Valkyri von Thanatos
Member
I've been playing this on and off for a while, just tried it out recently after a long hiatus and it's hard to get back into. Stopped after getting
the castle
follow a guide and recruit every available person
-
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NeoGAF's Essential RPGs 2016 Edition - Voting open until January 15th-
- Thread starter KuwabaraTheMan
- Start date
I've been playing this on and off for a while, just tried it out recently after a long hiatus and it's hard to get back into. Stopped after getting
Spieler Eins
Member
1. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door - The Mario RPGs have been great up to a certain point in their history. They breath new life into turn based battle systems and usually offer completely unique scenarios, which often feature distinct gameplay variety. Not to mention that their writing is surprisingly great too. Now, PMTTYD is most likely the title does it all best. Initially, the game was disappointing because it copied so much of its game design from its predecessor. Yet now that time has passed, this slightly shinier and more polished version of the original Paper Mario experience certainly is the one to get.
2. Skies of Arcadia - This title is more than the sum of its parts. The story might look like nothing special on its own, nor do the battles. However, there's nothing that conveys a sense of true, classic adventure just like SoA. You truly feel like discovering an actual world, while becoming the king of pirates. You want to get the GCN version with lesser random encounters though.
3. Bloodborne (Best Combat) - This might be one of the most beautiful games I've ever seen, it's an absolute treat for any fan of classic horror. The amount of detail is overwhelming. I'm personally a little let down by the general lack of music, which could have elevated the atmosphere even higher in certain parts, but it's still one of the best in the classic horror segment. Level design follows Metroidvania-tradition in a superb way, which makes exploration an absolute joy - also because of absolutely no hand holding, nor other interruptions. While I'm not too fond of a few boss battles, combat in general is simply fun and never feels cheap, despite the challenge. All the right parts from Souls have been streamlined.
4. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story - The turn based yet interactive battle system is as good as usual in these Mario RPGs, but in this particular iteration they went even further. Bowser is a very well written protagonist, while Mario & Luigi kind of take the backseat - but not quite. They have been eaten by Bowser and can now be controlled on the bottom screen of the NDS, where Bowser's innards constitute a separate but still simultaneous adventure. That feature brings many unique mechanics, since the bottom screen interacts with the main JRPG happenings on the upper screen for both puzzles, exploration and battles.
5. Nier (Best Soundtrack) - This somewhat Zelda-inspired title is not only an A-RPG, but constantly pays homage to other parts of videogame history (without ever feeling incoherent). It can be a schmup, a text adventure or a Diablo clone depending on the developers' mood. Yet not a single one of these parts plays badly bad, not last because the controls always work well. Certain aspects like boss fights can even feel quite spectacular. The poor critical reception is absolutely baffling, consdering how many games fail when they try to mix things up. Other than that, what stands out are the memorable characters, the smart use of its medium for the narrative it tells and the best soundtrack of its generation. The lower budget is noticeable in its presentation however and the sidequests are a thing you don't want to bother with in detail.
6. Rune Factory Frontier - RFF is a gigantic game, which mixes life sim, Harvest Moon and real time dungeon crawling. There's basically no hand holding, so you're off to your own to manage your life and slowly progress through gigantic dungeons, which are not randomly generated. It is amazing how much you can do and how differently each aspect of the game can connect with each other - from using your loot for either new farming tools, learning how to turn your harvest into potions, to encountering new surprises in the always growing town. It's highly addictive and definitely the best of its series, which was much more limited on handhelds. It might be a little too open though, especially because a few parts are a little too cryptic for their own good.
7. Chrono Trigger - I have currently finished this game 3 times and it keeps growing on me, after my first playthrough has been a little underwhelming. However, the more often you play it, the more you realize how amazingly paced this game is. And while I was initially disappointed by how simple the story felt, considering that it is a time travel tale, you really start to appreciate the writing on multiple playthroughs. Each era contains well written and distinct fairy tales with likeable characters. Add on top of that a legendary soundtrack and beautiful pixel art. You also really gotta appreciate short RPGs - especially if they don't feel lacking at all, when there's still lots of variety. Many other RPGs should still take note of this.
8. Tales of Symphonia - This is still the best Tales of title I've played (however, I unfortunately have yet to get on Vesperia). The story feels grand, you probably don't see the twists coming if this is your first in the series and the beat-em-up-esque battles are fun, even at its first attempt in 3D. This title still has puzzles too, unlike the later iterations. The characters are likeable enough, the music and art direction are great.
9. The World Ends With You - A truly unique setting that captures the urban feel of nice summer days in the big city. The battles are stylus controlled action, which works fine once you get the hang of the dual screens. Despite a cheesy start, there's also some good story twists, especially if you're going for 100%.
10. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers - It's SMT plus anime cyberpunk from the 90s, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the latter. Despite lacking some refinements of later SMT entries, the core gameplay is as fun as ever - from constantly managing your team of demons while exploring big dungeons. For the first English translation they have done an amazing job. Talking to demons to recruit them for battle is tons of fun because of it, yet not at all out of place in the bleak world of SMT world. It's a great take on SMT and something any fan of Cyberpunk can check out too.
11. South Park: The Stick of Truth - This is easily my favorite WRPG, as it deviates from the tired fantasy and scifi which is usually found in this category of RPGs. Other than that, it simply has great game design. The map is open, but small and filled with secrets, which makes exploration a joy. Battles are turn-based but semi-active like Mario RPGs. While battles aren't as refined as their inspiration, they are accompanied by environmental puzzles and a variety of surprises outside of battles. Add on top of that great writing that easily surpasses the later seasons of the show and tons of well made fan service for long time fans.
12. Shin Megami Tensei IV - This post apocalyptic title offers not only a great atmosphere, especially through art direction and soundtrack, but also streamlined gameplay which was very welcome in this series. I.e. no more random encounters. The story is pretty good. It defies many tropes, it's pretty ruthless, yet not too melodramatic. As with Soul Hackers, the conversations necessary to recruit your demons are very entertaining, but not at all out of place compared to the otherwise bleak atmosphere. Exploring feels great - the locales are big, there's little hand holding, but map restrictions are done in a way to give enough guidance. As usual for the series, micromanaging your team and fighting in general just feels great. You are leveling very fast in this iteration, so you will always be busy keeping your team on the latest standard - it's very motivating.
13. Final Fantasy VII - I do not have any nostalgia for this game, I haven't even played it until recently. Yet it has easily been my favorite FF experience, after many sour ones. I can see how this title caught on so well, since it's a really good beginner's RPG. The mechanics are simple, but still fun classic JRPG fair. I also have a soft spot for well made, pre-rendered backgrounds, which allow for an unique ,,cinematography". Also, although many people aren't fond of the bulky characters, they really help to support the still somewhat lighthearted tone of the original concept art. I.e. the J-Pop of the later series doesn't yet shine through. But the game still has the right amount of seriousness. That is thanks to the legendary amazing soundtrack and the art direction fhat makes this cyberpunk world still feel great today. A real bummer is that translations for JRPGs were still awful when FFVII came out.
14. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne - Since this wasn't my introduction to the series, a certain wow-factor was lost on me, nor did it feel that hard, but it's still a great game. As usual, the title offers a different take on a bleak, demon-infested Toyko. The graphics in particular hold up - the stylized art direction is amazing. A 3D world of this quality also hasn't yet been tackled by another entry in the (main) series. The strategic battles are fun, so is managing your team of demons to keep up with the difficulty. Some mechanics weren't as refined as other titles yet, negotiating especially, but it still holds up fantastically overall.
15. Paper Mario - While this title felt like it has become a little redundant after its sequel came out, it's still worth playing. There are many similarities between this game and TTYD, but it also still has many good things to offer on its own. It's also recommended if you're looking for an Mario RPG that builds its world mostly with the Super Nintendo Mario games in mind.
2. Skies of Arcadia - This title is more than the sum of its parts. The story might look like nothing special on its own, nor do the battles. However, there's nothing that conveys a sense of true, classic adventure just like SoA. You truly feel like discovering an actual world, while becoming the king of pirates. You want to get the GCN version with lesser random encounters though.
3. Bloodborne (Best Combat) - This might be one of the most beautiful games I've ever seen, it's an absolute treat for any fan of classic horror. The amount of detail is overwhelming. I'm personally a little let down by the general lack of music, which could have elevated the atmosphere even higher in certain parts, but it's still one of the best in the classic horror segment. Level design follows Metroidvania-tradition in a superb way, which makes exploration an absolute joy - also because of absolutely no hand holding, nor other interruptions. While I'm not too fond of a few boss battles, combat in general is simply fun and never feels cheap, despite the challenge. All the right parts from Souls have been streamlined.
4. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story - The turn based yet interactive battle system is as good as usual in these Mario RPGs, but in this particular iteration they went even further. Bowser is a very well written protagonist, while Mario & Luigi kind of take the backseat - but not quite. They have been eaten by Bowser and can now be controlled on the bottom screen of the NDS, where Bowser's innards constitute a separate but still simultaneous adventure. That feature brings many unique mechanics, since the bottom screen interacts with the main JRPG happenings on the upper screen for both puzzles, exploration and battles.
5. Nier (Best Soundtrack) - This somewhat Zelda-inspired title is not only an A-RPG, but constantly pays homage to other parts of videogame history (without ever feeling incoherent). It can be a schmup, a text adventure or a Diablo clone depending on the developers' mood. Yet not a single one of these parts plays badly bad, not last because the controls always work well. Certain aspects like boss fights can even feel quite spectacular. The poor critical reception is absolutely baffling, consdering how many games fail when they try to mix things up. Other than that, what stands out are the memorable characters, the smart use of its medium for the narrative it tells and the best soundtrack of its generation. The lower budget is noticeable in its presentation however and the sidequests are a thing you don't want to bother with in detail.
6. Rune Factory Frontier - RFF is a gigantic game, which mixes life sim, Harvest Moon and real time dungeon crawling. There's basically no hand holding, so you're off to your own to manage your life and slowly progress through gigantic dungeons, which are not randomly generated. It is amazing how much you can do and how differently each aspect of the game can connect with each other - from using your loot for either new farming tools, learning how to turn your harvest into potions, to encountering new surprises in the always growing town. It's highly addictive and definitely the best of its series, which was much more limited on handhelds. It might be a little too open though, especially because a few parts are a little too cryptic for their own good.
7. Chrono Trigger - I have currently finished this game 3 times and it keeps growing on me, after my first playthrough has been a little underwhelming. However, the more often you play it, the more you realize how amazingly paced this game is. And while I was initially disappointed by how simple the story felt, considering that it is a time travel tale, you really start to appreciate the writing on multiple playthroughs. Each era contains well written and distinct fairy tales with likeable characters. Add on top of that a legendary soundtrack and beautiful pixel art. You also really gotta appreciate short RPGs - especially if they don't feel lacking at all, when there's still lots of variety. Many other RPGs should still take note of this.
8. Tales of Symphonia - This is still the best Tales of title I've played (however, I unfortunately have yet to get on Vesperia). The story feels grand, you probably don't see the twists coming if this is your first in the series and the beat-em-up-esque battles are fun, even at its first attempt in 3D. This title still has puzzles too, unlike the later iterations. The characters are likeable enough, the music and art direction are great.
9. The World Ends With You - A truly unique setting that captures the urban feel of nice summer days in the big city. The battles are stylus controlled action, which works fine once you get the hang of the dual screens. Despite a cheesy start, there's also some good story twists, especially if you're going for 100%.
10. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers - It's SMT plus anime cyberpunk from the 90s, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the latter. Despite lacking some refinements of later SMT entries, the core gameplay is as fun as ever - from constantly managing your team of demons while exploring big dungeons. For the first English translation they have done an amazing job. Talking to demons to recruit them for battle is tons of fun because of it, yet not at all out of place in the bleak world of SMT world. It's a great take on SMT and something any fan of Cyberpunk can check out too.
11. South Park: The Stick of Truth - This is easily my favorite WRPG, as it deviates from the tired fantasy and scifi which is usually found in this category of RPGs. Other than that, it simply has great game design. The map is open, but small and filled with secrets, which makes exploration a joy. Battles are turn-based but semi-active like Mario RPGs. While battles aren't as refined as their inspiration, they are accompanied by environmental puzzles and a variety of surprises outside of battles. Add on top of that great writing that easily surpasses the later seasons of the show and tons of well made fan service for long time fans.
12. Shin Megami Tensei IV - This post apocalyptic title offers not only a great atmosphere, especially through art direction and soundtrack, but also streamlined gameplay which was very welcome in this series. I.e. no more random encounters. The story is pretty good. It defies many tropes, it's pretty ruthless, yet not too melodramatic. As with Soul Hackers, the conversations necessary to recruit your demons are very entertaining, but not at all out of place compared to the otherwise bleak atmosphere. Exploring feels great - the locales are big, there's little hand holding, but map restrictions are done in a way to give enough guidance. As usual for the series, micromanaging your team and fighting in general just feels great. You are leveling very fast in this iteration, so you will always be busy keeping your team on the latest standard - it's very motivating.
13. Final Fantasy VII - I do not have any nostalgia for this game, I haven't even played it until recently. Yet it has easily been my favorite FF experience, after many sour ones. I can see how this title caught on so well, since it's a really good beginner's RPG. The mechanics are simple, but still fun classic JRPG fair. I also have a soft spot for well made, pre-rendered backgrounds, which allow for an unique ,,cinematography". Also, although many people aren't fond of the bulky characters, they really help to support the still somewhat lighthearted tone of the original concept art. I.e. the J-Pop of the later series doesn't yet shine through. But the game still has the right amount of seriousness. That is thanks to the legendary amazing soundtrack and the art direction fhat makes this cyberpunk world still feel great today. A real bummer is that translations for JRPGs were still awful when FFVII came out.
14. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne - Since this wasn't my introduction to the series, a certain wow-factor was lost on me, nor did it feel that hard, but it's still a great game. As usual, the title offers a different take on a bleak, demon-infested Toyko. The graphics in particular hold up - the stylized art direction is amazing. A 3D world of this quality also hasn't yet been tackled by another entry in the (main) series. The strategic battles are fun, so is managing your team of demons to keep up with the difficulty. Some mechanics weren't as refined as other titles yet, negotiating especially, but it still holds up fantastically overall.
15. Paper Mario - While this title felt like it has become a little redundant after its sequel came out, it's still worth playing. There are many similarities between this game and TTYD, but it also still has many good things to offer on its own. It's also recommended if you're looking for an Mario RPG that builds its world mostly with the Super Nintendo Mario games in mind.
I'm only doing 10 cause I don't want to make myself put things down to make up numbers
Also, I kind of thought of it as: Rpgs I can recommend in a heartbeat, and that have had some kind of last effect on me.
In no particular order: (except Xenoblade, definitely number one
)
1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii, n3ds) (Best Soundtrack)
If I could give a single game Best Soundtrack AND Story, this would be it (But I cant so....yeah). I haven't been this affected by a game in some time, the combination of awesome story, stellar British stage actor cast, fun combat, amazing premise and breathtaking art, makes this the closest I've ever felt a game to be "Perfect".
2. Chrono Trigger (Snes ps1, DS, everything )
I only played this one this year, but even now you can still feel its something special. The world and the time travelling story are both great, and the combat does away with random encounters (My main gripe with a lot of traditional rpgs)
3. Final Fantasy 12 (ps2 only....for now )
Loved the world and the gameplay
4. Terranigma (Snes)
A hidden gem that not enough people have played. Such a great story, and the action
gameplay was great, really surprised how well this has aged (again only played for the first time this year)
5. Golden Sun 1 (and 2) (GBA)
I really loved the dualistic story between Golden Sun 1 and 2, and the premise of not knowing if you are the good guys or bad guys, really enjoyable arc.
6. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (Best Writing) (PSP, PS3)
How can you make the 6th game in a series, on a portable console, that acts as a prequel to the original game, and introduces a whole new cast of characters, that succeeds at making the rest of the games' stories matter a whole lot more, tying everything together, AND while setting up the next major entry, AND while telling its own story? This is how.
Plus the best iteration of the super satisfying Kingdom Hearts battle system
7. Pokemon Gold/Silver (GB, DS)
The sequel to the game that first got me into rpgs. Better, bigger, more to do, heaps of depth, and then when you finish it all, go back to the first game world and fight yourself from the first game. Blew my little mind. (Thanks Iwata)
8. Dark Cloud 2 (PS2)
So much fun, great art style, and more varied gameplay than almost any other game (Dungeon crawling, inventing (using photos you take of the environment), village/city building, fishing, golf, monster collecting (kinda)
9. Rune Factory 2 (DS)
I have loved Harvest Moon for the longest time, and having a game that takes that formula and adds and rpg and crafting on the end, amazing. I would have put 4 cause from what I've seen it seem like the superior game, but alas, I have not played it yet.
10.Dragons Dogma (Best Combat) (360, PS3, PC(WOO) )
This one gets onto the list for its harsh world that expects you to prepare and think ahead, its great soundtrack, but most of all, its combat. Come for the combat, stay for the combat, return once again for the combat.
Honourable mentions:
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (3DS)
- Amazing battle system. So super satisfying.
- Inazuma Eleven (DS, 3DS)
- Its an rpg, with a soccer battle system. I don't even like soccer, and this game was so much fun. Its more of a strategy rpg than a sports game. Really clever idea and great execution.
- Avalon Code (DS)
- A game not about saving the world, but recording as much of it as possible before its inevitable demise. Plus the mechanic where anything you put in the book has a grid of properties that you can alter to change things both small and large scale was such a great idea. I really wish I had finished this game and kept it, the only thing keeping it off the list is that I never finished it.
- Xenoblade X (Wii U)
- I feel weird putting this anywhere on the actual list given how recent it is, (and I haven't finished yet by any stretch) But what a fantastic game, so mechanically deep, lots of meat to sink your teeth into, the side quests are top notch (easily avoidable kill X, find X missions aside) The Localisation and dialogue is really well done.
- SMT 4 (3ds)
- Another one I'm part way though, so wont put it on the list, but great story, very well acted dialogue for a game with text box cutscenes. Battle system is great too.
- Chaos Rings (iOS, android, maaaybe vita?)
- Awesome story, really fun FF combat system. Amazing that this is on mobile. Also sad, cause it means no one will play it
Also, I kind of thought of it as: Rpgs I can recommend in a heartbeat, and that have had some kind of last effect on me.
In no particular order: (except Xenoblade, definitely number one
)1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii, n3ds) (Best Soundtrack)
If I could give a single game Best Soundtrack AND Story, this would be it (But I cant so....yeah). I haven't been this affected by a game in some time, the combination of awesome story, stellar British stage actor cast, fun combat, amazing premise and breathtaking art, makes this the closest I've ever felt a game to be "Perfect".
2. Chrono Trigger (Snes ps1, DS, everything
)I only played this one this year, but even now you can still feel its something special. The world and the time travelling story are both great, and the combat does away with random encounters (My main gripe with a lot of traditional rpgs)
3. Final Fantasy 12 (ps2 only....for now
)Loved the world and the gameplay
4. Terranigma (Snes)
A hidden gem that not enough people have played. Such a great story, and the action
gameplay was great, really surprised how well this has aged (again only played for the first time this year)
5. Golden Sun 1 (and 2) (GBA)
I really loved the dualistic story between Golden Sun 1 and 2, and the premise of not knowing if you are the good guys or bad guys, really enjoyable arc.
6. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (Best Writing) (PSP, PS3)
How can you make the 6th game in a series, on a portable console, that acts as a prequel to the original game, and introduces a whole new cast of characters, that succeeds at making the rest of the games' stories matter a whole lot more, tying everything together, AND while setting up the next major entry, AND while telling its own story? This is how.
Plus the best iteration of the super satisfying Kingdom Hearts battle system
7. Pokemon Gold/Silver (GB, DS)
The sequel to the game that first got me into rpgs. Better, bigger, more to do, heaps of depth, and then when you finish it all, go back to the first game world and fight yourself from the first game. Blew my little mind.
(Thanks Iwata)8. Dark Cloud 2 (PS2)
So much fun, great art style, and more varied gameplay than almost any other game (Dungeon crawling, inventing (using photos you take of the environment), village/city building, fishing, golf, monster collecting (kinda)
9. Rune Factory 2 (DS)
I have loved Harvest Moon for the longest time, and having a game that takes that formula and adds and rpg and crafting on the end, amazing. I would have put 4 cause from what I've seen it seem like the superior game, but alas, I have not played it yet.
10.Dragons Dogma (Best Combat) (360, PS3, PC(WOO) )
This one gets onto the list for its harsh world that expects you to prepare and think ahead, its great soundtrack, but most of all, its combat. Come for the combat, stay for the combat, return once again for the combat.
Honourable mentions:
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (3DS)
- Amazing battle system. So super satisfying.
- Inazuma Eleven (DS, 3DS)
- Its an rpg, with a soccer battle system. I don't even like soccer, and this game was so much fun. Its more of a strategy rpg than a sports game. Really clever idea and great execution.
- Avalon Code (DS)
- A game not about saving the world, but recording as much of it as possible before its inevitable demise. Plus the mechanic where anything you put in the book has a grid of properties that you can alter to change things both small and large scale was such a great idea. I really wish I had finished this game and kept it, the only thing keeping it off the list is that I never finished it.
- Xenoblade X (Wii U)
- I feel weird putting this anywhere on the actual list given how recent it is, (and I haven't finished yet by any stretch) But what a fantastic game, so mechanically deep, lots of meat to sink your teeth into, the side quests are top notch (easily avoidable kill X, find X missions aside) The Localisation and dialogue is really well done.
- SMT 4 (3ds)
- Another one I'm part way though, so wont put it on the list, but great story, very well acted dialogue for a game with text box cutscenes. Battle system is great too.
- Chaos Rings (iOS, android, maaaybe vita?)
- Awesome story, really fun FF combat system. Amazing that this is on mobile. Also sad, cause it means no one will play it
1. Fallout
I love this series, and I especially love the first entry. The setting, writing, tone, graphics, atmosphere are all great.
2. The Witcher (Best writing)
This is a great RPG, lengthy but always worth playing. I even enjoyed the combat. The world and characters are so well written, and always treats you like an adult who can keep up, sometimes even expecting me to pay more attention than I actually did.
3. Mass Effect
I really liked the setting and the overall story and adventure of Mass Effect, it was a rare game where the real time combat tied in to a great choose-your-own-adventure style of storytelling in a way that felt great to me.
4. Xenoblade (Best soundtrack)
This game took me for a wild ride, I loved the setting and the characters, and never really knowing where the story would go next. Shulk and Reyn have a great friendship, and over the course of the game I love the interactions between Riki and Dunban.
5. Persona 4 Golden
The characters and setting of Persona 4 are great, but what really ties it all together is the small rural town setting of Inaba. I enjoyed spending my time wandering around and talking with the townspeople more than the combat, which was really neat. The sense of comraderie and friendship is great, I don't know of a more tightly knit full crew in any other RPG.
6. Witcher 3
Still haven't finished this game, but I can already tell it's one of my favourite RPGs. The scope and quality is unmatched.
7. Dragon Quest V
This game was a great adventure, it had heaps of great plot points that really stand out in my mind.
8. Dragon's Dogma (Best combat)
This could get higher on the list next year once the PC remaster comes out. The frame rate really held it back but the systems are so solid.
9. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is a well-deserved classic.
10. South Park: The Stick of Truth
The Stick of Truth was as good as I hoped and better than I expected. Hilarious scenes, and fun combat.
11. Radiant Historia
The timeline hopping gameplay was very reminiscent of Chrono Trigger, and very enjoyable. The graphics were great for a DS game.
12. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
The tone and atmosphere of Strange Journey are only matched by a game like S.T.A.L.K.E.R., the music is like no other, and the dungeons are absolutely insane. I may never get out of Eridanus though.
13. Pokemon Silver
I don't know if I'd enjoy this game as much if I played it again, but it still remains my favourite entry in the franchise.
14. Bowser's Inside Story
15. Kingdom Hearts
16. Fallout 3
This game gets a bad rep for the admittedly weak story, but it was at least fun to follow along, and the exploration and side quests were great.
17. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
18. Fallout: New Vegas
19. Mass Effect 2
20. Persona 3
I played P3P as the FemMC which was really cool, if it had the higher budget of P4G with more areas to walk around and things to do I think it could have been better than Persona 4. You don't quite get the same sense of unbreakable friendship as in P4 though. I'd love to play another Persona game with a female main character.
Honourable Mentions:
Nier (awesome music, only did the one play through and I hear NG+ really makes the difference)
The Witcher 2 (still a great game, but outshadowed by the other entries)
Dragon Quest VIII (part way through)
Xenoblade X (part way through)
Grandia II (I remember enjoying this but it has been SO LONG since I played it that I can't rightfully put it anywhere on the main list)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky (I think it's an RPG... but probably doesn't fit under many of the traditional RPG genre conventions!)
I love this series, and I especially love the first entry. The setting, writing, tone, graphics, atmosphere are all great.
2. The Witcher (Best writing)
This is a great RPG, lengthy but always worth playing. I even enjoyed the combat. The world and characters are so well written, and always treats you like an adult who can keep up, sometimes even expecting me to pay more attention than I actually did.
3. Mass Effect
I really liked the setting and the overall story and adventure of Mass Effect, it was a rare game where the real time combat tied in to a great choose-your-own-adventure style of storytelling in a way that felt great to me.
4. Xenoblade (Best soundtrack)
This game took me for a wild ride, I loved the setting and the characters, and never really knowing where the story would go next. Shulk and Reyn have a great friendship, and over the course of the game I love the interactions between Riki and Dunban.
5. Persona 4 Golden
The characters and setting of Persona 4 are great, but what really ties it all together is the small rural town setting of Inaba. I enjoyed spending my time wandering around and talking with the townspeople more than the combat, which was really neat. The sense of comraderie and friendship is great, I don't know of a more tightly knit full crew in any other RPG.
6. Witcher 3
Still haven't finished this game, but I can already tell it's one of my favourite RPGs. The scope and quality is unmatched.
7. Dragon Quest V
This game was a great adventure, it had heaps of great plot points that really stand out in my mind.
8. Dragon's Dogma (Best combat)
This could get higher on the list next year once the PC remaster comes out. The frame rate really held it back but the systems are so solid.
9. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is a well-deserved classic.
10. South Park: The Stick of Truth
The Stick of Truth was as good as I hoped and better than I expected. Hilarious scenes, and fun combat.
11. Radiant Historia
The timeline hopping gameplay was very reminiscent of Chrono Trigger, and very enjoyable. The graphics were great for a DS game.
12. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
The tone and atmosphere of Strange Journey are only matched by a game like S.T.A.L.K.E.R., the music is like no other, and the dungeons are absolutely insane. I may never get out of Eridanus though.
13. Pokemon Silver
I don't know if I'd enjoy this game as much if I played it again, but it still remains my favourite entry in the franchise.
14. Bowser's Inside Story
15. Kingdom Hearts
16. Fallout 3
This game gets a bad rep for the admittedly weak story, but it was at least fun to follow along, and the exploration and side quests were great.
17. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
18. Fallout: New Vegas
19. Mass Effect 2
20. Persona 3
I played P3P as the FemMC which was really cool, if it had the higher budget of P4G with more areas to walk around and things to do I think it could have been better than Persona 4. You don't quite get the same sense of unbreakable friendship as in P4 though. I'd love to play another Persona game with a female main character.
Honourable Mentions:
Nier (awesome music, only did the one play through and I hear NG+ really makes the difference)
The Witcher 2 (still a great game, but outshadowed by the other entries)
Dragon Quest VIII (part way through)
Xenoblade X (part way through)
Grandia II (I remember enjoying this but it has been SO LONG since I played it that I can't rightfully put it anywhere on the main list)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky (I think it's an RPG... but probably doesn't fit under many of the traditional RPG genre conventions!)
theprodigy
Member
vaguely in order, will add comments and more games later
1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Best Soundtrack)
2. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Best Writing)
3. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
4. Final Fantasy X
5. Pokemon Emerald
1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Best Soundtrack)
2. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Best Writing)
3. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
4. Final Fantasy X
5. Pokemon Emerald
Comments later, going on vacation, don't want to forget about this thread
1. Chrono Trigger (Best Combat) - Yes, again. The essential console RPG. Solid game, epic story, full of great casts, innovative mechanics, tight pacing, and don't forget replay value. Why Best Combat? It is elegant. It looks simple, it is turn based, but the little thing like double/triple tech and position-based timing keep the players engaged. I'm legit disappointed that not many games copied the the combat system of Chrono Trigger.
2. Xenoblade Chronicles (Best Soundtrack) - This is how you innovate the genre. Exploration encouraged, vast world, great songs, accessible combat. Why Best Sound Track? Are you kidding me? Go listen to Confront the Enemy and Gaur Plain.
3. Final Fantasy VI - Never a dull moment with this Final Fantasy. So many casts of characters filled with personality, memorable villain and gripping story that's not overcomplicated and not dumbed down.
4. Fallout New Vegas (Best Writing) - Many games claim it, but New Vegas did it with flying color. Choices have consequences. Open world with choices, choices, and choices affecting your story. Why Best Writing? The makers of the game gives players gazillion choices, and not a single dialogue felt really out of place.
5. Final Fantasy IX - This is the most Final Fantasy of Final Fantasy. A love letter to fan of the series. Too bad the combat is slow, but it is pretty much the perfect Final Fantasy otherwise.
6. Xenoblade Chronicles X - It is Xenoblade, with Mech. A transforming Mech. A flying transforming Mech. Ambitious is an understatement.
7. Final Fantasy VII - Many twists and turns, great game all around.
8. Skyrim
9. Persona 4
10. Pokemon R/B/G/Y
11. Xenogears
12. Final Fantasy 4
13. EverQuest
14. Golden Sun
15. Fire Emblem Awakening
16. The Witcher 3
17. Tales of the Abyss
18. Final Fantasy Tactics
19. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
20. Dragon Quest V
Honorable Mentions:
Dragon Quest IV
Dragon Quest VI
Final Fantasy V
Dragon Age Inquisition
Fallout 3
Golden Sun 2
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Diablo II
Radiant Historia
1. Chrono Trigger (Best Combat) - Yes, again. The essential console RPG. Solid game, epic story, full of great casts, innovative mechanics, tight pacing, and don't forget replay value. Why Best Combat? It is elegant. It looks simple, it is turn based, but the little thing like double/triple tech and position-based timing keep the players engaged. I'm legit disappointed that not many games copied the the combat system of Chrono Trigger.
2. Xenoblade Chronicles (Best Soundtrack) - This is how you innovate the genre. Exploration encouraged, vast world, great songs, accessible combat. Why Best Sound Track? Are you kidding me? Go listen to Confront the Enemy and Gaur Plain.
3. Final Fantasy VI - Never a dull moment with this Final Fantasy. So many casts of characters filled with personality, memorable villain and gripping story that's not overcomplicated and not dumbed down.
4. Fallout New Vegas (Best Writing) - Many games claim it, but New Vegas did it with flying color. Choices have consequences. Open world with choices, choices, and choices affecting your story. Why Best Writing? The makers of the game gives players gazillion choices, and not a single dialogue felt really out of place.
5. Final Fantasy IX - This is the most Final Fantasy of Final Fantasy. A love letter to fan of the series. Too bad the combat is slow, but it is pretty much the perfect Final Fantasy otherwise.
6. Xenoblade Chronicles X - It is Xenoblade, with Mech. A transforming Mech. A flying transforming Mech. Ambitious is an understatement.
7. Final Fantasy VII - Many twists and turns, great game all around.
8. Skyrim
9. Persona 4
10. Pokemon R/B/G/Y
11. Xenogears
12. Final Fantasy 4
13. EverQuest
14. Golden Sun
15. Fire Emblem Awakening
16. The Witcher 3
17. Tales of the Abyss
18. Final Fantasy Tactics
19. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
20. Dragon Quest V
Honorable Mentions:
Dragon Quest IV
Dragon Quest VI
Final Fantasy V
Dragon Age Inquisition
Fallout 3
Golden Sun 2
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Diablo II
Radiant Historia
zero shift
Banned
Why don't you try enlightening us with your glorious top 20 then? Yes GAF swing JRPG, similar to how other sites like RPG Codex swing WRPG. Doesn't change the list from being a quality list.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
Don't follow a guide and don't sort shot recruiting everyone. If you like it you can always replay it with a guide, it's pretty short for a jrpg. For your first time through I'd just go blind.
Whether you get all 108 or not, play Suikoden 2 and import your save for one of the best games ever and one of the best bonuses ever.
My thought exactly. A bit tired of seeing drive-by shit-posting on Gaming Gaf. On a topic about rpgs people like of all things. From a person with a Geralt avatar. It's like they basically said: "Only WRPGs are good".
EDIT: Also, going to throw in Barkely Shut Up and Jam on my list and OFF and take out two others. I still haven't settled on best gameplay but best writing remains Pathologic and best soundtrack remains Nier.
- Took out Jade Empire for Barkley, having difficulty on figuring what to take out of the honorable mentions for OFF.
-The only one I can really justify removing is Fallout: New Vegas, so I'll be removing that for OFF.
Steam GAF is pretty much the most active gaming community thread. It's not like this forum lacks the 50-100 CRPG fans it would take to make a more balanced Top 20. Less complaining and more voting would accomplish that.
zero shift
Banned
KuwabaraTheMan
Banned
Yes, if some more people would come in and vote while this was going on instead of waiting until the vote was over to complain about the results, we could see some very different results.
I really did not like Space Funeral much. The music was very nice but otherwise I really didn't care for it. A lot of people I used to know who turned out to be Goober grapers also loved the game for
"attacking art" as they interpreted it in the ending
games as art/not really art because they think anything with a message is pretentious and evil.
For me the best rpg maker games are IB (not an RPG really or I'd include it in the top 20 for damn sure), To The Moon, and OFF. Barkley was in Gamemaker so that's different.
(In no order)
1.) The Witcher : True to the books, everything from sword play to language is exactly as one would expect in the novels. More than that though, the first game fulfilled my life long desire for a game that reminded me of my childhood- to invigorate that sense of adventure and wonder. With its moody swamps, idyllic villages and haunting tracks, The Witcher remains the pinnacle of immersion and depth. In some ways, this game was even more ambition than the lauded third game, like for example, the idea that the townfolk just go about their daily lives was insane to me when I played it, even the third game doesn't have that! But yeah, shoddy voice acing aside, the writing was very grounded and believable and had this "old time" charm that I really enjoyed. The story was excellent, from recovering Geralt's past to the mystery of Alvin, I could forgive the few blunders along the way. If CDPR remade this game with better writing and the voice talent they have now, this would easily be the best game in the series.
2.) Bloodborne (Best Writing) This is going to come as a surprise, I think to many. Everyone (rightfully) ogles over the combat in Souls, but I think the writing is done a severe injustice often times. The subtlety and nuance present in Bloodborne that allows one to piece together this Lovecraft nightmare is sublime, the fact that the team so meticulously made sure everything fit together is nothing short of amazing, it really strikes me how From gives us just enough information to piece it all together without out right revealing the plot. I went with Bloodborne over the others because the Lovecraftian mythos allows for a sense of mystery and incomprehensibility that fit quite well with The Lovecraft theme. I also picked this game for best writing, though I was pressed hard with this and Planescape, but Planescape was too bloated and higher word count =/= better writing, that game could have really used an editor.
3.) The Witcher III: Wild Hunt: I love this game. Its my GOTY 2015- but it could have been so much more. I feel they they got on that Ubisoft-esque open world design and neglected the most important thing in Witcher games- the story! Other than excellent side quests like those with the Bloody Baron, the main story with Ciri and the Wild Hunt is a mess. The main antagonist has 12 lines (all generic one-liners to boot), and that random macguffin at the end only highlighted the rushed feeling of the third act. Still, I cannot deny that this is open world design done right.
4.) Planescape Torment: As has been mentioned countless times, a damn well written game. Though as mentioned above, information overload is not always a good thing. The dialogue itself actually contained quite a few typos, which only adds to that feeling that no one bothered editing it extensively. Still, its unique take on fantasy combined with good writing deserves it a spot on my list.
5.) Fallout New Vegas: I loved the infinity engine Fallouts, but this was my favorite. I didn't mind Bethesda's take on the series, what bothered me was their writing, which was corrected in this iteration with the masters at Obsidian. The world building was insane, it got me interested to the point that I would actually read about the different factions and past events on the wiki.
6.) The Witcher II: Assassin's of KIngs
7.) Dark Souls
8.) Demon's Souls
9.) Pillars of Eternity
10.) Baldur's Gate 2
11.) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
12.) Diablo II
13.) Diablo III
14.) Deus Ex: Human Revolution
15.) Dragon Age: Origins
16.) The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
17.) System Shock 2
18.) Fallout
19.) Fallout 2
20.) Deus Ex: My list isn't ordered, but if it was, this one would top it all. Its my favorite game of all time, and I feel like expanding on my love would result in me quickly gushing over it like the total fanboy I am, so lets not go down this road. But its the best game of all time and y'all need to accept the truth and- Okay I'l stop now.
1.) The Witcher : True to the books, everything from sword play to language is exactly as one would expect in the novels. More than that though, the first game fulfilled my life long desire for a game that reminded me of my childhood- to invigorate that sense of adventure and wonder. With its moody swamps, idyllic villages and haunting tracks, The Witcher remains the pinnacle of immersion and depth. In some ways, this game was even more ambition than the lauded third game, like for example, the idea that the townfolk just go about their daily lives was insane to me when I played it, even the third game doesn't have that! But yeah, shoddy voice acing aside, the writing was very grounded and believable and had this "old time" charm that I really enjoyed. The story was excellent, from recovering Geralt's past to the mystery of Alvin, I could forgive the few blunders along the way. If CDPR remade this game with better writing and the voice talent they have now, this would easily be the best game in the series.
2.) Bloodborne (Best Writing) This is going to come as a surprise, I think to many. Everyone (rightfully) ogles over the combat in Souls, but I think the writing is done a severe injustice often times. The subtlety and nuance present in Bloodborne that allows one to piece together this Lovecraft nightmare is sublime, the fact that the team so meticulously made sure everything fit together is nothing short of amazing, it really strikes me how From gives us just enough information to piece it all together without out right revealing the plot. I went with Bloodborne over the others because the Lovecraftian mythos allows for a sense of mystery and incomprehensibility that fit quite well with The Lovecraft theme. I also picked this game for best writing, though I was pressed hard with this and Planescape, but Planescape was too bloated and higher word count =/= better writing, that game could have really used an editor.
3.) The Witcher III: Wild Hunt: I love this game. Its my GOTY 2015- but it could have been so much more. I feel they they got on that Ubisoft-esque open world design and neglected the most important thing in Witcher games- the story! Other than excellent side quests like those with the Bloody Baron, the main story with Ciri and the Wild Hunt is a mess. The main antagonist has 12 lines (all generic one-liners to boot), and that random macguffin at the end only highlighted the rushed feeling of the third act. Still, I cannot deny that this is open world design done right.
4.) Planescape Torment: As has been mentioned countless times, a damn well written game. Though as mentioned above, information overload is not always a good thing. The dialogue itself actually contained quite a few typos, which only adds to that feeling that no one bothered editing it extensively. Still, its unique take on fantasy combined with good writing deserves it a spot on my list.
5.) Fallout New Vegas: I loved the infinity engine Fallouts, but this was my favorite. I didn't mind Bethesda's take on the series, what bothered me was their writing, which was corrected in this iteration with the masters at Obsidian. The world building was insane, it got me interested to the point that I would actually read about the different factions and past events on the wiki.
6.) The Witcher II: Assassin's of KIngs
7.) Dark Souls
8.) Demon's Souls
9.) Pillars of Eternity
10.) Baldur's Gate 2
11.) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
12.) Diablo II
13.) Diablo III
14.) Deus Ex: Human Revolution
15.) Dragon Age: Origins
16.) The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
17.) System Shock 2
18.) Fallout
19.) Fallout 2
20.) Deus Ex: My list isn't ordered, but if it was, this one would top it all. Its my favorite game of all time, and I feel like expanding on my love would result in me quickly gushing over it like the total fanboy I am, so lets not go down this road. But its the best game of all time and y'all need to accept the truth and- Okay I'l stop now.
Incendiary
Banned
Well thanks to this thread I've spent the last two nights staying up way later than I should because I can't stop playing Divinity: Original Sin. Guess that's going on my list now.
1. Chrono Trigger (Best Soundtrack) - do I need to say more?
2. Dragon's Dogma (Best Combat) - the wind is pushing me~!
3. Final Fantasy X - my personal favourite from the series
4. Xenoblade Chronicles - hours upon hours of feelin' it
5. Fallout New Vegas - be careful around toilets
6. Divinity Original Sin - old school in the best possible way
7. Final Fantasy VII - waiting for the remake
8. The World Ends With You - I was wearing pins for a year after playing this
9. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - the last good TES
10. Star Wars Knight Of The Old Republic - you're telling me who is what?
11. The Witcher - I might be in the minority here, but I liked the first one the best
12. Planescape Torment (Best Writing) - now that's just an experience
13. Legend of Grimrock - I'm gonna nedd some paper and a pen. And possibly a compass.
14. Radiant Historia - for when beating Chrono Trigger for the 20th time is too much
15. World of Warcraft - the de facto MMORPG
16. Mass Effect - the first one, back when it had some RPG elements
17. Dragon Age Origins - basically the same story as Mass Effect
18. Fallout 2 - can't forget your roots
19. Shin Megami Tensei Persona 4 - I wish I had the time to finish this weird game
20. Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines - you can just blood explode some poor sonuvabitch
2. Dragon's Dogma (Best Combat) - the wind is pushing me~!
3. Final Fantasy X - my personal favourite from the series
4. Xenoblade Chronicles - hours upon hours of feelin' it
5. Fallout New Vegas - be careful around toilets
6. Divinity Original Sin - old school in the best possible way
7. Final Fantasy VII - waiting for the remake
8. The World Ends With You - I was wearing pins for a year after playing this
9. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - the last good TES
10. Star Wars Knight Of The Old Republic - you're telling me who is what?
11. The Witcher - I might be in the minority here, but I liked the first one the best
12. Planescape Torment (Best Writing) - now that's just an experience
13. Legend of Grimrock - I'm gonna nedd some paper and a pen. And possibly a compass.
14. Radiant Historia - for when beating Chrono Trigger for the 20th time is too much
15. World of Warcraft - the de facto MMORPG
16. Mass Effect - the first one, back when it had some RPG elements
17. Dragon Age Origins - basically the same story as Mass Effect
18. Fallout 2 - can't forget your roots
19. Shin Megami Tensei Persona 4 - I wish I had the time to finish this weird game
20. Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines - you can just blood explode some poor sonuvabitch
Very cool to have this back this year, I've been looking forward to it! Just a couple of things about my list. There are plenty of games I should have played this year, but didn't, like Pillars of Eternity, Wicher 3 and Divinity: Original Sin. I'm getting Xenoblade Chronicles X for Christmas and I doubt I'll be able to play it long enough before deadline to give a definitive opinion on it, so it will not make the list. So, if it looks like there are strange gaps in the list, chances are I haven't got around to that particular game yet. Also, I'm not going to vote for games I haven't played in 10 years or more, because that would just be nostalgia talking.
1. Baldur's Gate II (best combat) - the RPG I always come back to, and never fails to impress. The depth of this game is unparalled, in both quantity and quality. Fan mods make it even a better experience. A lot of people seem to have the impression you need to have tabletop D&D experience to get into this game, but I didn't. It's just a game from the time when PC RPGs were made with the assumption that the player will read the manual.
2. Dragon Age: Inquisition - there are so many things that pull just the right strings for me. This game is an explorer's dream. I love the Dragon Age lore, and after two games you've become invested in the setting and characters. The story doesn't shy away from drastic, world-changing events. I love the party members. I love how the game gives you plenty of things to do, and lets you do stuff of your own choice, and on your own pace. For people who have the need to do everything, or need constant prodding and direction, this game is probably tiresome, but it worked great for me.
3. Baldur's Gate - this "lesser" Baldur's Gate actually has better exploration than the sequel. Fan mods turn this good game into a fantastic one.
4. Dragon Age: Origins (best writing) - a great mix of old-school and modern sensibilities. What really makes this a classic for me is the world building. Thedas is so much more than the Tolkien ripoff it first appears.
5. Mass Effect (best soundtrack) - for me this game stands on its story, characters and setting. I don't think I've ever been as involved with an RPG story.
6. Persona 4 - the story, characters, style and gameplay mechanics are a world apart from the norm, but it's also more than a sum of its parts. Addictive and memorable.
7. Persona 3 - Persona 4 does everything better, but Persona 3 Portable is nearly as good.
8. Might and Magic: World of Xeen - made by people who seem to know exactly what makes this genre tick. Not many games are as constantly fun and rewarding as this, from beginning to the end.
9. Knights of the Old Republic - from gameplay to setting to characters, this game gets things right.
10. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium - IMO a head above all other 16-bit JRPGs, and aged best of them. The unique setting, characters and overall writing is still top-notch. Every 16-bit JRPG should have macros in their combat.
11. Might & Magic X: Legacy - a worthy successor to World of Xeen. Addictive gameplay somewhat marred by technical issues.
12. Fire Emblem: Awakening - both combat and character interactions are so addictive.
13. Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor - a fantastic open world RPG that many modern open world RPGs should try to emulate. This game pulls no punches, but it's constantly rewarding and fun.
14. Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos - this golden oldie is still golden. Easy to get into, not easy to finish.
15. Jade Empire - IMO underrated because back then people were still expecting Bioware to make another RPG like Baldur's Gate II. Jade Empire is nothing like Baldur's Gate, but it is a fine story-driven action RPG. What I enjoyed the most was the setting straight out of a wuxia film.
16. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - rarely does a game setting become as memorable as this one. My most screenshotted game.
17. Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven - MMVII is basically a polished version of this game, but I preferred the dungeon design here.
18. Elminage: Original - rather a steep learning curve, but once you get past it, this game becomes wonderfully addictive.
19. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II - would be higher on my list if they had just finished this game properly. My playthrough was cut short by a bug, but I loved the game until then.
20. King's Bounty: The Legend - great combat, bright graphics and lots to explore. What's not to like?
Honorable Mentions:
1. Etrian Odyssey III - well-designed dungeons, good balancing and great character progression.
2. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - everything it does, it does right.
3. Mass Effect 2 - I didn't actually care for the gameplay itself, but the story, setting and characters made up for it.
4. Divine Divinity - the first Divinity game is much better than it first seems. Fun exploration and encounters.
5. Atelier Totori - I don't like crafting, so I was surprised to get hooked into a game that's basically all about crafting.There's always some goal almost on your reach, I guess that's what makes it so addictive. And it's super cute.
6. Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time - a different kind of strategy game. I like how the battles don't drag like they usually do in this genre.
7. Fable II - I enjoyed exploring the beautiful world.
8. Neverwinter Nights - great modules for this one!
9. Lunar: Silver Star Story - it's hard to put into words what's so great about it. It just has a lot of heart.
10. Legend of Grimrock - it's refreshing to play an RPG that concentrates exactly and only on what it does best: puzzles and atmosphere.
1. Baldur's Gate II (best combat) - the RPG I always come back to, and never fails to impress. The depth of this game is unparalled, in both quantity and quality. Fan mods make it even a better experience. A lot of people seem to have the impression you need to have tabletop D&D experience to get into this game, but I didn't. It's just a game from the time when PC RPGs were made with the assumption that the player will read the manual.
2. Dragon Age: Inquisition - there are so many things that pull just the right strings for me. This game is an explorer's dream. I love the Dragon Age lore, and after two games you've become invested in the setting and characters. The story doesn't shy away from drastic, world-changing events. I love the party members. I love how the game gives you plenty of things to do, and lets you do stuff of your own choice, and on your own pace. For people who have the need to do everything, or need constant prodding and direction, this game is probably tiresome, but it worked great for me.
3. Baldur's Gate - this "lesser" Baldur's Gate actually has better exploration than the sequel. Fan mods turn this good game into a fantastic one.
4. Dragon Age: Origins (best writing) - a great mix of old-school and modern sensibilities. What really makes this a classic for me is the world building. Thedas is so much more than the Tolkien ripoff it first appears.
5. Mass Effect (best soundtrack) - for me this game stands on its story, characters and setting. I don't think I've ever been as involved with an RPG story.
6. Persona 4 - the story, characters, style and gameplay mechanics are a world apart from the norm, but it's also more than a sum of its parts. Addictive and memorable.
7. Persona 3 - Persona 4 does everything better, but Persona 3 Portable is nearly as good.
8. Might and Magic: World of Xeen - made by people who seem to know exactly what makes this genre tick. Not many games are as constantly fun and rewarding as this, from beginning to the end.
9. Knights of the Old Republic - from gameplay to setting to characters, this game gets things right.
10. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium - IMO a head above all other 16-bit JRPGs, and aged best of them. The unique setting, characters and overall writing is still top-notch. Every 16-bit JRPG should have macros in their combat.
11. Might & Magic X: Legacy - a worthy successor to World of Xeen. Addictive gameplay somewhat marred by technical issues.
12. Fire Emblem: Awakening - both combat and character interactions are so addictive.
13. Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor - a fantastic open world RPG that many modern open world RPGs should try to emulate. This game pulls no punches, but it's constantly rewarding and fun.
14. Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos - this golden oldie is still golden. Easy to get into, not easy to finish.
15. Jade Empire - IMO underrated because back then people were still expecting Bioware to make another RPG like Baldur's Gate II. Jade Empire is nothing like Baldur's Gate, but it is a fine story-driven action RPG. What I enjoyed the most was the setting straight out of a wuxia film.
16. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - rarely does a game setting become as memorable as this one. My most screenshotted game.
17. Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven - MMVII is basically a polished version of this game, but I preferred the dungeon design here.
18. Elminage: Original - rather a steep learning curve, but once you get past it, this game becomes wonderfully addictive.
19. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II - would be higher on my list if they had just finished this game properly. My playthrough was cut short by a bug, but I loved the game until then.
20. King's Bounty: The Legend - great combat, bright graphics and lots to explore. What's not to like?
Honorable Mentions:
1. Etrian Odyssey III - well-designed dungeons, good balancing and great character progression.
2. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - everything it does, it does right.
3. Mass Effect 2 - I didn't actually care for the gameplay itself, but the story, setting and characters made up for it.
4. Divine Divinity - the first Divinity game is much better than it first seems. Fun exploration and encounters.
5. Atelier Totori - I don't like crafting, so I was surprised to get hooked into a game that's basically all about crafting.There's always some goal almost on your reach, I guess that's what makes it so addictive. And it's super cute.
6. Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time - a different kind of strategy game. I like how the battles don't drag like they usually do in this genre.
7. Fable II - I enjoyed exploring the beautiful world.
8. Neverwinter Nights - great modules for this one!
9. Lunar: Silver Star Story - it's hard to put into words what's so great about it. It just has a lot of heart.
10. Legend of Grimrock - it's refreshing to play an RPG that concentrates exactly and only on what it does best: puzzles and atmosphere.
1. Final Fantasy VII (best story) - My favourite game of all time.
2. Mass Effect (best soundtrack) - Admittedly, the gameplay is out-dated now, but experiencing this for the first time was unforgettable.
3. Fallout 3 - The best of Bethesda's games for mine. The leap from Oblivion to this was, at the time, incredible. I'm also a huge sucker for post-apocalyptic fiction, so this hit the right notes for me.
4. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - Yes, it's possibly too soon, but this is an essential RPG to play right now and whilst I'm not sure just yet where it sits in my personal pantheon, it's already very special to me.
5. Mass Effect 3 - Flawed ending aside, this is the best overall entry in the trilogy. My investment in the characters was so high by the time this game came around, the whole experience felt hugely intense and like it mattered... even if the in-game decisions didn't.
6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
7. Final Fantasy VIII
8. Dragon Age Inquisition
9. Dragon Age: Origins
10. Suikoden II
11. The Witcher 2
12. Fallout: New Vegas
13. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (best combat)
14. Mass Effect 2
15. Nier
16. Skies of Arcadia
17. Dragon Age 2
18. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
19. Final Fantasy IX
20. Chrono Trigger
2. Mass Effect (best soundtrack) - Admittedly, the gameplay is out-dated now, but experiencing this for the first time was unforgettable.
3. Fallout 3 - The best of Bethesda's games for mine. The leap from Oblivion to this was, at the time, incredible. I'm also a huge sucker for post-apocalyptic fiction, so this hit the right notes for me.
4. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - Yes, it's possibly too soon, but this is an essential RPG to play right now and whilst I'm not sure just yet where it sits in my personal pantheon, it's already very special to me.
5. Mass Effect 3 - Flawed ending aside, this is the best overall entry in the trilogy. My investment in the characters was so high by the time this game came around, the whole experience felt hugely intense and like it mattered... even if the in-game decisions didn't.
6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
7. Final Fantasy VIII
8. Dragon Age Inquisition
9. Dragon Age: Origins
10. Suikoden II
11. The Witcher 2
12. Fallout: New Vegas
13. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (best combat)
14. Mass Effect 2
15. Nier
16. Skies of Arcadia
17. Dragon Age 2
18. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
19. Final Fantasy IX
20. Chrono Trigger
I think the the voting would work much better if the highlight points would count only towards the special categories, instead of giving an extra point in general. 20 games is a lot, and the top games in that list are going to be a lot better than the bottom. I wouldn't want to give something a boost in that list just because it has a better soundtrack. A great soundtrack is nice, but it's hardly something that makes or breaks a game. Area/level/dungeon design, characters, exploration, world building and many other things are count more to me than music, and some RPGs (like Grimrock) work perfectly well without any music at all. Some games have one area where they are outstanding but are not fun games as a whole, while the best RPGs tend to be so good because they work so well as a whole. That's why I don't think it's a good idea to give extra points to some games because they are great in one narrow area. It would make more sense IMO if the voters could give an extra 'boost' point to any 3-5 games they think are the absolute top of the crop.
I realize this list is loaded with Megaten games, but that's because I think they're head and shoulders above most JRPG franchises. I don't think any Final Fantasy besides the original Tactics (which is on my list) is a great game, and I've never enjoyed Dragon Quest either. I liked the Chrono, Grandia, and Lunar games when I was a kid, but I don't think they hold up well as an adult. I'm limiting my choices to games that I still consider good, and Megaten games just hold up a lot better for my adult self.
In alphabetical order:
1. Contact (DS)
- Did this make anyone else's list?
2. EarthBound (SNES)
3. Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1)
4. Legend of Mana (PS1)
5. Mother 3 (GBA)
6. Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn)
7. Persona 2: Innocent Sin + Eternal Punishment (PS1) (Best Story)
- This is one of the few JRPG storylines that feels mature in any meaningful sense of the word.
8. Persona 3 Portable (PSP)
- I know this vote will probably count for Persona 3 tout court and I accept that, but if possible I would limit my vote to Persona 3 Portable, which is the only version of the game I warmed up to, in particular the FemC's quest. When I first played Persona 3 FES, I didn't like it much. My biggest problem with the game was the emoboy MC and his tired story arc: cynical loner gradually comes to realize the importance of companionship, blahblah. The dating sim elements seemed like harem wish fulfillment for otaku and forced many of the female characters to behave in implausible ways, and the finale of the game just induced eye rolls from me. It's weird how, despite being a blank slate for the most part, swapping him out for the FemC made such a huge difference for me. Not only was her personality more refreshing, but she was a much much better foil for the game's characters (especially but not limited to Yukari, Junpei, Mitsuro, Ken, and Shinjiro), and her Social Links with them made them more interesting and coherent and made their story arcs feel a lot more plausible than they were in the original game. And yeah, the battle system is better too. The graphical downgrade in P3P didn't bother me much since the graphics in P3 were never that impressive in the first place, and I've played enough point-and-click adventures/visual novels that I was accustomed to the interface used. I still think Aegis is a dull character, but whatever.
9. Persona 4 (PS2/Vita)
10. Shadow Hearts: From the New World (PS2) (Best Combat)
- I realize most people who've played these games prefer the second Shadow Hearts, and while I liked Covenant when I first played it, it's a lot more bloated and ridiculous than I remembered. I loved the atmosphere of the first Shadow Hearts as well as Koudelka (which is still interesting enough to make my Honorable Mentions), but the gameplay can get tedious quickly. On the other hand, From the New World offers the best iteration of the judgment ring system, which makes it one of the best turn-based systems out there; and its setting and the influence it draws from Native American lore, among other things, makes it unique among JRPGs. I think it was more light-hearted than people expected at the time, which is why many were disappointed with it, but that goofiness was already present in the second game. I'm not too bothered by the game's tone, which retains some of the gothic roots of the prior games (H.P. Lovecraft even makes a cameo) . It probably has one of the most varied casts in a JRPG as well. I do wish it were possible to combine the polish of From the New World with the cool horror atmosphere of Koudelka and the first Shadow Hearts, but alas!
11. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon (PS2)
12. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga (PS2)
13. Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS)
14. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2)
15. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (DS)
16. Skies of Arcadia (Dreamcast)
17. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (SNES/PS1)
18. Vagrant Story (PS1)
19. Valkyrie Profile (PS1)
20. The World Ends with You (DS) (Best Soundtrack)
Honorable Mentions:
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter (PS2)
Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS)
Koudelka (PS1)
Phantasy Star 4 (Genesis)
Radiant Historia (DS)
Shining Force 3 (Saturn)
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 (DS/3DS)
South Park: The Stick of Truth (PC/PS3)
Suikoden 2 (PS1)
Undertale (PC)
In alphabetical order:
1. Contact (DS)
- Did this make anyone else's list?
2. EarthBound (SNES)
3. Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1)
4. Legend of Mana (PS1)
5. Mother 3 (GBA)
6. Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn)
7. Persona 2: Innocent Sin + Eternal Punishment (PS1) (Best Story)
- This is one of the few JRPG storylines that feels mature in any meaningful sense of the word.
8. Persona 3 Portable (PSP)
- I know this vote will probably count for Persona 3 tout court and I accept that, but if possible I would limit my vote to Persona 3 Portable, which is the only version of the game I warmed up to, in particular the FemC's quest. When I first played Persona 3 FES, I didn't like it much. My biggest problem with the game was the emoboy MC and his tired story arc: cynical loner gradually comes to realize the importance of companionship, blahblah. The dating sim elements seemed like harem wish fulfillment for otaku and forced many of the female characters to behave in implausible ways, and the finale of the game just induced eye rolls from me. It's weird how, despite being a blank slate for the most part, swapping him out for the FemC made such a huge difference for me. Not only was her personality more refreshing, but she was a much much better foil for the game's characters (especially but not limited to Yukari, Junpei, Mitsuro, Ken, and Shinjiro), and her Social Links with them made them more interesting and coherent and made their story arcs feel a lot more plausible than they were in the original game. And yeah, the battle system is better too. The graphical downgrade in P3P didn't bother me much since the graphics in P3 were never that impressive in the first place, and I've played enough point-and-click adventures/visual novels that I was accustomed to the interface used. I still think Aegis is a dull character, but whatever.
9. Persona 4 (PS2/Vita)
10. Shadow Hearts: From the New World (PS2) (Best Combat)
- I realize most people who've played these games prefer the second Shadow Hearts, and while I liked Covenant when I first played it, it's a lot more bloated and ridiculous than I remembered. I loved the atmosphere of the first Shadow Hearts as well as Koudelka (which is still interesting enough to make my Honorable Mentions), but the gameplay can get tedious quickly. On the other hand, From the New World offers the best iteration of the judgment ring system, which makes it one of the best turn-based systems out there; and its setting and the influence it draws from Native American lore, among other things, makes it unique among JRPGs. I think it was more light-hearted than people expected at the time, which is why many were disappointed with it, but that goofiness was already present in the second game. I'm not too bothered by the game's tone, which retains some of the gothic roots of the prior games (H.P. Lovecraft even makes a cameo) . It probably has one of the most varied casts in a JRPG as well. I do wish it were possible to combine the polish of From the New World with the cool horror atmosphere of Koudelka and the first Shadow Hearts, but alas!
11. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon (PS2)
12. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga (PS2)
13. Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS)
14. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2)
15. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (DS)
16. Skies of Arcadia (Dreamcast)
17. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (SNES/PS1)
18. Vagrant Story (PS1)
19. Valkyrie Profile (PS1)
20. The World Ends with You (DS) (Best Soundtrack)
Honorable Mentions:
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter (PS2)
Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS)
Koudelka (PS1)
Phantasy Star 4 (Genesis)
Radiant Historia (DS)
Shining Force 3 (Saturn)
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 (DS/3DS)
South Park: The Stick of Truth (PC/PS3)
Suikoden 2 (PS1)
Undertale (PC)
Flightmare
Member
1. Persona 4 (Best writing) - There's a lot of reasons why I love Persona 4. The characters are genuinely interesting, and that deal with issues I can relate to. The murder mystery is exciting, and the combat is fast paced and fun. It's a game that got me instantly hooked and quickly became my favorite game of all time. Oh, and the soundtrack is so catchy!
2. Final Fantasy IX - A whimsical adventure with a loveable cast of characters. I adored Vivi, and the game had a great pace, especially during disc 1. My only problem with the game is the slow combat system.
3. The Last Story (Best Combat) - I instantly fell in love with the combat, a great mix of hack-and-slash and giving comands to your party. In addition to this, it had a great soundtrack and likable characters, as well as a fun (but cliche) story.
4. Final Fantasy X - Great turn-based combat, an amazing sountrack and story that I loved. Some of cutscenes are downright magical and makes Final Fantasy X a truly memorable game.
5. Pokemon Silver - There's no game I've put more hours into. Collecting all the pokemons is incredibly addictive and battling other players is always exiciting, and the remake made the game even better.
6. Nier (Best Soundtrack) - My favorite soundtrack of all time + an amazing story.
7. Trails in the Sky - A great cast of characters (especially Olivier), with an enjoyable story and soundtrack.
8. Lost Odyssey - A Thousand years of Dreams is amazing. It's a shame the dreams weren't a bigger focus of the game, because the story isn't really that interesting. I cared a lot more about the characters mentioned in the dreams than I did with the actual cast of the game. The game was still very enjoyable, with great turn-based combat and a wonderful sountrack.
9. Folklore - A setting you never see in other JRPGs, with great character design and a cool story. One of the hidden gems on the PS3
2. Final Fantasy IX - A whimsical adventure with a loveable cast of characters. I adored Vivi, and the game had a great pace, especially during disc 1. My only problem with the game is the slow combat system.
3. The Last Story (Best Combat) - I instantly fell in love with the combat, a great mix of hack-and-slash and giving comands to your party. In addition to this, it had a great soundtrack and likable characters, as well as a fun (but cliche) story.
4. Final Fantasy X - Great turn-based combat, an amazing sountrack and story that I loved. Some of cutscenes are downright magical and makes Final Fantasy X a truly memorable game.
5. Pokemon Silver - There's no game I've put more hours into. Collecting all the pokemons is incredibly addictive and battling other players is always exiciting, and the remake made the game even better.
6. Nier (Best Soundtrack) - My favorite soundtrack of all time + an amazing story.
7. Trails in the Sky - A great cast of characters (especially Olivier), with an enjoyable story and soundtrack.
8. Lost Odyssey - A Thousand years of Dreams is amazing. It's a shame the dreams weren't a bigger focus of the game, because the story isn't really that interesting. I cared a lot more about the characters mentioned in the dreams than I did with the actual cast of the game. The game was still very enjoyable, with great turn-based combat and a wonderful sountrack.
9. Folklore - A setting you never see in other JRPGs, with great character design and a cool story. One of the hidden gems on the PS3
Valkyri von Thanatos
Member
Alright, thanks for the advice. I thought that the ending you got, and the stars that you got in Suikoden I affected the bonus imported into Suikoden II. I guess not though. I don't really feel like playing through it twice, I don't feel like I have that kind of time mostly, but if the bonus given for an imported save file doesn't change too much depending on the first game's ending, then I'll be glad to stop following guides.
I was only really playing Suikoden I because so many people praise II and say that playing I is important, that I bought it by association. I even researched how best to minimize the main character of I's name being scrambled in the save import from I to II, and named the main character in I accordingly.
Thanks again for the advice, so is the save import bonus really not depednednt on getting the 108 stars in Suikoden I?
decoyplatypus
Member
Looks like it made a few other lists. You've got me curious. Why is it your number one?
Ok, having finally come around to play recettear for a bit: you guys should really try out the Atelier games. There's no haggling or real shop management, but it definitely strikes the same veins as Recettear (well, actually I think it's the other way around, but whatever).
Probably because his list is alphabetical.
zero shift
Banned
Mind you it has been a VERY long time since I played it. But from what I remember it is a very quirky unique game that breaks the fourth wall by using the DS's dual screen feature well and has a gorgeous art style. It is one of those "unique for the sake of uniqueness" RPGs as it has a unique premise, a non-turn based (though laughably simplistic) "battle system", unique (more so at the time) design, and nontraditional story. It isn't Mother 3 or Undertale but if that is your cup of tea it definitely is worth the price and shipping of $15 to try it out.
Some things are beyond the mere happenstance of lists. Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden is one of them.
fargofallout
Member
This is almost too daunting to involve myself. For one, there are a lot of RPGs I haven't played that I should have. Also, some of the games I enjoy immensely, such as Final Fantasy IV or The 7th Saga, probably don't hold up too well for someone that has never played them. I guess I need to think about it.
Incendiary
Banned
So I updated my list to include Divinity Original Sin - Enhanced Edition because this game has taken over my life and I've lost sleep over it. Definitely the best isometric RPG experience I've had so far next to Fallout 2.
KuwabaraTheMan
Banned
I've actually started on the series this year, but being a crazy person I started with the earliest localized games, so so far I've only played Iris 1 and 2 (almost done with it). But I can definitely see that as a good recommendation.
Having progressed a bit farther in Persona 2: Innocent Sin, I really wish I could give distincition for best writing to more than one game. Cause now it's between Pathologic, Undertale, Live-A-Live, SoA, and P2: IS. Working on finishing up P2: IS still and then I'm playing P2: EP right after but ugggh. Too many games with some top-notch writing. Pathologic is still getting my best writing vote but so many others are nearly just as good in other ways.
I'll check out Atelier later.
I'll check out Atelier later.
I only played two Ateliers on ps2, but IMO the ps3 ones are much better games (even aside the obvious better production values).
If you like the time management, go for the Aarland trilogy, if you're more into fusing and relaxed gameplay, go for Dust trilogy.
And if you are in the PS2 Gust era, you could also check out Mana Khemia 2 if you want a funny game.
Neko Mimi Mode
Member
1) Suikoden 2 - The best RPG ever, hands down. I know of no other game that evokes the emotions that it can, nor do I know of another that can make me feel so satisfied even after 30 or more playthroughs. A wonderful selection of characters, an engrossing and touching story and some pretty incredible mini-games. Would give it all the points from the others if I could.
2) Grandia (best music) - The spirit of fun and adventure oozes out of this game's every pore. Characters are cool, battles are fun, story is simple but effective. The music though takes the prize.
3) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - I'm one of those people who keeps this installed and up to date because you never know when you'll get the itch to just jump in and be immersed. Fan mods turn it into perhaps the most perfect WRPG I've experienced. A living, breathing, beautiful world with Jeremy Soule at his finest. Combat isn't wonderful, but that doesn't matter so much.
4) Radiata Stories - Haven't played this before? You should. Even more characters to recruit than in Suikoden games, but with Tales of combat. Very, very fun. One of the few games that actually manages to be amusing and has a fun World with pretty enjoyable characters.
5) Chrono Cross - Yeah, I like Trigger, but there's something about Cross. That music, that character list, that bonkers plot. Great game, worthy (IMO) sequel and deserves 2 more points here.
6) Breath of Fire 3 - The best Breath of Fire game, that one where it all just clicked. Awesome jazzy soundtrack, memorable characters, engrossing dragon gene system and actually significant fights. Replayable ad infinity.
7) The Witcher 2 - Oooh controversial, but I think the second Witcher is still my favorite in the series, at least for now. Liked the music, loved the dialogue, adored the combat.
8) Mass Effect - Planet exploration in the Mako still can't be beat, was the only Mass Effect I've been able to slog through and enjoy more than twice. It's fun, fresh and still removed enough from the bullshit the series disintegrated into.
9) Final Fantasy XI - The best storyline in a Final Fantasy, no contest. Was at a time the most well-crafted MMO in existince too, which helps. The party-based nature of everything brought people together. Music was epic too.
10) Alundra - The Zelda clone that's better than Zelda. Dark, moody, difficult. It's a real shame it never got a proper sequel (that didn't suck). Also, again, loved the music.
11) Ar Tonelico II (best battles) - Love this game, love it. Great music, great (perfect even) combat, great characters, great story, great series lore, best romance sim. This game has it all. On the downside though, it IS savagely long, which keeps me away from a replay every time.
12) Chrono Trigger - If this isn't on your list, then you probably haven't played it. That's a damn shame. Along the with it's sequel Cross, this game was Square at it's zenith. Master storytelling which still inspires to this day. A cute and lovable world and characters and mind-blowing music.
13) Terranigma - Can't remember why I like this, so it must be time for a replay. Pretty sure it was the trippy story and awesome music though. It usually is.
Honorable mentions:
Grandia XTREME
Wild Arms
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Skies of Arcadia
Persona 4
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy XII
Lost Odyssey
Phantasy Star Portable 2
Shadow Hearts 2: Covenant
2) Grandia (best music) - The spirit of fun and adventure oozes out of this game's every pore. Characters are cool, battles are fun, story is simple but effective. The music though takes the prize.
3) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - I'm one of those people who keeps this installed and up to date because you never know when you'll get the itch to just jump in and be immersed. Fan mods turn it into perhaps the most perfect WRPG I've experienced. A living, breathing, beautiful world with Jeremy Soule at his finest. Combat isn't wonderful, but that doesn't matter so much.
4) Radiata Stories - Haven't played this before? You should. Even more characters to recruit than in Suikoden games, but with Tales of combat. Very, very fun. One of the few games that actually manages to be amusing and has a fun World with pretty enjoyable characters.
5) Chrono Cross - Yeah, I like Trigger, but there's something about Cross. That music, that character list, that bonkers plot. Great game, worthy (IMO) sequel and deserves 2 more points here.
6) Breath of Fire 3 - The best Breath of Fire game, that one where it all just clicked. Awesome jazzy soundtrack, memorable characters, engrossing dragon gene system and actually significant fights. Replayable ad infinity.
7) The Witcher 2 - Oooh controversial, but I think the second Witcher is still my favorite in the series, at least for now. Liked the music, loved the dialogue, adored the combat.
8) Mass Effect - Planet exploration in the Mako still can't be beat, was the only Mass Effect I've been able to slog through and enjoy more than twice. It's fun, fresh and still removed enough from the bullshit the series disintegrated into.
9) Final Fantasy XI - The best storyline in a Final Fantasy, no contest. Was at a time the most well-crafted MMO in existince too, which helps. The party-based nature of everything brought people together. Music was epic too.
10) Alundra - The Zelda clone that's better than Zelda. Dark, moody, difficult. It's a real shame it never got a proper sequel (that didn't suck). Also, again, loved the music.
11) Ar Tonelico II (best battles) - Love this game, love it. Great music, great (perfect even) combat, great characters, great story, great series lore, best romance sim. This game has it all. On the downside though, it IS savagely long, which keeps me away from a replay every time.
12) Chrono Trigger - If this isn't on your list, then you probably haven't played it. That's a damn shame. Along the with it's sequel Cross, this game was Square at it's zenith. Master storytelling which still inspires to this day. A cute and lovable world and characters and mind-blowing music.
13) Terranigma - Can't remember why I like this, so it must be time for a replay. Pretty sure it was the trippy story and awesome music though. It usually is.
Honorable mentions:
Grandia XTREME
Wild Arms
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Skies of Arcadia
Persona 4
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy XII
Lost Odyssey
Phantasy Star Portable 2
Shadow Hearts 2: Covenant
1) Chrono Trigger - The game that came closest to perfection. Story, characters, music and gameplay are all spot on. There is no apparent flaw, and while it's 20 years old, it holds up phenomenally. (Best music)
2) Dragon Age: Origins - Fell in love with this game, playing this on hard mode was great. World was very interesting, humor was on point. All went down the shitter with II and Inquisition.
3) Fire Emblem 7 - The best Fire Emblem by far. The least flawed game of this list, after Chrono Trigger.
4) The Witcher 3 - Ambitious, one of the few games that succesfully became an open-world game. Gameplay is average, all the rest in top tier. Latest DLC is the best I ever played.
5) Fallout New Vegas - The only Bethesda game that interested me from start to finish. Everything seems possible.
6) Xenoblade Chronicles - Great localization
7) Pokémon Heart Gold/Soul Silver - The perfect Pokémon game. Two regions, the best Pokémon game and the Pokémon walk behind you, how cool is that?
8) Mass Effect 2 - Also known as the last decent Bioware game
9) Final Fantasy VI - Not that much of a fan of Final Fantasy, but this one is great. Didn't age very well.
10) Bloodborne - Only game on the list I didn't complete yet. Best combat, athmosphere. Only ranked it 10th because I didn't finish it.
11) Persona 4 - Improves on everything Persona 3 did. Great music and characters. Combat was a bit boring, but overall a memorable game and truly a RPG classic.
12) Valkyria Chronicles - Story starts off a bit weak, but improves massively. Shame about the sequels, there is still room for improvement. The game is a ton of fun and although its cast is immense, a lot of them are very memorable.
13) Fire Emblem 8: Sacred Stones - Although vastly inferior to its predecessor, but still a great little game I had a lot of fun with. Incredibly replayable, and more fun than Awakening imo.
14) The Witcher 2 - Overshadowed by its sequel but Vernon Roche is better than anyone from TW3. Music is great too, and dem quests. Shame about the combat.
15) Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Adam Jensen is the coolest protagonist ever. The game gets philosophical a lot and succeeds. The boss fights though....
2) Dragon Age: Origins - Fell in love with this game, playing this on hard mode was great. World was very interesting, humor was on point. All went down the shitter with II and Inquisition.
3) Fire Emblem 7 - The best Fire Emblem by far. The least flawed game of this list, after Chrono Trigger.
4) The Witcher 3 - Ambitious, one of the few games that succesfully became an open-world game. Gameplay is average, all the rest in top tier. Latest DLC is the best I ever played.
5) Fallout New Vegas - The only Bethesda game that interested me from start to finish. Everything seems possible.
6) Xenoblade Chronicles - Great localization
7) Pokémon Heart Gold/Soul Silver - The perfect Pokémon game. Two regions, the best Pokémon game and the Pokémon walk behind you, how cool is that?
8) Mass Effect 2 - Also known as the last decent Bioware game
9) Final Fantasy VI - Not that much of a fan of Final Fantasy, but this one is great. Didn't age very well.
10) Bloodborne - Only game on the list I didn't complete yet. Best combat, athmosphere. Only ranked it 10th because I didn't finish it.
11) Persona 4 - Improves on everything Persona 3 did. Great music and characters. Combat was a bit boring, but overall a memorable game and truly a RPG classic.
12) Valkyria Chronicles - Story starts off a bit weak, but improves massively. Shame about the sequels, there is still room for improvement. The game is a ton of fun and although its cast is immense, a lot of them are very memorable.
13) Fire Emblem 8: Sacred Stones - Although vastly inferior to its predecessor, but still a great little game I had a lot of fun with. Incredibly replayable, and more fun than Awakening imo.
14) The Witcher 2 - Overshadowed by its sequel but Vernon Roche is better than anyone from TW3. Music is great too, and dem quests. Shame about the combat.
15) Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Adam Jensen is the coolest protagonist ever. The game gets philosophical a lot and succeeds. The boss fights though....
checking some of the lists here, it becomes clear to me that 20 RPGs (plus 10 honorable mentions) is nowhere near enough, there are too many RPGs that I can't believe I forgot to include, but then again, all 30 spots are taken and not like undeservedly.
being a big Gust fun and I have played all their games I can't agree that PS3 games are better ones, they are very different, so it depends on your taste, but I prefer all pre Arland games, not to mention that Mana Khemia is one of the best games ever in my eyes. Mana Khemia 2 is great too, true but Mana Khemia is still the best.
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana is pretty great too and better than all PS3 games, granted it is much more complicated and complex than later games too, so if it's not your thing, you might prefer PS3 games, true.
Mana Khemia is on my list, of course.
being a big Gust fun and I have played all their games I can't agree that PS3 games are better ones, they are very different, so it depends on your taste, but I prefer all pre Arland games, not to mention that Mana Khemia is one of the best games ever in my eyes. Mana Khemia 2 is great too, true but Mana Khemia is still the best.
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana is pretty great too and better than all PS3 games, granted it is much more complicated and complex than later games too, so if it's not your thing, you might prefer PS3 games, true.
Mana Khemia is on my list, of course.
I'll admit that it's been a long time, so I may remember them wrong. I just remember not being really blown away by Atelier Iris, but addicted to the PS3 games.
I agree on Mana Khemia though.
Because, as I wrote right above it, I listed the games in alphabetical order.
But seriously, it's a unique and smart game with a quirky sense of humor and some admittedly dubious gameplay choices. Not unlike EarthBound. How many video games do you know that reference semiotics?
human onion
Banned
Well here it goes. I haven't necessarily beaten everything in this list, but I still feel some of them are essential. There are notable 'omissions', which are games I haven't played at all or enough of to pass judgement on. No real order either.
Deus Ex (Best Soundtrack): Also my favorite game ever. It fits into 'immersive sim', which includes games like Ultima Underworld and Thief, but its core is an RPG. The story is silly but fun, the graphics are pretty bad, but the attention to detail is fantastic, and the blend of RPG and FPS elements works great, complemented with level design that accounts for all sorts of builds while still feeling 'natural'. The build system, along with the inventory system and the open-ended gameplay allow for lots of fun possibilities, and the developers did their best to account for them. Highlighted for soundtrack since I feel it's pretty underrated and because it fits the environments so well.
Ultima Underworld: A game very similar to Deus Ex, but a lot harder to get into and quite a few build traps that can screw a playthrough. The game is one dungeon, and you have to solve puzzles, learn spells, level up through discovered mantras, and a whole lot more to get through it. The combat is pretty dull, but there is so much more to the game than that. You'd better take notes; thankfully the map allows for this, but I also wrote a spell card for quick reference. The game will punish you for not keeping track, especially regarding your inventory, and weight limits will be the bane of your existence, but the journey is well worth it in my opinion (even when i did have to consult walkthroughs). Give it a try, I found it really engaging.
Baldur's Gate 2 Shadows of Amn (including TOB I guess, don't know if they're separate): A seriously good RPG, one of the best of the Infinity Engine games. The game is huge, but shockingly it is rarely repetitive, with tons of character quests, secrets, and areas to explore. Unfortunately, as an IE game, it features painful pathfinding, so it can be difficult to get started, but once you're engaged, you won't want to stop playing. The gameplay system is used very well in many unique and challenging encounters. I don't think the writing or storytelling is that great, but the quests themselves are engaging enough.
Icewind Dale: The more combat focused, less story heavy brother of the Baldur's Gate series, this game is even better in terms of gameplay than BG2, especially with full party creation that ensures replayability. Again, though, the pathfinding can be a dealbreaker, but fortunately the shared experience system allows for balanced playthroughs with almost any number of party members. You can solo the game with a faceroll Fighter Cleric or go with your 6 Mage posse. It is far more linear than BG2, which makes it more frustrating as the difficulty curve is pretty borked, but that can also add to the gameplay of creating an optimal and fun party.
Planescape Torment (Best Writing): Often derisively called a text adventure, this game is very story heavy and pretty much warrants a Mage playthrough for the best experience. Once you’re in though, you’ll find the most reactive game you’ve ever played. The story itself is pretty engaging, but the way its told through your action and choices is unparalleled, as far as I’ve played (with one exception). It’s not terribly difficult, and the combat is engaging enough for the few times you’ll do it, but there’s plenty to see outside of it.
Fallout: I find the game pretty flawed in many areas, but it has two good draws. The first is the character creation system. It is extremely varied, and you can make almost any build work with a little bit of pain (or a lot). Second is the way you can approach it. The game is short enough to provide so many options in how to beat it, so no two playthroughs can really be the same. I find the gameplay itself and the story and world mostly unsatisfying, but it still provides a unique take on the genre that makes it essential.
Fallout New Vegas: This is pretty much the true evolution of Fallout, but bigger and in first-person. Considering this is what Van Buren turned into, that’s the gist of it. While the character creation has carried over, the openness of the first I feel has not. Nevertheless, the vast improvement in story, huge amount of engaging and unique content, and character variety makes this a great game, despite my dislike of mixing turn-based and first-person shooting. Also has the best DLC of any game I’ve played.
Dark Souls: This game is probably the best blend of action game and RPG elements, somehow mixing build variety, player skill, enemy design, and level design into a very challenging but very fun game. It’s one of the best genre mixes around. Can’t say much about the multiplayer aspect as I haven’t really engaged in it, but even without it the game is really well designed and rarely if ever feels unfair.
Shadowrun Dragonfall: A very well written game in the Shadowrun universe. On top of a fun combat system and a huge amount of quests to do is the thing the studio does best, which is characters. Not only are they well written and have lots of dialog and choice associated with them, the decisions you make and the ones you bring factor into the gameplay. They react consistently to the choices you make, and do this without a silly approval meter.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: Both games are fantastic, but I picked the second one for better story and characters. I feel they are both great takes on Star Wars, with the second really exploring some interesting aspects. Character building is not so great or interesting, but the choices you can make are more interesting than the binary light or dark system in place, and you’ll find yourself deviating from either path to do what you want. Good games, especially good for newcomers to the genre.
Divinity Original Sin (Best Combat): I’ll have to admit that I still haven’t finished this game for a few reasons, but I’ve played enough to say that this game has the best combat system of any RPG I’ve played. The environmental interactivity, build variety, encounter design, and massive variety in approach allow for a challenging albeit heavily exploitable game. You will restart with new characters just to try all sorts of fun combinations and builds. There are other aspects, such as inventory, that really slow the game down as they’re way overdone, but the combat is well worth giving it a try.
Might and Magic 6: A crazy but unique game with a fun open world, lots of secrets, really fun magic, and lots of exploitables. Combat is repetitive, but it’s nevertheless fun to fly around raining fire and causing absolute destruction. It’s one of the best RPG’s for jumping in and fucking shit up, especially once you’ve hit the higher levels. There’s still a degree of challenge, but it’s not particularly difficult to get into. Plus, I really wanted to add a first person blobber to the list and this is a good one.
Honorable Mentions:
Alpha Protocol: The exception I mentioned with Planescape, but I find the gameplay pretty terrible. The storytelling is pretty much on par, however, and it’s worth a play on easy.
Baldur’s Gate: I found it sparse compared to its sequel, but it has plenty to go for on its own.
Gothic 2: Fantastic open world, I feel it should be the standard for open world games. Very difficult, in a very frustrating way.
The Witcher 2: Great story with a great amount of choice, though combat leaves much to be desired.
Pokemon Gold/Silver + Remakes: Obligatory Pokemon game that hooked me, still a good game on its own.
Pretty much it, although there’s a ton more games I wish I played, but of the ones I have, these are the ones I found worth mentioning. Also played very few JRPG’s, most of which I haven’t liked very much. I’ll have to scour other lists for those recommendations.
Edit: Damn son this post got long
Deus Ex (Best Soundtrack): Also my favorite game ever. It fits into 'immersive sim', which includes games like Ultima Underworld and Thief, but its core is an RPG. The story is silly but fun, the graphics are pretty bad, but the attention to detail is fantastic, and the blend of RPG and FPS elements works great, complemented with level design that accounts for all sorts of builds while still feeling 'natural'. The build system, along with the inventory system and the open-ended gameplay allow for lots of fun possibilities, and the developers did their best to account for them. Highlighted for soundtrack since I feel it's pretty underrated and because it fits the environments so well.
Ultima Underworld: A game very similar to Deus Ex, but a lot harder to get into and quite a few build traps that can screw a playthrough. The game is one dungeon, and you have to solve puzzles, learn spells, level up through discovered mantras, and a whole lot more to get through it. The combat is pretty dull, but there is so much more to the game than that. You'd better take notes; thankfully the map allows for this, but I also wrote a spell card for quick reference. The game will punish you for not keeping track, especially regarding your inventory, and weight limits will be the bane of your existence, but the journey is well worth it in my opinion (even when i did have to consult walkthroughs). Give it a try, I found it really engaging.
Baldur's Gate 2 Shadows of Amn (including TOB I guess, don't know if they're separate): A seriously good RPG, one of the best of the Infinity Engine games. The game is huge, but shockingly it is rarely repetitive, with tons of character quests, secrets, and areas to explore. Unfortunately, as an IE game, it features painful pathfinding, so it can be difficult to get started, but once you're engaged, you won't want to stop playing. The gameplay system is used very well in many unique and challenging encounters. I don't think the writing or storytelling is that great, but the quests themselves are engaging enough.
Icewind Dale: The more combat focused, less story heavy brother of the Baldur's Gate series, this game is even better in terms of gameplay than BG2, especially with full party creation that ensures replayability. Again, though, the pathfinding can be a dealbreaker, but fortunately the shared experience system allows for balanced playthroughs with almost any number of party members. You can solo the game with a faceroll Fighter Cleric or go with your 6 Mage posse. It is far more linear than BG2, which makes it more frustrating as the difficulty curve is pretty borked, but that can also add to the gameplay of creating an optimal and fun party.
Planescape Torment (Best Writing): Often derisively called a text adventure, this game is very story heavy and pretty much warrants a Mage playthrough for the best experience. Once you’re in though, you’ll find the most reactive game you’ve ever played. The story itself is pretty engaging, but the way its told through your action and choices is unparalleled, as far as I’ve played (with one exception). It’s not terribly difficult, and the combat is engaging enough for the few times you’ll do it, but there’s plenty to see outside of it.
Fallout: I find the game pretty flawed in many areas, but it has two good draws. The first is the character creation system. It is extremely varied, and you can make almost any build work with a little bit of pain (or a lot). Second is the way you can approach it. The game is short enough to provide so many options in how to beat it, so no two playthroughs can really be the same. I find the gameplay itself and the story and world mostly unsatisfying, but it still provides a unique take on the genre that makes it essential.
Fallout New Vegas: This is pretty much the true evolution of Fallout, but bigger and in first-person. Considering this is what Van Buren turned into, that’s the gist of it. While the character creation has carried over, the openness of the first I feel has not. Nevertheless, the vast improvement in story, huge amount of engaging and unique content, and character variety makes this a great game, despite my dislike of mixing turn-based and first-person shooting. Also has the best DLC of any game I’ve played.
Dark Souls: This game is probably the best blend of action game and RPG elements, somehow mixing build variety, player skill, enemy design, and level design into a very challenging but very fun game. It’s one of the best genre mixes around. Can’t say much about the multiplayer aspect as I haven’t really engaged in it, but even without it the game is really well designed and rarely if ever feels unfair.
Shadowrun Dragonfall: A very well written game in the Shadowrun universe. On top of a fun combat system and a huge amount of quests to do is the thing the studio does best, which is characters. Not only are they well written and have lots of dialog and choice associated with them, the decisions you make and the ones you bring factor into the gameplay. They react consistently to the choices you make, and do this without a silly approval meter.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: Both games are fantastic, but I picked the second one for better story and characters. I feel they are both great takes on Star Wars, with the second really exploring some interesting aspects. Character building is not so great or interesting, but the choices you can make are more interesting than the binary light or dark system in place, and you’ll find yourself deviating from either path to do what you want. Good games, especially good for newcomers to the genre.
Divinity Original Sin (Best Combat): I’ll have to admit that I still haven’t finished this game for a few reasons, but I’ve played enough to say that this game has the best combat system of any RPG I’ve played. The environmental interactivity, build variety, encounter design, and massive variety in approach allow for a challenging albeit heavily exploitable game. You will restart with new characters just to try all sorts of fun combinations and builds. There are other aspects, such as inventory, that really slow the game down as they’re way overdone, but the combat is well worth giving it a try.
Might and Magic 6: A crazy but unique game with a fun open world, lots of secrets, really fun magic, and lots of exploitables. Combat is repetitive, but it’s nevertheless fun to fly around raining fire and causing absolute destruction. It’s one of the best RPG’s for jumping in and fucking shit up, especially once you’ve hit the higher levels. There’s still a degree of challenge, but it’s not particularly difficult to get into. Plus, I really wanted to add a first person blobber to the list and this is a good one.
Honorable Mentions:
Alpha Protocol: The exception I mentioned with Planescape, but I find the gameplay pretty terrible. The storytelling is pretty much on par, however, and it’s worth a play on easy.
Baldur’s Gate: I found it sparse compared to its sequel, but it has plenty to go for on its own.
Gothic 2: Fantastic open world, I feel it should be the standard for open world games. Very difficult, in a very frustrating way.
The Witcher 2: Great story with a great amount of choice, though combat leaves much to be desired.
Pokemon Gold/Silver + Remakes: Obligatory Pokemon game that hooked me, still a good game on its own.
Pretty much it, although there’s a ton more games I wish I played, but of the ones I have, these are the ones I found worth mentioning. Also played very few JRPG’s, most of which I haven’t liked very much. I’ll have to scour other lists for those recommendations.
Edit: Damn son this post got long
Squirrel Killer
Member
I am going to mostly reprise my list from last year, updated to fit current rules. Hopefully, NetHack or at least some other foundational roguelike makes the list this year.
1) NetHack (Best Combat) - I'm glad to see ADOM getting a few mentions, but as arguably the game that made "roguelikes" a major RPG subgenre, it's criminal that NetHack hasn't appeared in either this thread yet or the previous incarnation of it.
2) Tales of the Unknown: Volume I: The Bard's Tale (1985) (Best Soundtrack) - Of all the early CRPGs, Bard's has the UI that is the least painful to modern players, has tight gameplay, an interesting plot and lore, and a manageable scope. I can navigate Skara Brae to this day and the bard's tunes are still in my head.
3) Icewind Dale (2000) - The Infinity Engine games are a wonderful, natural, and accessible translation of the complex D&D rules to computers. The Icewind Dale series beats out the Baldur's Gate series because I get to play role more of my choosing and less of the author's and I love the winter setting.
4) Baldur's Gate (1998) (Best Writing) - As great as Icewind Dale is, Baldur's Gate forged the path for it. I haven't played enough of BG2 to consider it for this list, but I think I might still end up preferring BG1 for the smaller scale of the narrative.
5) Final Fantasy (1990) - Yes, no number on this one. I've been replaying it on mobile and falling back in love. I appreciate being able to define my party, again, I feel like I'm telling my story, not the author's.
6) Fire Emblem (2003) - Although this was when my gaming time was in serious decline, this turned me on in a big way on to the sRPG subgenre and even got me to dig out Final Fantasy Tactics which I hadn't really touched since it came out (although I still never put more than an hour or two in to FFT, thus its omission from my list.)
7) BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception (1988) - One of the few games that I've actually beaten. I used to suspect it was due to a glitch, but apparently, it was a plot point that you were supposed to fall in to a shitload of money and kit yourself and your mech out so much that the rest of the game becames a cinch. That revelation lowers the game a tad in my estimation, but still, I loved sci-fi setting of the BattleTech franchise and walking around in a huge mech.
8) Shadowrun (1993) - I think I've seen a couple of other action RPGs on others' lists, so I hope this counts too. Setting, noir plot, and gameplay made this a must play for me. But one of my holy grail SNES games, only played it by renting it a few times, because the game never seemed to be available when I had the money to afford it. Need to hunt down a cart one of these days to really dig in to it.
9) Battleheart (2011) - iOS RPG that's perfect for picking up at random moments and playing. Combat can get a little clustered on the small screen, but is still fun.
10 - 20) - this space intentionally left blank
Honorable Mentions
21) Quarterstaff: The Tomb of Setmoth (1988) - This shouldn't even be an Honorable Mention for me... I've never so much as played it. I was a huge Infocom fan, however, so I read so much about this and dreamt of playing it so much that it had to be awesome, right?
22) Beyond Zork (1987) - Has some RPG elements to it, but too much of an interactive fiction title to include in the main list.
23) Slaves to Armok: God of Blood Chapter II: Dwarf Fortress (2006-) - I've never actually played Adventure Mode, but if it holds even 1/10th of Fortress Mode's candle, it needs some recognition.
1) NetHack (Best Combat) - I'm glad to see ADOM getting a few mentions, but as arguably the game that made "roguelikes" a major RPG subgenre, it's criminal that NetHack hasn't appeared in either this thread yet or the previous incarnation of it.
2) Tales of the Unknown: Volume I: The Bard's Tale (1985) (Best Soundtrack) - Of all the early CRPGs, Bard's has the UI that is the least painful to modern players, has tight gameplay, an interesting plot and lore, and a manageable scope. I can navigate Skara Brae to this day and the bard's tunes are still in my head.
3) Icewind Dale (2000) - The Infinity Engine games are a wonderful, natural, and accessible translation of the complex D&D rules to computers. The Icewind Dale series beats out the Baldur's Gate series because I get to play role more of my choosing and less of the author's and I love the winter setting.
4) Baldur's Gate (1998) (Best Writing) - As great as Icewind Dale is, Baldur's Gate forged the path for it. I haven't played enough of BG2 to consider it for this list, but I think I might still end up preferring BG1 for the smaller scale of the narrative.
5) Final Fantasy (1990) - Yes, no number on this one. I've been replaying it on mobile and falling back in love. I appreciate being able to define my party, again, I feel like I'm telling my story, not the author's.
6) Fire Emblem (2003) - Although this was when my gaming time was in serious decline, this turned me on in a big way on to the sRPG subgenre and even got me to dig out Final Fantasy Tactics which I hadn't really touched since it came out (although I still never put more than an hour or two in to FFT, thus its omission from my list.)
7) BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception (1988) - One of the few games that I've actually beaten. I used to suspect it was due to a glitch, but apparently, it was a plot point that you were supposed to fall in to a shitload of money and kit yourself and your mech out so much that the rest of the game becames a cinch. That revelation lowers the game a tad in my estimation, but still, I loved sci-fi setting of the BattleTech franchise and walking around in a huge mech.
8) Shadowrun (1993) - I think I've seen a couple of other action RPGs on others' lists, so I hope this counts too. Setting, noir plot, and gameplay made this a must play for me. But one of my holy grail SNES games, only played it by renting it a few times, because the game never seemed to be available when I had the money to afford it. Need to hunt down a cart one of these days to really dig in to it.
9) Battleheart (2011) - iOS RPG that's perfect for picking up at random moments and playing. Combat can get a little clustered on the small screen, but is still fun.
10 - 20) - this space intentionally left blank
Honorable Mentions
21) Quarterstaff: The Tomb of Setmoth (1988) - This shouldn't even be an Honorable Mention for me... I've never so much as played it. I was a huge Infocom fan, however, so I read so much about this and dreamt of playing it so much that it had to be awesome, right?
22) Beyond Zork (1987) - Has some RPG elements to it, but too much of an interactive fiction title to include in the main list.
23) Slaves to Armok: God of Blood Chapter II: Dwarf Fortress (2006-) - I've never actually played Adventure Mode, but if it holds even 1/10th of Fortress Mode's candle, it needs some recognition.
yog-sothot
Member
It's not an easy exercise, and reading other people's lists, I realize the sheer number of great games I've never played and probably never will... Anyway, here is my own selection
1) Deus Ex - my favourite game of all time, all genres. I love the setting and theme (transhumanism, not really the conspiracy stuff) but what always strikes me is the sense of freedom this game provides, the fact that you can actually try to act as you want to and not only as the game tells you to. Also, it's one of the first time where I felt some kind of moral responsability towards NPC's
2) Baldur's gate 2 (Best Combat) - still the yardstick I use implicitely to define what I love with a WRPG. I was quite into ADD back then so it helped too. And for some reason, the active pause system resonated with me and I oddly enjoyed the combats every time I played the game (and I played it many times). The throne of Baal extension was a bit underwhelming though...
3) Suikoden 2 - this is basically my BG2 for JRPGs. Building your castle, meeting all these characters, the atmosphere... I have very found memories of this one.
4) Planescape Torment (Best Writing) - I once read a book entirely based on this game's dialogues and it was awesome. Need I say more ?
5) The Witcher 2 - I put the second here because I haven't played the third yet (dat backlog) but it really represents the whole series and what it stands for. I love the moral system that does not judge you but can let you see the results of your actions. The universe is also very interesting and I even enjoyed the combat. This is to me a proof that a great RPG can be made with a protagonist who has a predifined personality.
6) Vampire the masquerade bloodlines - I played this one only a few years ago. Very flawed game with poor combat and lots of bugs (thanks to the dedicated mod community it is playable at least). And yet I loved every minute of it. The atmosphere is juste amazing. And the replay value is there too, depending on your choice of vampire type
7) Mass effect (Best Soundtrack) - I have only played the original one. I don't know why i never played the sequels because I really loved it. The moral system is not very interesting and the level design was not always that great but discovering this universe and lore was just so fascinating... I really need to play those sequels. Also the music was awesome !
8) Final Fantasy 9 - For some reason, it's the Final Fantasy I enjoyed the most. And when I was a teenager, I enjoyed them all. There was something with this one that particularly moved me. Something with the atmosphere (a key element for me) or the characters probably
9) Deus Ex Human Revolution - I was so happy to see this very good sequel to my favourite game ! The game had some issues but it can proudly bear the Deus Ex name ! I have very high expectations for the upcoming one. And I really like the art style they decided to use.
10) Neverwinter Nights 2 : Mask of the Betrayer - The NWN games were not that good. Just a far cry from Infinity Engine games. Then came Mask of the Betrayer and its fantastic setting, story and writing, and that series and I finally came to terms.
11) South Park : The stick of truth - I love South Park and this game lived up to its promise to make me participate to a very long and amazingly funny episode. The sequel is high on my most anticipated list, even though I regret the absence of Obsidian Entertainment
12) Grandia - few games made me feel the thrill of adventure like this one
13) Sunless Sea - Not exactly a RPG as most - myself included - would define it. But the atmosphere (again !), with some lovecraftian flavor (check my name... yeah, i know it lacks an "h") and the amazing writing made it one of my top games of the year
14) Legend of Grimrock - I had to put some sort of rogue-like in this list and this one came to my mind. I haven't played Darkest Dungeon yet so who knows what the list could become in the future
15) The Elder's scrolls 4 : Oblivion - Definitely not the most beloved game in the franchise, and I never considered the ES games to be actual RPGs, but when I played it back then it was like living a childhood fantasy of being some knight in a heroic fantasy setting. The story sucked but for 100+ hours I felt like I was that knight. And the graphics were so good back then.
16) Landstalker - More like an old Zelda-like game... But it was my first "nearly-RPG" videogame. I played it on the Genesis (the Megadrive actually) and it blew my mind away
17) Pillars of eternity - I cheat with this one. I haven't played it yet. But the feels when I saw they brought back my beloved Infinity Engine games... They were more than some actual games gave to me
18) Divinity Original Sin - I haven't played enough to put it higher on the list but it seems good. Very good. And very funny. And it is belgian, yeah !
19) Bloodborne - I would not call it a RPG but I'm playing it right now and it's very good ! Yet so hard... It makes me regret I never played the Souls games.
20) Final Fantasy 8 - not the greatest one but I was in love with Rhinoa, so... ;-)
Honorable Mentions
21) Final Fantasy 6/7/12 & Suikoden 5 - all very fine games I really, really loved
24) Vagrant Story - weird gameplay but the style and universe are still carved in my memories
25) Xcom enemy unknown - I don't see it as a RPG at all (never tried the "long war" mod) but other people have put it on their list and I LOVE this game, so I mention it here
1) Deus Ex - my favourite game of all time, all genres. I love the setting and theme (transhumanism, not really the conspiracy stuff) but what always strikes me is the sense of freedom this game provides, the fact that you can actually try to act as you want to and not only as the game tells you to. Also, it's one of the first time where I felt some kind of moral responsability towards NPC's
2) Baldur's gate 2 (Best Combat) - still the yardstick I use implicitely to define what I love with a WRPG. I was quite into ADD back then so it helped too. And for some reason, the active pause system resonated with me and I oddly enjoyed the combats every time I played the game (and I played it many times). The throne of Baal extension was a bit underwhelming though...
3) Suikoden 2 - this is basically my BG2 for JRPGs. Building your castle, meeting all these characters, the atmosphere... I have very found memories of this one.
4) Planescape Torment (Best Writing) - I once read a book entirely based on this game's dialogues and it was awesome. Need I say more ?
5) The Witcher 2 - I put the second here because I haven't played the third yet (dat backlog) but it really represents the whole series and what it stands for. I love the moral system that does not judge you but can let you see the results of your actions. The universe is also very interesting and I even enjoyed the combat. This is to me a proof that a great RPG can be made with a protagonist who has a predifined personality.
6) Vampire the masquerade bloodlines - I played this one only a few years ago. Very flawed game with poor combat and lots of bugs (thanks to the dedicated mod community it is playable at least). And yet I loved every minute of it. The atmosphere is juste amazing. And the replay value is there too, depending on your choice of vampire type
7) Mass effect (Best Soundtrack) - I have only played the original one. I don't know why i never played the sequels because I really loved it. The moral system is not very interesting and the level design was not always that great but discovering this universe and lore was just so fascinating... I really need to play those sequels. Also the music was awesome !
8) Final Fantasy 9 - For some reason, it's the Final Fantasy I enjoyed the most. And when I was a teenager, I enjoyed them all. There was something with this one that particularly moved me. Something with the atmosphere (a key element for me) or the characters probably
9) Deus Ex Human Revolution - I was so happy to see this very good sequel to my favourite game ! The game had some issues but it can proudly bear the Deus Ex name ! I have very high expectations for the upcoming one. And I really like the art style they decided to use.
10) Neverwinter Nights 2 : Mask of the Betrayer - The NWN games were not that good. Just a far cry from Infinity Engine games. Then came Mask of the Betrayer and its fantastic setting, story and writing, and that series and I finally came to terms.
11) South Park : The stick of truth - I love South Park and this game lived up to its promise to make me participate to a very long and amazingly funny episode. The sequel is high on my most anticipated list, even though I regret the absence of Obsidian Entertainment
12) Grandia - few games made me feel the thrill of adventure like this one
13) Sunless Sea - Not exactly a RPG as most - myself included - would define it. But the atmosphere (again !), with some lovecraftian flavor (check my name... yeah, i know it lacks an "h") and the amazing writing made it one of my top games of the year
14) Legend of Grimrock - I had to put some sort of rogue-like in this list and this one came to my mind. I haven't played Darkest Dungeon yet so who knows what the list could become in the future
15) The Elder's scrolls 4 : Oblivion - Definitely not the most beloved game in the franchise, and I never considered the ES games to be actual RPGs, but when I played it back then it was like living a childhood fantasy of being some knight in a heroic fantasy setting. The story sucked but for 100+ hours I felt like I was that knight. And the graphics were so good back then.
16) Landstalker - More like an old Zelda-like game... But it was my first "nearly-RPG" videogame. I played it on the Genesis (the Megadrive actually) and it blew my mind away
17) Pillars of eternity - I cheat with this one. I haven't played it yet. But the feels when I saw they brought back my beloved Infinity Engine games... They were more than some actual games gave to me
18) Divinity Original Sin - I haven't played enough to put it higher on the list but it seems good. Very good. And very funny. And it is belgian, yeah !
19) Bloodborne - I would not call it a RPG but I'm playing it right now and it's very good ! Yet so hard... It makes me regret I never played the Souls games.
20) Final Fantasy 8 - not the greatest one but I was in love with Rhinoa, so... ;-)
Honorable Mentions
21) Final Fantasy 6/7/12 & Suikoden 5 - all very fine games I really, really loved
24) Vagrant Story - weird gameplay but the style and universe are still carved in my memories
25) Xcom enemy unknown - I don't see it as a RPG at all (never tried the "long war" mod) but other people have put it on their list and I LOVE this game, so I mention it here
human onion
Banned
Well it's not at all an RPG, not by the most accepted definitions. I wouldn't call similar games like Legacy of Kain or Metroid RPG's either. This isn't the thread for debating a definition, but chances are a list like that wouldn't count anyway.
Neon_Icarus
Member
1. Demon's Souls - Ruined much of AAA gaming for me, unfortunately, reminding me that games can be more than just busywork getting to the next cut scene. And that there is satisfaction to be had in pain. I love the dark fantasy atmosphere and the – very Japanese – low key storytelling. Handles so sublimely that it’s served as the basis for several more critically acclaimed games since.
2. Dark Souls (Best combat) - Essentially Demon’s Souls with a free overworld, and no worse for it.
3. Baten Kaitos: Origins (Best soundtrack) - Has the satisfying combat and beautiful presentation of the original, this time paired with good writing and voice acting. Concentrating on a smaller main cast appears to have worked wonders creating a charming group chemistry.
4. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - The most ambitious game in the FE series, telling the story of a huge continent spanning war from multiple points of view. The only caveat is that you really need to play Radiance first, since this game finishes its story.
5. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - It was great to have FE return to the consoles (however briefly). And with the transition we also get back some of the gameplay complexities from the SNES games. Ike is probably the most fleshed out character in the series.
6. Persona 4 (Best writing)
7. Last Story
8. Persona 3
9. Chrono Trigger
10. Xenoblade Chronicles X
11. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
12. Xenoblade Chronicles
13. Vagrant Story
2. Dark Souls (Best combat) - Essentially Demon’s Souls with a free overworld, and no worse for it.
3. Baten Kaitos: Origins (Best soundtrack) - Has the satisfying combat and beautiful presentation of the original, this time paired with good writing and voice acting. Concentrating on a smaller main cast appears to have worked wonders creating a charming group chemistry.
4. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - The most ambitious game in the FE series, telling the story of a huge continent spanning war from multiple points of view. The only caveat is that you really need to play Radiance first, since this game finishes its story.
5. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - It was great to have FE return to the consoles (however briefly). And with the transition we also get back some of the gameplay complexities from the SNES games. Ike is probably the most fleshed out character in the series.
6. Persona 4 (Best writing)
7. Last Story
8. Persona 3
9. Chrono Trigger
10. Xenoblade Chronicles X
11. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
12. Xenoblade Chronicles
13. Vagrant Story
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Finally done with my list.
1. Demon's Souls - The game that got me back into gaming, after a few years of me playing games rather sporadically. The amazing combat, level design, and atmosphere and ridiculously addictive PvP just made me sink hundreds of hours into that game. No regrets.
2. Dark Souls (Best Combat) - The game that put the Souls series on the map. I can't pick between any of them as a favourite as I like them all equally. Several improvements show up, other minor downgrades as well (greatsword and great axe movesets, PvP, slower movement speed). But with a greater variety of spells, weapons, and other tools, I'll give it a reluctant nod for best combat (depending on my mood it might have gone to Bloodborne or Demon's really...). Add its beautiful interconnected world and unforgettable bosses and levels to make it truly the greatest game of the generation.
3. Dark Souls II - I don't care what everyone says, Dark Souls II is amazing. Like Dark Souls I, it improved on many things and was a downgrade from many other things compared to its predecessor, but it's still an amazing game with tons of contents.
4. Bloodborne - Another From Software genius work, this time with gothic horror turned to cosmic Lovecraftian nightmares. Best game of this generation so far.
5. Final Fantasy Tactics (Best Soundtrack) - My favourite FF title! Amazing use of the job/class system, with an epic story full of political and religious intrigue, betrayal and twists, beautiful art, and one of the finest video game soundtracks ever recorded.
6. Panzer Dragoon Saga (Best Story) - Best Game No One Played. Short and easy, but everything else was glorious, from the art and music and unique combat, to the real-time dragon customization, and of course, its wonderfully epic story.
7. Shining Force II - I have played and replayed this game so many times. It never gets old. Simple and accessible mechanics, but still with tons of depth. I want to replay it every so often. It's just that good.
8. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen - Best action-RPG combat outside of the Souls games? Yup. I enjoyed the vanilla game but found it deeply flawed; the Bitterblack Isle expansion is what made the game truly shine for me. Can't wait to revisit it on PC at 60 FPS!
9. Final Fantasy VI - Probably the best traditional turn-based JRPG of all time, it has the whole package of story, production values, characters, simple but fun combat, dungeon design, world building, soundtrack, etc. An unforgettable experience.
10. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium - My first turn-based JRPG (other than Shining Force which was more SRPG)! And still one of my favourites. Replayed it recently and it still holds up. Combat is fast-paced and snappy, the pacing is superb, and exploring the various planets is just so exciting. The comic-book style of cut scenes really give it a proto-cinematic vibe that was quite cool, I think it could be used more often in lower-budget games.
11. Wild ARMs - I debated picking this game for Best Soundtrack over FFTactics... it was a really tough call. The western tinge in the music and aesthetic made it quite unique, and the game had amazing dungeon designs with really cool (and sometimes infuriating) puzzles. Likeable cast of characters too. One of the best RPGs on the Playstation 1.
12. Shining Force III - The SF3 trilogy is a masterwork of gaming; each scenario leading right into the next (probably the first time I've seen a game save being loaded into the next episode) to tell quite the epic story, told from different points of view. And of course classic Shining Force tactical gameplay and party customization and the town exploration that make it so fun.
13. Suikoden II - One of the best stories in JRPG history (with some gut-wrenching moments), part of an amazingly built world that I really miss... Suikoden I was already good, but II just improves on everything. The HQ/castle building is tons of fun too.
14. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - Hopelessly addictive, I must have sunk hundreds of hours into that game and I still haven't experimented with all the playstyles. So much combat depth, such amazing monster design, such satisfying gameplay. Nothing like preparing for a hunt with friends and take down a nasty, giant monstrosity down successfully.
15. Ys: The Oath in Felghana - I'm a bit LTTP to the Ys franchise, which I had dismissed as having stupid "bump" combat from the old days. To my great surprise the newer ones not only don't have that (and the remakes of I&II refined the bump combat well enough), but also feature really cool levels, brutal bosses, and an amazing soundtrack! I couldn't believe how good that game was. That meme pic circulating around? Yeah it's all true.
16. Shining Force - My first RPG ever. The game that got me into gaming. It's certainly dated in many ways now, but I still enjoy it, and gameplay-wise it holds up pretty well.
17. Breath of Fire III - There is so much charm to this game. Its cast of characters, its surprisingly deep and moving story, the dragon transformations, the surprising difficulty... for such a cute-looking game, it's astonishingly mature in many ways. Its only weakness, IMO, is the rather sub-standard soundtrack, which is a harsh blow for an RPG, but fortunately the battle music was quite decent (an important thing, since you hear it so often!) so it wasn't so bad.
18. Dragon's Crown - A unique hybrid of beat-em-up with solid RPG elements and loot grinding with beautiful 2D environments. Not a fan of the character art but the game is otherwise amazing and infinitely replayable. My GotY of 2013 really.
19. Fallout: New Vegas - Is that the first non-Japanese game on my list? Ouch. Guess I'm not a fan of Western RPGs in general. But I did enjoy this a lot. The combat was terrible, and it was buggy as hell, but the quest design and world building was incredibly impressive. The White Glove Society quest, oh my... that's the thing that made me decide this game was awesome.
20. Borderlands 2 - I don't know if this counts as an RPG, but I'd say it's close enough, basically "Diablo with guns" except the combat is actually fun and the art style is cool as hell. Guns, guns and more guns! (Oh, look, another non-Japanese game!)
Honorable Mentions:
1. Xenogears - Narrowly missed the top 20 (might have made it on a different day depending on my mood, really... xD), but this game was probably Squaresoft at its best. Too bad the pseudo-sequels were so disappointing, I would have loved to see games based on the actual Episodes I-IV from the planned series.
2. Final Fantasy V - Best combat and gameplay of the mainline FF. The story and characters are sadly a bit forgettable, which is why I give the nod to FFVI, but it's still an amazing game.
3. Suikoden III - Not quite as amazing as Suikoden II, but still the wonderful epic RPG and castle-building we know and love, with some surprise twists.
4. Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Not sure if that counts as an RPG or just action-adventure -- I guess there are different builds and all, and more NPC interactions, unlike Dishonored (which I actually kinda prefer)? But yeah, other than lame boss fights and a terrible end-game, it's quite the polished experience and might have been GotY 2011 if not for, well, Dark Souls obliterating all competition. ^^ Also non-Japanese game #3, yay.
5. Chrono Trigger - Unlike many, this is far from my favourite, but there's no denying that it's still a very, very good game. Nothing else needs to be said about it, really.
6. Trails in the Sky: First Chapter - One of the rare semi-modern JRPG I enjoy. Possibly because it's turn-based and isn't filled with waifus? It just has so much charm, and I really like the world-building and classy art style. I wish all modern JRPGs had contined in this direction.
7. Jeanne d'Arc - A wonderful little surprise on the PSP. I had a lot of fun with this neat little strategy-RPG. Drawing influence from Fire Emblem and Shining Force, but less harsh than the former and a bit more complex than the latter, with a surprisingly solid story (despite me being skeptical at first -- orcs and talking anthropomorphic animals in medieval France, really?). Very underrated game with a lot of charm.
8. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together - Played the PSP version. Still haven't beaten it because I rarely play on handhelds. It has the same exceptional depth and mature, complex political intrigue-filled storytelling you'd expect from Matsuno, but I feel FFTactics was still the better overall package. One day I will hopefully finish it...
9. Golden Sun - Now this was a surprise. Back when it came out, I had no interest in it. It seemed so utterly generic. But after revisiting it years later, I came to realize how good it was and how much I missed this style of game, especially after JRPGs turned into... whatever they (mostly) are now. The story is only serviceable, but at least it doesn't have any lame or cringeworthy moments (which is fairly rare in JRPGs, to be honest), and the gameplay, oh wow; dungeon design, puzzles, simple-but-fun combat, amazing music, all the stuff I enjoyed in classic JRPGs.
10. Final Fantasy IV - Still better than any modern FF. A classic.
Unranked honourable mentions, just because:
Final Fantasy VII
Suikoden
Suikoden V
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim
Ys I & II Chronicles
Vandal Hearts
Skies of Arcadia
Dragon Force
Breath of Fire IV
Lufia
Lufia II
Skyborn
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Have yet to play, but have list potential in the future:
Ys Origin
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (curse you, handhelds)
Trails in the Sky: Second Chapter
Trails of Cold Steel
Vagrant Story
1. Demon's Souls - The game that got me back into gaming, after a few years of me playing games rather sporadically. The amazing combat, level design, and atmosphere and ridiculously addictive PvP just made me sink hundreds of hours into that game. No regrets.
2. Dark Souls (Best Combat) - The game that put the Souls series on the map. I can't pick between any of them as a favourite as I like them all equally. Several improvements show up, other minor downgrades as well (greatsword and great axe movesets, PvP, slower movement speed). But with a greater variety of spells, weapons, and other tools, I'll give it a reluctant nod for best combat (depending on my mood it might have gone to Bloodborne or Demon's really...). Add its beautiful interconnected world and unforgettable bosses and levels to make it truly the greatest game of the generation.
3. Dark Souls II - I don't care what everyone says, Dark Souls II is amazing. Like Dark Souls I, it improved on many things and was a downgrade from many other things compared to its predecessor, but it's still an amazing game with tons of contents.
4. Bloodborne - Another From Software genius work, this time with gothic horror turned to cosmic Lovecraftian nightmares. Best game of this generation so far.
5. Final Fantasy Tactics (Best Soundtrack) - My favourite FF title! Amazing use of the job/class system, with an epic story full of political and religious intrigue, betrayal and twists, beautiful art, and one of the finest video game soundtracks ever recorded.
6. Panzer Dragoon Saga (Best Story) - Best Game No One Played. Short and easy, but everything else was glorious, from the art and music and unique combat, to the real-time dragon customization, and of course, its wonderfully epic story.
7. Shining Force II - I have played and replayed this game so many times. It never gets old. Simple and accessible mechanics, but still with tons of depth. I want to replay it every so often. It's just that good.
8. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen - Best action-RPG combat outside of the Souls games? Yup. I enjoyed the vanilla game but found it deeply flawed; the Bitterblack Isle expansion is what made the game truly shine for me. Can't wait to revisit it on PC at 60 FPS!
9. Final Fantasy VI - Probably the best traditional turn-based JRPG of all time, it has the whole package of story, production values, characters, simple but fun combat, dungeon design, world building, soundtrack, etc. An unforgettable experience.
10. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium - My first turn-based JRPG (other than Shining Force which was more SRPG)! And still one of my favourites. Replayed it recently and it still holds up. Combat is fast-paced and snappy, the pacing is superb, and exploring the various planets is just so exciting. The comic-book style of cut scenes really give it a proto-cinematic vibe that was quite cool, I think it could be used more often in lower-budget games.
11. Wild ARMs - I debated picking this game for Best Soundtrack over FFTactics... it was a really tough call. The western tinge in the music and aesthetic made it quite unique, and the game had amazing dungeon designs with really cool (and sometimes infuriating) puzzles. Likeable cast of characters too. One of the best RPGs on the Playstation 1.
12. Shining Force III - The SF3 trilogy is a masterwork of gaming; each scenario leading right into the next (probably the first time I've seen a game save being loaded into the next episode) to tell quite the epic story, told from different points of view. And of course classic Shining Force tactical gameplay and party customization and the town exploration that make it so fun.
13. Suikoden II - One of the best stories in JRPG history (with some gut-wrenching moments), part of an amazingly built world that I really miss... Suikoden I was already good, but II just improves on everything. The HQ/castle building is tons of fun too.
14. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - Hopelessly addictive, I must have sunk hundreds of hours into that game and I still haven't experimented with all the playstyles. So much combat depth, such amazing monster design, such satisfying gameplay. Nothing like preparing for a hunt with friends and take down a nasty, giant monstrosity down successfully.
15. Ys: The Oath in Felghana - I'm a bit LTTP to the Ys franchise, which I had dismissed as having stupid "bump" combat from the old days. To my great surprise the newer ones not only don't have that (and the remakes of I&II refined the bump combat well enough), but also feature really cool levels, brutal bosses, and an amazing soundtrack! I couldn't believe how good that game was. That meme pic circulating around? Yeah it's all true.
16. Shining Force - My first RPG ever. The game that got me into gaming. It's certainly dated in many ways now, but I still enjoy it, and gameplay-wise it holds up pretty well.
17. Breath of Fire III - There is so much charm to this game. Its cast of characters, its surprisingly deep and moving story, the dragon transformations, the surprising difficulty... for such a cute-looking game, it's astonishingly mature in many ways. Its only weakness, IMO, is the rather sub-standard soundtrack, which is a harsh blow for an RPG, but fortunately the battle music was quite decent (an important thing, since you hear it so often!) so it wasn't so bad.
18. Dragon's Crown - A unique hybrid of beat-em-up with solid RPG elements and loot grinding with beautiful 2D environments. Not a fan of the character art but the game is otherwise amazing and infinitely replayable. My GotY of 2013 really.
19. Fallout: New Vegas - Is that the first non-Japanese game on my list? Ouch. Guess I'm not a fan of Western RPGs in general. But I did enjoy this a lot. The combat was terrible, and it was buggy as hell, but the quest design and world building was incredibly impressive. The White Glove Society quest, oh my... that's the thing that made me decide this game was awesome.
20. Borderlands 2 - I don't know if this counts as an RPG, but I'd say it's close enough, basically "Diablo with guns" except the combat is actually fun and the art style is cool as hell. Guns, guns and more guns! (Oh, look, another non-Japanese game!)
Honorable Mentions:
1. Xenogears - Narrowly missed the top 20 (might have made it on a different day depending on my mood, really... xD), but this game was probably Squaresoft at its best. Too bad the pseudo-sequels were so disappointing, I would have loved to see games based on the actual Episodes I-IV from the planned series.
2. Final Fantasy V - Best combat and gameplay of the mainline FF. The story and characters are sadly a bit forgettable, which is why I give the nod to FFVI, but it's still an amazing game.
3. Suikoden III - Not quite as amazing as Suikoden II, but still the wonderful epic RPG and castle-building we know and love, with some surprise twists.
4. Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Not sure if that counts as an RPG or just action-adventure -- I guess there are different builds and all, and more NPC interactions, unlike Dishonored (which I actually kinda prefer)? But yeah, other than lame boss fights and a terrible end-game, it's quite the polished experience and might have been GotY 2011 if not for, well, Dark Souls obliterating all competition. ^^ Also non-Japanese game #3, yay.
5. Chrono Trigger - Unlike many, this is far from my favourite, but there's no denying that it's still a very, very good game. Nothing else needs to be said about it, really.
6. Trails in the Sky: First Chapter - One of the rare semi-modern JRPG I enjoy. Possibly because it's turn-based and isn't filled with waifus? It just has so much charm, and I really like the world-building and classy art style. I wish all modern JRPGs had contined in this direction.
7. Jeanne d'Arc - A wonderful little surprise on the PSP. I had a lot of fun with this neat little strategy-RPG. Drawing influence from Fire Emblem and Shining Force, but less harsh than the former and a bit more complex than the latter, with a surprisingly solid story (despite me being skeptical at first -- orcs and talking anthropomorphic animals in medieval France, really?). Very underrated game with a lot of charm.
8. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together - Played the PSP version. Still haven't beaten it because I rarely play on handhelds. It has the same exceptional depth and mature, complex political intrigue-filled storytelling you'd expect from Matsuno, but I feel FFTactics was still the better overall package. One day I will hopefully finish it...
9. Golden Sun - Now this was a surprise. Back when it came out, I had no interest in it. It seemed so utterly generic. But after revisiting it years later, I came to realize how good it was and how much I missed this style of game, especially after JRPGs turned into... whatever they (mostly) are now. The story is only serviceable, but at least it doesn't have any lame or cringeworthy moments (which is fairly rare in JRPGs, to be honest), and the gameplay, oh wow; dungeon design, puzzles, simple-but-fun combat, amazing music, all the stuff I enjoyed in classic JRPGs.
10. Final Fantasy IV - Still better than any modern FF. A classic.
Unranked honourable mentions, just because:
Final Fantasy VII
Suikoden
Suikoden V
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim
Ys I & II Chronicles
Vandal Hearts
Skies of Arcadia
Dragon Force
Breath of Fire IV
Lufia
Lufia II
Skyborn
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Have yet to play, but have list potential in the future:
Ys Origin
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (curse you, handhelds)
Trails in the Sky: Second Chapter
Trails of Cold Steel
Vagrant Story
No ire really. If few people consider a game an RPG, it won't receive many votes, so you're kind of throwing your vote away, but if you don't mind that... go for it, I guess?
KuwabaraTheMan
Banned
Reminder to everyone that there's exactly one week left until voting closes.
I'm currently putting the finishing touches on my own ballot, so hopefully others who haven't voted yet are doing the same. Make sure not to miss the deadline (11:59 PM EST on the 15th).
I'm currently putting the finishing touches on my own ballot, so hopefully others who haven't voted yet are doing the same. Make sure not to miss the deadline (11:59 PM EST on the 15th).
1. Final Fantasy IX
This has a good dose of nostalgia into, but this is the game that showed me what a RPG was. From the funny and great characters to the entire sense of adventuring, I was thrilled from the beginning to the end of this game. This was my first FF, my first RPG and one big reason I learned english as I played with a gigantic dictionary besides me, trying to understand what the characters were saying.Having re-played it years later, this game is still as magical as it was when I was a kid.
2. Skies of Arcadia Legends
I have a funny story with this one. I tried renting a few times times and managed to get to the same part everytime, the forest dungeon. I loved the game, but it was already a time where it was nowhere to be found and quite rare. Then, in a small shopping arcade in a toy store, I find a brand new copy in a box of shoes. I bought immediately and 80 hours later, this became one of my favorite games ever. The sense of adventure and exploring I got from being a sky pirate is still mostly unmatched to this day. I felt as an actual captain of my own ship in the middle of the battle and as I was recruiting my crew from the most different regions of the world. The story too was amazing and to this day I still pray Sega will revisit this classic in some form.
3.Trails in the Sky (Second Chapter if I have to choose between one of them)
Trails in the Sky is another RPG that showed me another world that I loved to explore. The battle system is simple, the characters are very entertaining and the story has a lot of it`s amazing moments. But the actual attention to the detail of things, how NPCs react, to how each arc is carefully crafted is what made this game truly a masterpiece in my book. Liberl, the country in this game, actually feels alive and I am discovering even more with other Legend of Heroes games.
4. Final Fantasy VII
After playing FFIX, I went started playing almost all FFs that I could find. Once I played VII, I had already finished IX, VIII and Tactics. Perhaps by a miracle, I wasn`t spoiled back then and managed to enjoy this in all it`s blocky glory. The graphics were ugly, but everything else was top-notch. From the music, to the atmosphere, to the characters story, to the gameplay and pretty much everything else. I still remember the moment you leave Midgar and realize that the game is still only beginning to show it`s true colors.
5.Persona 4 Golden
While this was not my first Persona, I feel that this is the best one of the series so far. The character interactions start simple, but as the months pass, you start actually caring about those characters. This RPG is both a life living experience and a good dungeon crawler wonderfully mixed together.
5.Xenoblade Chronicles
You explore the body of two dead giants and see the most incredible views the Wii could do. They give you an entire world to explore and a pretty good story to boot too.
6. Valkyria Chronicles
A WW2 SRPG from Sega with one of the greatest battle systems ever. While it`s possible to cheese your way with a lot of strategies, there is always something new about the startegy, no matter how many times I return to it. The story is also great, seeing regular people dragged into a war they never asked for and what are the consequences of it.I pray that Sega eventually makes a VC4.
7. Demon`s Souls
While Dark Souls is the most popular, playing Demon`s Souls before it was a lifetime experience. Surviving it`s traps and enemies actually makes me proud to say that I managed to finish this game. It isn`t the hardest game available or the most challenging one. What makes the Souls games shine is the game continuously asking if you have the perseverance to move forward and keep going. You will die, you will suffer, you will rage, but if you persevere, you can keep going. That`s what make this games particularly amazing.
8.Tales of Vesperia
I love the Tales of series, but Vesperia is probably the only one to maintain a great combat, story, content, characters and everything else in a single package. I also adore Symphonia, but the combat isn`t as dynamic as Vesperia is.
9.Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
Not my first FE, but my most played one. Story keeps giving as you start a a simple mercenary troop to eventually commanding an army. The gameplay knows how to challenge a player to think without going overboard.
10. Nier (Best Soundtrack)
There isn`t anything amazing about Nier at first glance. The combat is barebones, the story starts slow, the graphics are ugly and the only thing truly amazing right from the start is the OST. But finish it once and the game will start showing what it really is and that`s when it becomes much more than the sum of it`s individual parts.
11.Final Fantasy Tactics
A political intrigue RPG with one of the most broken SRPG systems ever. And because of that, it`s what makes this game so much fun. You never know how the story will turn and you never know which kind of new enemies the game will throw at you next. Just be careful with those asshole Chocobos is the field. They can kick your ass harder than any boss.
12. Tales of Symphonia
One of the best Tales of games that know how to make an actual journey feel meaningful.
13. Yakuza 0
This game isn`t available in the US yet, but it`s my favorite Yakuza game ever since 2. The story is insane, the content is insane and the gameplay is great. They took everything special about the series and made it better and I can`t wait to replay it in english along with everyone else.
14 .Persona 3
The persona that started the social aspect and showed that every day can matter. It`s a great game on it`s own, even if it has a fair share of issues, it compensates with a whole lot more of great things.
15.Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door
Who would say a Mario RPG could be this good. While Seven Stars and Paper Mario were amazing RPGs on it`s own, TYYD made everything more special while still using the same basic structure. The levels were more interesting, the story had a better pacing, the combat had much more options and overall, it was that much of a fun RPG.
16.SMT Devil Survivor Overclocked
Ally yourself with demons, angels, humans or with anyone. This game gives you options and it`s up to you to accept the consequences and see it through. I felt the story was being shaped by my decisions at all times and this is no small feat for a game. It`s also the only game where I felt multiple urges to throw my 3DS into a wall thanks to the boss of the epilogue, fuck Me------. Those who played it, know who.
17. Dark Souls
Survive again. But this time in a bigger world, bigger enemies and with two assholes bosses that will be forever remembered.
18. The World Ends With You
A RPG in Shibuya where you need to win a game that takes 7 days. The story, gameplay, characters are all innovative in a genre that rarely sees something that different, TWEWY is perhaps one of the best RPGs on the DS.
19. Ar nosurge Ode to an Unborn Star
Considering this with Ciel nosurge, which is not a rpg, this has one of the best well crafted stories that I played and one amazing OST. This game doesn`t have any fear about breaking the fourth wall and showing that it can make characters feel actually alive.
20.Final Fantasy VIII
You start as "Whatever" and end up with one hell of a love story with a couple of wars and witches in between.
Honorable Mentions:
Final Fantasy IV
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem Awakening
Atelier Escha & Logy
Folklore
Resonance of Fate
Baiten Kaitos
Megaman Network Battle 3
Deus Ex Human Revolution
Ys Memories of Celceta
Mass Effect 2
Chrono Cross
Jeanne D'arc
This has a good dose of nostalgia into, but this is the game that showed me what a RPG was. From the funny and great characters to the entire sense of adventuring, I was thrilled from the beginning to the end of this game. This was my first FF, my first RPG and one big reason I learned english as I played with a gigantic dictionary besides me, trying to understand what the characters were saying.Having re-played it years later, this game is still as magical as it was when I was a kid.
2. Skies of Arcadia Legends
I have a funny story with this one. I tried renting a few times times and managed to get to the same part everytime, the forest dungeon. I loved the game, but it was already a time where it was nowhere to be found and quite rare. Then, in a small shopping arcade in a toy store, I find a brand new copy in a box of shoes. I bought immediately and 80 hours later, this became one of my favorite games ever. The sense of adventure and exploring I got from being a sky pirate is still mostly unmatched to this day. I felt as an actual captain of my own ship in the middle of the battle and as I was recruiting my crew from the most different regions of the world. The story too was amazing and to this day I still pray Sega will revisit this classic in some form.
3.Trails in the Sky (Second Chapter if I have to choose between one of them)
Trails in the Sky is another RPG that showed me another world that I loved to explore. The battle system is simple, the characters are very entertaining and the story has a lot of it`s amazing moments. But the actual attention to the detail of things, how NPCs react, to how each arc is carefully crafted is what made this game truly a masterpiece in my book. Liberl, the country in this game, actually feels alive and I am discovering even more with other Legend of Heroes games.
4. Final Fantasy VII
After playing FFIX, I went started playing almost all FFs that I could find. Once I played VII, I had already finished IX, VIII and Tactics. Perhaps by a miracle, I wasn`t spoiled back then and managed to enjoy this in all it`s blocky glory. The graphics were ugly, but everything else was top-notch. From the music, to the atmosphere, to the characters story, to the gameplay and pretty much everything else. I still remember the moment you leave Midgar and realize that the game is still only beginning to show it`s true colors.
5.Persona 4 Golden
While this was not my first Persona, I feel that this is the best one of the series so far. The character interactions start simple, but as the months pass, you start actually caring about those characters. This RPG is both a life living experience and a good dungeon crawler wonderfully mixed together.
5.Xenoblade Chronicles
You explore the body of two dead giants and see the most incredible views the Wii could do. They give you an entire world to explore and a pretty good story to boot too.
6. Valkyria Chronicles
A WW2 SRPG from Sega with one of the greatest battle systems ever. While it`s possible to cheese your way with a lot of strategies, there is always something new about the startegy, no matter how many times I return to it. The story is also great, seeing regular people dragged into a war they never asked for and what are the consequences of it.I pray that Sega eventually makes a VC4.
7. Demon`s Souls
While Dark Souls is the most popular, playing Demon`s Souls before it was a lifetime experience. Surviving it`s traps and enemies actually makes me proud to say that I managed to finish this game. It isn`t the hardest game available or the most challenging one. What makes the Souls games shine is the game continuously asking if you have the perseverance to move forward and keep going. You will die, you will suffer, you will rage, but if you persevere, you can keep going. That`s what make this games particularly amazing.
8.Tales of Vesperia
I love the Tales of series, but Vesperia is probably the only one to maintain a great combat, story, content, characters and everything else in a single package. I also adore Symphonia, but the combat isn`t as dynamic as Vesperia is.
9.Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
Not my first FE, but my most played one. Story keeps giving as you start a a simple mercenary troop to eventually commanding an army. The gameplay knows how to challenge a player to think without going overboard.
10. Nier (Best Soundtrack)
There isn`t anything amazing about Nier at first glance. The combat is barebones, the story starts slow, the graphics are ugly and the only thing truly amazing right from the start is the OST. But finish it once and the game will start showing what it really is and that`s when it becomes much more than the sum of it`s individual parts.
11.Final Fantasy Tactics
A political intrigue RPG with one of the most broken SRPG systems ever. And because of that, it`s what makes this game so much fun. You never know how the story will turn and you never know which kind of new enemies the game will throw at you next. Just be careful with those asshole Chocobos is the field. They can kick your ass harder than any boss.
12. Tales of Symphonia
One of the best Tales of games that know how to make an actual journey feel meaningful.
13. Yakuza 0
This game isn`t available in the US yet, but it`s my favorite Yakuza game ever since 2. The story is insane, the content is insane and the gameplay is great. They took everything special about the series and made it better and I can`t wait to replay it in english along with everyone else.
14 .Persona 3
The persona that started the social aspect and showed that every day can matter. It`s a great game on it`s own, even if it has a fair share of issues, it compensates with a whole lot more of great things.
15.Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door
Who would say a Mario RPG could be this good. While Seven Stars and Paper Mario were amazing RPGs on it`s own, TYYD made everything more special while still using the same basic structure. The levels were more interesting, the story had a better pacing, the combat had much more options and overall, it was that much of a fun RPG.
16.SMT Devil Survivor Overclocked
Ally yourself with demons, angels, humans or with anyone. This game gives you options and it`s up to you to accept the consequences and see it through. I felt the story was being shaped by my decisions at all times and this is no small feat for a game. It`s also the only game where I felt multiple urges to throw my 3DS into a wall thanks to the boss of the epilogue, fuck Me------. Those who played it, know who.
17. Dark Souls
Survive again. But this time in a bigger world, bigger enemies and with two assholes bosses that will be forever remembered.
18. The World Ends With You
A RPG in Shibuya where you need to win a game that takes 7 days. The story, gameplay, characters are all innovative in a genre that rarely sees something that different, TWEWY is perhaps one of the best RPGs on the DS.
19. Ar nosurge Ode to an Unborn Star
Considering this with Ciel nosurge, which is not a rpg, this has one of the best well crafted stories that I played and one amazing OST. This game doesn`t have any fear about breaking the fourth wall and showing that it can make characters feel actually alive.
20.Final Fantasy VIII
You start as "Whatever" and end up with one hell of a love story with a couple of wars and witches in between.
Honorable Mentions:
Final Fantasy IV
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem Awakening
Atelier Escha & Logy
Folklore
Resonance of Fate
Baiten Kaitos
Megaman Network Battle 3
Deus Ex Human Revolution
Ys Memories of Celceta
Mass Effect 2
Chrono Cross
Jeanne D'arc
Neoleo2143
Member
1. Planescape Torment: The clever twists in the narrative, the excellent dialogue and well explored theme make this an experience you can't forget. Sadly it is marred by its mediocre combat, but it's strengths are more than enough to bring wonder to its players. (Best Writing)
2. Fire Emblem: Heroes of Light and Shadow: A JP exclusive not talked about often, the presentation in visuals is very weak. But the game makes up for it with one of the most mind-bending challenging SRPG experiences ever made in Lunatic Reverse mode. (Best Gameplay)
3. Earthbound: A game that really knows itself inside and out, when it wants to be playful and when it wants to be critical. The game is a looking glass into growing up and understanding the good and bad of the world we inhabit and even the parts we really don't and simply accept, it is like many of my favorite stories, a human experience through and through.
4. Chrono Trigger: One of the most well paced games ever. Great use of simple mechanics that work in tandem to produce a wonderful experience in the combat system. Characters aren't particularly in depth, but they are a great cast to just be with in this lovingly detailed sprite based world.
5. Xenoblade Chronicles: A simple game on the surface that peels away its many levels of depth in the themes, combat and setting the more you look into it. Characters aren't too great aside for Shulk but nearly everything else is a great experience.
6. Persona 4: The definitive social JRPG. It breaths everyday life, from the mundane to the psychological challenges we all face from society and ourselves. Atlus created my favorite cast in a game ever even if the plot is pretty much nonexistent until close to endgame. But it's all about those characters and living the life of a high school student.
7. Fire Emblem Fates: A couple of months have passed since I've completed my Lunatic playthroughs of the game. This game takes pretty much all of my gameplay complaints from awakening and corrects them with impunity much like how New Mystery did the same for shadow dragon and as result the amount of fun that I've had has truly been exquisite especially as I discovered new quirks about how various systems and skills interacted with each other and how unit variety and utility matches closer to the SNES era than ever before, both of which I felt was really lacking in awakening. I really did fall for the cast this time around and I really enjoyed the themes the routes presented and executed even if the plot itself is kinda meh like most of the series, not to mention the highly varied and excellent soundtrack (complete with various touches and improvements to awakening's phenomenal sound design and nearly perfect UI, the best of any strategy game ever made), featuring my current favorite vocal piece in a videogame thus far, Hitori Omou. It's got some controversial elements that I hope will partially be corrected in localization but this was an experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and I hope you will too when it gets localized (and I buy it again lol) (Best Soundtrack)
8. Suikoden 2 - Such a memorable game, a game that will warm your heart and break it too. The political plot was highly enjoyable and Luca Blight is a memorable villain even if he is not as in depth as later suikoden antagonists. The combat has not aged terribly well and the pacing is a little ehh but the visuals and relationship between the two main characters are forever lovely and heartbreaking (That Konami will never make another game in this series again).
9. Pokemon Black and White - N is one of my favorite anti heroes in gaming and his character growth to the end of the game that reinforces the simple but powerful message of the game is simply unforgettable. It proved to me that simple themes tied to human growth are the most powerful and you don't need a complex plot with tons of characters to deliver a strong, poignant message. Not to mention it has my favorite soundtrack in the pokemon series and my experiences in the competitive scene during this time were so much fun. But the balance is downright awful, no questions asked.
10. Valkyria Chronicles - While themes of racism are just something that I personally find terribly dull and the take on WW2 not as in depth as I would have liked (though certain conversations FE radiant dawn are my favorite for this theme in general), the story of my company saving the day was still a great time. Mix that with innovative and varied SRPG/TPS combat and an excellent aesthetic and you've got a game worth hours and hours of my (And your!) time.
2. Fire Emblem: Heroes of Light and Shadow: A JP exclusive not talked about often, the presentation in visuals is very weak. But the game makes up for it with one of the most mind-bending challenging SRPG experiences ever made in Lunatic Reverse mode. (Best Gameplay)
3. Earthbound: A game that really knows itself inside and out, when it wants to be playful and when it wants to be critical. The game is a looking glass into growing up and understanding the good and bad of the world we inhabit and even the parts we really don't and simply accept, it is like many of my favorite stories, a human experience through and through.
4. Chrono Trigger: One of the most well paced games ever. Great use of simple mechanics that work in tandem to produce a wonderful experience in the combat system. Characters aren't particularly in depth, but they are a great cast to just be with in this lovingly detailed sprite based world.
5. Xenoblade Chronicles: A simple game on the surface that peels away its many levels of depth in the themes, combat and setting the more you look into it. Characters aren't too great aside for Shulk but nearly everything else is a great experience.
6. Persona 4: The definitive social JRPG. It breaths everyday life, from the mundane to the psychological challenges we all face from society and ourselves. Atlus created my favorite cast in a game ever even if the plot is pretty much nonexistent until close to endgame. But it's all about those characters and living the life of a high school student.
7. Fire Emblem Fates: A couple of months have passed since I've completed my Lunatic playthroughs of the game. This game takes pretty much all of my gameplay complaints from awakening and corrects them with impunity much like how New Mystery did the same for shadow dragon and as result the amount of fun that I've had has truly been exquisite especially as I discovered new quirks about how various systems and skills interacted with each other and how unit variety and utility matches closer to the SNES era than ever before, both of which I felt was really lacking in awakening. I really did fall for the cast this time around and I really enjoyed the themes the routes presented and executed even if the plot itself is kinda meh like most of the series, not to mention the highly varied and excellent soundtrack (complete with various touches and improvements to awakening's phenomenal sound design and nearly perfect UI, the best of any strategy game ever made), featuring my current favorite vocal piece in a videogame thus far, Hitori Omou. It's got some controversial elements that I hope will partially be corrected in localization but this was an experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and I hope you will too when it gets localized (and I buy it again lol) (Best Soundtrack)
8. Suikoden 2 - Such a memorable game, a game that will warm your heart and break it too. The political plot was highly enjoyable and Luca Blight is a memorable villain even if he is not as in depth as later suikoden antagonists. The combat has not aged terribly well and the pacing is a little ehh but the visuals and relationship between the two main characters are forever lovely and heartbreaking (That Konami will never make another game in this series again).
9. Pokemon Black and White - N is one of my favorite anti heroes in gaming and his character growth to the end of the game that reinforces the simple but powerful message of the game is simply unforgettable. It proved to me that simple themes tied to human growth are the most powerful and you don't need a complex plot with tons of characters to deliver a strong, poignant message. Not to mention it has my favorite soundtrack in the pokemon series and my experiences in the competitive scene during this time were so much fun. But the balance is downright awful, no questions asked.
10. Valkyria Chronicles - While themes of racism are just something that I personally find terribly dull and the take on WW2 not as in depth as I would have liked (though certain conversations FE radiant dawn are my favorite for this theme in general), the story of my company saving the day was still a great time. Mix that with innovative and varied SRPG/TPS combat and an excellent aesthetic and you've got a game worth hours and hours of my (And your!) time.