Looking for a good RPG for my Wii U

[GolfHacker]

Hey everybody,

I recently picked up Xenoblade Chronicles X for my Wii U for a reasonable $20, and am in the middle of my first play-through. Although I'm not a big fan of action RPGs, I'm enjoying this one. I like the story, and the futuristic setting is a nice change of pace. The graphics are also gorgeous.

Anyway, can anyone recommend any other good RPGs for my Wii U? I prefer more exploration-based RPGs with a good story, large areas to explore, and turn-based combat. I like to take my time and explore every nook and cranny of a game world, and I also like to take my time when I'm playing through battles (since I tend to be a bit too slow for action RPGs - heh). I also prefer 2D RPG-Maker-style RPGs over newer 3D stuff (although I'm not averse to 3D if the story and gameplay is good). I know not too many 2D RPGs are made anymore, but fortunately I don't mind playing an older game over the Virtual Console.

I missed most of the Nintendo consoles and handhelds over the years. I had a NES when I was in college, and enjoyed the first Zelda game, but lost touch with Nintendo until a couple of years ago when I picked up the Wii U. So even an older RPG that is available on the Virtual Console would be a treat for me if it is a good exploration-style game.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

 

[Arisa]

TERRARIA ALL THE WAY! It's like Minecraft but like Super Mario style. The 3DS is the only Nintendo product I use these days so I can't really help, but that's one I like. :T

 

[onipunk]

Mostly speaking about the Virtual Console here, since those are the games I have the most experience with, but Fire Emblem and Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones are great turn-based tactics games, if you're new to the series start with Sacred Stones as it's a lot easier then progress to Fire Emblem (Shadow Dragon, the remake of the first game in the series from the NES days is also on there but honestly don't bother). Golden Sun and The Lost Age are great games with a deep class system and a lot of cool mechanics, and the dungeons are a lot more engaging than most RPGs because you use magic in the overworld to complete puzzles, so the dungeons end up being very memorable and complex, and they're two of my favourite RPGs. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is another great tactics game, packed full of content and sure to keep you entertained for hours at a time. And the Mario RPGs are always a good time, whether it's the SNES game or the later Mario & Luigi series, they're lighthearted games that are good if you're looking for a less typical "save the world" RPG. Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii is also available on the eShop, and by all accounts it's a bloody great game, so if you're liking X then definitely check that one out too!

 

[Lantiz]

I understand you enjoy turn based combat, but honestly, for exploration TLoZ Breath of the Wild is just awesome.
And aside from bosses and some monsters on your way you can just ignore all the combat around the world if you don't feel like fighting. Killing monsters won't give you anything special.

 

[Seacliff]

I had the same problem. Considering how much JRPG support the DS and 3DS can get, it's disappointing to see it be virtually non-existent on Nintendo home consoles after the SNES. At least compared to it's competitor. I was hoping Paper Mario Color Splash would at least be decent, but even going through with virtually no expectations I didn't find it to be that good.

Anyways. Considering it costs over a hundred dollars to play in any other legal means, Earthbound is a pretty good SNES game available on virtual console.

 

[Sakurra]

Well, Breath of the Wild has a HUGE place to explore. (Zelda game) But not turn based. But maybe you will like it?

 

[GolfHacker]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I picked up Breath of the Wild on Amazon. That does look really good!

And I'll check out all the Virtual Console recommendations. Golden Sun looks the most promising to me at the moment, though Earthbound and Final Fantasy Tactics look like they might be good exploration-based games too. Never played any of the Final Fantasy games, but have heard a lot about them.

 

[onipunk]

FF Tactics isn't much of an exploration-based game, it's more like you pick a mission, do the mission and return to the world map, but it is a lot more open than other tactics games - whereas Fire Emblem has you go from chapter to chapter in a linear order, FF Tactics gives you a lot more optional side missions and much more customisation for your squad, with a really deep job system that can be used to create some combos that are great fun to use and/or incredibly broken.

Golden Sun is definitely a good shout, there's a few secrets to be found in the overworld, some optional dungeons and like I said, the dungeons themselves really reward exploration and usually have something unique going on to make them memorable.

 

[GolfHacker]

Thanks! Good to know! I'll check out Golden Sun then!

 

[Clades]

You can also check out Paper Mario Color Splash for Wii U. It's a good rpg!
Or you check out the game Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii (that works on the Wii U).
If you have a DS or 3DS, you can also check out Radiant Historia or one of these Fire Emblem games, the last one is more a strategic-role-playing game.

 

[Rukiri]

I had the same problem. Considering how much JRPG support the DS and 3DS can get, it's disappointing to see it be virtually non-existent on Nintendo home consoles after the SNES. At least compared to it's competitor. I was hoping Paper Mario Color Splash would at least be decent, but even going through with virtually no expectations I didn't find it to be that good.

Anyways. Considering it costs over a hundred dollars to play in any other legal means, Earthbound is a pretty good SNES game available on virtual console.

Just get a copy of Mother2, same game and without the censorship

 

[LaFlibuste]

You could give Child of Light a go. It's a bit on the short side imho but the combat mechanic is interesting and it's very artistic. It's a good experience overall if you ask me.