The RPG genre is one of the most diverse in gaming. After all, the term 'role-playing game' is quite broad, so many different types of titles can fit under its banner. For example, Final Fantasy is very dissimilar to something like Fallout or The Witcher, despite all of them being beloved RPG series.
This broadness has allowed some developers to make all sorts of wacky RPGs throughout history. The 2010s, in particular, seemed like a time when a lot of these types of strange games hit the shelves. Several of the most notable and outrageous ones are in this collection.
8 South Park: The Stick Of Truth
For many years, South Park has been one of the strangest shows on TV with its outrageous storylines and wacky characters. So, it's no surprise that the same weirdness was incorporated into The Stick Of Truth video game.
The story is about a new kid coming to town and getting involved in the main children's role-playing game. As this is South Park, things soon take a turn and get more bizarre. It includes South Park's signature brand of witty and crude humor, with an extra emphasis on flatulence jokes. It's certainly a strange turn-based RPG, but it's also one of the best in recent memory.
7 Graveyard Keeper
If you liked Stardew Valley but thought it lacked an element of death, then Graveyard Keeper might be for you. It's similar to the wholesome game, except instead of running a farm, you manage a graveyard. You must tend to the land and the graves to make sure everything stays in great condition.
But maintaining a cemetery isn't your only goal. You're also trying to open a portal back to your old world. And throughout the game, you must figure out how to do that by talking with and helping different NPCs. It's certainly a unique experience as most games don't put you in the shoes of a cemetery worker.
6 Last Word
There have been many turn-based RPGs, but none like Last Word. In this game, you don't use power abilities or super moves to defeat opponents - you use words. 'Fights' are all about out-witting your opponent in conversation and leaving them speechless.
This is because you're not sparring with people in a dusty abandoned castle or the dangerous wilderness. You're at a high society party taking place at the home of Professor Chet Chatters. And everyone there puts significant importance on getting the final word in conversations. Outside of 'combat,' you roam around the manor, finding things and gossiping with the other guests. Your ultimate goal is to best the Professor's mouth machine.
5 Saturday Morning RPG
Saturday Morning RPG is a homage to 80s cartoons. In it, you play as a high-schooler named Marty, who is given magic powers. With them, he's able to use everyday objects to devastating effect. For instance, he can use a CD as a giant frisbee and transform a pack of striped gum into a group of trampling rainbow zebras. He does all of this during the game's turn-based battles.
Marty's immense power makes him a target for the evil Commander Hood. And the conflict between hero and villain takes place over several episodes, which are presented like a 1980s cartoon. Yet, the game doesn't just focus on cartoons from that time. It also references other things that were big in the 80s, like Back To The Future. It all makes for a wacky and exciting adventure.
4 Hyperdimension Neptunia
On the surface, Hyperdimension Neptunia doesn't seem that strange at all. It looks just like any great recent turn-based JRPG. However, the main characters represent different video game consoles. For example, Neptune is the Sega Neptune, Noire represents the PlayStation 3, Blanc is the Nintendo Wii, and Vert plays the part of Xbox.
Naturally, they don't look like consoles as they're all anime women instead. But they represent their systems, and the game's visual novel-like story touches on the seventh generation console war as well as other video game topics. Therefore, it's a very meta experience and one that spawned an entire series.
3 The Longest Five Minutes
The Longest Five Minutes begins at the end as the main character is about to face the final boos of his quest, The Demon King. Unfortunately, the hero has suddenly forgotten everything about who he is, how he got there, and what he's doing. His friends are desperate for him to remember, as the Demon is ready to wipe them all out.
So throughout the fight, you keep having playable flashbacks where you learn more about the character and his quest. It's a unique way of structuring a narrative, never mind an entire game. Yet, the creative concept works pretty well.
2 Battle Chef Brigade
In this fantasy RPG, you play as a chef in a big cooking competition. To succeed in the contest, you have to complete puzzles to craft the best dish. But the quality of your food isn't just dependent on your work in the kitchen, as you also go out in the wild to take down ferocious monsters to acquire the best ingredients.
Therefore, the game includes brawler, puzzler, and RPG elements. And the developers have smoothly combined those three genres together. On top of that, the title has a strong story and outstanding hand-drawn graphics. You won't find many games like Battle Chef Brigade.
1 Undertale
One of the most famous strange RPGs, Undertale has received plenty of deserved praise over the years. The premise is simple: you control a child who intends to get back to the surface after falling underground. That's easier said than done as, along the way, you run into many obstacles, including a flurry of unique creatures.
Each one has a distinct personality, and your confrontations with them are like nothing seen in the typical RPG. Depending on the being, you have different interaction options. For instance, maybe you want to pet the doggo instead of killing it. That's just one example of the many things that make Undertale different from every title before it.