26 Years Later, PS1 Fans Are Still Sleeping on the Most Underrated JRPG of All Time

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Man, the original PlayStation – the PS1 – was just an amazing time for gaming. So many of the games I still love today came out then! Titles like Metal Gear Solid, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, and Silent Hill were totally groundbreaking. RPGs really took off too, and Final Fantasy VII especially brought them to a whole new audience – it was the game that got me hooked on the genre!

With so many beloved PlayStation and JRPG games available, some fantastic titles from that era have been overlooked. Even dedicated JRPG fans might not have discovered everything! One such hidden gem is Koudelka, a game that uniquely blends role-playing with a spooky and captivating horror story.

Koudelka Is the Basis for the Shadow Hearts Series

Koudelka is a unique game that mixes horror with classic RPG gameplay, including puzzles, exploration, and turn-based battles. Players take on the role of Koudelka Iasant, who is investigating a haunted monastery in Wales. Originally created for the PlayStation by Sacnoth and released in Japan in 1999 by SNK, the game became available worldwide in 2000, published by Infogrames.

Hiroki Kikuta created the game after leaving Square (which later became Square Enix) and founding his own company, Sacnoth. Koudelka was one of Sacnoth’s first projects, and Kikuta designed it as a horror role-playing game. It also served as the foundation for the Shadow Hearts series, which consisted of three games for the PlayStation 2 released between 2001 and 2005. Shadow Hearts continued the setting of Koudelka but broadened the story with inspiration from the works of H.P. Lovecraft and the dark fantasy manga Devilman.

When Koudelka launched in Japan, it was fairly well-received. The game uniquely combined the tension of survival horror with the familiar structure of role-playing games, which was notable for its time. Players and critics alike appreciated its compelling characters and captivating story. Some reviewers also highlighted how its unusual take on horror made it stand out from other games in the genre.

While Koudelka had a strong story, its gameplay received a lot of criticism. The turn-based combat, in particular, was often described as slow and awkward. Many players felt battles took too long and disrupted the game’s atmosphere. However, some disagree, arguing that the combat system was actually quite good for its time and simply required patience.

Even though it has some unusual gameplay elements, Koudelka remains a genuinely scary and well-made game. What really makes it special is its atmosphere, establishing it as one of the best blends of JRPG and horror ever created. The game boasts disturbing locations, fantastic sound design that builds tension, and surprisingly good graphics for a game released in 1999. Those familiar with Shadow Hearts will recognize its influence, but Koudelka also shares a similar eerie feel and style with games like Resident Evil.

The game expertly uses its spooky, haunted monastery setting to create a consistently tense and dangerous atmosphere. Because weapons wear down and can break, players have to carefully manage their resources, which adds to the horror and suspense. As you guide Koudelka and her friends through the monastery’s mysteries, you’ll experience a truly chilling ghost story filled with consistent scares throughout the entire game.

Kouldelka Is a Period Horror Game With a Unique Setting

Set in 1898 near the Welsh town of Aberystwyth, Koudelka follows Koudelka Iasant, a Romani psychic, after she hears a strange voice. The voice compels her to travel to Nemeton, a secluded, ancient monastery that’s been turned into a mansion. Rumored to be haunted by monsters, Nemeton has been deserted for years and is full of secrets. Driven by the mysterious call, Koudelka begins her investigation of the abandoned estate.

When she first enters the mansion, she accidentally loses a valuable magical pendant. Shortly after, she finds Edward Plunkett, an adventurer battling monsters within. Koudelka rescues him, and together they meet Ogden and Bessy Hartman, who appear to be the monastery’s caretakers. Despite seeming friendly, the Hartmans try to poison them. Koudelka realizes the danger and refuses to eat, saving Edward from the poisoned food.

Koudelka and Edward escape into Nemeton, a creepy, labyrinthine mansion. As they explore, players discover hidden objects, unsettling remains, and disturbing visions that slowly reveal the monastery’s dark history. Nemeton wasn’t simply a medieval monastery; it was originally a prison for people who disagreed with the Catholic Church. Now, the tormented spirits of those prisoners wander its halls.

While exploring the depths of Nemeton, the group discovers other survivors but must also battle hostile spirits and terrifying creatures. They also face danger from the remaining caretakers, who kill anyone they find trespassing. Throughout their journey, players will meet various individuals, including Bishop James O’Flaherty and the ghost of Charlotte D’lota, a girl who was executed at the monastery.

One of the most interesting things about Koudelka is that it has multiple endings. Your choices throughout the game, especially whether you find Koudelka’s lost pendant, will lead to one of three different outcomes. Even if you lose the final boss fight, the game doesn’t end abruptly. Instead, the result of the battle – whether you win or lose – decides which ending you see and which characters manage to escape, or if they’re stuck in Nemeton forever.

Today, many role-playing games offer multiple endings and ways to customize your experience. But when Koudelka came out in the late 1990s, its three different endings were really noteworthy and gave players a good reason to play through the game again. What makes these endings stand out even more is how well the game commits to its creepy and disturbing atmosphere.

Koudelka doesn’t hold back on the horror, creating a truly unsettling and memorable JRPG. Even the most optimistic ending leaves the characters deeply affected, and that emotional impact often stays with the player long after the game is finished. Though it’s not widely remembered now, Koudelka is the kind of game that lingers in your mind, even after you’ve seen everything it has to offer.

While not the very first game to combine JRPG elements with horror, Koudelka is a pioneering example of how successfully these genres can blend together. Despite some criticism, particularly of its battle system, it’s a classic that doesn’t get enough attention. It’s a shame many gamers haven’t discovered Koudelka, as it’s a standout title from its time and truly deserves more recognition. If you’re a JRPG fan who hasn’t played it, you should definitely give it a chance.

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2025-10-27 20:38