Highlights
- Discover the forgotten PS3 RPGs - from disastrous flops like Magus to cult favorites like Child of Light.
- The PS3 era saw the rise of expansive, detailed RPG worlds that captivated gamers but led to some forgettable titles.
- Games like Rainbow Moon and Dragon's Crown offered solid RPG experiences, but many have fallen into obscurity since their release.
Released in 2006, the PlayStation 3 era of gaming continued into 2017, with games slowly being phased out in favor of the more powerful PS4. As one of the most successful consoles in gaming, the PS3 introduced many classic titles to the gaming world. It saw the move from single-player-focused games to online multiplayer experiences grow and dominate the industry.
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The range of games released on the PS3 is wide and varied, with some of the most successful games of all time released on the console. Titles such as Grand Theft Auto 5, The Last of Us, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare became household names in this era. RPGs were also a staple of the PS3. With technology improving, gamers experienced expansive and detailed worlds like never before. While some, like the Final Fantasy series, would have continued success, many RPG titles fell into obscurity as the dawn of the next generation of consoles approached.
1 Magus
Metascore: 32
- Platform: PlayStation 3
- Released: 2014
- Developers: Black Tower Studios, Aksys Games
- Genre: Action RPG
Considered one of the worst games ever released on the PS3, Magus was an action RPG that received notoriously bad reviews. Following the story of a man who, after being trapped and tortured for years, finally escapes and sets out to discover his true identity.
Almost every part of the game was criticized, with its dated graphics, terrible voice acting, and bad gameplay. However, with almost laughable dialogue, some consider it an enjoyable mess with cult potential. Apart from this, the game has largely been relegated to the history books, likely never to return.
2 Time And Eternity
Metascore: 42
- Platform: PlayStation 3
- Released: 2012
- Developers: Imageepoch
- Genre: RPG
JRPGs are a staple of the Japanese-made PlayStation. While titles such as Final Fantasy dominate the genre, many releases fail to make the impact they hoped for. Time and Eternity falls into this category. This animated role-playing game received criticism for its low-quality graphics, poor gameplay, and misjudged dating system.
The game attempted to create a video game/anime hybrid experience, and while its combat system worked, the game was let down by bad writing and lackluster progression. Time and Eternity is a good example of an ambitious game that ultimately failed and is now best left to history.
3 Arcania: The Complete Tale
Metascore: 42
- Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360
- Released: 2013
- Developers: Spellbound Entertainment, Black Forest Games
- Genre: Action RPG
Arcania was an action RPG game that failed to make an impact on the gaming world and ended up disappointing its core player base. The game is a spin-off to the Gothic franchise, but due to its simplified mechanics to appeal to casual gamers, Arcania failed to retain its established player base.
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Although the game would be praised for its graphics and world-building, this action RPG would quickly be forgotten, with a planned sequel never appearing. The game was essentially the death knell for the series, although a remake of the first Gothic game was announced in 2020 but has yet to be released.
4 Bound By Flame
IMDb Rating: 5.9
- Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Linux
- Released: 2014
- Developers: Spiders
- Genre: Action RPG
This dark fantasy action RPG follows the story of a player-made character who must overcome their demonic possession. Bound by Flame allows players to choose between embracing this evil side or a more heroic side. This ambitious game had a lot of potential, with an interesting central premise. With crafting mechanics, recruitable companions, and a deep customizable weapons system, the game had all the makings of a solid RPG.
The game was released to mixed reviews though, with the main criticism aimed at its bad AI, difficult combat system, short playtime, and lackluster character development. Although the game had some great ideas, it failed to make its mark, being outshone by more polished competitors.
5 Of Orcs And Men
Metascore: 57
- Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
- Released: 2012
- Developers: Cyanide, Spiders
- Genre: Action RPG
PlayStation gamers may have come across the fantasy stealth series Styx, often on discount, in the PS store. These cult favorites are prequels to the action RPG, Of Orcs and Men. In the game, players take control of the large Orc named Arkail, and later on, his Goblin companion Styx. Players can switch between each character, using their specific talents for different situations.
The game had mixed reviews on release but was able to find a reasonable player base. While this title started the series, it would be the companion Styx who would continue the games, becoming a more well-known character.
6 Defiance
Metascore: 59
- Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
- Released: 2013
- Developers: Trion Worlds
- Genre: MMO, RPG, First-Person Shooter
This ambitious sci-fi project encompassed a TV series, which ran for three seasons, and this MMO action RPG video game. The franchise is set on Earth after a devastating war with an alien race caused the planet to be partially terraformed by the alien's technology.
Part sci-fi future, part post-apocalyptic setting, the franchise revolves around the struggles between humans and aliens, who are now forced to live together on a broken planet Earth. The game was released to mixed reviews, with most critics admitting that it could be a fun experience, but one that could be found in any number of other games. The game’s servers continued long after the TV series was canceled, finally being shut down in 2021. Defiance stands as a minor footnote in MMORPG history and one that is becoming largely forgotten.
7 Rainbow Moon
Metascore: 70
- Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2012
- Developers: SideQuest Studios
- Genre: Tactical RPG, Adventure
This tactical role-playing game was released to generally positive reviews and would go on to have a reasonably strong player base. The game utilized dungeon-crawling mechanics and turn-based combat to explore a varied isometric open world. While the game had a strong emphasis on grinding, Rainbow Moon was a solid RPG that would please fans of the genre.
A sequel, Rainbow Skies, would follow, as well as a PS4 release of this original title. Although for many this has become a cult favorite RPG, the series never made a huge impact on the wider industry and has largely been forgotten in modern gaming.
8 The Guided Fate Paradox
Metascore: 74
- Platform: PlayStation 3
- Released: 2013
- Developers: Nippon Ichi Software
- Genre: Roguelike, RPG
This action roguelike RPG gives players randomly generated dungeons to explore, where they can defeat enemies, level up their characters, and then beat the boss of the dungeon before moving on. The dungeon crawler mechanics blend well with the RPG elements, creating a unique experience that fans of JRPGs will love.
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The game was received with high praise, with critics pointing out its deep gameplay loop, ambition, and strong storytelling. Although it was critically acclaimed, the niche nature of the game did not appeal to a wider audience. Although a sequel, named The Awakened Fate Ultimatum, was released in 2015, the series has now been almost entirely forgotten.
9 Dragon’s Crown
Metascore: 82
This successful action RPG uses a side-scrolling perspective and beat ‘em up mechanics, offering a solid RPG experience with an emphasis on dungeon-crawling. Players can choose from six different character classes in the game, and explore and loot various dungeons around the land of Hydeland. The game’s story follows a fairly generic line as adventurers journey to discover a magical item, known as the Dragon’s Crown.
The game would go on to sell over a million copies and would be rereleased on the PlayStation 4 as Dragon's Crown Pro. Although a success, the game was not without controversy, garnering criticism for its over-sexualization of its female characters. The game may have found a strong player base, but with no sequel, Dragon’s Crown has become a footnote in RPG history.
10 Child Of Light
Metascore: 89
This stunning RPG platform game is set within a fantasy realm and follows the story of a girl who, after dying from an illness, returns to bring light back to the world. Child of Light is a fun-to-play title. With its fluid gameplay and turn-based combat, the game brings RPG elements in with its leveling system.
Child of Light received strong praise for its story and visual presentation, as well as its gameplay and soundtrack. It has also been rereleased on various platforms as recently as 2022. Although the game is still readily available, the title has all but been forgotten in recent years, with other RPG franchises taking the spotlight. With developers Ubisoft moving away from this style of game, a sequel is highly unlikely. Child of Light is now a hidden gem that will likely fall more and more into obscurity.
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