The Best Original Xbox RPGs
- 1Jun 04 2002
Morrowind allowed players to lose themselves in an extensively detailed world, filled with diverse cultures, mysterious relics, and intricate politics. With a non-linear storyline and infinite roleplaying possibilities, this game truly embraced the 'open-world' concept, before it was a staple in video games. Morrowind, with its immersive gameplay, breathed fresh life to the RPG genre and set the stage for many massive world explorations to follow.
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- 2July 15 2003
A true gem in the landscape of video games, this classic RPG catapulted us thousands of years before the Galactic Empire. It framed an epic storyline packed with an enthralling light side/dark side morality system and luscious turn-based combat. Its choices, plot twists and diverse gameplay undoubtedly left a lasting dent in the realm of gaming, making Knights of the Old Republic a standard for many contemporary RPGs.
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- 3Oct 20 2005
This updated version of the original Fable gave players a taste of power, allowing them to shape their characters from childhood to adulthood based on moral choices. Featuring an accessible combat system and unique aging mechanic, where not only your character but also their decisions visibly aged, it was an engaging blend of fantasy life simulation and action-adventure. Its innovative design and gameplay made significant strides in advancing immersive RPGs.
- 4Sep 14 2004
An addictive concoction of magic, swordplay, and player choice, Fable weaved an enchanting tale of a hero's rise against a malevolent force. It was one of the first games to introduce a real-time growth system based on choices, imprinting your good, evil, or neutral judgments directly onto your character's appearance and reputation. This unique element of choice crafted an unforgettable gameplay experience that resonated among the gaming community.
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A worthy successor to its predecessor, this sequel brought a darker, more ethically challenging storyline, high-end graphics, and sharper gameplay mechanics. Exploring the morality of the force more deeply, and offering players granular influence over faction dynamics, it confirmed that morally complex storytelling could engage players as much as pure action. It went on to inspire many multifaceted character-driven games in the RPG genre.
- 6Apr 12 2005
Jade Empire combined fantastical Eastern mythos and explosive martial arts-action to create one of the most unique RPGs ever. Players chose their fighting styles, moral leanings, and pursued romance in an epic struggle to shape ancient China's destiny. Its stunning visuals, combined with incomparable gameplay and storytelling, made it a standout game in the overcrowded RPG genre.
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Deviating from the usual turn-based RPGs, BG: Dark Alliance was an action-packed, hack-and-slash role-playing game set against the backdrop of a well-crafted storyline. The real-time combat, along with intricate dungeon designs, provided players with a visceral thrill of battling enemies. Its co-op mode and multi-class system carved a niche in the hack-and-slash genre and initiated a new era of RPG gaming.
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As a sequel, BG: Dark Alliance II expanded upon its predecessor's foundations, including more character choices, treasure, and tough enemies. Complete with a greater variety of gameplay and enhanced graphics, it was an improvement and innovation in every respect. Its lasting impact comes from its balanced RPG elements and the co-op dungeon-crawling that still spellbinds players today.
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- 9Oct 26 2004
This adventure RPG relies on wit and humor to transform mundane gaming instances into memorable experiences. With a unique narrative style, dynamic combat encounters, and a charismatic main character, players are bound for a laugh-out-loud adventure. Its jolly mix of comedy, storytelling, and action made it a cult classic and expanded the definition of RPGs.
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- 10Jul 20 2004
Sudeki delivers a vibrant world of magic, filled with a unique cast of characters, each with their own combat style and abilities. Its slick combat system, complemented by puzzle-solving and exploration, made it a gripping journey from start to end. While not a blockbuster hit, it provided a refreshingly different take on the genre and thus leaves its mark.
- 11Sep 16 2003
As a hack-and-slash adaptation of the iconic tabletop game, D&D: Heroes offers a rich, dynamic, and immersive experience. The game lets players step into the shoes of resurrected heroes, battling through hordes of undead enemies in co-op gameplay. It brought the D&D experience off the table and onto the screen, providing a benchmark for future adaptations.
- 12Oct 29 2002
This ambitious sequel expands on the original Shenmue's rich, detailed world and intricate story. With its deep exploration, RPG elements, environment interaction, and mini-games, Shenmue II offered an unprecedented level of freedom to gamers. It pushed the boundaries of what was possible in video games, setting a high bar for its contemporaries in creating an open-world experience.
This action RPG presents a universe where players can choose from over 20 Marvel superheroes and venture on an epic quest to stop Dr. Doom from taking over the world. It combines intense action gameplay with a robust roster of characters, each with their own unique abilities and upgrades. The game manages to be a trendsetter by being the first to seamlessly merge popular comic book narrative with interactive gameplay.
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- 14Nov 02 2004
The Third Age is an epic Lord of the Rings journey, with gameplay that is as engaging as Frodo's struggle to destroy The One Ring. The high stake battles and well-crafted storylines enchant gamers with a whirlwind of JRPG goodness. It extends the legacy of its iconic franchise, cementing its impact in the realm of role-playing games.
- 15Nov 16 2004
This game brings the enchanting lore of Dungeons & Dragons to life, with fast-paced action and adventure set in a beautifully detailed world. Players control three distinct characters with unique abilities, traversing through mythical lands and combating legendary D&D creatures. Demonstrating the sensual appeal of fantasy gaming, Demon Stone left an indelible impact on the action-RPG scene.
Set in a high-fantasy world teeming with unfathomable evil, swords, and sorcery, Black Stone: Magic & Steel unfolds a valiant tale of heroes battling darkness to restore peace. In terms of gameplay, it offers a cooperative hack-n-slash experience that allows teams of up to four players to combine character skills for devastating attacks. Despite flying under the radar, this game carved a niche for throwing arcade-style action and traditional RPG elements into a blender, underscoring that smaller studio games could go toe-to-toe with big budget titles.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King teleport players into the heart of Middle Earth, following Gandalf, Sam, and the heroic fellowship's risky endeavor to conquer the fiery Mount Doom in a gripping storyline true to JR.R. Tolkien's epic masterpiece. Gameplay is a grand fusion of hack-n-slash action with puzzle elements that immerses players in some truly memorable cinematic combat scenarios. This video game not only broke ground in terms of pushing the boundaries of movie-to-game adaptions but had far-reaching impact on the action RPG genre as a whole.
- 18Sep 20 2005
This isn't just a game; it's a full-blown medieval war. Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes rumbles with intense RTS and RPG gameplay, all while telling a spine-chilling story of knights and kingdoms. This game carved itself a sturdy place in the annals of gaming, for it's hard-hitting, action, and genuine strategy aspects.
- 19Apr 15 2003
Get ready to hitch a ride on this trailblazing spaceship. Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II melds frantic action gameplay with a gripping story set in sprawling alien landscapes. It changed the landscape of online RPGs with its ground-breaking real-time combat and indispensable social elements.
- 202005
Gun takes players on a sizzling western adventure with gameplay as fiery as a rattlesnake bite. It’s an exhilarating journey with a bizarre-meets-believable story, giving a fresh revamp to the Spaghetti Western genre in video games. Gun shot a hole right through the monotony of gaming at its time, etching its mark as one of the finest Western titles ever made.
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- 21Dec 02 2003
This dystopian cyberpunk-themed video game is no chicken feed. Deus Ex: Invisible War seamlessly combines action-packed gameplay with a daunting tale of societal manipulation and conspiracy. It marks its triumph with its thought-provoking narrative, making it a lasting staple among sci-fi RPGs.
- 22
Pirates of the Caribbean sets sail on a thrilling journey with Captain Jack Sparrow, where players navigate treacherous waters, conquer infamous adversaries, and dive into cryptic quests for legendary treasures. The gameplay strikes a balance between sea battles, on-foot adventures, and strategic ship customization, perfectly capturing the swashbuckling spirit of the movie. The game's impact lies in the seamless mixing of action, survival, and role-playing elements wrapped in the glittering cloak of a blockbuster franchise.
- 23
Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows invites players into an age-old drama of betrayal and vengeance, embodied by four legendary heroes seeking redemption. The gameplay is a timeless redux of classic Gauntlet gameplay - slaying hordes of creatures through a labyrinth of perilous dungeons while solving riddles under pressure. The game managed to bring a fresh twist to an old formula, adding a pinch of narrative depth to the nostalgic hack-n-slash action.
- 242004
Halo 2 powers up with pulse-pounding combat and a gripping tale of interstellar war. This iconic FPS not only pushed the boundaries of mechanics but stitched together a story that had gamers at the edge of their seats. Its impact reverberates across gaming history, simplifying its multiplayer aspect and thus paving the way for online consoles.
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- 25Aug 26 2008
A classic JRPG, Tales of Vesperia weaves a fantastical journey with gameplay that is both strategic and exciting. Its beautiful anime-style aesthetics, engaging story, and intuitive action-RPG mechanics all serve up an unforgettable gaming experience. This game may not have reinvented the wheel, but it sure gave it a fresh coat of vibrant anime paint.
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- 26Dec 30 2002
This game takes you right into the heart of the Middle Earth turmoil, thanks to its engrossing story and epic battles. With gameplay that's as exhilarating as a clash against an Uruk-hai, it's a sure triumph in the world of action-adventure games. This title went the extra mile in replicating the cinematic spectacle of the film franchise, cementing its legacy in video gaming history.
- 27May 21 2002
Welcome to a devastatingly eerie tale of supernatural retribution. Hunter: The Reckoning dishes out a heart-racing blend of coop hack and slash gameplay, all wrapped in a dark yet absorbing storyline. By bringing haunted storytelling into the arena-style fighting genre, it created a chilling impact that still haunts the world of gaming.
- 28Sep 21 2004
X-Men Legends serves punchy gameplay and a riveting narrative in one hard-hitting package. This RPG delivers the joy of playing as a favorite mutant, wrapped in a storyline packed with fan service. It punched above its weight, setting the standard for future superhero games to rise up.
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- 29Mar 15 2005
Phantom Dust is a genre-bending gem that sweeps gamers with its gritty post-apocalyptic plot and innovative gameplay. Blending third-person shooter elements with card-based strategy, it put a fresh twist on the gaming conventions of its time. It stirred a dust storm in gaming circles owing to its unique fusion and remains a cult classic.
- 30
Taking the helm in the LOTR saga, The Fellowship of the Ring sets the stage with immersive gameplay and a tantalizing narrative. Players can use character-switching tactics to triumph over battles while engrossed in the rich lore of Middle Earth. This game was instrumental in kick-starting the LOTR game series, leaving an unforgettable footprint in fantasy gaming.
