Going deep with a RPG class in a single-player game
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a game world and improve your skills is to explore the class system of RPG games. However, not all games make this matter. Let's take a look at some of the RPG games where class systems are fleshed out and have a significant impact on gameplay and storyline.
If you want to improve your characters in the best new PC games, it is essential to know which games have well-developed class systems that affect the way you play and progress in the game. These games are not necessarily the longest single-player experiences like traditional RPGs, but they offer immense replay value and often require completion before tackling their sequels.
In the past, RPG games allowed players to commit to a single path for their character, making it difficult to respec or create versatile builds. However, the landscape has changed, and many modern RPGs offer more flexibility in character progression. Diablo games, for example, allow you to choose a character class at the start, dictating your entire playthrough from skills to items. Some games even prioritize the importance of creating specific builds, rather than becoming a master of all trades.
Whether it's a classic cult favorite or a modern AAA blockbuster, RPGs that emphasize class systems tend to have higher replay value compared to more straightforward games. These games make class and guild allegiances matter, influencing combat, interactions with NPCs, and even the availability of quests. Let's explore some of the best RPG classes and the games where they can be found.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
Bloodlines, released in 2004, stood out in the RPG genre due to its attention to detail and superb writing. The game offers various vampire classes, each providing a unique gameplay experience. For example, as a Mature Vampire, you can shapeshift and terrify the city, while choosing to become an incomplete vampire with basic abilities unlocks further quests. Even playing as a well-known vampire class like Nosferatu presents a different experience, with each class having its own strengths and weaknesses.
Bloodlines' exceptional writing shines through its class and guild allegiances. Your choices lock you out of certain questlines and can even make NPCs hostile towards you. Unlike games with skill trees that allow players to mold their own destinies easily, Bloodlines requires distributing skill points strategically, resulting in radically different playthroughs and challenging builds.
One of the best aspects of Bloodlines is the unpredictability that awaits around every corner. Your choices as a Nosferatu could lead you to Chinatown instead of where other classes would go. Each playthrough offers unique outcomes, ensuring endless replayability.
Golden Sun
Golden Sun is an RPG that allows gamers to mix and match Djinns to create different classes with their own unique powers. For example, combining the Djinn Salamander with the Warriors class increases attack power. On the other hand, using Salamander with the Hermit class restores Magic Points while casting attack spells. The ability to mix and match Djinns adds an extra layer to combat and interactions with the game's world.
While Golden Sun is not the only RPG with a mix-and-match class system, it stands out for its implementation. The game offers fun variations and enhances combat strategies, making each playthrough a distinct experience.
Final Fantasy 5's job system is also worth mentioning, as it is regarded as one of the best implementations of a class system in the Final Fantasy series. It allows players to switch between different job classes, offering diverse gameplay possibilities.
