Late Wii RPGs Almost No One Remembers

The Nintendo Wii was an incredibly innovative and unique console that featured a massive gallery of great games from nearly every genre. However, with the focus on the Wii's unique controls and system specifications, it wasn't the best platform for classic RPG games. Moreover, the late 2000s and early 2010s weren't the best of times for the RPG genre as a whole. There aren't too many notable releases and the stark difference in quality and quantity of RPG games recently compared to that era is very telling.

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The late era of Wii releases did, however, have a dynamic trend. It featured a few underrated and under-appreciated RPG games each with interesting and different ideas they tried to implement. While some failed, many succeeded, and it is a shame that these games are nearly forgotten by both fans and large publishers alike.

5 Tales of Graces

Satisfying And Influential Combat That Fell Just Short

Tales of Graces, also known as Tales of Graces F, is an exception to the norm in the sense that it was commercially successful, reached some degree of critical acclaim, but it hasn't had a lasting impact. It hasn't had a remaster, remake or direct sequel and isn't really talked about when it comes to great RPG games anymore.

The game featured tons of classic JRPG combat tropes, with a world overview map and a separate battle screen for party-based combat. It allowed players to customize and build their four-member squad, led by Asbel, and focused heavily on the dual skill systems: Assault Artes and Burst Artes. Combat systems have influenced games in the genre to this day. The overall presentation and quality of life features were a little lacking, but the game made up for it with smooth combat and a vanilla, yet compelling narrative.

4 Arc Rise Fantasia

Underrated RPG With Unique Ideas

Arc Rise Fantasia was a turn-based JRPG released 3 years after the console's release. It was one of the rarer JRPGs that failed to make a dent in Western Markets, and had an underwhelming lifecycle overall. Arc Rise Fantasia's trinity battle system was the most notable feature in the game, boasting solid combat, focused on classical RPG elements as well as newer changes such as the Action Points poo. This pool allows players to use multiple turn points on a single character, at the expense of others. In conjunction with the focus on follow-up attacks and character harmony, this led to interesting tactical decisions. Players could focus on unloading with offensive powerhouse units, at the expense of possibly losing the chance to have free Tandem Sync attacks.

Arc Rise Fantasia's combat, coupled with its solid music and sound design led to a comprehensive JRPG experience. The CGI cut scenes and voice acting were a sign of the rapid pace at which this genre later developed. While the game's story was a bit all over the place and suffered with some classic JRPG tropes, and the voice acting could use some work, overall it was a great addition to the Wii's RPG portfolio and its a shame it didn't get too much love.

3 Pandora's Tower

A Tragic Romantic Adventure

Pandora's Tower was arguably the last great game released on the Nintendo Wii. This was an ambitious game that had promise of being incredible but just fell a little short. Regardless, it's a wonderful game with lots of effort and love poured into it, which is exactly why its such a shame that its criminally underrated and nearly forgotten. Pandora's Tower is centered around the premise of Aeron trying to save his beloved Elena from a curse by vanquishing enemies lying in the thirteen towers of a fortress above a ravine. The game has a multitude of endings depending on player choices and actions. Most of them are tragic and the portrayal of the two lover's demise slowly creeps up on the players. There are, however, a few happier and rewarding endings as well.

Pandora's Tower features solid, albeit basic, gameplay with smooth integration of the Wii Remotes in all their glory. Players must navigate different puzzles, missions and foes whilst preserving their relationship with Elena and being mindful of her curse's progression. This game had a lot of promise, and it mostly delivered, but sadly it didn't do too well commercially and hasn't been re-introduced through a remake or sequel as yet.

2 Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon

A Beautiful Melancholic Journey

Seto's melancholic journey in a post-pandemic Tokyo is a tale of human empathy, disillusionment and tragedy. Players traverse a post-apocalyptic Tokyo where the lion's share of humanity has been wiped out due to a failed project in understanding human emotions. Players are thrown into Seto's life after his grandfather's passing. What follows is an eerie and solemn adventure relying on atmospheric storytelling, incredible music and solid visuals all around.

While the gameplay isn't anything to write home about, and lags somewhat behind other action role-playing games, the story, character work and graphics carry this game. While this game transcends basic genre boundaries, it, unfortunately, cannot boast much commercial success or mainstream impact. Regardless, Fragile Dreams is a unique storytelling experience, and players patient enough to tread through it will find an underrated gem, and the minor problems it has, could easily be remedied with a remaster.

1 The Last Story

A Classical RPG Executed Near Perfectly

The Last Story was recognized as one of the best games in the genre among hardcore fans during the 2010s, and for sure, it was an incredible game that released very late in the Wii's lifecycle and was thus, not advertised or marketed to Western audiences. Which is unfortunate, as this is an incredible RPG that fans of the genre would still love. It could capture new audiences with a sequel or remake for sure.

The Last Story is a typical, classic RPG polished to near perfection. The game features some solid characters with wonderful development, and great chemistry. Especially the focus on Arganan and Zael. The A.I. Focused on player combat, while a little different works pretty well too. Overall, this is a fantastic game that should definitely get its time in the spotlight.

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