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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => Hardcore Gaming 101 => Topic started by: theANdROId on December 01, 2014, 02:27:36 PM

Title: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 01, 2014, 02:27:36 PM
I've got a few bucks to spend on the Nintendo eShop -- $10 to be exact, but I could be persuaded to spend a little more.  I find I'm really wanting to play a good (or at least a decent) RPG...or maybe JRPG?  I've seen a few different definitions between the terms...I don't really want what seems to be an "action RPG"...I'm looking for the familiar turn-based strategy, maybe some exploration, maybe some character or class building (so I can be a mage when I'm tired of being a warrior or whatever)...something like Chrono Trigger or one of the many Final Fantasy games.  I'd rather it not be Pokemon-like.

Does anyone have any recommendations for something on the WiiU or 3DS that might satisfy?
I've looked at a few titles, and though they may or may not all exactly match what I'm wanting, has anyone played and developed an opinion on these games?
-- Alphadia Genesis
-- Grinsia
-- The Keep
-- The "Denpa" men games
-- Rune Factory 4
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 01, 2014, 03:51:54 PM
I've purchased Grinsia for my 2DS a while back. It's your standard RPG-type game nothing complex or learning-curvy about it. However you might find it a bit boring as the enviroments are quite static ie. no animations for things like fireplaces, candles, etc. The game seems like it was put together using the RPGMaker engine as it has that feel to it. Over all it's not a bad game but it's nothing new or groundbreaking by any real stretch either.

Quote
I don't really want what seems to be an "action RPG"

This genre refers to games that have both RPG and action melded into one game. Games like ENIX's SoulBlazer or IIlusion of Gaia for the SNES are some examples. Code of Princess for 3DS would also be classified as an Action RPG. It's essentially a side-scroller beat 'em up with leveling-up mixed in.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 01, 2014, 06:42:10 PM
Yeah...I haven't played Illusion of Gaia (though I do want to!), but "Action RPG makes me think of titles like "Secret of Mana" or the other "of Mana" titles...I can't think of anything more "modern" I've played with that similar gameplay.  I'm looking for more of the traditional, turn-based, Final Fantasy-like gameplay.  Grinsia looked interesting, but I think most of the reviews I saw were complaining about it's lack of job classes (which I'm assuming is like is often in Final Fantasy where you can be a fighter, mage, warrior, ninja, whatever).  Not sure if that will bother me or not.

Thanks for your thoughts though...any others, or anyone else?
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: GuyStarwind on December 01, 2014, 07:31:02 PM
I have Grinsia but haven't finished it. I was hoping to play a good old snes rpg but pretty much what X has said is the case.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 02, 2014, 12:19:07 AM
Rune Factory 4 seems to imply there is a 1-3...anyone know about any of them?

And what about the Ys games...not that they're on the eShop, but I've seen them around.  I wouldn't mind a few retail suggestions, though I currently only have the $10ish to spend in the eShop.  Once Christmas has passed, I'll be allowed to buy retail again! ;-P
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Captain Sheepy on December 02, 2014, 01:11:24 AM
Rune Factory 4 Man...It's so god damn addicting that I had to forcefully stop myself from playing it. It's that good.
For an Action RPG that is also a spin-off of sorts to Harvest Moon, it's pretty much perfect. Awesome characters, dating sim, lots of replayability, gameplay freedom in weapons styles or magic, smithing, cooking, crafting, etc.

The farming aspect is much simpler than Harvest Moon and really addicting since it rewards a butt load of cash and other things. You can do some pretty cool combos and what not, and everything levels up in this game...just living levels you up, walking levels you up, sleeping levels you up, fishing, every single weapon and magic element, farming, etc. A lot of bachelors and bachelorettes to marry off too, and challenging gameplay (I had to start with easy to get the hang of things and that has killed me a few times even for being reckless)

Also, the game doesn't force you to do story right away or anything, I actually advanced the story very slowly and was doing lots of the side missions and funny ass town events in the game (when naturally, 1-3 make you do story and get married after and stuff)

Dude...you MUST get Rune Factory 4. It was absolutely worth it and has WAYYYY too much content, in fact perhaps 160 hours or more of content. It may look all cute and stuff on the cover, but its a game with both quality and quantity.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 02, 2014, 03:51:11 AM
I would highly recommend the Ys series. Although I'm very iffy about the remake of Ys IV: Mask of the Sun (now 'Memories of Celcata') as it throws away the original Ys IV story which was stupid of Falcom. The rest of the series overall is great. And they are Action-RPG games too. Ys V for the Super Famicom (SNES) has been recently translated into English so you now have a chance to play all the titles. I would also recommend playing the original Ys IV to see what changes they made to the original story. you might find the older games a bit of a turn-off because of their play-style (collide with enemies to kill them), but if you can get past that little tid-bit then you might find Ys an exciting series to play.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on December 02, 2014, 07:33:08 AM
I haven't played the other games that you've mentioned but Rune Factory 4 is AWESOME!
An action RPG, farming sim and dating sim rolled into one package + you don't die, you faint, lol.

I have all Rune Factories from 1-4.
Rune 1 is harvest moon + ARPG elements so, the ARPG parts are so easy and short. The farming parts are copied from harvest moon, iirc. Harvest moon expert? This game's gonna be easy.
Rune 2 improves on Rune 1 with a longer story line spanning 2 generations. Yup, you get to play the game as your kid once the first generation story wraps up. And the kid also has his/her own story. This game references Rune 1 since it is set 10 years after.
Rune 3 is weird for me. You're a half man half wooly (sheep) 0_0 *didn't play this game* My friends say this one is the shortest of all Rune Factories.
Rune 4 is the best one so far (rumor has it that there's gonna be 5). And it finally allows you to choose your main character as a boy or girl. And I think this game has so much more stuff that you can do and the dungeons are definitely harder and more numerous than the previous games but the farming has been made simpler. Then this happens: "I'm torn between 2 bachelors.. kyaaaa~♥" When this happens, there's save file 2. hehehe.

But... if you want the nitty gritty on the story line regarding the plot, then you should play the rest of the series. They are connected with each other although each title can stand alone well enough.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 02, 2014, 05:27:34 PM
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Then this happens: "I'm torn between 2 bachelors.. kyaaaa~♥" When this happens, there's save file 2. hehehe.

This happens in Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride. There are three women you can choose to marry. Good thing there are three save slots; one fore each bride so you can see a different story play-through.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: shelverton. on December 02, 2014, 09:50:42 PM
Isn't Fantasy Life a bit like Rune Factory too?
Europe never got RF4 so I was thinking about getting Fantasy Life instead.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: darkmanx_429 on December 02, 2014, 11:08:01 PM
Yeah...I haven't played Illusion of Gaia (though I do want to!), but "Action RPG makes me think of titles like "Secret of Mana" or the other "of Mana" titles...I can't think of anything more "modern" I've played with that similar gameplay.  I'm looking for more of the traditional, turn-based, Final Fantasy-like gameplay.  Grinsia looked interesting, but I think most of the reviews I saw were complaining about it's lack of job classes (which I'm assuming is like is often in Final Fantasy where you can be a fighter, mage, warrior, ninja, whatever).  Not sure if that will bother me or not.

Thanks for your thoughts though...any others, or anyone else?
Legend of Dragoon
The .Hack Series
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Ratty on December 03, 2014, 12:18:50 AM
How many of the old Final Fantasy games have you played? If you've not played 6 on the SNES (aka 3 in the original release, not sure which the eshop lists it as) I recommend getting that. You could also explore Master System and Genesis RPGs. I'm sure most of the Phantasy Star and older Shining (Force) games are on the eShop as well, and they're turn based rather than action RPGs like the Ys series.


As for the difference between western RPGs and jRPGs -

Western RPGs tend to be a lot more mechanically complex, and especially in older or older-style "Dungeon Crawl" titles the story and characters were typically not a big priority. It was all about stat building and exploration, even if you were just exploring a wire-frame maze. Non-dungeon crawl western RPGs, especially later ones like Planescape Torment did focus a lot on characters and story though.

jRPGs took inspiration from western RPGs like Ultima and trimmed down the complexity to a more manageable level for consoles. While simultaneously focusing on pre-set characters and a linear storyline. The Dragon Quest (originally localized as Dragon Warrior) games on the Famicom/NES set the standard for this genre.

Of course, these days you see all kinds of influences between the two. Since jRPGs grew out of Japanese fandom for western RPGs, and it seems like most of the "western style" dungeon crawl games coming out these days are from Japan! I'd bet more western developers working today grew up with Final Fantasy than with, say, Wizardry and it shows.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 03, 2014, 03:03:37 AM
Isn't Fantasy Life a bit like Rune Factory too?
Europe never got RF4 so I was thinking about getting Fantasy Life instead.

I was considering Fantasy Life...and actually that was one on my list of games for Christmas requests...but I'm still a little unsure.  While I don't wholeheartedly trust all of their reviews, it does make me a little nervous that Game Informer magazine described the game in such a way that it almost sounded like Final Fantasy for little kids.  If anyone has opinions on that title I wouldn't mind those as well.

But thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions!  I'll certainly take more if there are more!

I had thought about checking what Final Fantasy titles were available...I haven't played them all, but I've played a few.  I'd have to look into which ones are which though, with the messed up numbering and all.  Off the top of my head, I know I've played the one with Cid, Palom, Porom...ummm...others whose names I don't remember.  After discovering the "After Years" stuff on the Wii, I looked into that title.  There was another, but I don't remember anything distinct about it.  It was one that was remade in 3D on the GBA or the original DS...there was an "Onion Knight" that you could get by getting a bunch of friend codes, except nobody I know cares for Final Fantasy.  That's all I remember.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 03, 2014, 06:00:52 AM
Quote
Off the top of my head, I know I've played the one with Cid, Palom, Porom...ummm...others whose names I don't remember.

This was Final Fantasy II US or Final Fantasy IV Japan. Great game! The first one to get me hooked on the series.
Quote
There was another, but I don't remember anything distinct about it.  It was one that was remade in 3D on the GBA or the original DS...there was an "Onion Knight" that you could get by getting a bunch of friend codes, except nobody I know cares for Final Fantasy.  That's all I remember.

This one's the remake of the original Famicom (NES) Final Fantasy III. Not a bad game but it didn't really grab me as the above did.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 03, 2014, 12:00:13 PM
This was Final Fantasy II US or Final Fantasy IV Japan. Great game! The first one to get me hooked on the series.
I loved this one!  Enjoyable story, and fun to play.  It might have been the first Final Fantasy I'd ever played (if you don't count the first mission of "The After Years"), and it caught me by surprise. 
(click to show/hide)

This one's the remake of the original Famicom (NES) Final Fantasy III. Not a bad game but it didn't really grab me as the above did.
The customization was nice, but I don't feel like this one was as great.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 03, 2014, 04:18:06 PM
If you've not played Final Fantasy 3 US (Final Fantasy 6 Japan) Then I would suggest you do so. I found it just as enthralling and engaging as FF 4. I highly recommend.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on December 03, 2014, 10:14:24 PM
Not sure if it's possible, but:

-If you have a choice over the SNES one (USA calls it "Final Fantasy III" even though it's Final Fantasy VI) and the Gameboy Advance one (USA calls it "Final Fantasy VI Advance"), you get a slightly more 'complete' game with the GBA version, while suffering from some slight audio deficiencies.  The SNES one's audio is rather great and it still holds up even today, but there is no post-game dungeon or better bestiary, etc.

-If you have a chance to play Illusion of Gaia (Illusion of Time in Europe) you should give that a whirl.  Great story, but the translation team often made blind idiot translation errors (such as confusing the word "Violent" and "Violinist", LMAO).  Its spiritual sequel, "Terranigma" is actually a better game that plays like a Zelda/Mana title, but has graphics that resemble Chrono Trigger.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Ratty on December 03, 2014, 11:36:43 PM
Not sure if it's possible, but:

-If you have a choice over the SNES one (USA calls it "Final Fantasy III" even though it's Final Fantasy VI) and the Gameboy Advance one (USA calls it "Final Fantasy VI Advance"), you get a slightly more 'complete' game with the GBA version, while suffering from some slight audio deficiencies.  The SNES one's audio is rather great and it still holds up even today, but there is no post-game dungeon or better bestiary, etc.

-If you have a chance to play Illusion of Gaia (Illusion of Time in Europe) you should give that a whirl.  Great story, but the translation team often made blind idiot translation errors (such as confusing the word "Violent" and "Violinist", LMAO).  Its spiritual sequel, "Terranigma" is actually a better game that plays like a Zelda/Mana title, but has graphics that resemble Chrono Trigger.

Ehh I wouldn't play the GBA version. Aside from the audio being crap, the colors/contrast on everything was brightened up for the GBA screen. Which to me just doesn't seem right, it's changing the original artists vision in the same way cropping or colorizing a movie is. And I think FF3/6 is a masterpiece that deserves to be seen in its original glory. That's my opinion though, and I'm not really one to care about post-game content, especially in a game that's already 60+ hours long XD.

I'm considering playing Illusion of Gaia myself, played Soul Blazer earlier this year and it was enjoyable. Been meaning to play through the trilogy for a few years.

PS- Whatever you do don't play the iOS (and I assume android) version of Final Fantasy 6. They redid the character sprites for no apparent reason and they look horrible.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 03, 2014, 11:43:47 PM
Illusion of Gaia is a more polished game when compared to SoulBlazer (Gameplay wise). Kinda like comparing ActRazer to ActRazer II. For the life of me I can't seem to get into Terranigma. I always get stuck in tower 2 and can't progress from there, and yes I've even checked out walkthroughs, but to no avail. Terranigma also feels less polished when compared to IoG or SB for that matter. I would really love to give Terranigma a good solid playthrough, but that damned tower..!
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on December 04, 2014, 01:46:19 AM
LOL you get stuck on Tower 2?  In the Underworld?  That's, like... 1/2hr into the game...
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 04, 2014, 06:25:39 AM
Quote
LOL you get stuck on Tower 2?  In the Underworld?  That's, like... 1/2hr into the game...

It's sad but true...

DON'T JUDGE ME! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH! LOL!
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 05, 2014, 01:40:20 AM
The GBA one is the one I have...the difference didn't bother me, but then again GBA is what I started with.  I get what you're saying though.

But then...

Quote from: various peeps
-Off the top of my head, I know I've played the one with Cid, Palom, Porom...ummm...others whose names I don't remember.
---This was Final Fantasy II US or Final Fantasy IV Japan. Great game! The first one to get me hooked on the series.
Quote

-There was another, but I don't remember anything distinct about it.  It was one that was remade in 3D on the GBA or the original DS...there was an "Onion Knight" that you could get by getting a bunch of friend codes, except nobody I know cares for Final Fantasy.  That's all I remember.
---This one's the remake of the original Famicom (NES) Final Fantasy III. Not a bad game but it didn't really grab me as the above did.

-If you have a choice over the SNES one (USA calls it "Final Fantasy III" even though it's Final Fantasy VI) and the Gameboy Advance one (USA calls it "Final Fantasy VI Advance"), you get a slightly more 'complete' game with the GBA version, while suffering from some slight audio deficiencies.  The SNES one's audio is rather great and it still holds up even today, but there is no post-game dungeon or better bestiary, etc.

So, I have 2 and 3...but wanna play FF 3 and 4?  The numerical differences just mess with my head. :-S
I think there's one I've heard is good...one that was on the SNES, has some sort of mechs in it, and I think that's where "Kefka" comes from, or some other character or something.  But again, I tend to get lost in the numerical differences.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Ratty on December 05, 2014, 03:21:43 AM
The GBA one is the one I have...the difference didn't bother me, but then again GBA is what I started with.  I get what you're saying though.

But then...

So, I have 2 and 3...but wanna play FF 3 and 4?  The numerical differences just mess with my head. :-S
I think there's one I've heard is good...one that was on the SNES, has some sort of mechs in it, and I think that's where "Kefka" comes from, or some other character or something.  But again, I tend to get lost in the numerical differences.

That's 6 aka 3 in the original release in the USA. The numerical differences aren't that bad once you lay them out. It's like this-

On the NES/Famicom in Japan

Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy 2 - not released in the USA
Final Fantasy 3 - not released in the USA

SNES

Final Fantasy 4 - released as Final Fantasy 2 outside Japan, since the real 2 & 3 had not been released.
Final Fantasy 5 - not released in the USA
Final Fantasy 6 - released as Final Fantasy 3 outside Japan, since the real 2, 3 & 5 had not been released.

PS1

They quit changing the numbers on the games at this point with the release of Final Fantasy 7 on the PS1.

Final Fantasy 2 and 5 were brought to the USA in PS1 compilations of the older games, which was when Square started retroactively using the real numbers for the games outside Japan.

It would take a while yet for the real 3rd game, originally on the Famicom/NES, to make its way outside Japan in the form of a DS remake. Over the years most of these games have gotten various remakes, updates and re-releases on various platforms in the west since their initial releases to the region.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 05, 2014, 04:02:04 AM
Diddo.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 05, 2014, 04:28:50 AM
I kinda get it, but it still kinda confuses me to think about.  Then again, it's late, and I really haven't slept "normally" for the last month as we have a newborn -- so I know my ability to process is less than ideal! ;-P

I have Final Fantasy IV on the DS...which if I'm understanding right is the same as the Japanese Final Fantasy 4...but it was originally released in the US as FF 2.  I guess the release on the DS corrected the number?

I also have Final Fantasy III on the DS...which is the Japanese FF3 I think.  This is the one I didn't enjoy as much.

My cousin says I should try FF3 (US) which is the same as FF6 (JPN)...and this is also the one Jorge suggested I try.

I think I got it! :-D
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 05, 2014, 04:04:33 PM
Quote
I have Final Fantasy IV on the DS...which if I'm understanding right is the same as the Japanese Final Fantasy 4

I own this version too, but wasn't thrilled that they decided on 3D rather then Sprites. I would recommend you getting the PSP version of FF IV. It contains the original JP FFIV game, a short in-between game taking place right after FFIV, and FFIV: The After Years. One big compilation.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on December 05, 2014, 05:00:37 PM
For completeness, you want "Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection", which is, as X described, comprised of "Final Fantasy IV" JPN (Hard-Type), an Interlude chapter, and then "Final Fantasy IV: The After Years".

I have a soft spot for the DS version because of the Augment system and because of the really good voice acting.  Music is pretty great, too.  Not sure if they ported the music over to the Complete Collection.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 05, 2014, 08:06:44 PM
I've got the after years on the Wii.  I'm not positive, but I think this was my second experience with the Final Fantasy series -- the first was Tactics Advance.  Anyway, nearly exactly as now, I had a "craving" for a good RPG.  Since the Final Fantasy titles were pretty well known, I tried After Years on the Wii.  I played the first story, loved it, bought the rest, started the second, and then thought, "I should play the game this stems from before I play this.  Since I already own two pieces (or is the interlude included in the Wii version of After Years?  I forget what was there, and my Wii isn't nearby at the moment) and since I don't own a PSP, I probably won't go that route...I appreciate the suggestion though.  I appreciate all the suggestions really!  Every now and then I get a craving to dive into a good RPG, ever since I first got into them (I'd hated the turn-taking style RPG games until I was introduced to Chrono Cross and Earthbound.) and now I've got a list of great stuff to check out!
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 06, 2014, 12:28:08 AM
The game is also downloadable on the PSNetwork. At least I'm pretty sure it is. So if you have a PS3 you should be able to get the PSP game off the network.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 06, 2014, 01:50:39 AM
I have a question for you X, and GuyStarwind...how is the story or character development in Grinsia?  I enjoyed and thought the story and characters were pretty great in games like FF4, Earthbound, or Chrono Trigger.  Is Grinsia comparable?  Is it not, but still decent?
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: Lelygax on December 06, 2014, 05:42:47 AM
I've got the after years on the Wii.  I'm not positive, but I think this was my second experience with the Final Fantasy series -- the first was Tactics Advance.  Anyway, nearly exactly as now, I had a "craving" for a good RPG.  Since the Final Fantasy titles were pretty well known, I tried After Years on the Wii.  I played the first story, loved it, bought the rest, started the second, and then thought, "I should play the game this stems from before I play this.  Since I already own two pieces (or is the interlude included in the Wii version of After Years?  I forget what was there, and my Wii isn't nearby at the moment) and since I don't own a PSP, I probably won't go that route...I appreciate the suggestion though.  I appreciate all the suggestions really!  Every now and then I get a craving to dive into a good RPG, ever since I first got into them (I'd hated the turn-taking style RPG games until I was introduced to Chrono Cross and Earthbound.) and now I've got a list of great stuff to check out!

To understand After Years you need to play FF IV before, and since it pays homage to another titles at some point, you will enjoy it fully if you also play FF I and V (but its not essential, you will only miss some references).
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: X on December 06, 2014, 08:59:47 AM
Quote
I have a question for you X, and GuyStarwind...how is the story or character development in Grinsia?  I enjoyed and thought the story and characters were pretty great in games like FF4, Earthbound, or Chrono Trigger.  Is Grinsia comparable?  Is it not, but still decent?

The story is not as deep as FF4 or the others you've mentioned however it is interesting to say the least. It might be the only thing that would keep you playing the game since the other game elements are nothing new to write home about. There is also some humor in there too in case you were wondering. Nothing side-splitting but just enough.
Title: Re: Your recommendations?...
Post by: theANdROId on December 06, 2014, 02:50:29 PM
To understand After Years you need to play FF IV before, and since it pays homage to another titles at some point, you will enjoy it fully if you also play FF I and V (but its not essential, you will only miss some references).

Yeah...I wouldn't mind owning original cartridges for the Final Fantasy series...among many other games on the NES and SNES.  I've got this dream of having a "man cave" (to give it a name) with a massive collection of NES and SNES stuff.  First I've got to get money though...and a house! ;-P