Reiselied: Ephemeral Fantasia

Reiselied: Ephemeral Fantasia, the PS2's first turn-based RPG, is also notable for devising a countdown/time loop system similar to Majora's Mask. At the same time, Konami's isometric, fully-3D program is the odd game of its genre that not only takes place on a single island, but borrows a page from Romancing SaGa in its largely open, non-linear, exploration-heavy format. Everything from unlocks, side content, dungeons and (incredibly difficult) character-enlistment are as optional and time-dependent as expected. They even recall their own catalog with a GuitarFreaks-style rhythm minigame, and managed to outpace their peers via snappy and cinematic ATB combat. Finally, its story, which plays out over the course of five 'days' (with - needless to say, lots of traveling back in time) involves the player recruiting, leveling, searching and - ultimately, breaking the cycle to face the final boss, while retaining any key items, allies and experience earned after each loop. Its flaws are definitely too much to endure (especially the awful pacing & map layouts), but the concept itself shows promise, one that belongs more to the realm of Shenmue or Valkyrie Profile than to the traditional JRPG realm.