For those unfamiliar with Compile Heart, it's a Japanese video game developer that's known for series like Hyperdimension Neptunia, Date A Live, and Record of Agerest War. Some would say that Compile Heart games are pretty niche, but for people who want a wide variety of RPGs that include unique character designs, aren't afraid of poking fun of themselves, and cute waifus, Compile Heart games are a good place to start.
It specializes in RPGs that have a number of loyal fans that love their games and those that don't. However, there is a general census of which of the series of RPGs are the best.
10 Trillion: God Of Destruction
In many RPGs, it's important to grind to level up characters to make them strong enough to face enemies. In Trillion: God of Destruction, grinding is the most important gameplay mechanic. Part RPG, part raising sim, players are tasked with defeating Trillion, an overpowered boss that's the amalgamation of trillions of curses, who wants to devour the Underworld.
Players must establish bonds with the Overlords of the Underworld to have a chance at defeating him. As each Overlord's story unfolds while training them, emotional bonds are formed that make their deaths much more personal. But their sacrifices won't be in vain, as their XP gets transferred over to the new Overlord, making each one stronger than the last.
9 Record Of Agarest War
Record of Agarest War is a strategy RPG that spans several generations. In a world that is plagued by a being known as the Archdemon, players are in control of the Hero that is destined to create an heir that will defeat the Archdemon once and for all.
Part RPG, part dating sim, players can end up with one of their traveling companions and eventually give birth to the protagonist of the following part of the game. The heirs inherit the stats and abilities of their parents, making each one stronger than the last.
8 Death End Re: Quest
Death end re: Quest is a unique RPG that takes place in both the real world and the game world. After finding out what happened to his colleague that mysteriously disappeared, video game programmer Arata must help his colleague Shina escape from a virtual reality world the two of them created called World's Odyssey.
Gameplay is split between RPG encounters in World's Odyssey with Shina and visual novel gameplay with Arata. Making the right choice is very integral to the game as wrong choices can trigger instant "bad ends," making it one of the darker RPGs of Compile Heart.
7 Dragon Star Vanir
In Dragon Star Varnir, witches are hunted for being cursed beings that give birth to dragons. Zephy, who is part of an order tasked with hunting down witches, ends up being saved by two of them. They give him the blood of a dragon which grants him new magical abilities, but also makes him a "cursed being" and hunted by the order and Empire he used to serve.
The game has a unique battle system where fights with dragons are done in three tiers. Players fly on brooms and must think carefully about where to position each party member based on the strengths and weaknesses each tier gives to dragon enemies.
6 Mary Skelter: Nightmares
Being forced to live in an inescapable prison would leave anyone feeling hopeless. That is the life that Jack and Alice face until they meet the Blood Maidens. Mary Skelter: Nightmares is the first game of the franchise.
It's a first-person RPG that mixes horror and fairytales to create a dark and dangerous dungeon crawler. The story and gameplay mechanics are both interesting, but the game shines when it comes to its character designs as each character is unique and distinct in their looks, fighting styles, and weapons.
5 Mary Skelter 2
It's very hit or miss when it comes to game sequels and Mary Skelter 2 is an example of a sequel that hits. It runs a little closer to an alternate campaign for Mary Skelter: Nightmares than a true sequel, but the added content is worth playing the game. That's why some fans will recommend playing the sequel first, or forgoing the first game altogether, as it's included and unlocked after beating the game once.
Mary Skelter 2 features characters Otsuu and Little Mermaid as the ones to rescue Alice and Jack. It includes the gameplay mechanics of the first game while introducing new features that allow players to perform stronger attacks and develop alternative strategies to win battles.
4 Mary Skelter: Finale
Mary Skelter: Finale is the best game of the series and provides it with a satisfying end. A true sequel to the first game, Jack and the Blood Maidens continue to fight their way out of the Jail. It brings all the great gameplay mechanics of the other games while also including new ones.
Jack and the Blood Maidens get separated and scatter across the Jail, which introduces the gameplay mechanic that allows players to swap between six different parties. The dungeons are set up so that the parties have to work together to advance, as certain character-specific abilities are needed to unlock doors for the others.
3 Fairy Fencer F
Fairy Fencer F is set in a world with fairy-infused weapons called Furies. Those that can wield them are called Fencers and the fate of the world is in the hands of a Fencer named Fang. Fang is self-centered, lazy, and doesn't want the task that Fate has stuck him with. Said task is to revive a goddess before an evil god is revived.
Fairy Fencer F has a simple but charming and easy-to-follow story that allows for each of its characters to shine. Combat is fun and dynamic as players can move around during enemy encounters, allowing players to set up the battlefield to their advantage.
2 Hyperdimension Neptunia RE; Birth 1
The Hyperdimension Neptunia game series takes place in the world of Gamindustri which is divided into four regions that are watched over by a goddess. It's a game that's filled with puns and jokes about different video games. Hyperdimension Neptunia RE; Birth 1 is a remake of the original game for the PSVita.
It optimizes the game's performance, adds new things from Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory like its core gameplay mechanics, and adds new characters from other series like Plutia and Peashy.
1 Megadimension Neptunia Victory VII
There are several games in the series and the best one is Megadimension Neptunia VII. The sequel to Megadimension Neptunia Victory includes new battle features, like being able to split enemies into pieces to disable special attacks and lower their stats.
There's a new dungeon mini-game and a new transformation mode that gives the characters new costumes and special skills. In the game Neptune and her sister Nepgear are transported to an alternate, ruined dimension called the Zero Dimension where they have to help a mysterious CPU named Uzume Tennouboshi.