RPG's that are not big name titles but are play-worthy

[L3ggy]

Legend of Dragoon is one of the best RPGs that I've played.

 

[spryter]

Gothic series for PC, and Might and Magic series as well. Tales of Phantasia is a great game, but play the SNES verion. GBA version has changes that ruin gameplay.

 

[Automate]

Albion (1995) by Blue Byte Software
Anachronox (2001) by Ion Storm Dallas
Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura (2001) by Troika Games
Arx Fatalis (2002) by Arkane Studios
Betrayal at Krondor (1993) by Dynamix
Planescape: Torment (1999) by Black Isle Studios

Not entirely sure if these are included as "big name titles" (they do have quite a reputation and inspired BioShock) but posting them anyway:

System Shock 1 (1994) and 2 (1999) by Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games (founded by former members of Looking Glass Studios)

Quite old games, eh? Well, the truth is that modern RPGs in general are usually really bad and shallow and I can't honestly remember any more modern ones that weren't big name titles and were actually any good.

 

[Yomismo_1789]

Shin Megami Tensei RPGs
- Persona series
- Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2
- Devil Summoner 1 and 2
- Devil Survivor and Strange Journey (Both for NDS)
- Nocturne, SMT1 and 2, If..., etc

Also...
- Radiant Historia
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
- Crimson Gem Saga
- Zettai Hero Project: Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman
- Disgaea series (Maybe it's a big name now...)

 

[The Cancer]

Sonic Chronicles The Dark Brotherhood for Nintendo DS, I'm surprised that game isn't as big, should recieve a sequel in my opinion.

 

[jadelicious]

Anyone play any text-based RPGs/muds like Aardwolf? I know, old school.

 

[The Yak]

The Bard's Tale. Came out for the Xbox/PS2 and was a decent little dungeon crawler with a sense of humor.

 

[Hondarobot]

Anything by Black Isle or Troika (which were pretty much the same guys). Those were big name titles ten years ago, but not so much now. Great RPG single player games.

 

[redhotgorillausa]

If you're into something different, I say Earthbound for the SNES.

 

[D-rock]

Is it just me or does it seem like RPGs have been in a downturn for years now? With only a very few exceptions there doesn't seem to be that many great ones that come out anymore, and they don't seem to make as many as they used to.

 

[squallumz]

Is it just me or does it seem like RPGs have been in a downturn for years now? With only a very few exceptions there doesn't seem to be that many great ones that come out anymore, and they don't seem to make as many as they used to.

you're totally right. good rpgs never needed all the graphics. look at ff6 (3 in the states). amazing game! didnt even use all what the snes could have done for them graphics wise.

all you needed was a good story and enough graphics to see what monster you were fighting.

but yeah, nothing really good after ps1.

snes was an rpg machine.

 

[LukeEl]

There were these two RPG's for PS1 sadly I cannot remember the names of them. But they took place during the early 1900's after WWI and you traveled all over the world, and used modern weapons. One of the characters you met was this Alaistar Crowley looking guy named John Dee.

 

[cristianomt]

Phantasy Star for the Sega Master System is a very good game.

 

[Supafly]

Fading Suns

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fading_Suns

It is the game that Stargate is said to be created after, they decided not to sue, allegiatedly, as they were a tiny company and the company that created the whole Starfate shebang is collossal.

Try it out if you get the chance