Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about side-scrolling role-playing video games.
What is a side-scrolling role-playing video game?
A side-scrolling RPG is a genre in which the player navigates a character or party across a horizontally scrolling 2D world, combining narrative storytelling, stat-based character growth, and structured combat encounters. The perspective typically shows characters in profile as they move left and right through environments.
How does a side-scrolling RPG differ from a top-down or fully 3D RPG?
The primary distinction is the camera and movement plane: side-scrolling titles restrict traversal to a left-right axis with limited vertical movement, creating a more linear, cinematic framing of the world. Top-down and 3D RPGs allow free movement in multiple directions, while side-scrollers emphasize set-piece encounters and a stage-like feel.
Which series are considered the most iconic in the genre?
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are the two most frequently referenced franchises, with dozens of mainline entries spanning several decades. Other well-known names include Octopath Traveler, Live A Live, and the Shining Force tactical series.
Where should a newcomer begin if they want to try the genre?
Octopath Traveler (2018) is often recommended because it pairs modern HD-2D visuals with accessible turn-based combat and a party-based structure. For a classic experience, Final Fantasy VII (1997) or Dragon Quest XI (2018) offer polished, self-contained stories with lower entry barriers.
What combat systems are most common in side-scrolling RPGs?
Turn-based and semi-turn-based (active-time) systems dominate, where the player selects abilities, items, or strategies in a structured order. Some titles add tactical layers such as positioning on a grid, elemental matchups, or job/class switching mid-battle.
What core progression mechanics define the genre?
Players typically earn experience points to level up, unlock new abilities, equip better gear, and recruit additional party members. Story progression is often gated behind narrative milestones, side-quests, and key-boss encounters that test the player's build.
On which platforms can side-scrolling RPGs be played?
The genre originated on Nintendo and Sega consoles in the 1980s and 1990s, and many classic titles have since been ported to modern systems. Today, new entries appear on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile, with remasters and remakes bridging older and newer hardware.
What are some landmark moments in the history of side-scrolling RPGs?
The 1987 release of Final Fantasy on the Nintendo Famicom established many of the genre's structural conventions, including party-based exploration and job systems. The 1997 launch of Final Fantasy VII on PlayStation is widely credited with bringing the genre to a global mainstream audience and popularizing cinematic cutscenes.
What sub-genres or variations exist within side-scrolling RPGs?
Tactical variants like Shining Force layer grid-based strategy on top of the side-scrolling format, while HD-2D titles such as Octopath Traveler blend pixel-art sprites with modern lighting and depth effects. Some entries lean heavily into gacha or live-service models, while others remain single-player, story-driven experiences.
Who are the key creators most associated with the genre?
Hironobu Sakaguchi is widely recognized as the creator of Final Fantasy and a driving force behind the genre's design language. Other frequently cited figures include Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest), Akihiko Yoshida (Octopath Traveler's art direction and music), and Yasumi Matsuno (tactical RPG design).