Arguably one of the most popular genres of games out there today, RPGs are beloved by fans for the freedom they typically offer players. In traditional RPGs, players can modify and customize their characters extensively and spend hours searching for the perfect equipment for their play style and aesthetic.
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Not all RPGs use this kind of functionality, though. In fact, some RPGs totally break the mold and don’t even allow players to see what their character looks like. These unconventional RPGs eschew using a traditional equipment system in favor of something more unique or distinctive, which often helps to set them apart from the competition.
8Sunless Sea
A survival horror RPG entry in theFallen Londonfranchise,Sunless Seatakes place on an enormous underground lake, known as the Unterzee. Players take control of a ship and explore the map, taking on monsters, mastering the game’s trade system, and trying not to die in the process.
Rather than giving players the opportunity to customize their characters,Sunless Sea’sequipment system is instead focused entirely on each zee captain’s ship. So, while characters' appearances can’t be modified, players can invest in ships with different attributes and store items in the ship’s hold as a sort of inventory.
7Dear Esther
Described by some as awalking simulator, UK-based developer the Chinese Room’s 2012 titleDear Estherfeatures an incredibly strong soundtrack and script. It also constructs a deeply compelling narrative over its short four-hour playtime.
Players take on the role of an unreliable narrator and explore an unnamed island located somewhere in the Hebrides.Dear Estherrequires very little direct input from the player other than walking. As a result of this, the game features no inventory or equipment system whatsoever. Perhaps paradoxically, this contributes to the strong sense of immersion thatDear Estheris able to create.
6Limbo
Limbomade a huge splash when it was initially released thanks to its distinctive art style and unique approach to storytelling. Players take on the role of a nameless young boy on his journey in an attempt to rescue his sister.
Unlike most RPGs,Limbodoesn’t allow players to equip the protagonist with any gear. In fact, the game doesn’t even use an inventory system at all. Instead, players need to carry items used to solve thepuzzlesin the game, and it’s not possible to alter the appearance of the game’s protagonist at all.
5Dishonored
Dishonoredis an action RPG with stealth elements that sees players take on the role of Corvo, a disgraced master assassin framed for the murder of his lover, the Empress Jessamine. Despite being a fairly conventional RPG in many respects,Dishonoredhas a less-than-traditional equipment system.
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While players can invest in upgrades to Corvo’s gear, they can’t modify his appearance in any way. However, this can be achieved through possessing animals or other humans. While learning the Possession skill is optional for players,this mechanic makes a massive difference for stealthplaythroughs ofDishonored.
4Papers, Please
Fairly unconventional by RPG standards,Papers, Pleaseis a puzzle-based game that revolves almost entirely around its narrative. The deeply immersive title sees players taking on the role of an immigration control officer at the border of a fictional communist country in Eastern Europe.
Papers, Pleasedoesn’t have an equipment system or inventory as such. Instead, players can use the gear available to them at their desks at the start of each in-game day. The items that players have access to vary from day to day and are often important for progressing the story in some way.
3Pokemon
It can sometimes be easy to forget thatPokemongames are RPGs, thanks to the games' highlyunique aesthetic and unusual approach to gameplay. Look a little closer, though, and it becomes clear that, in many ways, thePokemongames are fairly traditional RPGs.
One area where thePokemongames break the mould, however, is their lack of a traditional equipment system. In the earlier entries in the series, players don’t have the option of modifying their player character’s appearance in any way and can only carry or use one key item at a time.
2BioShock
The originalBioShockwas revolutionary in many ways when it was first released. It was an RPG with an incredible story thatturned the world of video games upside down. As is perhaps not unusual among RPGs with a very strong narrative focus,BioShockis quite limited in terms of the character customization that it offers.
Players aren’t able to modify how the protagonist Jack looks. Equipment inBioShockis fairly scarce in general. Players can, however, obtain various upgrades to Jack’s plasmids, which work by changing his DNA to allow him to manipulate the world around him in weird and wonderful ways.
1Deadly Premonition
A title that was initially met by a tepid commercial response,Deadly Premonitionhas since gone on to become a cult classic. Almost a cross betweenTwin PeaksandSilent Hill, Deadly Premonitionis a unique, zany detective RPG. One of many unusual aspects ofDeadly Premonitionis its equipment system.
Rather than allowing for more traditional character customization,Deadly Premonitionhas a suit mechanic instead. In fact, players need to change the protagonist York’s suit regularly or he starts to attract flies. However, suits can only be accessed via suitcases located in the game world, and suits need to be dry-cleaned prior to wearing them, which can take up to 24 hours.
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