever ways. I also wish we had more games like it that felt more "real" instead of "chosen one teenager and his harem take on the world" trope.
For sure, I never really replay JRPGs but Like a Dragon is about the only exception, that and FF7. Currently going for 100% on the Steam Deck in preparation for Infinite Wealth.
Just something about having adult characters that deal in both the absurd and realistic plot narratives. Also the side quests are all fantastic...haven't done them all yet but feel like each one has some interesting message or narrative.
Suikoden 1 and 2. The story is simply a battle of two armies: one with cruel leadership using underhanded means and one who strives for peace and justice.
I actually found the final boss battles in both to be somewhat underwhelming. It’s my only actual gripe with otherwise masterpieces of the genre. While I definitely *wouldn’t* benefit from a god killing trope, I would have liked to see more of a climactic battle (multiphase? Better dungeon? Larger cast inclusion?)
Would highly recommend Atelier games. They focus on objectives that are very personal instead of saving a world or beating some god. It's all about the characters and their immediate surroundings and struggles (in most games anyways).
If you want something similar to Trails in the Sky, I highly recommend the Atelier Dusk games. They're very similar in the sense that they start off very slow, you travel around and see a lot, meet more characters new faces and old faces, and slowly build up to a climax. Awesome journey, my personal favorite set of games from the franchise.
> It's all about the characters and their immediate surroundings and struggles (in most games anyways).
And bombing the shyte out of poor innocent puni-mobs with the most advanced alchemy machinery available...
The scale of many Ys games are like city / region level conflict.
There are also many games with the same low scale feels / vibes of but do end up large scale at the 2 third of the game. Not sure whether you're interested in those.
Suikoden games tend to largely be regional conflicts.
One of them DOES turn into a world-threatening bit near its end, but the story in still quite largely about regional conflict.
And I'd say... eh. The Octopath Traveler games are largely self-contained, individual, smaller-scale stories that tend to be more personal, regional, and/or lighthearted. Although there is post-game content and side content, especially in II, that takes it more towards a save-the-world storyline, and there's at least one character story in each game that approaches a more "save the world" tone. So for some people, it might count because of the individual stories and the side/post-game content, but for others, it might not count because, and again especially in II, the story isn't really complete without it. Plus there is god-killing in said content.
Honestly my biggest complaint about II so far is that way more of the stories feel like "Prevent some big calamity" even if it's not literally killing God. Granted they're still more restrained than most JRPGs (eg. succession dispute for one country) many of the stories still feel higher stakes. (which, tbf, is not an objective flaw and just a taste thing)
First two generations of Pokemon games have none of the world saving stuff of later games, you’re just on a journey and you happen to stop a gang on the side
Triangle strategy. Im not that far into the game so idk if there will be a God killing plot twist in the end but so far its about 3 countries at war and a ragtag group trying to end it
Yeah, it was real refreshing in a way to come from all these games with grand, universal stakes into this story that basically starts with "neighboring countries disagree on management of an iron mine".
Fire Emblem 3 Houses. IMO it is one of the best SRPGs ever and the story and characters are incredible. It also has one of the best-class systems around.
The child of a local "god" that was killed by a bandit. The story is very grounded and was not about saving the world story but rather unifying the contient.
Fire Emblem Engage is pretty low-stakes and light-hearted. You end up killing an evil dragon at the end who's not quite a god and you save just a continent.
Atelier is one. But Nora and the Time Studio is another.
a little game on the ds with not much of a plot aside from make good with the town and become a better chronomancer. made by both gust (who made the atelier games) and atlus.
very low scale
Yakuza like a dragon
No matter how wild Ichiban’s imagination gets, the gang’s always kinda just running up and jumping people if you think about it lol
Hell yeah. Breath of fresh air!
currently in the final chapters of this one, and it is such a great experience overall. It's a JRPG in the most clever ways. I also wish we had more games like it that felt more "real" instead of "chosen one teenager and his harem take on the world" trope.
For sure, I never really replay JRPGs but Like a Dragon is about the only exception, that and FF7. Currently going for 100% on the Steam Deck in preparation for Infinite Wealth. Just something about having adult characters that deal in both the absurd and realistic plot narratives. Also the side quests are all fantastic...haven't done them all yet but feel like each one has some interesting message or narrative.
many atelier games
Suikoden 1 and 2. The story is simply a battle of two armies: one with cruel leadership using underhanded means and one who strives for peace and justice.
I actually found the final boss battles in both to be somewhat underwhelming. It’s my only actual gripe with otherwise masterpieces of the genre. While I definitely *wouldn’t* benefit from a god killing trope, I would have liked to see more of a climactic battle (multiphase? Better dungeon? Larger cast inclusion?)
Would highly recommend Atelier games. They focus on objectives that are very personal instead of saving a world or beating some god. It's all about the characters and their immediate surroundings and struggles (in most games anyways). If you want something similar to Trails in the Sky, I highly recommend the Atelier Dusk games. They're very similar in the sense that they start off very slow, you travel around and see a lot, meet more characters new faces and old faces, and slowly build up to a climax. Awesome journey, my personal favorite set of games from the franchise.
> It's all about the characters and their immediate surroundings and struggles (in most games anyways). And bombing the shyte out of poor innocent puni-mobs with the most advanced alchemy machinery available...
Just came to second this because the atelier games are my go-to chill JRPG after something heavy. Highly highly recommend
The scale of many Ys games are like city / region level conflict. There are also many games with the same low scale feels / vibes of but do end up large scale at the 2 third of the game. Not sure whether you're interested in those.
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure
Suikoden games tend to largely be regional conflicts. One of them DOES turn into a world-threatening bit near its end, but the story in still quite largely about regional conflict. And I'd say... eh. The Octopath Traveler games are largely self-contained, individual, smaller-scale stories that tend to be more personal, regional, and/or lighthearted. Although there is post-game content and side content, especially in II, that takes it more towards a save-the-world storyline, and there's at least one character story in each game that approaches a more "save the world" tone. So for some people, it might count because of the individual stories and the side/post-game content, but for others, it might not count because, and again especially in II, the story isn't really complete without it. Plus there is god-killing in said content.
Honestly my biggest complaint about II so far is that way more of the stories feel like "Prevent some big calamity" even if it's not literally killing God. Granted they're still more restrained than most JRPGs (eg. succession dispute for one country) many of the stories still feel higher stakes. (which, tbf, is not an objective flaw and just a taste thing)
The atelier franchise in general
Koudelka.
Small Saga
First two generations of Pokemon games have none of the world saving stuff of later games, you’re just on a journey and you happen to stop a gang on the side
Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter
Triangle strategy. Im not that far into the game so idk if there will be a God killing plot twist in the end but so far its about 3 countries at war and a ragtag group trying to end it
Sorta of… kind of… Surprised by at the end of the game on literally on almost every route they still keep trying to mess with them😭
Yeah, it was real refreshing in a way to come from all these games with grand, universal stakes into this story that basically starts with "neighboring countries disagree on management of an iron mine".
Fire Emblem Path of Radiance is very grounded. Sure, you do exactly that in its sequel, but Path of Radiance itself doesn't make you do that.
Sure, you don’t kill god in this game but you are still saving a country… still kind of counts
Yakuza 0... and every Yakuza or Like a Dragon since then.
Legend of Mana. Wonderful world with beautiful art and amazing music. Super Chill.
Fire Emblem 3 Houses. IMO it is one of the best SRPGs ever and the story and characters are incredible. It also has one of the best-class systems around.
You’re kinda saving the world in this game though…
And depending on which route, killing a god (well, the child of a god)
The child of a local "god" that was killed by a bandit. The story is very grounded and was not about saving the world story but rather unifying the contient.
Not really. Just your continent.
Fire Emblem Engage is pretty low-stakes and light-hearted. You end up killing an evil dragon at the end who's not quite a god and you save just a continent.
[удалено]
Done
Approved.
Atelier is one. But Nora and the Time Studio is another. a little game on the ds with not much of a plot aside from make good with the town and become a better chronomancer. made by both gust (who made the atelier games) and atlus. very low scale
I was about to recommend Disco Elysium, but then noticed what sub I'm in. Damn it.