Highlights
- Dive into the RPG world with Final Fantasy Adventure, a heartfelt journey focusing on a singular hero's path.
- Fallout Tactics offers a unique tactical experience within the iconic franchise, progressing through mandatory missions.
- Enjoy Grandia 2's creative combat and narrative-heavy gameplay without getting sidetracked by optional content.
When it comes to video games, the RPG genre serves somewhat as an umbrella term encompassing titles that allow the players to become anyone, being rebel leaders, royalty, or any of the millions of customizable possibilities. Even though it is a genre with not-so-defined standards, most installments share an appealing plot, a set of complex characters, and diverse items that, altogether, make up for an immersive role-playing experience.
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These RPGs offer plenty to do outside the main storyline, but if players want to stick to the main quest, they won't be forced to regret it.
Although optional quests, rare weapons, and convoluted lore are usually a part of the genre, every once in a while an RPG that is a bit more straightforward and less overwhelming comes along. These can be games with fewer side quests or with predominantly mandatory missions, but also installments that are somewhat linear or that are more guided by the main objective. Overall, such games don't require the player to spend endless hours on additional content that doesn't add much to the overarching narrative or their character.
1 Final Fantasy Adventure
Heartfelt Journey And Amusing Gameplay That Converge On A Singular Hero's Path
Final Fantasy Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy , Game Boy Color , Nintendo Game Boy Advance , SNES , Switch
- Released
- June 8, 1991
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Developer(s)
- Square
Kicking off the Mana franchise, Final Fantasy Adventure holds a pivotal spot within the series as it introduces the world and an emotional story at a polished pace. Despite some aspects failing to withstand the time test and its technological restrictions, the combat still stands out alongside its narrative-centered playthrough.
The game is not a part of the official Final Fantasy franchise, despite its name, containing only a couple of special appearances to make it somewhat of a spin-off collection. In the game, the players follow a young gladiator who escapes and discovers his true destiny as he goes on an exciting adventure. As one of the shortest titles in the Mana series, Final Fantasy Adventure is an RPG with little to no side quests or optional journeys that rarely diverge from the main plot.
2 Fallout Tactics
Players Progress Through Tactical Missions That Serve As Background To The Main Franchise
Among the Fallout games, Fallout Tactics offers a distinct experience as the first spin-off of the series. Exploring the Chicago wasteland in 2197, the game joins grid-based combat with a customizable crew in a narrative that sets some of the franchise's canon elements.
Despite some extra content, players advance one task at a time, having to return to the main bunker, mission after mission, to receive their next objective. Sometimes the player is asked to choose between two quests, but all missions are required for the story, so the order is the only thing that is actually optional in the Fallout Tactics storyline.
3 Deus Ex
An Original Narrative Made Up Of Morally Complex Choices And Extra Content
It is no wonder why Deus Ex continues to be one of the best cyberpunk games, despite its dated visuals and older elements. This immersive sim helped make the genre popular with some ideological discussions and a narrative filled with conspiracies that make the story more enticing.
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Although it does have some optional objectives, the game does not have side missions, with most of the actions taken by the player affecting the story in some way. Deus Ex does have three different endings which come from the decisions made by the player, with each ending showcasing different repercussions.
4 South Park: The Stick of Truth
Quick And Simple Side Objectives Wrapped In A Short, Funny RPG
Based on the satirical adult cartoon, this turn-based game has the same creators of some of the most prestigious RPGs out there. Despite the show being known for its longevity, containing over 25 seasons, the game itself is one of the shortest RPGs to complete, keeping the humor and providing extra development for the beloved characters.
With around 20 side missions, the game does have optional content for players who want to expand on the main story. However, they are usually very simple and don't take long to complete, with the extra content only taking around three extra hours in addition to the approximately twelve hours of the main narrative.
5 Earthbound
Narrative That Breaks RPG Conventions Through Its Levity And Linearity
Earthbound
- Platform(s)
- SNES , Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Released
- June 5, 1995
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Developer(s)
- HAL Laboratory , Ape Inc.
Dressed as a parody of U.S. culture and bringing a more modern setting, Earthbound made its mark among RPGs shifting its features but also inspiring so many other installments. The game does not take itself too seriously, providing the genre with a normality that stands out among the sword fighting and potion crafting in so many RPGs.
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However, what makes Earthbound unique and one of the most innovative RPGs boils down to it not having a true range of side quests within its linearity and overall simplicity. There are optional items or specific interests that bring an even lighter tone to the game, yet they are not necessary for completing the game, nor are they supposed to advance the player's character or their skills in any way.
6 Grandia 2
Dungeon Exploration And Creative Combat In A Narrative-Heavy Game
The journey of the protagonist and their party is a focus in many RPG games, but Grandia 2 takes it to another level. Not only that, the game brings the perfect mix of distinctive combat with a plot propelled by its characters, keeping players enthralled by its simplicity.
Throughout the game, the player moves forward through plot points, without being sidetracked by optional missions or content. With predominantly impactful quests that progress the storyline, Grandia 2 has an optional dungeon that gives players a taste of expansion without deviating from the main objective.
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