Lost Classics: Ogre Battle (SNES, PS1)

This week we’re gonna look at one of the most prolific and underrated RPGs of the 16-era. It was unique for its time because of its hybrid RTS/Turn-based gameplay, massive scope, and a shifting alignment system which was years ahead of its time, even yielding one of 12 different endings based on your actions. Enix released the game on the Super Nintendo with a limited run. A ‘special edition’ was released on Playstation by Atlus, also having a limited run. Sequels to this game have appeared on the Nintendo 64, Playstation, and Game Boy Advance, but there is nothing better than the original.

When the game begins, you answer a tarot card questionnaire which determines what kind of leader you’ll be. Afterwards, the bulk of the gameplay takes place on a big overworld map where you’ll give your troops orders in similar fashion to a strategy game. When a unit encounters an enemy, the game switches to an auto-controlled RPG battle sequence where your troops skirmish for a few rounds before the match ends or one unit is eliminated. Between rounds you’ll set up your units, and resource gathering is virtually nonexistent. It was different from most other SNES rpgs, and it was a game that hasn’t been matched to this day. Without sounding like a broken record, there is a fair chance of this coming to the Wii Virtual console. The game was published by Enix, but it was developed by Quest, so we’ll see.