Unicorn Overlord: A Tactical Masterpiece Hidden in the Crowd
Unicorn Overlord, developed by Vanillaware and published by Atlus, is the rare kind of strategy RPG that combines gorgeous hand-drawn art with deeply satisfying tactical gameplay. Released in March 2024, it was meant to be a celebration of the genre, but it found itself overshadowed by heavyweights like Dragon's Dogma 2 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The game drops you into a sprawling continent ruled by a corrupt empire. You lead a liberation army, recruiting dozens of characters across dozens of hours. What makes it so special is its clever real-time overworld: you move your squads across the map, encounter enemies, and then dive into auto-battler-style combat that you've set up in advance. Every unit has a loadout, a class, and a skill kit, and positioning matters immensely. The character portraits and detailed animations are stunning, and the soundtrack elevates every battle. Despite receiving near-universal praise from critics, its sales didn't rival the big names. Many players simply missed it in the storm of releases. If you love Fire Emblem or Tactics Ogre, Unicorn Overlord is a hidden gem that rewards patience, experimentation, and strategic foresight. It is easily one of the best tactical RPGs of the year — and one of the most underappreciated.
SaGa Emerald Beyond: The Boldest JRPG Experiment of 2024
SaGa Emerald Beyond is not a game for everyone, and that's exactly why it’s so valuable. Developed by Square Enix, this entry in the long-running SaGa series throws out conventional JRPG structure in favor of pure player freedom. You choose one of six protagonists, each with their own quest, their own world, and their own set of rules. The story branches wildly based on seemingly tiny decisions, and no two playthroughs feel alike. The combat is equally unconventional: timing, combo links, and unpredictable trigger mechanics replace the standard turn-based loop. Understanding the deeper systems requires genuine effort, and the game does little to hold your hand. Some players found it frustrating; others discovered an endlessly creative masterpiece. Emerald Beyond also shines with its unique theatrical presentation — characters stand on a stage-like backdrop, with stylized visuals and a soundtrack that mixes genres from jazz to folk. Released in April 2024, it was easily lost in a season dominated by Unicorn Overlord and Eiyuden Chronicle. But for players who crave a true role-playing adventure where every choice can derail or reshape the narrative, SaGa Emerald Beyond remains a daring, fascinating, and deeply underrated experiment worth exploring.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes: A Classic Revival That Went Unnoticed
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a love letter to the classic JRPG era, specifically to Suikoden, created by the late Yoshitaka Murayama, the Suikoden creator. Released in April 2024, this crowdfunded adventure brought back everything fans adored: a richly built fantasy world, political intrigue, base-building, and the opportunity to recruit more than one hundred playable characters. The presentation is a beautiful 2.5D style — pixel art characters placed in detailed 3D environments. The turn-based combat is familiar but refined, with Unite attacks that let partners team up for devastating special moves. The writing captures the warmth and drama of 90s JRPGs without feeling dated. However, its release window placed it directly between Unicorn Overlord and other major titles, causing it to slip under many radars. The game was fully funded by enthusiastic fans, but general audiences did not give it the same attention. If you miss the era of epic, character-driven stories with mountains of side quests and town-building, Eiyuden Chronicle delivers a heartfelt and enormous adventure. It may not have the polish of a $200 million blockbuster, but its soul is intact. This is the kind of underrated RPG that reminds us why the genre became so beloved in the first place.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden: A Heartbreaking Action-RPG Overlooked
From Don't Nod, the studio behind Life is Strange, comes Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, an action-RPG that prioritizes emotional storytelling over flashy combat. Set in a darkened colonial settlement during 1695, you control Red mac Raith, a seasoned ghost hunter, and Antea Duarte, his partner who has been killed and turned into a ghost herself. The central twist is heartbreaking: in order to save her, you must hunt other spirits and choose whether to banish them or free their tortured souls. These decisions are never black and white, and each quest forces you to weigh consequences that linger long after. The combat is solid — stylish sword attacks mixed with ghostly powers — but the real strength lies in the narrative. The game explores themes of love, sacrifice, guilt, and the weight of good intentions. Released in February 2024, it was met with mixed-to-positive reviews, but poor sales and a crowded release calendar meant many players never gave it a chance. It truly deserves recognition for its mature writing, the believable relationship between its two leads, and its oppressive, haunting atmosphere. If you're searching for an RPG that makes you feel something deeper, Banishers is an overlooked gem that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
