Best Sega Dreamcast RPGs

Despite being the last of Sega’s home consoles, the Dreamcast was a truly legendary piece of hardware years ahead of its time. Its merits include being the first 6th Gen/128-bit system to be released, even beating the likes of Nintendo and Sony’s consoles. It was even the first platform to support internet connection and online play, having an in-built 56K modem. Players could also use the system to browse the internet and send emails. It’s no wonder the beloved console is held in high regard by fans today, as it paved the way for the future of video game consoles going into the 21st century.

Many RPGs also shared in the Dreamcast’s technological achievements. Whereas some offered a simple conventional fantasy adventure, others gave players their first-ever online experience. Still others were set in colorful vivid worlds, and some games felt so immersive and realistic like no other titles before them.

Updated on March 8, 2024, by Nadia Mullings:25 years on, the Sega Dreamcast remains well-known for the technological achievements it showcased at the turn of the century, and is still beloved by fans. Sega’s final home console had some excellent games and RPGs so innovative it was something players had never seen before. These Dreamcast RPGs are each diverse and unique in their own way, and though some may be straightforward enough, others showcase a lot of innovation. Similarly, some may not have aged well, but others have graphics that are still incredible to this day. Even if some were unfortunately seen as commercial failures, this should not deter fans from the many things that make them enjoyable to play even today.

10 Time Stalkers (1999)

GameFAQs: 3.34/5

Developed by Climax Entertainment and following the adventure of Sword, a young warrior on a quest to save the world, Time Stalkers, also known as Climax Landers in Japan, was one of the first RPGs for the Dreamcast. Sword’s adventure takes him to a strange high-fantasy world where he must traverse catacombs and battle many enemies.

Overall, the camera system is good, enabling full 360-degree turns, and the world is masterfully designed with unique personalities given to both the playable and non-playable characters. Characters from other Climax games such as Land Stalker also make an appearance. The main issue this game has is how any experience points gained in a dungeon reset when starting a new one. It seems to defeat the point of players attempting to maximize their character’s stats. The main quest is also rather short.

9 Evolution: The World Of Sacred Device (1999)

GameFAQs: 3.46/5

• Released
  : January 21, 1999 (Initial)
• Developer
  : Sting Entertainment
• Platforms
  : Neo Neo Pocket Color, Dreamcast

Holding the title of the first RPG for the Dreamcast, The World of Sacred Device takes players on an immersive adventure in the true RPG style. The story follows Mag Launcher and his group of explorers on their search for an ancient artifact. The player must lead them across a varied landscape of forests, dungeons, and caves, and into battle against fearsome enemies.

Uniquely, there’s no spoken dialogue except battle taunts and shouts. Whereas the game would’ve benefited from voice acting, the characters and monsters are well-designed and the soundtrack is brilliant.

8 Evolution 2: Far Off Promise (2000)

GameFAQs: 3.55/5

Though the gameplay is akin to that of its predecessor, Far Off Promise is a solid RPG offering a simple yet engaging play experience. Though it didn’t receive the most positive reviews, this is still a fun title thanks to the very likable characters and fast-paced battles.

It doesn’t particularly have any major noteworthy strong points, but the graphics are an improvement over its predecessor and the controls feel tighter. There are also more cutscenes than the original as well as good voice-acting, though this remains in Japanese with English subtitles.

7 Record Of Lodoss War: The Advent Of Cardice (2000)

GameFAQs: 3.89/5

• Released
  : June 29, 2000
• Developer
  : Neverland Co.
• Platforms
  : Dreamcast

A title with a heavy focus on battle, but backed up with a solid storyline, Record of Lodoss War is based on the anime classic of the same title. One of the game’s strong points is its vast array of items and weapons able to be collected.

The game focuses on the quest to prevent the evil goddess Cardice from coming back to life. The player is tasked with controlling the hero, who was resurrected by Wart the Wizard. The hero was once a great warrior but now has no recollection of his past. Thus, it’s up to the player to grow him into a strong enough warrior who can defeat Cardice.

6 Elemental Gimmick Gear (1999)

GameFAQs: 3.98/5

Despite inferior graphics to many of its Dreamcast counterparts, Elemental Gimmick Gear, commonly abbreviated to ‘EGG’, offers a fun fantasy adventure. It features an immersive albeit intense story alongside plenty of intriguing puzzles and mini-games. It can be quite difficult at times, with boss encounters giving players plenty of challenge. Newcomers to the RPG adventure genre shouldn’t start with this one!

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Some of the criticisms the game received were due to the overhead camera system, 2D combat segments, and graphics. But looking past these reveals a puzzling but fun game for players who like a challenge.

5 Phantasy Star Online (2000)

GameFAQs: 4.12/5

The Dreamcast was a pioneer in many ways, one being the release of Phantasy Star Online. As the name implies, this was the very first RPG for home consoles to utilize the use of the internet to connect with players online to compete in combat, collect items, and complete quests. Now that’s something!

Developed by Sonic Team with a soundtrack by iconic Sonic the Hedgehog musicians, this fan-favorite title is a very ambitious one, which Sega pulled off brilliantly. Despite a somewhat shallow storyline, this game proved to be lots of fun for many players. It truly stands out as one of the best Dreamcast games, and an important development in video game history as the first online RPG for consoles.

4 Grandia 2 (2000)

GameFAQs: 4.17/5

The second title in the Grandia series, Grandia 2 is a worthy addition to any Dreamcast RPG collection. Released in 2000, it transports players to an immersive world, devastated in battle between the forces of darkness and light. It’s up to Ryudo, accompanied by his best friend Skye the Falcon, to fight back and defeat the evil god Valmar.

The battles are epic with a solid, enjoyable combat system, yet offering plenty of challenge. Despite its relatively short story, Grandia 2 offers a fun combat-based experience in a vivid setting.

3 Shenmue (1999)

GameFAQs: 4.33/5

Revolutionary upon its release, and a Guinness World Record holder as the most expensive video game ever made at the time, Shenmue is an unconventional but enthralling RPG. With incredible attention to detail and emphasis on high-quality cutscenes, the game feels almost cinematic, a very unusual feature back then. Though the battles are infrequent, they’re epic, and part of the game’s appeal is its highly immersive nature. Players spend time exploring and chatting with locals, who feel like real people with their own stories and routines.

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Few other games at the turn of the century offered players a thrilling adventure with a realistic day/night cycle and the ability to embark on multiple pathways through the story. It was even possible to play classic Sega games in an arcade! The graphics were astounding, and the story was very grounded but melancholic, following the teenager Ryo Hazuki on his quest to avenge his father’s death. It’s no understatement that Shenmue is a standout Dreamcast title.

2 Shenmue 2 (2001)

GameFAQs: 4.41/5

Commonly seen as an improvement over its predecessor, Shenmue 2 builds upon what made the first game so groundbreaking. Though Ryo was forced to rely mostly on himself in the first game, the sequel sees him befriending and working with others who give him much-needed aid. Thus, Ryo is not alone in his continuing quest to find his father’s murderer and have his revenge.

This sequel still offers a very immersive world and deep storyline, picking up exactly where the first game ended. In fact, this time the open world is even bigger and players will get some answers to questions arising from the first game. Thankfully, for new players, the game includes the “Shenmue Digest” and “Movie,” which explain all important events from the original. Shenmue 2 is the epic action-packed adventure the original was and was well ahead of its time, much like the Dreamcast itself.

1 Skies Of Arcadia (2000)

GameFAQs: 4.44/5

Often upheld as the best RPG on the Dreamcast, Skies of Arcadia is truly a fan-favorite title. With a vast expansive world to explore, an intriguing storyline, and very likable characters, the game was met with much applause from critics despite not selling brilliantly. There are also many mini-games, a great soundtrack, and a fun, if simple, battle system.

The game is well-liked for its immersive story and setting. The main trio, consisting of sky pirate Vyse, his best friend Aika, and the Silvite Fina, are constantly being pursued by the Valuan Empire. Players are tasked with leading Vyse and his sky pirates to victory against the Empire who are attempting to awaken a devastating ancient weapon. With a gripping unique storyline, breathtaking colorful areas to explore, and unique enemies, this is an underappreciated gem.

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