Story-Rich 2D RPGs, Ranked

There are many reasons why you might be a fan of RPGs as a particular genre – from the gameplay to the immersion – there’s a reason why this style of game is so popular, but one of the most common reasons is the storytelling.

This style of game is conducive to some of the best storytelling in gaming, and you’ll often find RPGs being credited as having some of the best stories in the medium. However, with how popular 3D RPGs have become in recent years, it’s worth appreciating the stories of more classic 2D RPGs as well.

9

Final Fantasy 4

Changing Allegiances

The first few entries in the legendary Final Fantasy were exclusively 2D, and it could be argued that quite a few of them deserve to be recognized for their story. However, if you’re looking for a slightly more unconventional narrative but still retaining the classic JRPG feel of Final Fantasy, then Final Fantasy 4 is a fantastic choice.

If you’ve played enough JRPGs, it gets quite easy to predict where the story is going and occasionally even see plot twists from a mile away, but Final Fantasy 4 shifts genre conventions with one of the more engaging and unpredictable RPG narratives. It also helps that the gameplay of this classic still holds up incredibly well, and it’s available on almost every gaming platform, too.

8

Octopath Traveler

Eight In One

At the time of its release, Octopath Traveler stood out from the rest of the 2D RPG subgenre by pioneering the HD 2D style, which has now become quite popular and is a great way for 2D games to pop on modern consoles. However, while a lot of Octopath Traveler’s legacy may be twisted in its style, its story is worth acknowledging too.

True to the etymology of the ‘Octo’ in its name, Octopath Traveler follows eight protagonists who each have their own multi-stage storylines around the game’s sprawling map. While some of these stories are stronger than others, they’re all worth experiencing, and they help make the party members a loveable group.

7

Pokemon: Black And White 2

Team Plasma’s Fallout

The mainline Pokemon games are known for many things, but their storytelling is not high on that list. However, with the duology of Unova games, the Pokemon company switched up their style and placed a lot more emphasis on the story taking place throughout the campaign.

While the first Black and White has a great story, the direct follow-up of Black and White 2 is arguably more engaging. While you’ll need to be caught up on the events of the first for everything to snap together satisfyingly, this second half will keep you on the edge of your seat as you catch Pokemon across Unova.

6

Bravely Default

An Unlikely Group

Debuting on the 3DS, Bravely Default immediately stood out from other 2D RPGs thanks to its beautiful watercolour style standing out from the pixel art that has come to define the subgenre.

The narrative of Bravely Default starts off with a more typical JRPG fare, but as you meet your four party members and learn more about its unique fantasy setting, you’ll realize that things aren’t as generic as you might initially expect. It also helps that the core cast is a lot of fun to get to know, with some well-written banter between the group sprinkled in intermittently.

5

Omori

Emotional Turmoil

One of the more modern 2D RPGs, Omori wears its inspirations on its sleeves and uses it to its full strength. This adventure expertly uses a world parallel to reality as a tool for interesting storytelling, and as soon as you start to feel comfortable in the world, things will switch up and keep you on your toes.

It helps that the core focus of the story is on a core friendship group, and we get to know every member incredibly well, at a depth that isn’t usually explored in RPGs. The game tackles some incredibly dark topics, but it’s pulled off tactfully and in a way that still manages to remain fun and relatively lighthearted for most of its runtime.

4

Chrono Trigger

Story For The Ages

If you haven’t played Chrono Trigger, you might be tired of just how often it is recommended as a classic RPG that both still holds up and tells an engaging storyline you’ll want to follow to its end. Chrono Trigger tells an entertaining time travel narrative but also stands out as one of the first games to really take advantage of having multiple endings.

There’s a reason why this game is still so consistently discussed, and it likely won’t die down for generations to come. If you’re a fan of 2D JRPGs, there’s a good chance that you’ve played a handful of games that have been inspired by this classic.

3

Earthbound

Giygas’ Takeover

Earthbound’s reputation truly precedes it. It is one of the most influential RPGs and pioneered a subgenre of RPGs based in a more recognizable contemporary setting. Earthbound plays with pop culture to create a world that is believable but still feels surreal and dreamlike.

While the narrative feels quite standard and simplistic at the beginning, it gradually shifts tone as you work through its massive world. It’s impressive just how lived in every settlement you come across feels, and by the time you reach the end, you’ll be wishing for an official localization of Mother 3 like the rest of the Earthbound fanbase.

2

The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Dreamy Journey

While the interconnected Legend of Zelda timeline is well known for being one of the most extensive in the video game industry, the individual games themselves are not renowned for their narratives. However, one that sticks out for being a shorter but incredibly heartfelt story is Link’s Awakening.

Taking us away from Hyrule, Link is instead stranded on the mysterious Koholint Island and tasked with waking up the mythical Wind Fish that slumbers at the center of the island. While it’s not stuffed with dialogue and more focused on the simplistic action RPG gameplay, by the time you reach the credits, you’ll be fully invested in this title’s unique setting.

1

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky

Pokemon Isekai Adventure

You might not expect any of the spin-offs from the beloved Pokemon series to have outstanding stories, but that is exactly where the Mystery Dungeon series sticks out.

While the procedurally generated dungeon crawling isn’t the most unique gameplay, the endearing story of a human transformed into a Pokemon and sent to a whole new world is a lot of fun. The bond between you and your partner is one of the most believable in the genre, and you’ll want to follow their twist-filled adventure to its end.