Check Out Anomaly Collapse on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2082410/Anomaly_Collapse/?Davidvinc&

Chained Echoes deserves all the love in the world. It's absurd to think it was mainly made by one person. Such a great game, far from perfect but so well done.

Chained Echoes for all purposes is a throwback masterpiece in its own right and I can't wait to see what is next.

From here I found out that Secrets of Grindea is finally out. After 12 years of early access...

Chained Echoes is the Best jrpg i have played in such a long time !!!! Still to this day i think and compare all these new jrpgs with it and nothing really comes close.....🤩

Chained Echoes just ruled. Unlike Sea of Stars, it understands what people loved about Chrinotrigger and made it its own

Some more indie RPG's on PC worth checking out: Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs, Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom, Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children, Dark Deity Banner of the Maid, Rise of the Third Power, Cassette Beasts, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Indivisible, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, Tale of Wuxia.

YES!! As a fellow FFT lover, I can vounch for Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark! It's not perfect but a darn good game in the FFT style. All of these are great recommendations, Thanks David!

Chained Echoes is my number 1 indie jrpg however that could change with Eiyuden Chronicles, we'll see

Touhou Artificial Dream in Arcadia was my favorite indie of 2023! It modernized classic SMT with challenging combat as well as great pixel art and music

"Far be it from me to hold a grudge!" 😂

Thanks for featuring Crystal Project! And I'm sorry about anything that happened on the discord server. I hope that whoever treated you poorly is no longer around. I try my best to encourage a friendly community.

Awesome list! Lots on here I should probably check out!

Hi, David :) I just want to thank you for yet another great video!! I'm a very big fan of you, and I love how you're presenting these different kind of games. Thumbs up!

Cosmic Star Heroine is so good! For essentials, I'd add... + Creepy Castle (the Dopterra one) - RPG elements are on the lighter side, but it does have turn-based battles, interesting puzzles, a killer soundtrack, and a story that really surprised me. + Haven - RPG elements are a little lighter here, too, but your characters are one fo the best couples I've ever seen in a game, and you can chose BOTH of their genders. + OFF - A really weird one that gets more challenging not in combat, but in figuring out what's going on, since it's so abstract; looks a bit like those old European cartoons from the '70s. + Weird and Unfortunate Things are Happening - More than a little Earthbound, but like Cosmic Star Heroine, it does its own thing, and has some excellent characters and a cool elemental system that doesn't keep you guessing about what's weak against what. Other goodies include... + Barkley: Shut-up and Jam Gaiden - It's a JRPG parody that does a lot better than, "WACKY HAIR AND ANIME TROPES AMIRITE LOLOLOL!!!" and is solid in its own right. + Space Funeral - This one's really weird, and has two sequels made by completely different people, but that were also declared canon by the original's creator, because it's just that kinda show. + Tangledeep - Plays like the Fushigi na Dungeon games (or Castle of the Winds, if you've played a bunch of old Shareware), but also has a very interesting class system, and a soundtrack that reminds me of early-SNES-era Jun Ishikawa (Arcana) with just a splash of Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger).

i don't have alot of time to fit indie's into my backlog of games because there just isn't room, but Crystal Projects i just had to make room for and it was well worth it! it was right up there with chained echoes and sea of stars. thanks for giving it it's recognition David!

Thank you for sharing Anomaly Collapse David!! :)

Completely agree about Fell Seal! Even better with the dlc. Another FFT-style I can recommend for PC is Fae Tactics. Not quite as good as Fell Seal, but very close and more than worth your time.

Astlibra revision number 1. You have to try it. Its like they modernized nes zelda 2 and expanded the story to the size of a mainline ff game, with more twists. Then they added combat that exploits your brain in the same way vampire surviors does. Its like nothing you have ever seen and again mainly done by a solo dev

chained echoes was the bigged hidden gem that i have founded in the last 10 years .

I've been meaning to play Chained Echoes for SO long, Anomaly Collapse looks really good too!

Chained Echoes is a classic! I have over 70 hours in and I never got bored! It's a must play for any turn based RPG fan.

And again thanks for the collection of presented games. I've played most of them but somehow missed on the Alterium Shift. I will definetely play it now.

Thanks for sharing your knowlage. I´m always looking for something to enjoy over the weekend. I remember Chou Mahou Tairiku Wozz from the translation patch. Gonne try number 4.

Wonderful list, and while I have a lot of indie rpg's that didn't make the list that I like, the only one I'd put up against the rest on this list is Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga. The game has been getting a lot of attention again recently specifically because of people finishing Unicorn Overlord looking for something similar.

Such a great list. I was hoping #1 was #1 and it was :D No surprise since that game rocks and SE needs to take notes.

Gave ya a like Dave! Good vid as always 👍

Totally agree with number 1 . But any on that list seems great . I understand sea of stars kinda fell off in public opinion but I really did like it a lot too . Would put as top 3 , if I made the list of course

I got #7 based on an earlier recommendation from you. I enjoyed it, thanks

Chained Echoes thumbnail

Secret of Varonis has been an amazing game for me. Like you, I loved the FFL series. I honestly still have them and their boxes. It reminds me of the days I spent on my gameboy during winter break.

One game that I really enjoyed recently that I haven't seen covered that much is Small Saga. It's got a really fun and interesting pixel art style that kind of reminds me of all animal story book art. It's fairly short but has a great story and characters.

Some of my favorite recent ganes have been indies, I really need to get around to the games I haven't played on this list

Thanks for this! JRPGs especially are tricky, you could play something for dozens of hours before realizing “oh…this isn’t going to get good, is it”

You're doing the lords work picking the grains of sand from the beach. Not to dismiss all the hard work of developers, but highlights are helpful, as it is difficult to purchase every game out there. Thank you for the recommendations.

So excited for this list

Great video for reference! I dont have all of these yet.

Don’t kill me but I haven’t started “Secrets if Grindea” yet! Two other Steam games have my attention: “Wandering Sword” & “Lies of P”. But I promise I’ll start soon! (You should check put “Wandering Sword”. It’s like an HD-2D JRPG that’s story is basically like you stepped into the world of “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”)

Cosmicstar Heroine looks cool, I'm gonna check that one out.

David have you ever considered doing one of those steam groups that recommends rpgs and other video games

Hey David, have you seen Terra Memoria? I haven't played it yet, but other reviewers gave it a good review. The game kinda reminds me of Breath Of Fire, for the art style, and the 1st Grandia, for art style and gameplay.

Like everyone is saying chained echoes is a gem for sure. I was so excited for sea of stars but dropped it a few hours in, such a shame man because its a BEAUTIFUL looking game.

Completely agree with the top 2. Best turn based games I’ve played in probably the past decade

I nearly picked up Bug Fable's for the switch back when they had it physically at Best Buy but I ended up passing because I was on the fence. Now I kick myself whenever it comes up. It sounds like the perfect game for me. I just need to give into the digital monster one day and get it. 😅

Haha, I own mist of these. 🎉 I would add Small Saga, Jack Move, Wandering Sword, Forever Home and the rest of the Zeboyd RPGs (the guys that did Cosmic Star Heroine) to the list.

I really like bug fables specially because it was made from people of my country and I even shared classroom with some of them at the university xD

Chained Echoes at #1 is legit, such a great game

Fell Seal is absolutely amazing. I played it and finished it severl times, once when it was first released, and later with the DLC (which is worth it). I had a hard time at first getting used to the art style, but once I got over that it was a bliss. If you are a FFT or TO:LOCT fan, you own it to yourself to play this one! Master class game!

5:56 wait that character is from black sigil blade of the exiled?

Another PC indy rpg franchise that few people seems to be talking about within the rpg channels is Epic Battle Fantasy. These games used to be very popular in the newgrounds/kongregate days and are available on steam.

I've been playing Small Saga which I think it's really good. Id recommend it

Ill try Alterium Shift, thanks.

these indies deserves physical releases

Cross code is pretty good but i think they went a little overboard with the puzzles, there’s a puzzle quite literally around every corner in dungeons, can get a bit exhausting

What, no Rise of the Third Power? Gripping story, excellent characters, solid gameplay, and superb world-building.

About to beat the final boss in Chained Echoes... Amazing game, tbh

My brother got me into fellseal arbiters mark and it is so dang good.

I love your love for FFT and FFV

Cosmic Star Heroine has an AMAZING soundtrack. A lot of these games seem to have the same influences, but where's the retro PS1-inspired RPG??? (I guess waiting for me to make it! 😛)

2 I've already played, 1 I own but haven't started yet, and 2 on my wishlist. guess I'm doing ok for myself

I need to see your take on an RPG made in RPG Maker...

crosscode is such an amazing game, it simulates being an MMO and I cant belive how alive the world feels, waaaaaay alive than the sword art online games tbh

CrossCode is amazing. One of my favourite games ever.

Considering I’ve been on a huge RPG kick recently, finding this channel is both a blessing and a curse lmao. More games to buy, not enough time to play them all. Curse you adulting!

Hi, recent subscriber, love the content and your refreshing views! Love it when you let the pride flag fly 😏 I’m VERY curious as to the story of how you were “very rudely treated” on a discord? Did you ever talk about it in a video? Sounds like a story that needs to be told! Also thx for shouting out Chained Echoes, I feel it got buried in the hype for the admittedly better looking (but not better playing) Sea of Stars.

I had such high hopes for Sea of Stars. The Messenger was excellent. The combat in Sea of Stars was some of the worst I've in experienced in quite some time. Chained Echoes was great.

Currently playing thru Knuckle Sandwhich music is awesome battle system is wario ware game isn’t a cake walk I like how using items to heal status ailments etc matter and u can’t just mash A

Going to buy all these games right now all but sea of stars I hate the combat ty for the list

Bug Tales is SO GOOOOOOOD

Hey! A shout-out for Crosscode!

Came for those guns. (woof) Stayed for the anon like smashing. Also the rpg stuff is great. xo

I World love see Rise of the third power in the top. But awesome top

I bought Sea of Stars without knowing it was a pre-order, I feel really dumb but at least I have an excuse to finish Persona 5

Chained Echoes was soooooo good.

I missed Fae Tactics in the list, it's a good tactical RPG with a lot of personality and one of the best female protagonists in gender.

I like chained echoes but man does it need a glossary and better question signposting

Im loving the Chained Echoes love in the comments!

Fell seal is definitely a great game 😁

Chained Echoes FTW

Fell Seal reminds me of Sacred Seasons..

If you want a good challenge, Darkest Dungeon.

Chained Echoes was my favorite new RPG next to Xenoblade. The amount of fun twists from what I expected was going to happen in the first few hours of the game alone. I was constantly thinking they were going this way only to be shocked when they suddenly change direction. It hooked me. I am confused with Sea of Stars though. I thought the combat system was fun but was let down by the simplistic story and honestly kinda bland main two characters.

People are still doing Sea of Stars vs Chained Echoes videos

❤ luv ya!

You need to check out Astlibra Revision. Made by 1 person, an Odin Sphere style action rpg with great art, characters and an epic story. It belongs on these kind of lists.

Chained Echoes top 1 or riot

If you liked tactics, check out Disgaea series. 1-5. Then they started doing shitty polygons instead of pixel art.

Damn Sea of Stars? It kinda disappointed me after all the hype it got last year and winning best indie title. Like it's beautiful and sounds amazing, but I couldn't give two shits about these characters or the story.

PC RPG time

Sea of stars was a fun gamr but awful story. It just felt "and then this happens" and i dunno didnt feel built up at all

I almost never play them in fact the Kemco based ones nearly ALL of those are barely 10 to 15 HOURS long to beat their entire games.

Hey handsome how it going

How did they disrespect you on the discord? I'd boycott the game then and there if I was you ;). I hold grudges like it's my job.

It’s hard to beat Sea of Stars

Why could A Shift be on switch?! 😢

Chained echoes is a bit woke

I'll never understand the complaints of simplistic battle systems in Sea of Stars. It was perfectly balanced and engaging, and the short list of skills just meant that there weren't a bunch of extraneous skills that never get used. That game had probably the best turn-based battle system I've experienced in a game since FFX or the Grandia series. Also, Crystal Project has a surprisingly good battle system. I was a bit taken aback, as I wasn't expecting it to be that deep.

Crystal Project is terrible