Hey guys! I've been doing alot of eBaying lately-- picking up the odd game here and there and was wondering what your picks are for fav rpg's. Have had a couple of bad buying experiences thrown in but hey, that's a whole other thread!

I'm interested in games for PSOne, PS2 and SNES platforms, but I'm curious to hear what your choices are regardless.

The Final Fantasy series got me started and reeled right in to rpg's and I still give kudoos to them today-- they just keep getting better and better.

Am currently playing Dark Cloud2 on PS2 and have to say that I am quite impressed-- quite the bang for my buck, alot of playtime vs. traditional rpg's.

Really looking forward to your input!

Thanks,
~sam~

It's been a while, but...

I first got hooked on the Dragon Warrior series for NES. III and IV were truly excellent. On the SNES, I remember enjoying Lufia 2. It incorporated all these puzzles, which I enjoyed. On playstation, of course I played Final Fantasy along with everyone else. I haven't touched it in a few years though. Honestly, though I am impressed by all the technological advancements in the various consoles, as far as RPGs are concerned, I tend to think the advancements a bit overrated. The RPG was always about the story and the puzzles to me, and I don't really enjoy sitting back and watching movies for half an hour as part of the game-playing experience, no matter how pretty they are. If I want that, I'll watch television. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate great graphics, but there has to be something else, and they shouldn't overwhelm the rest of the game. That said, I freely admit I'm out of the loop at this point.

Originally posted by Cyanne The RPG was always about the story and the puzzles to me, and I don't really enjoy sitting back and watching movies for half an hour as part of the game-playing experience, no matter how pretty they are. If I want that, I'll watch television. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate great graphics, but there has to be something else, and they shouldn't overwhelm the rest of the game.

Thanks for your input Cyanne!

I couldn't agree more with your above statement... "cutscenes" are one thing and if kept to a minimum offer an enjoyable peek at the story line progression. "Cinema Scenes" seem to be the norm now and I also feel that thay are not such a desirable addition-- they have encumbered rather than enhanced the game play.

So is Lufia2 your all-time favorite? I'm not familiar with that one at all.

Final Fantasy 3 (6 in Japan) is the best RPG IMO!

I also liked Breath of Fire (also on the SNES).

On the PC, Septerra Core wasn't bad.

Originally posted by sweetbabysam So is Lufia2 your all-time favorite? I'm not familiar with that one at all.

Ack! I have to pick an all-time favorite now?I don't think I can do that, it wouldn't be fair. The Dragon Warriors would have a sentimental edge because they were my first. It's been too long and my memory's too fuzzy to pick a favorite. Suffice it to say they're all excellent games, good enough to stick out in my memory (no small feat!). Actually... now you've really got me thinking. ChronoTrigger was fantastic too, a definite contender. It was an SNES game I think? Which reminds me, there was another game made for Playstation-Chronocross-that my brother told me was excellent, but I've never played it myself. So that's a sort-of recommendation.

Originally posted by Real Boba Fett Final Fantasy 3 (6 in Japan) is the best RPG IMO!

Hmmm, that's only on the Snes console, right? My first and by far my favorite is FF7-- I'll be trying 6, can't see how it can compare though since 7 would have been more advanced. Is 6 closer to the Tactics type of FF genre?

Originally posted by Cyanne ChronoTrigger was fantastic too, a definite contender. It was an SNES game I think? Which reminds me, there was another game made for Playstation-Chronocross-that my brother told me was excellent, but I've never played it myself. So that's a sort-of recommendation.

Yep, now you gotta pick!!


Cronotrigger is on the PS platform as well-- I'm currently bidding on it. Cronocross I've just picked up from eBay but haven't played yet (still at the end of Dark Cloud2). Good to hear your reviews.... glad I spent my money well.

Phantasy Star - Sega Master System
Shining Force - Sega Genesis
Phantasy Star 2&4 - Sega Genesis
Lunar- Sega CD (Long before it appeared on PS1)
Panzer Dragoon Saga-Sega Saturn(masterpiece)

As you can tell I'm a SEGA lover.

Ummmmmm.

Not sure this qualifies since it's a PC platform game but errr, I've always had a thing for the old Leisure Suit Larry series

Also on PC, Fallout 1 + 2 were excellent! Post-apocalyptic RPG'ing, really kept me occupied for quite a long time!

Fallout2 can probably be found in the bargain bin at most software places too, well worth a look!

You could give XenoGears a try. Excellent story, very anime-like, but bad gameplay, very tedious. There's also Xenosaga for the PS2, but I've never played it and Amazon.com says it has "Long, long, looooooooong cut scenes." Brave Fencer Musashi has a wacky sense of humour, which I like.

You probably already know that Final Fantasy Anthology includes FF V and FF VI, that Final Fantasy Chronicles includes FF IV and Chrono Trigger, and that Final Fantasy Origins includes FF and FF II.

Didn't like Wild Arms 2 or Legend Of Mana.

My all time favourite RPG is Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but that's on the N64. FF VII is a very close 2nd. Didn't like FF VIII.

Dave.
BTW, should this thread be in this forum?

Originally posted by sweetbabysam I'm interested in games for PSOne, PS2 and SNES platforms, but I'm curious to hear what your choices are regardless. The Final Fantasy series got me started and reeled right in to rpg's and I still give kudoos to them today-- they just keep getting better and better. Am currently playing Dark Cloud2 on PS2 and have to say that I am quite impressed-- quite the bang for my buck, alot of playtime vs. traditional rpg's.

Sammy, is that really you?!? I never imagined you play games of this type, never mind know what "RPG" stands for! Wow.

My first RPG was good ol' Ultima V on the Apple IIe back in '87. I knew it was going to be a long game and decided to log my playtime. 196 hours later, I was done. Glad I had more time in those days.

Then came NES:
- Crystalis
- Zelda
(shame I missed out on Dragon Warrior & Shadowrun -- wouldn't have time to play 'em nowadays)

Then the PC -- never had time for consoles after the NES.
Fallout 1 & 2 are my all time favourites -- love the post-apoc/1950's style. Tried FF7 and didn't like it much; hated that combat system and the way encounters just pop up out of nowhere -- though I liked the typically-epic anime story. Right now I'm totally sick of fantasy RPGs -- the magicians / dwarfs / castles bore me to tears.

A few RPGs on my shelf that I'll play "when I find the time":
- Planescape: Torment
- Neverwinter Nights (more interested in making levels than playing it!)
- System Shock 2 (not technically an RPG, but pretty close)
- Deus Ex
- Arcanum


BTW, the "IMDB of games" is called Mobygames, though it's incomplete because it relies on user input of the data. Still the most extensive game database available.

Personal Favourite of all is Phantasy Start II for Genesis. It's the first RPG that got me hooked.

You can download the ROM for Genesis games and play it on your computer for free from many websites. So besure to check it out.

Phantasy Star IV was also pretty good. (III kind of sucked)

Shinning series is also quite good, different play style.

For SNES, pretty much anything by SqureSoft (Japan) is good. Especially Crono Trigger, Final Fantasy II & III.

For Playstation, I liked Final Fantasy VII, Crono Cross, and Suidoken (Sp?)

For computer, I liked Baldur's Gate I & II.

I'd have to say, playing RPG is kind of dangerous, cause you could "lose" all your friend that way.

hp

Give Suikoden 1, 2 (PS1) and 3 (PS2) a try. After you finish the first Suikoden, you can use your saved game for Suikoden 2 and that save for the third one. Also checkout:

Xenogears (PS1)
Final Fantasy 6 (SNES/PS1)
Final Fantasy 7-9 (PS1)
Final Fantasy 10 (PS2)
Grandia (PS1)
Grandia 2 (Dreamcast/PS2)
Vagrant Story (PS1)
Persona (PS1)
Persona 2 (PS1)
Parasite Eve (PS1)
Wild Arms 3 (PS2)

My fave was "Wizardry" circa 1983.