RPG Backtrack

Konami and tactical RPGs may not go together much, but one series managed it for a little while. It’s bloody good fun to dissect in spurts, too. (Vandal Hearts)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 103: “Violent Vandalism” appeared first on RPGamer.

There once was a title on the PS1 that involved saving the world from nasty things lurking in the mist. Doing so was mostly accomplished through martial arts prowess, a mechanic that carried over to its sequel, and was then abandoned in the years afterward. (Legend of Legaia)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 102: “Leeartha… Leterra… Legaia!” appeared first on RPGamer.

Much was promised by Peter Molyneux when it came to a series that took huge quantities of money and time to create. His promises were definitely worth their weight in gold, as this discussion makes clear. (Fable)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 101: “Aesop’s Something or Other” appeared first on RPGamer.

When tactical RPGs were almost unheard of on consoles, the Sega Genesis saw a couple that attracted fans with fond memories many years later. Other Sega consoles saw the series too, including its finest hour, though not without unnecessary difficulties courtesy of the company’s localization choices. Celebrate Camelot’s premiere series with us on this very special episode! (Shining Force)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 100: “A Light to Brighten the Darkness” appeared first on RPGamer.

Word of mouth built about a tactical title Sega released, enough to justify two sequels so far. The company’s handling of the new franchise has spawned many strong feelings, and a lot of them come forth in this episode. (Valkyria Chronicles)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 99: “Flight of the Valkyria” appeared first on RPGamer.

Square could have let roll with sequels to a certain tremendously successful game promptly, but years passed before they came to fruition. The number of purchases the public made once more products became available demonstrates the financial wisdom of the move. (Final Fantasy VII Compendium)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 98: “Rolling a 7” appeared first on RPGamer.

Sega revived a venerable series with the Dreamcast, but was determined to promote multiplayer over the internet with this incarnation. From the era of dial-up to the present, it’s turned into one of the company’s biggest franchises. (Phantasy Star Online)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 97: “Another Day, Another Meseta” appeared first on RPGamer.

A little girl with the ability to put spirits into objects, a foolish demon who almost burns his dimension out of existence, multiple consumers of the world, and a place with a certain je ne sais quoi. All came from NIS and involve various amounts of strategic thinking to succeed. (La Pucelle, Phantom Brave, Makai Kingdom, Soul Nomad and the World Eaters)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 96: “La Makai Phantom World” appeared first on RPGamer.

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, one for the Dark Lord on his dark throne in the land of Mordor where the shadows lie. Mordor’s grip has ensnared most attempts to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s world to life. (The Lord of the Rings)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 95: “Central Middle Earth” appeared first on RPGamer.

This particular Gust series has many trademark RPG elements, including tongue-twister subtitles for the games. It also steadily progresses in misogynism, until the amount of odious material reaches near-cataclysmic levels. (Ar Tonelico)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 94: “Ou Est le Sol Ciel?” appeared first on RPGamer.