By: RJ (@rga_02)
A while back ago I posted a list on which RPGs from the 7th gen you should consider checking out. Now it’s time for their handheld counterparts to shine. RPGs thrived on handhelds due to Japan’s shift towards portable gaming. While some saw that shift as a negative, others embraced it. For those of us who welcomed the change, we were awarded with very enjoyable games.
- The World Ends With You
- Developer - Jupiter
- Publisher - Square Enix
- Nintendo DS (also on iOS)
- Rating - T
♫ Calling, You hear the calling. Let me go gravity…. ♫ The World Ends With You is one of Square’s best output in recent memory. Characters drawn by Tetsuya Nomrua, set in the streets of the Shibuya district in Tokyo with pop and hip hop inspired tracks being blasted this game oozes style from beginning to end. The battle system, while very difficult to get into, is one of the more unique battle systems to grace any RPG. The battle system fully utilizes the DS hardware to its advantage. For once, I didn’t mind taping the DS screen like a fool.
- Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
- Developer - Matrix Software
- Publisher - Square Enix
- Nintendo DS
- Rating - E
2012′s Bravely Default wasn’t the first time Square tried to go back to their classic RPG roots. Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is an old school RPG through and through. Do you like grinding? Well this is the game for you. Not only you will be grinding to increase your stats, hardware upgrades are also tied to grinding. While that may be discouraging to some, in the end it is very rewarding. Not to mention the game is just so charming.
- The 3rd Birthday
- Developer - Hexadrive
- Publisher - Square Enix
- PlayStation Portable
- Rating - M
The sequel to the very beloved (in my mind) Parasite Eve 1 & 2 is a controversial one. Many did not like how they portrayed Aya or the heavy emphasis on action. Despite some of its flaws, the gameplay and especially the customizations of your equipment is one of the best on the PSP. Not only you will have access to a full blown arsenal by the end of the game to make the US Armed Forces blush, you will also have disposal to machinery such as tanks. It may sound like your typical dudebro shootabang, but it’s a shootabang with a lot of style and in depth mechanics.
- Dissidia 012 [duodecim] FINAL FANTASY
- Developer - Square Enix
- Publisher - Square Enix
- PlayStation Portable
- Rating - M
Can this even be counted as a RPG? It has a RPG mechanics so I’ll count it anyway. It is my list after all. The wonderfully named Dissidia 012 [duodecim] FINAL FANTASY is a love letter to fans of the series. The story is complete nonsense (what a surprise) light vs dark that you would find anywhere but like the gameplay is fast moving and very addicting. Not to mention the game is filled with characters (both heroes and villains) from all mainline FF games ‘til XIII. Even if you are not a fan of FF you can find yourself enjoying this title due to the mindless action.