Summary
- Side quests in RPGs provide powerful equipment and EXP bonuses.
- Some RPGs, like Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, start players off strong.
- Games like Kingdom Hearts 3 give players a diverse set of abilities from the beginning.
The goal of an RPG is to become a godlike entity that no minor monster or boss has a prayer against. That’s why side quests exist, which can grant heroes powerful equipment and EXP bonuses to level up fast. Final Fantasy games are good examples as they typically have ultimate weapon side quests that help characters achieve their most powerful forms. Final Fantasy 10 specifically has one of the most in-depth ultimate weapon side quests.
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Then there are some RPGs where players don’t have to try too hard to become powerful, as they are powered up right from the start. Maybe that power is taken away later on, but a taste of the good stuff can be motivating. These next RPGs all begin with the player character already in a state of heightened power.
8 Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow
A Good Beginner Metroidvania
Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow
- Released
- October 4, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is a direct sequel to the GBA game, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Both games star Soma Cruz and are set in a future where Dracula has returned after a long retirement. Soma gets several powers from the start, along with the ability to steal more skills from monsters, along with their gear.
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is one of the easier games in the series, thanks largely to players getting so much power so fast, and the overall balance makes it a good jumping-on point for Metroidvania novices.
7 Cat Quest 3
Kitty’s Got Claws
Cat Quest III
- Released
- August 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Cat Quest 3 is an open-world game that gives players a lot of agency right from the start. Instead of another fantasy RPG, this one is focused on pirates and having players adventure on the high seas with their little cat hero. Players will get several pieces of gear, from melee weapons like swords to guns, along with their own ship, right from the start.
While the world is level-gated, meaning that players shouldn’t go directly to certain areas, it is refreshing that players can technically sail anywhere from the start. This alone makes this cat hero a strong protagonist, along with the overall game not being too challenging.
6 Dynasty Warriors: Origins
The Wanderer Is A Hidden Talent
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
- Released
- January 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action, Hack and Slash
Any musou games, from Dynasty Warriors to Samurai Warriors, are not going to be that hard, as players usually have a lot of heroes to choose from. Some are stronger than others, but Dynasty Warriors: Origins dialed things back a bit to focus on one hero, The Wanderer, who is not in short supply of weapons or talent.
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Players will unlock more weapon types as they go along, like rings, spears, and more, but The Wanderer’s starting allotment will also suffice. With tons of skills at his disposal, The Wanderer will make it hard for even hundreds of enemies to stop him on the battlefield.
5 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Continuing Where Remake Left Off
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth continues where Final Fantasy 7 Remake left off. Players will not retain levels, but they will have an ample amount of Materia to experiment with, not to mention five party members to play as, from Cloud to Red 13, who is the newest playable addition.
Not only that, but the flashback Cloud begins the game in allows players to assume the role of Sephiroth for a short time, and he is beyond strong. Therefore, even though players have to level up again, it doesn’t feel that demanding, as everyone in the party starts out pretty skilled and ready for battle.
4 Kingdom Hearts 3
Sora Has A Massive Repertoire
Kingdom Hearts 3
- Released
- January 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Kingdom Hearts 3 is the last mainline game in the series (for now), and at the start, Sora comes loaded with his widest ability set yet. Equipping certain Keyblades will create a chain of combos that can turn Sora's signature weapon into something else, such as guns or a massive hammer.
There are a lot more parkour moves borrowed from past entries, too, and Sora can even call upon the power of Disney rides to slay monsters. Plus, Sora has Donald and Goofy to rely on in battle, who can do everything from attack enemies to heal him when his health gets low.
3 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
No More Witches
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
- Released
- March 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom switches things up from the past entry, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, which some found to be kind of hard. Bandai Namco perhaps course corrected too much, as some action RPG veterans may find the second game a bit too easy.
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Changing the game from turn-based to action-focused combat certainly made it easier to deal with monsters. Getting started with two strong party members helps as well, with Roland being the more powerful of the two between his sword and gun attacks. This makes sense in the context of the story, given that he is older and thus more experienced than Evan at the game's outset.
2 Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Time Traveling Monsters
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
- Released
- January 28, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Pokemon games can ask players to do a bit of grinding to get going and to build up their party. It all depends on the starter Pokemon players pick, but the Water Pokemon is usually the way to go, as Fire and Grass Pokemon can have some questionable results in the early-game.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a good example of how players can start strong if they pick Oshawott instead of Rowlet or Cyndaquil. Even if the other Pokemon are chosen, it won’t take players long to build a Pokemon army as they explore the world. It’s even easier than other games, as players don’t even have to fight wild Pokemon before they catch them.
1 Undertale
Dance Through Monsters
Undertale
- Released
- September 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Tobacco
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Undertale is technically an RPG, as players can fight monsters and level up. However, to get the best ending, the game wants players to engage enemies through dialogue. Each encounter can be a bit of a puzzle as players try to figure out which dialogue choices will get enemies to back down.
Players have to dodge attacks in the meantime, which can be tricky. It can be incredibly rewarding to win battles through discourse instead of weapons though, which is a true power move and a big reason why this game became a sleeper hit seemingly overnight, as it’s a great message in a medium loaded with combat-focused gameplay.
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