Arcane Quest (2013)

Arcane Quest (2013)

Genre: RPG | Players: 1 | Developer: Nex Game Studios

Arcane Quest is a FREE mobile phone game (subsequently also on PC, with HD graphics, but I'll be referring specifically to the Windows Phone version). The game isn't actually HeroQuest on your phone, because that would be plagiarism, or trademark infringement, or something equally as nefarious and icky, but, put simply, Arcane Quest is HeroQuest on your phone. Rejoice!

.hack//Infection //Mutation //Outbreak //Quarantine (2002-03)

.hack//Infection, etc. (2002-03)

Genre: RPG  |  Players: 1  |  Developer: CyberConnect2

To clarify the confusing titling, there are four games in the series, each telling part of a lengthy story and each with the .hack// prefix. The games in order are: Vol 01 .hack//Infection | Vol 02 .hack//Mutation | Vol 03 .hack//Outbreak | Vol 04 .hack//Quarantine.

They're a traditional JRPG but resemble an MMORPG that remains one hundred percent offline. The story goes something like this: a popular MMORPG known as The World has caused a small number of players to fall into a coma. The game's creators attempt to hush the situation, but the scandal still breaks.

Despite the danger, a young boy named Kite selflessly enters the game to help his friend Orca, one of the coma victims. Kite believes the answer to the mystery lies within The World itself. He's a hero but doesn't know it yet; it's up to you to guide him to his destiny.

3D Dot Game Heroes (2009)

3D Dot Game Heroes (2009)

Genre: Action / Adventure / RPG  |  Players: One  |  Developer: Silicon Studio

If you read the words sword, shield, life meter (red), magic meter (green), bomb bag, bottles, boomerang, magic boots, maze-like puzzles, side quests, and fairy companion, then there's a high probability that you're going to think The Legend of Zelda, right? 

I would too, but now you can add Silicon Studio's 3D Dot Game Heroes to the list. 

It has a stupid title, I know, and it would be natural to assume before playing it that the blatant theft makes it deserving of derision, but the opposite is true, it deserves much praise. It takes the classic, honed to perfection, 8-bit LoZ 2D aesthetic and translates it into a homage-filled 3D adventure for PlayStation 3 owners.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (2013)

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (2013)

Genre: RPG | Players: 1 | Developer: Level-5

I was so hyped for Ni No Kuni that I pre-ordered it seven months before it was even released on these shores. I began to think there was no way it could live up to my expectations. I was very wrong. It’s the kind of JRPG that hasn't been seen for a long time; the kind that comes along only about twice every console generation.

You play as a young boy named Oliver as he searches for something meaningful within two worlds and within himself. Along the way he’ll face physical and emotional trials.

The story could've tugged more fiercely on the heartstrings; there are scenes that feel forcibly reserved, which is odd considering it's by Studio Ghibli. They also provided cut scenes, character designs and beautiful in-game animation full of colour and vibrancy.