At the recent Tokyo Game Show, Konami announced a remastered version of the first two Suikoden entries titled Suikoden I and II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Warswhich will be published in 2023. According to IGN, producer Yasuo Daikai even wants brand new Suikoden episodes in the future, which is a shock to fans who thought the franchise would never return.
While Suikoden was one of Reddit’s most wanted RPG revivals, there are plenty of other dormant RPG franchises that Redditors still hope to see again someday. With this recent success, other titles mentioned on Reddit such as the Breath of fire series, might have another chance.
Lufia (1993-2010)
Developed by neverland, who also made the GBA RPG CIMA: The Enemy and the rune factory series, lufia is a series of JRPGs initially inspired by the dragon quest franchisee. Named after the main heroine from the first game, the series follows the hero Maxim and his descendants as they fight against evil gods called Sinistrals.
Of the five episodes of the franchise, Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals is best known for pioneering the idea of focusing on complex puzzles in JRPG dungeons. Redditor TemptCiderFan says so Lufia II is one of their favorite JRPGs and considers the whole lufia series, “near and dear to my heart.”
Parasite Eve (1998-2010)
Inspired by the award-winning Japanese novel of the same name, Parasite Eva is a trilogy of action sci-fi body horror games in which Aya Brea takes center stage as she battles mutated creatures. During the original 1998 PS1 game, a sequel to the novel, Aya is an NYPD officer who must stop a creature known as Mitochondrial Eve who plans to end the human race by revolting their own mitochondria. .
After a direct sequel, Parasite Eve II, and a 2010 reboot the 3rd birthday, the series has been abandoned despite being a historically significant franchise. When asked which RPG franchise they would most like to revive, Guardian_Selkie said: “My first choice would be Parasite Eva. That series really needs a return to its RPG roots. A remake of the original, like how [Square Enix] do it yourself for FFVIIwould be a dream come true.”
Baten Kaitos (2003–06)
Made by Monolith Soft, who are best known for the Xenoblade Chronicles series, Baten Kaitos is a duology of deck-building JRPGs released exclusively for the GameCube. After an evil god known as Malpercio made the planet uninhabitable, humans moved to floating islands in the sky and eventually got wings. To use equipment, access items and attack enemies, players must use magic cards called “Magnus”, which store the “essence” of an item.
In both entries, the player is not the main protagonist in the game, but a “guardian” who leads the character in the game, a concept that appeared years later in the RPG Maker games A shot and Out. Redditor EldritchAutomaton wished the series was still alive, saying, “It’s in my top 5 in the JRPG category. A fascinating world, beautiful artwork, a kick a** card battle system, great music and an enjoyable story.”
Moon (1992-2012)
Beginning in 1992 on the Sega CD, Moon is a series of fantasy JRPGs consisting of two main titles and two spin-offs. After the evil god Zophar corrupted the Blue Star, the goddess Althena moved the surviving humans to the Silver Star, which was transformed into a habitable planet.
To protect this new world, Althena created four intelligent dragons, who also perform the trials that determine which humans become champions, called Dragonmasters. With a unique distance-based combat system, intriguing characters, engaging storylines, and an excellent soundtrack, it’s not surprising that MKbillabo said this series was “definitely some of the best RPGs of the early era.”
Dark Cloud (2000-02)
Developed by Level-5, which also includes the Professor Layton and Ni no Kunic franchises, dark cloud is a duology that combines the dungeon crawler and city-building genres. In addition to a strong focus on time travel and rebuilding ruined cities, both games feature different plots and protagonists.
Between the typical dungeons full of monsters and items, players must rebuild villages using the “Georama Mode” and perform other varied tasks such as fishing, crafting, shooting, and even playing golf. Of all the RPGs, Halfacalf wanted to revive this one the most because “it’s such a unique mix of genres, and with a little modern gloss in combat, it could be more mainstream.”
Wild Weapons (1996-2007)
Some JRPGs achieve some success in Japan but remain internationally obscure, including the spaghetti western inspired series Wild weapons. The games are set on a planet called Filgaia, which combines medieval fantasy with 19th century technology. The games usually revolve around advanced weapon-like weapons called “ARMs” and ghost-like “Guardians” that help the heroes protect the planet from forces that threaten to ruin the environment.
In addition to some Japan-only mobile games, this series has been largely abandoned since the 2007 handheld title Wild Arms XF. Redditor Leadintea said they wanted the series to come back because they “die for a modern JRPG with a strong emphasis on puzzles.”
Xenosaga (2002–06)
Created by Monolith Soft as a spiritual successor to Xenogears, Xenosaga is a trilogy of science fiction JRPGs co-written by Tetsuya Takahashi and his wife Kaori Tanaka, who is also known by her pen name Soraya Saga. The series follows scientist Shion Uzuki, her warring Android KOS-MOS and their friends as they battle strange creatures called Gnosis and slowly learn the truth behind the universe.
Despite originally being planned as a six-part franchise, the series was forced to end after the third installment and the company moved to another spiritual successor: Xenoblade Chronicles. Given the untimely end, Kiwibugaboo said, “While what we have ends on a strong note, I’d love to see it complete.”
Shadow Hearts (1999-2005)
Consisting of the 1999 PS1 game Koudelka and the PS2 shadow hearts trilogy, shadow hearts is a series of gothic horror RPGs that blend alternate history with cosmic horror elements. Set between the 1890s and 1920s, the games follow various characters as they deal with supernatural mysteries that often involve the Emigré Manuscript, a magical document that can revive the dead, and a combat mechanic called the Judgment Ring.
Although Matsuzo Machida wanted to continue the series, these plans never materialized. Redditor Af-fx-tion wishes the franchise doesn’t die, saying, “It’s a shame the rights seem a little confused because I’d love it if we at least got an HD remaster.”
Breath of Fire (1993-2002)
Developed by Capcom, Breath of fire is a series of fantasy JRPGs that, despite being only loosely connected, all follow a blue-haired protagonist named Ryu, who can transform into a dragon, and a blonde-haired girl with wings named Nina, whom he befriends along the way. Another recurring element is that humans coexist with various anthropomorphic beings.
In addition to a web-based title full of microtransactions called Breath of Fire 6 in 2016, the series has not received a new entry since then Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter in 2002. Chronoboy1985 is considering Breath of fire to become one of their favorite JRPG franchises, saying, “It was never super popular, but it had a unique Capcom charm that set it apart from the pack. It was colorful, your party had all kinds of anthropomorphic creatures, and it was a tough series to boot.”
Golden Sun (2001-10)
Developed by Camelot, who also Mario Tennis and Mario Golf franchises, golden sun is a trilogy of fantasy RPGs set in an Earth-like world called Weyard. When several individuals attempt to bring a chaotic force called Alchemy back into the world, Isaac and his three party members try to prevent it, but things turn out to be more complicated than they initially seem.
After the release of the first two episodes, which were both on the GBA and linked directly together, Camelot made one last entry called Golden Sun: Dark Dawn in 2010, which was released on the DS. Redditor Supah_Andy wishes the series would return, saying, “No other JRPG franchise does that quite a bit golden sun itches for me.”
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