Anachronox

Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, and Enders Game. That's what Anchronox was inspired by, and if you think the execution may be lacking, consider its developers. This game was crafted by Ion Storm, creators of Deux Ex and Thief, and overseen by Tom Hall, known for his work on Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Duke Nukem. It's even run on a modified Quake engine. It's fair then, to say that Anachronox should have been an overnight success. Instead, it remains one of the most overlooked games of the period. It's a love letter to both JRPGs and classic sci-fi, a darker tale of mystery and a threat to the entire universe. The game follows Sylvester Boots, a PI who takes on a random case and gets wrapped up in that plot. Accompanied by his holographic assistant, he travels the universe trying to thwart it. It's populated by strong characters, great writing, and a detailed and humorous world. All of it is tied together with the turn-based JRPG combat system we all know and love. The mix of adventure, characterization, and action is one of the most compelling in the genre.