Some of the best RPG franchises are anthologies, meaning one sequel doesn't flow into the next. Final Fantasy is a perfect example, like the characters from Final Fantasy 5 it doesn't matter the ones in Final Fantasy 8. There are also direct sequels within the series, such as Final Fantasy VIIbut they are more outliers than anything else.
Top 5 RPG Series with Anthology Games, Ranked
These long-running RPG series came together in an anthology game that combined their separate worlds and characters into one epic encounter.
This is one example of how RPGs have anthologies within the genre. However, collections of anthologies are also hidden within one game. This means that a game can contain multiple campaigns set in different worlds, or in the same world but with different characters. Let's go through some of the best examples to get a clearer picture.
Live A Live
A show for the ages
Live A Live players start with seven characters to choose from, and each scenario should last a maximum of two hours, which is true for both the SNES original and the remake. Players can travel to the old west with Sundown Kid, travel back to prehistoric times with Pog, or become a ninja with Oboromaru in ancient Japan.
Battles are turn-based, but characters can also move on a grid like a mini-tactical RPG. Once all the scenarios are completed, the eighth opens up with a bit of connective tissue, but overall it's a perfect example of an anthology RPG.
Octopath Traveler
Party Of One
Octopath Traveler was released exclusively for the Switch in 2018 before later receiving ports elsewhere. It was Square Enix's first HD-2D game and allowed players to choose one of eight characters, such as Ophelia the Cleric or Olberic the Warrior.
All characters could eventually be recruited, but the characters never interacted with each other. They were only there as support in battle, while each character's story was a separate episode that players had to go through chapter by chapter.
Odin Sphere Leifthrasir
2D Norwegian action
Orb of OdinA 2D action RPG by Vanillaware, it was released for the PS2 in 2007 and was finally remastered or remade for several platforms in 2016 under a new name. Odin Sphere Leifthrasir. Players start off as Gwendolyn, a Valkyrie who goes through her story to the end. Once this is done, additional stories will be unlocked, each linked to a storybook.
Other characters include Mercedes, Cornelius, Oswald, and Velvet, whose stories and overall design borrow heavily from folktales and various mythologies. While players may encounter similar characters and environments, the five stories were mostly self-contained.
Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song
Challenging remake
The Saga the series is known for offering players a wide assortment of characters. Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song is a good example as it was a remake of the 1992 SNES original, released in 2005 for the PS2 and later remastered several times for other platforms.
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There are eight characters to choose from that start in different areas of the map. There is the pirate Hawke, the warrior Sif, the traveler Gray and more. There's little story content compared to other turn-based RPGs, but there's definitely enough to justify it as an anthology example.
Samurai Warriors 5
Younger than before
Most Musou games, among them Dynasty Warriors and Samurai warriorsgive players plenty of characters to choose from with short campaigns. Samurai Warriors 5 is the latest entry in this particular series that has changed things in countless ways.
Instead of dozens of stories, there are two primary ones between Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi. Players still get to play other classic heroes in action combat, including Kenshin Uesugi, Hideyoshi Hashiba, and Hanzo Hattori, but they don't have individual stories. The game also received a new all-shaded design and everyone looked much younger compared to past iterations.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
The Keyblade Masters
Kingdom Hearts: Birth of Sleepprequel to The heart of the kingdom series, is split into three separate campaigns between Ventus, Terra, and Aqua. Aqua is the newly crowned Keyblade Master, Terra is like Riku in that he has both light and darkness in his heart, and Ventus is a more sleazy trainee.
They will follow similar and alternate paths through the Disney worlds, fighting enemies in real time, but overall their stories are their own. Completing them all will give players a greater idea of how these three warriors fit into the lore.
NieR: Automata
Three chances for humanity
NieR: Automata begins with 2B and 9S, battle androids, sent to Earth to try to reclaim the planet for humanity's last bastion in space. Once players get through 2B's lengthy campaign, they can restart with 9S, which follows a similar path but from a different perspective and alternate playstyle.
Finally after all this players can play as A2. There are twenty-six endings NieR: Automatabut to see the real ending, players must play as these three characters in turn. As an anthology example, it skirts the line, but it's still a pretty important action RPG with a lot of stories in the grand scheme of things.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Heroes vs Villains
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy is a PSP fighting game featuring heroes and villains from around the world Final Fantasy universe. Each hero has a campaign with special cutscenes for each and explorable worlds.
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Tifa's will mainly focus on interactions with Sephiroth and Cloud from Final Fantasy VIIwhile Yuna will primarily interact with Tidus and Jecht z Final Fantasy 10. There are also crossovers between characters in the franchise, which is more of a reason to get it for super fans who want to live out dream scenarios.
The front mission
OCU VS USN
When The front mission was released for the SNES in Japan in 1995, it only had one scenario. Players followed the exploits of Royd Clive, who fought for the OCU side of the war. The PS1 port in Japan added a new scenario featuring Kevin Greenfield, an officer fighting with the USN.
When the game first came to North America via the DS, both campaigns were available to choose from at the start, and the same is true for the latest remake, which was released in 2022. Regardless of the version, players can fight alternate paths of war with their customizable mechs, called Wanzers, in tactical battles.
Threads of Fate
Axes And Magic
Threads of Fate
- Released
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October 14, 1999
Threads of Fate is an action RPG for the PS1, which is where it primarily stayed out of direct PSN ports for decades to be played on platforms like the PSP and PS3. Players can choose two characters that follow similar paths but have completely unique stories.
Players can take on the role of Rue, who starts with an axe-like sword and gains the ability to transform into monsters. There's also Mint, a gifted magician who attacks rings with hoops. Both campaigns are relatively short, but still fun if players know where to look for them.
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