One of the coolest subject matters that video games can tackle is alternate history timelines. One of the best and most recent examples is Wolfenstein: The New Order. In this reboot of the franchise, the Nazis won World War 2. They now control the world and have influenced popular media including The Beetles.
That is an alternate history shooter which there are many more of including BioShock, The Order: 1886, Homefront, and the list goes on. There are not as many RPGs, but the ones that have been made are fascinating. Let’s take a look at both well-known and obscure alternate-history RPGs.
8 Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Is a real-time tactical RPG from Intelligent Systems. They are most known for developing the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars games for Nintendo. This game takes place in a steampunk version of the mid-1800s when Abraham Lincoln was in power.
When aliens invade Earth, Lincoln sets up a special task force to take them out before the people get too freaked out. Real-life and some fantasy characters appear alongside the former President in the game such as Tom Sawyer and John Henry.
7 Eternal Sonata
Eternal Sonata was an early HD generation turn-based RPG that used cel-shading. It was released first on Xbox 360 in 2007 before the PS3 got a port the year after. The entire game takes place in the dream of Frederic Chopin who was a real-life composer from the 1800s. He died of terberikulosis in 1849 at the young age of 39.
So, the game takes place in his final hours as he dreams about a fantastical world of magic and beauty. The team behind the 3D games in the Star Ocean series, tri-Crescendo, developed this RPG for Bandai Namco.
6 Fallout 3
The Fallout games are a series of post-apocalyptic RPGs set in the future. Some may not know that they are also alternative history RPGs because the lore is as deeply buried as the Vaults are. The 1960s is when things start to branch off from what we understand as normal history.
For example, the United States split apart into thirteen commonwealths to mirror that of the original thirteen colonies. In 2077 The Great War is fought, which resulted in global nuclear devastation. Fallout 3, one of the best entries out there, takes place in 2277 and focuses on a Vault dweller who decides to leave his colony.
5 Nostalgia
Nostalgia takes place in a fictionalized 19th-century view of the world at the height of the exploration age. Think of this game as a cross between the old-school Final Fantasy games and an Indian Jones adventure. The name is partly a callback to the idea of the developers being nostalgic for RPGs from a bygone era.
On that note, the game doesn’t try to be too fancy with its turn-based system and the plot could be figured out from a mile away. It was basic, but also a fun little steampunk adventure across familiar zones within the UK and the U.S. DS players that checked it out in 2009 probably have nostalgia for it now which is like a funny time loop.
4 Operation Darkness
Operation Darkness was, and still is, one of the most obscure RPGs on the Xbox 360. It was released in 2007 in Japan before getting a Western release a year later. The game takes place during World War 2 wherein a secret force within the British government is sent to take out Nazis.
These Nazis have mysticism on their side including magic and zombies. The Brits have a magical backing of their own including allied werewolves. It’s not one of Atlus’ best tactical RPGs that they ever published, but it certainly is weird enough to recommend a peek at.
3 Ring Of Red
Ring of Red diverges from history when the United States and Russia decide to take over Japan after World War 2 instead of just momentarily occupying it. This splits the country in half which leads to a war between the two factions. Soldiers in this game pilot giant mechs called Armored Fighting Walkers, or AFWs.
They are more like clunky bipedal tanks than cool mechs one would find in an anime series like Gundam. Battles are fought in real-time after players make a movement selection on the traditional tactical RPG grid.
2 Shadow Hearts: Covenant
This game is the second entry in the series, or it could be considered the third. The PlayStation trilogy was preceded by Koudelka on the PS1 which had a similar vibe. Release history aside, Shadow Hearts: Covenant takes place around World War 1 and involves Rasputin trying to take over the world.
Combat centers on a mechanic called the Judgement Ring which allows players to time their attacks for extra damage. The first two games focus on this warring period while the final game, Shadow Hearts: From the New World, warps ahead to the Prohibition era of the United States.
1 Wolfenstein RPG
Wolfenstein RPG began life as a browser game in 2008 before it got an iOS port in 2009. The game looks similar to the original Wolfenstein 3D except now players have to take turns attacking enemies. It is a sillier game in retrospect without a huge amount of gore or Nazis present.
Those two things made the main Wolfenstein games great, but surprisingly the lighter tone is a welcomed addition to the franchise. It’s a shame Wolfenstein RPG has never been re-released onto other devices like the Switch because it could do very well on there.