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Why Aren't There More Space RPGs?
AXE OF THE BLOOD GOD | Sci-fi RPGs are fairly common, but there are fewer space RPGs than you might think.
Article
by
Kat Bailey,
08/06/2018.
Axe of the Blood God is our weekly RPG podcast hosted by Kat Bailey and Nadia Oxford. You can find the previous episodes here.
There are fewer RPGs set in space than you might think. This was the surprising discovery I made when I set out to do the research for this episde [download link here]
The space RPGs that do exist are mostly amazing: Mass Effect, KOTOR, Phantasy Star, and to a lesser extent, Star Ocean and Xenosaga. But while space features in everything from Final Fantasy VIII to Xenogears, it's not often the primary setting. Nadia and I set out to discover why (Nadia: Space is scary), and we also explore what it can contribute to the form.
Keeping with the space theme, the Top 25 RPG countdown continues with Phantasy Star IV. 1UP alum Shane Bettenhausen joins the show to talk about why this underrated gem is the best Genesis RPG, and why it means so much to him to this day.
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Show Description
1UP alum Shane Bettenhausen joins Kat to talk about the best Genesis RPG ever: Phantasy Star IV! Plus, Nadia and Kat talk about space RPGs, what sets them apart from their counterparts in other subgenres, and wonder why theren't more of them.
Music from Axe of the Blood God is courtesy of Lena Chappelle, who has also contributed the themes to Active Time Babble and Roleplayers' Realm. I also use music from the RPG Music Pack over at rpgmaker.net. Check it out!
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Comments 23
I wish the game wasn't hidden behind a terrible UI because it's such a good game. A game where you become a bad ass space pirate who is extremely pragmatic is such a good thing.
Again thank you for always giving me a good time listening to your podcast. Your topics are all very insightful.
By the way I started playing Octopath Traveler a week ago, and thouroughly enjoying it. I do agree with Kat about all the points she made about it and it has several flaws, but its still a good time. Cant wait to hear next weeks podcast.
I want to mention Space Griffon VF-9, an early Playstation 1 rpg released for the system on November 25 1995 by Atlus/Panther Software - It's premise is, you're a crew hired by A-MAX, to discover what went wrong on the man made Space Colony known as "Hamlet" - Not the best game, very anime-inspired, voice acting is kind of terrible and from the get go It quickly dissolves into a survival horror biopunk rpg, set in space - Again not the best game, but as one of the handful of video games brave enough to incorporate voice acting during the mid 90s, I think it's a really interesting game, especially the sense of isolation that it tries to establish across your six crew members through radio contact.
....Like, there's a lot of space rpgs out there, already, just not a lot of them focus on colonization, space exploration or ship management. So I think the reason why we don't see very many "space" rpgs that focus on these aspects is because… it's like as you guys mentioned on this episode - Space RPGs often encompasses an amalgamation of genres and cultures; you're traveling to new planets and discovering new civilizations, but in order to establish those aspects of the setting properly, it actually takes a lot of work to do them properly, as well.
...I also like how you guys introduced Shane Bettenhausen on the show! - Secret Best 1UP Alum!!
...It's totally! like "Hey, Kat! Long time no see!" Please have him back on the show! Edited 12 times. Last edited August 2018 by Funny_Colour_Blue
I do disagree with a Mass Effect prequel for much the same reason I generally dislike prequels: if those stories were truly that interesting, they would have been in the games already, and not as backstory. I prefer looking ahead to what's next in the story, and if that requires the Andromeda galaxy or setting a "canon" end for the last trilogy, so be it.
Sadly, the sequel, set in a much bigger world, was much blander.
Really wish Infinite Space would get a remake for modern platforms or 3DS. Or at least a mobile remaster; the pay up front kind, not the gacha kind. Anything to make it easier to actually get it.
Oh well, at least the indie scene has some sci-fi games set in space, even if they're not necessarily RPGs. Probably pick up Elite Dangerous one of these days.
Wish Sega gave a shit about localizing Phantasy Star Online 2...
Your point about Infinite Space being “too much game” for the DS is well-taken. That said, I still find it to be a unique and memorable experience that sadly flew under the radar and never received the recognition it deserved.
That said, the proximate cause for its commercial success is no different from the one that led to Bravely Default selling one million copies—a sizeable fanbase that remains dedicated to quality turn-based RPGs.
I have said it before, but nostalgia is a very powerful force and when game developers find a way to put their spin on and enhance a tried and true formula, then they will find a market that is more than willing to support their efforts.
In short, Octopath is selling well because of its quality and because it is meeting a demand that too few developers care to acknowledge.
If Alpha Protocol makes the list I wonder who the guest would be in that case...
You should try Star Traders: Frontiers. Though I have not gotten far in it, it seems to tick quite a few of your boxes for what you want in a space rpg -- notably a focus on upgrading your ship and recruiting lots of crew.
Also, you are a systems gamer... and this game is full of pretty hardcore (maybe obtuse?) rpg systems. I am having a decent time, but then again, I am not very far at all.
There is something of a through line in top down Space RPGs (it certainly influenced Mass Effect) the Star Flight duology>Star Control 2>the Escape Velocity trilogy and then it branches off into a bunch of indy games.
Escape Velocity: Nova is as close to my definitive Space Captain RPG as exists, but the combat is real time. It had something like ~4.75 story lines it was possible to go down. There was everything from psychic slave to space pirate to hyper advanced isolationist race.
Not having played them, the 2 Star Cruiser games are FPS space RPGs. Something of a late 80s and early 90s Japanese PC take on Mass Effect.Edited 3 times. Last edited August 2018 by HellsBlackAces