What is your favorite RPG game and why?

Any kind of rpg whether it be JRPG or WRPG or MMORPG.


For me, it'd have to say Blue Dragon for the Xbox 360. I never really was a JRPG player but this game sucked me in for some reason. I'm sure the plot was cliche' but it was fun and the characters were great. It was a nice light hearted adventure with some stunning locals and a decent length(my run was about 50hrs).

I'm interested to know what RPGs my fellow DDers are into. :]

I have numerous favorite RPGs right now I am engrossed in Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and Lost Odyssey {by the makers of Blue Dragon} My wife is currently playing Blue Dragon and once she is done I am going to start it. My most favorite ever is Chrono Trigger, it's a classic that will last throughout the ages:)

Chrono Trigger.

yup.

Fav plot: Final Fantasy Tactics

Most heartfelt/immersive: Lunar Silver Star Story

Fav battle system: Grandia II onwards

Most likeable main character: Skies of Arcadia

Chrono Trigger and Mother 3.

It literally doesn't get much better than those.

Also, Persona 3 is one of my personal favorites, but now I hear Persona 4 is much better.

All of these are completely different from most RPGs. All the characters are distinct from each other, the battle systems are unique, every inch of them are uniquely designed, and their replay value is crazy high.

I'd say either

Fable 2 - very in depth, lots of character options, and
a good story.

The elder scrolls 3: Morrowind - so Oblivion has better graphics, but
Morrowind has a better gameplay system.

If Chrono Trigger doesn't use Akira Toriyama character designs, I'll bet I'd like it too.

Mushroomcomix
I have numerous favorite RPGs right now I am engrossed in Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and Lost Odyssey {by the makers of Blue Dragon} My wife is currently playing Blue Dragon and once she is done I am going to start it. My most favorite ever is Chrono Trigger, it's a classic that will last throughout the ages:)

Yes! I love Lost Odyssey~ I'm currently playing it as well. I'm about 15 hours in and on the second disc. It's definitely a beautiful game. I'm really impressed with Mistwalker though, delivering high quality traditional RPGs this generation.

I don't really have a favorite...

I'm really loving the Persona series right now, though.

I'm already sick of Mistwalker. All they do is try to capitalize on the "oldschool" mechanics their staff were known for back in the 80's. Game systems have gone a long way since then, it is kind of sad that we're stuck with the same old game mechanics and Mistwalker also seems to have some serious issues when it comes to writing. The memory sequences from Lost Odyssey were outstanding, the rest of it was incredibly bland. The actual storyline was boring and he world was like something out of a FPS more than a JRPG. At least Blue Dragon had a more colorful and interesting world, even if the story was fairly flat and the game system incredibly generic.

It's sad that I'm finding cheap PS2 RPGs like Mana Khemia to be more worthwhile than the multi-million dollar projects from Mistwalker. For the most part, though, I find RPGs are stagnating. Developers seem confused on where to take the genre, so they just don't take it anywhere. RPGs need to upgrade like all the other genres. Kids are getting smarter and attention spans are getting shorter. We need a genre that makes you think, not just hold down A until all the baddies are dead. Wasn't that the whole point of turn based combat to begin with, to allow the player to consider how they would react to a situation? Combat now seems more like a chore, tacked on just to extend the time it takes to beat a game. I miss the old Grandias, Chrono Triggers, and Xenogears where the combat system seemed to be more about making the game interesting and fun for the player.

Also, Zelda, in any of its incarnations, is not an RPG. Even Nintendo does not classify the game as an RPG, but as an action/adventure title.

I guess to each his own. I don't really think they're trying so much to capitalize on old school mechanics as much as bring them back. How many RPGs this generation have turn based combat? Many companies, even Square-Enix with the main FF have changed up the battle systems so that they're no longer classic turn based. That's fine because people like you get bored by that kind of thing. Me on the other hand, it's the kind of battle system I enjoy. I like being able to sit there and access the situation and form a strategy to win instead of having people hack at me in real time.

The audience Mistwalker games are for is a niche one. They're games are for people tired of gimmicky new battle systems and just want a classic feeling RPG with an updated look. The games do their purpose, so I understand if you don't like them.

isukun
I'm already sick of Mistwalker. All they do is try to capitalize on the "oldschool" mechanics their staff were known for back in the 80's. Game systems have gone a long way since then, it is kind of sad that we're stuck with the same old game mechanics and Mistwalker also seems to have some serious issues when it comes to writing. The memory sequences from Lost Odyssey were outstanding, the rest of it was incredibly bland. The actual storyline was boring and he world was like something out of a FPS more than a JRPG. At least Blue Dragon had a more colorful and interesting world, even if the story was fairly flat and the game system incredibly generic.

It's sad that I'm finding cheap PS2 RPGs like Mana Khemia to be more worthwhile than the multi-million dollar projects from Mistwalker. For the most part, though, I find RPGs are stagnating. Developers seem confused on where to take the genre, so they just don't take it anywhere. RPGs need to upgrade like all the other genres. Kids are getting smarter and attention spans are getting shorter. We need a genre that makes you think, not just hold down A until all the baddies are dead. Wasn't that the whole point of turn based combat to begin with, to allow the player to consider how they would react to a situation? Combat now seems more like a chore, tacked on just to extend the time it takes to beat a game. I miss the old Grandias, Chrono Triggers, and Xenogears where the combat system seemed to be more about making the game interesting and fun for the player.

Also, Zelda, in any of its incarnations, is not an RPG. Even Nintendo does not classify the game as an RPG, but as an action/adventure title.

Do you really have to turn every post into a debate, he was asking what your favorite RPG was...not what is wrong with every RPG made lately...and I apologize for categorizing Zelda wrong...I always considered it an RPG.

Mushroomcomix
Do you really have to turn every post into a debate, he was asking what your favorite RPG was...not what is wrong with every RPG made lately...and I apologize for categorizing Zelda wrong...I always considered it an RPG.

Yeah, same here.

I haven't been big on RPGs for at least 5 or 6 years, but man I played the crap out of Oblivion. I think I have over 200 hours on my game clock. I still want to go back and do dungeons I haven't gotten to (most of them between Cheydinhal and Bravil, I've 'cleared' the rest of the map). Although the overall game is really simple, I just find it really fun to play.

That's fine because people like you get bored by that kind of thing. Me on the other hand, it's the kind of battle system I enjoy. I like being able to sit there and access the situation and form a strategy to win instead of having people hack at me in real time.

I don't get bored from turn based combat, I get bored because the games are all cookie cutter and the combat systems feel tacked on. There is no strategy anymore, just hold down A until the two to five extremely easy enemies are dead, then walk five feet to the next encounter, rinse, repeat, until the boss fight. It's repetitive and boring and so much more can be done with turn-based RPGs, especially now. I would rather see them add some strategy, some decent AI, some difficulty to these games. Otherwise they may as well be hack and slash action RPGs. Modern turn-based games pretty much are just hack and slash titles in slow motion.

That's why I mentioned games like Grandia where timing and positioning played into your basic strategy for winning each fight and your capabilities with weapons and magic were dependent on how often you used them. The game was still too easy, but at least it made an attempt to change things. Today, we seem to be taking a step backwards with companies like Mistwalker.

There are reasons people remember games like Chrono Trigger, Grandia 2, Lunar, Persona, FF6, Xenogears, etc., and it isn't because they all played just like Dragon Warrior.

Don't RPG makers study each other's games? How come they're not hurrying to copy Grandia Xtreme's system? Fighting games do it all the time.

Damn. It's hard to choose just one. So I'll rate them by category.

Best Battle System: Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth

Best Customization System: Final Fantasy 8

Most Immersive: Any Elder Scrolls Game

isukun
That's why I mentioned games like Grandia where timing and positioning played into your basic strategy for winning each fight and your capabilities with weapons and magic were dependent on how often you used them. The game was still too easy, but at least it made an attempt to change things. Today, we seem to be taking a step backwards with companies like Mistwalker.

That's the thing though, it is not a step back, because the games were made for a certain audience and they serve their purpose. If you don't like them it's fine, don't play them. They're just doing their own thing, it's not like they're the most influential company of all time and all the developers will soon copy what they're doing. Just play games that you think are fun, then everyone wins. :]

Favorite is still Final Fantasy Tactics. At the time I had never seen a story so immersive or a battle system that gave you so many options. Each replay has just gotten more and more fun. And oh God the remake totally justified my purchase of a PSP.

In close second is Persona 4. I hated the concept of a dating sim meets RPG, but I'm actually having fun building social networks within the game, and the battle system is so fast paced yet simplistic that I am actually having fun level grinding.

Worst goes to Oblivion. I started it, got killed by some old lady, and I dont think I'll pick it up again any time soon. My last two roommates would pretty much steal my 360 just to play it, so having watch through the game twice isn't really encouraging me either. Fuck that game. Fuck it hard.

Inkmonkey
Chrono Trigger.

yup.

High five on that one. I just bought it for my DS and have been loving it ever since.

That and Final Fantasy Tactics, but I would consider that more a strategy game than an RPG.

That's the thing though, it is not a step back, because the games were made for a certain audience and they serve their purpose.

Except that they didn't serve their purpose. Even Mistwalker admitted they had far fewer than the expected sales on their games. Turn-based RPGs are losing their audience because games like Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey get so much press and then fail to impress even the intended audiences. That is why their games are a step backwards. People are starting to expect these games to follow the standards set in the NES era rather than bring the genre forward and that is costing developers a lot of sales. Players are changing. As systems get more advanced, they expect a different kind of challenge. Old school isn't profitable for the most part, anymore.

If you don't like them it's fine, don't play them.

Unfortunately, that doesn't work. It's hard to get a feel for the quality of an RPG without playing it, reviews simply aren't reliable, anymore. And as for the comment about playing the games you think are fun, at this point, the RPG genre isn't offering much as a whole. So many games in the genre suffer from the same problems as the Mistwalker games. It is hard to find a game that actually makes you think these days, even in the tactical RPGs like Disgaea.

isukun
Except that they didn't serve their purpose. Even Mistwalker admitted they had far fewer than the expected sales on their games. Turn-based RPGs are losing their audience because games like Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey get so much press and then fail to impress even the intended audiences. That is why their games are a step backwards. People are starting to expect these games to follow the standards set in the NES era rather than bring the genre forward and that is costing developers a lot of sales. Players are changing. As systems get more advanced, they expect a different kind of challenge. Old school isn't profitable for the most part, anymore.

For a JRPG this generation, Blue Dragon, and especially Lost Odyssey did well. In fact Lost Odyssey is the best selling JRPG this generation, so apparently they are doing something right.

http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=7637®ion=All

Fallout 3 and Oblivion!!! GRAAAWR!!!

warefish
Fallout 3 and Oblivion!!! GRAAAWR!!!

I haven't played either but I've heard great things. Are they difficult to get into?

No. Not difficult at all. Well not for me anyway.

You see, it's very engaging from the very start of the game (and that's pretty good for a non-linear game mind you). problem is, it gets boring very quickly if you don't follow the storyline (kinda like the GTA games do). But other than that, I'd rate it ace!

You see, there's so much you can do and so many ways you can do it (in both oblivion and Fallout 3). And the VATS system in FO3 is bloody epic!!! :)

warefish
No. Not difficult at all. Well not for me anyway.

You see, it's very engaging from the very start of the game (and that's pretty good for a non-linear game mind you). problem is, it gets boring very quickly if you don't follow the storyline (kinda like the GTA games do). But other than that, I'd rate it ace!

You see, there's so much you can do and so many ways you can do it (in both oblivion and Fallout 3). And the VATS system in FO3 is bloody epic!!! :)

Well, I'm low on cash at the moment and looking for some good fun for a reasonable price so I'll go ahead and check out Oblivion. Thanks :]

In fact Lost Odyssey is the best selling JRPG this generation, so apparently they are doing something right.

I doubt Mistwalker thinks that's true, especially since they've said they were disappointed in the sales of both of their games repeatedly. The returns didn't justify the expense. And claiming it's the best selling JRPG this generation doesn't mean a heck of a lot when you have games like Fable, Oblivion, and Mass Effect outselling it 3:1.

If anything, that's a testament of how far the genre has fallen since the last generation. RPGs are expensive games to develop and with the way things are going, unless someone pulls them out of their rut, JRPGs may end up restricted to low budget, sprite-based endeavors or, worse yet, disappearing altogether. We are already seeing a decline in development to match the decline in sales.

There are certain types of RPGs I do not like and will most likely never play:
=> A RPG in the FPS format... you only see your arm.
=> A RPG in which you control only 1 character.

If anything, that's a testament of how far the genre has fallen since the last generation. RPGs are expensive games to develop and with the way things are going, unless someone pulls them out of their rut, JRPGs may end up restricted to low budget, sprite-based endeavors or, worse yet, disappearing altogether. We are already seeing a decline in development to match the decline in sales.

Some of my best memories involve RPGs that are "low budget." This isn't a nostalgia rant. IMO, a RPG is not good because it has Square-quality cutscene movies. In terms of graphics, DC-level graphics (such as Grandia 2 or Skies of Arcadia) is good enough. Cutscenes can use in-game engines instead of those million-dollar Square movies. If it has Grandia III's battle system and PSP FFT's writing, I'll buy it.

isukun

In fact Lost Odyssey is the best selling JRPG this generation, so apparently they are doing something right.

I doubt Mistwalker thinks that's true, especially since they've said they were disappointed in the sales of both of their games repeatedly. The returns didn't justify the expense. And claiming it's the best selling JRPG this generation doesn't mean a heck of a lot when you have games like Fable, Oblivion, and Mass Effect outselling it 3:1.

If anything, that's a testament of how far the genre has fallen since the last generation. RPGs are expensive games to develop and with the way things are going, unless someone pulls them out of their rut, JRPGs may end up restricted to low budget, sprite-based endeavors or, worse yet, disappearing altogether. We are already seeing a decline in development to match the decline in sales.

The genre has always been a niche thing, ever since it started on the nes. If it's fallen so much, why are we getting so many JRPGs this generation?

Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean 4, FF13, and that's SE alone. Then there's Tales of Vesperia, Eternal Sonata from Namco/Bandai. Finally there's Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey from Mistwalker. That's just for the 360, I'm not even sure what JRPGs are out for the PS3. Why do you have to put everything in such a pessimistic light?

The genre has always been a niche thing, ever since it started on the nes. If it's fallen so much, why are we getting so many JRPGs this generation?

RPGs were never a niche market in Japan and were only a niche market in the US up until the 32-bit generation. Now JRPGs have become a niche market in both the US and Japan, how can you not see how this is a bad thing for the genre? And we AREN'T getting so many JRPGs. This generation has definitely seen a reduction in development in that genre. In fact, a good number of the major RPG franchises from last generation are getting pushed to hand helds to cut costs, while a number of console franchises are ignored or dropped completely.

That's just for the 360, I'm not even sure what JRPGs are out for the PS3.

Including Enchanted Arms, that would be a grand total of 9 games, two of which aren't even out yet in Japan and likely won't hit these shores for at least another year. The PS2 had nine JRPGs on the shelves in its first year and Final Fantasy X was already out in Japan and had surpassed 2 million sales in Japan alone. So, nine games within the first year down to seven in the first three seems like a pretty hefty decline to me. What makes it worse is that the sales figures are way down, too. Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey were supposed to be the first major releases in the genre, but were met with incredibly low sales figures compared to games like FFX.

Cutscenes can use in-game engines instead of those million-dollar Square movies. If it has Grandia III's battle system and PSP FFT's writing, I'll buy it.

Unfortunately, most low budget games don't have either, just like the big budget games.