While the lion’s share of role playing games in the 16-bit era went to the Super Nintendo the Sega Genesis was no slouch in this genre. Developers like Squaresoft and Enix exclusively supported the SNES, but Sega had a lot of in-house teams that worked on role playing games. Some third parties even threw them a bone too. When talking about RPGs the Sega Genesis is too frequently left out of the discussion. That’s why today we’ve decided to focus on this console today. Here is our list of the top 10 best Sega Genesis RPGs. Let’s get to it.
#10. – Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
The Phantasy Star series was basically Sega’s answer to Final Fantasy. It was however unique in that it took the genre out of the medieval tropes it had been stuck in up to this point and instead used a sci-fi fantasy setting. That’s why it was shocking that Phantasy Star III looks more like a generic RPG. It’s all about swords, sorcery, kings and kingdoms. It didn’t even seem like it tied into the rest of the franchise. Of course a plot twist later ravels things together, but this one is really different from the others. It’s not really in a good way either. Regardless it’s a decent RPG with some fun mechanics in the form of a generations system. Basically at specific points you choose a bride for your character and then continue on as their child. This significantly affects the story in some real cool ways.
#9. – Rent-A-Hero
This one was formerly a Japanese exclusive but fans have translated it throughout the years. It’s easy to see why Sega didn’t opt to localize this one. Rent-a-Hero is strange. You play as a kid that can transform into a tough futuristic guy who can fight. You’ll need him because there are plenty of battles in this game. These are handled in real-time with gameplay that can best be described as a beat ’em up. The game has its flaws but it has a lot of heart and it’s fun to boot. My only complaints are with the graphics and audio. It’s kind of drab looking, and the music hurts the ears. This all kind of an inherent problem with the console itself though. It’s zany, it’s crazy, and it’s pure retro Sega. That’s why Rent-a-Hero is one of the best Sega Genesis RPGs of all time.
#8. – Exile
Here we have a Sega Genesis hidden gem. Few people played the Turbografx-CD release of it, and even less the Genesis one. This was an action RPG with some unusual conventions. You explore towns and the world map from a top down perspective. That’s what RPG players are used to after all. Things get strange when you enter dungeons. Here the action is displayed from a side view. You walk, jump, and fight enemies in real-time. There’s nothing turn based about it. The role playing elements are in regards to your progression. You get experience points and subsequently gain levels. There is also items to collect, characters to meet, and of course an overarching story to experience. Exile isn’t groundbreaking or amazing, but it’s decent. Unfortunately I would recommend sticking with the Turbografx-CD version if possible.
#7. – Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys is another franchise that took some unexpected turns with a Sega Genesis release. It was never a household name, but Ys did make some waves on the Sega Master System and Turbografx-CD. Ys III took a bold new approach to the format. The first two were top down action adventure RPGs. This one is a side view action RPG with some light platforming elements. Basically, Falcom took the Zelda II approach here. The RPG elements are still in place and at its core this still feels like Ys though. Exploration however is severely limited, but the game makes up for this by having a lot of interesting new environments. Combat is a little clunky but that’s par for the course with this series. At least in Ys III you can finally swing a sword for the first time. It’s neat, and still holds up decently well.
#6. – Warsong
While it seems like Warsong was a one off (there’s no Warsong 2, just saying) this is actually the first installment in the well known Langrisser series. The publisher just changed the name when it was localized for North America. Regardless Warsong is one of the best strategy RPGs of all time. The action is strictly turn based wherein you move your characters around on an overhead map. When you’re on an adjacent block to an enemy you can attack an enemy. This takes you to a separate screen wherein little tiny warriors engage each other and fight. Of course it’s all AI controlled and so luck has a lot to do with it. I actually really liked this aspect. It reminded me of Suikoden. The game itself is a ton of fun and this is yet another Sega Genesis hidden gem.
#5. – Wonder Boy in Monster World
The Wonder Boy series is a big part of Sega console history. While these games weren’t exclusive by any means but most associate the series with the blue logo. Monster World is actually the fourth installment in the franchise but only the third to incorporate RPG elements. It’s a neat mix of side view platforming with action RPG elements for combat. What I loved most about this games was the environments. Even the plot has some pretty decent moments. I really like the interconnected world. It makes exploration a lot of fun. In addition finding items and altering your equipment makes this one a lot more complicated than your typical side view game. Wonder Boy in Monster World is a lot of fun.
#4. – Shining Force
Shining Force is absolutely amazing. It’s one of the best strategy RPGs of all time. At first glance this one just looks like a traditional turn based role playing game. Outside of battle you explore various towns and even a world map. When enemies appear however the landscape becomes a grid based battlefield. Here the action is turn based as you move individual characters. When you reach a square close enough to the foe (which differs based on which weapon or spell you’re using) you can attack them. Combat takes place on a separate screen showing both characters as the attack is carried out. Sounds simple, right? What sets Shining Force apart from the pack is the unique cast of characters. Abilities vary to a wide degree, as do the battlefields, and because of this each battle is a real treat.
#3. – Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millenium
I’m sad to say that this was the final traditional Phantasy Star game Sega ever released. It’s clear right from the opening that they significantly bumped up the production values to make something that could compete with where Final Fantasy was at in this time. The game itself is a continuation following the events of every game in the series up to this point. You play as a young mercenary who starts out doing simple jobs, but is soon tasked with saving the world. The continuity is amazing here. The events in literally every installment up to this point are referenced, and it concludes the story nicely complete with a cherry on top.
#2. – Shining Force II
Sega really outdid themselves with this sequel. They took everything that made the original great and expanded upon it thoughtfully while fixing many of its weakest points. The end result is one of the very best Sega Genesis RPGs. It not only has an interesting story but also retains the excellent combat system of the original. The character roster has been made even more unique here with a lot of one-off characters as well as branching promotions. It also doesn’t hurt that the soundtrack is amazing (in spite of the horrible sound chip in the hardware) and the graphics are incredible too. I could see how some would consider this the best game in the Shining Force series because it’s terrific.
#1. – Phantasy Star II
This is a game that I hated when I first played it. Phantasy Star II is a really basic RPG. The graphics and soundtrack also are nothing to write home about. To make matters worse Phantasy Star II is extremely difficult. So with this much working against it why is this still one of the best Sega Genesis RPGs? It’s the dungeon designs. While many of these have too many random elevators and dead ends they’re still all enjoyable. This is especially true with how difficult it is. Getting anywhere in Phantasy Star II is a true achievement. The battle system, while simple, is very functional and allows for a ton of strategy. I love just how far this game pushes me when I feel like I’m stuck. The story is subtle yet amazing. It has a fantastic premise and the ending is one of the best in any RPG.
