During the recent Tokyo Game Show, Konami announced a remastered version of the first two Suikoden entries titled Suikoden I and II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, which is scheduled to release in 2023. According to IGN, producer Yasuo Daikai even wants to make brand new Suikoden installments in the future, which is a shock to fans who thought that the franchise would never return.
While Suikoden was one of the most wished for RPG revivals from Reddit, there are plenty of other dormant RPG franchises that Redditors still hope to see again someday. With this recent success, other titles mentioned on Reddit, like the Breath of Fire series, might still have a chance.
Lufia (1993–2010)
Developed by Neverland, who also created the GBA RPG CIMA: The Enemy and the Dragon Quest franchise. Named after the main heroine from the first game, the series follows the hero Maxim and his descendants as they fight against evil gods called Sinistrals.
Out of the franchise's five installments, Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals is especially known for pioneering the idea of focusing on complex puzzles within JRPG dungeons. Redditor TemptCiderFan says that Lufia II is one of their favorite JRPGs and considers the entire Lufia series to be, "near and dear to my heart."
Parasite Eve (1998–2010)
Inspired by the award-winning Japanese novel of the same name, is a trilogy of action science fiction body horror games that center around Aya Brea as she fights against mutated creatures. During the original 1998 PS1 game, which is a sequel to the novel, Aya is an NYPD officer who must stop a creature known as Mitochondrial Eve that plans to end the human race by causing their own mitochondria to rebel.
After a direct sequel, Parasite Eve II, and a 2010 reboot, The 3rd Birthday, the series has been abandoned despite being a historically significant franchise. When asked which RPG franchise they would most want to resurrect, FFVII, would be a dream come true."
Baten Kaitos (2003–06)
Created by Monolith Soft, who's best known for the Xenoblade Chronicles series, Baten Kaitos is a duology of deck-building JRPGs that were released exclusively for the GameCube. After an evil god known as Malpercio made the planet uninhabitable, humans moved to floating islands in the sky and eventually grew wings. To use equipment, access items, and attack enemies, players must use magical cards called "Magnus," which store the "essence" of an item.
In both entries, the player isn't the in-game protagonist but a "guardian spirit" who guides the in-game character, which is a concept that appeared years later OneShot and Off. Redditor EldritchAutomaton wished that the series was still alive and said, "It's in my top 5 in the category of JRPGs. A fascinating world, beautiful artwork, a kick a** card battle system, great music, and an enjoyable story."
Lunar (1992–2012)
Lunar is a series of fantasy JRPGs that consist of two mainline titles and two spin-offs. After the evil god Zophar corrupted the Blue Star, the goddess Althena moved the surviving humans to the Silver Star, which was transformed into a habitable planet.
To protect this new world, Althena created four intelligent dragons, who also ister the trials that determine which humans will become champions called Dragonmasters. With a unique distance-based battle system, intriguing characters, engaging storylines, and an excellent soundtrack, it's not surprising that MKbillabo said that this series was, "definitely some of the best RPGs of the early era."
Dark Cloud (2000–02)
Developed by Level-5, who also created the Professor Layton and Ni no Kuni franchises, Dark Cloud is a duology that combines the dungeon crawler and city-building genres. Besides a strong focus on time travel and rebuilding destroyed towns, both games feature different plots and protagonists.
In between the typical dungeons filled with monsters and items, players must rebuild villages using "Georama mode" and accomplish other varied tasks such as fishing, crafting, photography, and even golf. Out of all RPGs, Halfacalf wanted to revive this one the most because, "It's such a unique blend of genres, and with a little modern polish in combat, it could be more mainstream."
Wild Arms (1996–2007)
Some JRPGs achieve some success in Japan but remain obscure internationally, which includes the spaghetti-Western-inspired series Wild Arms. Taking place on a planet called Filgaia, which mixes medieval fantasy with 1800s technology, the games typically center around advanced gun-like weapons called "ARMs" and spirit-like "Guardians" that help the heroes protect the planet from forces that threaten to ruin the environment.
Besides some Japan-only mobile games, this series has been mostly abandoned since the 2007 handheld title Wild Arms XF. Redditor Leadintea said they wanted the series to come back because they're, "dying for a modern JRPG with a strong emphasis on puzzles."
Xenosaga (2002–06)
Created by Monolith Soft as a spiritual successor to Xenogears, Xenosaga is a trilogy of science fiction JRPGs that were co-written by Tetsuya Takahashi and his wife Kaori Tanaka, who's also known by her pen name Soraya Saga. The series follows scientist Shion Uzuki, her battle android KOS-MOS, and their friends as they battle against strange creatures called Gnosis and slowly learn the truths behind the universe.
Despite originally being planned as a six-part franchise, the series was forced to end after the third episode and the company moved onto another spiritual successor: Xenoblade Chronicles. Considering the premature ending, Kiwibugaboo said, "Although what we have ends on a strong note, I would love to see it complete."
Shadow Hearts (1999–2005)
Consisting of the 1999 PS1 game Koudelka and the PS2 Shadow Hearts trilogy, Shadow Hearts is a series of gothic horror RPGs that mix alternate history with cosmic horror elements. Set between the 1890s to the 1920s, the games follow various characters as they deal with supernatural mysteries that often involve the Émigré Manuscript, which is a magical document that can revive the dead, and a battle mechanic called the Judgment Ring.
Although Matsuzo Machida wanted to continue the series, these plans never materialized. Redditor Af-fx-tion wishes that the franchise didn't die and said, "It's a shame that the rights seem to be a bit tangled, because I would love it if we got at least an HD remaster."
Breath of Fire (1993–2002)
Developed by Capcom, Breath of Fire is a series of fantasy JRPGs that, despite only being loosely connected, all follow a blue-haired protagonist named Ryu, who can transform into a dragon, and a blonde-haired girl with wings named Nina, who he befriends along the way. Another reoccurring element is that humans co-exist with various anthropomorphic creatures.
Besides a web-based title filled with microtransactions called Breath of Fire 6 in 2016, the series hasn't received a new entry since Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter in 2002. Chronoboy1985 considers Breath of Fire to be one of their favorite JRPG franchises and says, "It was never super popular, but it had a unique Capcom charm that separated it from the pack. It was colorful, your party had all kinds of anthropomorphic creatures, and it was a difficult series to boot."
Golden Sun (2001–10)
Developed by Camelot, who also created the Mario Golf franchises, Golden Sun is a trilogy of fantasy RPGs that take place on an earth-like world called Weyard. When several individuals try to rerelease a chaotic force called Alchemy back into the world, Isaac and his three party try to prevent this, but things turn out to be more complicated than they initially seem.
After the release of the first two installments, which were both on the GBA and directly tied to each other, Camelot made one last entry called Golden Sun: Dark Dawn in 2010, which was released on the DS. Redditor Supah_Andy wishes that the series would return and says, "No other JRPG franchise quite scratches that Golden Sun itch for me."
