Topic: tell me about these RPGs

[VladCT]

>Chrono Trigger PSX ver.
Play the DS version instead if you want anime cutscenes, the PSX version has horrid loading times.

[Neobelmont]

Sweet home famicom see this

Sweet Home (NES) review PART 1 by Happy Video Game Nerd






Sweet Home (NES) review PART 2 by Happy Video Game Nerd

[DragonSlayr81]

To add to what DragonSlayer81 said:

Xenogears feels like a spiritual successor to Chrono Trigger.
Baten Kaitos (for Gamecube) feels like s spiritual successor to Chrono Cross, which is a sequel to Chrono Trigger but too different in so omany ways that only some story links 'em.  Both are awesome games.

I agree. Chrono Cross isn't a bad game. I love it, love the music, characters, Nobuteru Yuuki's artistic style and reimagining of the Chrono World, but it's a stark contrast to Chrono Trigger, which I think turned some people off. A lot of it's style IS like the Baten Kaitos games. I think both drip from Yasuyuki Honne's unique art direction. His "worlds" have that "look" to them.

Interestingly enough, I forgot to mention that Chrono Trigger was also a Dream Team affair. It was basically the love child of Yuji Horii(Dragon Quest), Akira Toriyama(Dragon Ball) and Hironobu Sakaguchi(Final Fantasy). Masato Kato came in and did good deal of the story. Mitsuda did the majority of the soundtrack, with a few notable tracks being composed by Uematsu, main art by Toriyama, with Honne contributing, as well as Yusuke Naora(FFVII, Chaos Rings), Tetsuya Takahashi(Xenogears, Xenosaga, Xenoblade Chronicles), and Tetsuya Nomura(FFVII, Kingdom Hearts). Takashi Tokita(FFIV) and Yoshinori Kitase(FFVI, FFVII, FFVIII) were directors.  It was a CRAZY ASS collaboration.

Speaking of Xenogears, have you tried Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii, Crisis?  Though it's not at all a 'classic', it's definitely a good classic JRPG 'crack' type of game.  It feels like a really really beautiful PS2 game.  Though not really part of the Xeno games, it was created by mostly the same team as Xenogears and Xenosaga (citation needed), and in terms of the timeline (it you really wanted to string the titles together, which most people say is not true), it'd be a distant title set in the far future of the timeline.

I have to recommend Xenoblade Chronicles, as well. I'm not even finished with it, but it's one of the most enjoyable RPG experiences I've had in a LONG while. Where it fits in with the Xeno series, it's debatable. Takahashi has said that it's far different than Gears and Saga. But, it DOES use some religious/philosophical stuff here and there, and there is the theme of robots present(actually, if there was any dominant theme in all the Xeno games, it would be giant robots).

And yes, VI is totally Steampunk (the technology used is cool, in a Wild Wild West sort of way), whilst VII is Cyberpunk.  In VI you still got carrier pigeons as the main method of delivering mail (and couriers), clockwork-driven mecha, and 'magic' at first is thought of as just some mumbo jumbo nonsense.  Like in our real world during WWII, the Emperor in FFVI is a fanatic of the occult and finds out the source of 'magic' and has his soldiers go and find it (like that dude from WWII with the chaplin mustache and slick hair, y'know... that guy).

There was definitely some WWII vibes I got from FFVI. For one, in the Imperial Base, the cafe the soldiers are hanging out at is playing this little rockabilly-type piano music(Uematsu named it "Johnny C Bad", a play on Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Good"). There's also this giant red banners hanging all over the place with the black Imperial symbol on the center of them. It's interesting, the setting, because the technology is steampunk. The style of clothing seen throughout the majority of the world harkens to the 18th century, with powdered wigs and colonial style attire, but there IS also that WWII feel.

Sweet home famicom see this

Sweet Home (NES) review PART 1 by Happy Video Game Nerd

LOL about Sweet Home. Interesting that it's proposed remake on the PS1 ended up becoming the first Resident Evil. I actually saw the movie, and it wasn't that bad. Actually had Dick Smith working on the SFX. It's basically an abridged version of the game(final boss appears too, and looks pretty cool).

[Ratty]

Sweet home famicom see this

Also if you like horror films track down the movie if you can. It's a very thought provoking film for the genre. Pondering what it means to be a parent (a mother particularly) and the destructive power of loss juxtaposed with the healing power of love and forgiveness. Also people melt, but it's a very good genre movie.

As for the main topic of discussion well... I've not gotten around to playing most of these games. But I must say that I count FFVI one of the greatest I have ever played; FFVII on the other hand is one of the most insufferably worst, 50 hours of torture. I could (and have) go on at length about the problems in the latter title but I'll hold my tongue on that as I don't wish to provoke or upset any of the many fans I know it still has.

[Dark Nemesis]

I'm on a hunt myself, but i have played 70% of rpg games that they have come out and i can't find any new rpg to satisfy me, but if you haven't tried yet, you could try Koudelka for psx or the hack series for ps2. Total underated rpg games, for what they really are. Koudelka is considered as prequel to the shadow heart series.

[VladCT]

>.hack// series
The original quadrology requires quite a bit of micromanaging. The G.U. trilogy can get piss-easy, especially if you accidentally overlevel.

[Ratty]

>Chrono Trigger PSX ver.
Play the DS version instead if you want anime cutscenes, the PSX version has horrid loading times.

And I believe the DS version even added more cutscenes and got a better translation didn't it? The only area where it's inferior (so I'm told) is the sound.

[X]

And I believe the DS version even added more cutscenes and got a better translation didn't it? The only area where it's inferior (so I'm told) is the sound.

I own the DS version of Chrono Trigger and I've yet to hear of any poor sound quality since I have also played the PSX and SNES versions.

[kingu]

i highly recommend shin megami tensei. even persona 4, which gets headache-inducing with its scenes, is fantastic. pick up nocturne. dante guest appearance, smooth and quick battle system, demon negotiation and fusion, otherworldly aesthetic, curious/cautious pacing.

[Kaori]

Let's see...I'm going to try and not repeat what others have said too much. Everyone else has covered anything I could have said for Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI. The other game series I have either barely played, or don't know enough to give you an opinion. So I'll be covering Star Ocean, since no one else really covered it that well and then giving you recommendations for other RPG series to check out.

Star Ocean
I have never played the first or fourth one, but I have played the second and third.

Star Ocean 2 lets you choose between 2 different characters to play as, Rena or Claude. While you cover the same storyline with either character, you get different scenes and options depending on which character you chose. You also find out about which character's you chose background more in detail, so you get more information about whatever one you chose. Another neat thing is that depending on which character you chose, you get a different party member at a certain story point. Otherwise, all the characters (optional or storyline important) you can get with either character. There is also so many different choices you can make in this game! Like not being able to recruit certain characters if you recruit other characters, and you can even influence the ending. There are a ton of different endings in this game, based on which character is closest to you. So you can pair yourself with any character. As for the battle system in Star Ocean 2, if you have ever played any of the games from the Tales series, it plays a lot like them. You run around the battle field to attack your enemies. Oh, you also do not have to stick with playing as the character you chose for battles. You can swap and use any character you want to play as in battle.

Star Ocean 3 (Or Star Ocean Til the End of Time) is pretty much it's own storyline, and you do not need to play Star Ocean 2 at all to understand it. Like Star Ocean 2, you have the option to recruit many different characters and make all kinds of choices. Like Star Ocean 2, there are many different endings based whatever character you decide to pair yourself with. The battle system is still the running around to attack your enemies. Really, you could go for either this or Star Ocean 2. Both have good stories.

Other Recommendations

Someone mentioned the first Lunar. I second this, but I would recommend the Lunar series as a whole (except for Dragon Song on the DS, stay away from that). I preferred the second game, Lunar 2 Eternal Blue, but I love both the first and the second game. The first game in the series is a lot easier to get a hold of since it has been remade a million times. The original was released on the Sega CD (Lunar the Silver Star), but later it was remade for the PSX (Lunar Silver Star Story Complete). Then it was remade for the GBA (Lunar Legends), and then recently, it was remade for the PSP (Lunar Silver Star Harmony). As you can see, the first game changes its name with every remake, lol. I liked the original Sega CD versions of Lunar 1 and 2, but the best versions are usually argued to be the PSX versions. Lunar 2 was only released for the Sega CD and PSX (remake). The characters and story are pretty good in this series. Plus, Lunar was one of the first RPGs to use animated cutscenes (1992). The battle system plays like a traditional turn based RPG.

Someone also recommended the Shin Megami Tensei series. I also recommend this. Usually people play the Persona games in this series, which the 3rd and 4th games are amazing. You play as a silent protagonist in Persona 3 and Persona 4, which give you room to make any kind of choice you want. However, if you choose the wrong choices, you can mess up relationships, which are an important part of powering up your character. So while you can have fun with relationships in this game, you also need those relationships. The SMT series has a whole is turn based. However, it is turned based with a twist. In Persona 3 and Persona 4, element type is REALLY important. If you hit an enemy's weakness, you can go extra turns and defeat the enemies faster. This also goes for the enemies, however. So you have to be careful. In Persona 3 and 4, you gain the ability to basically summon "the power within you" which takes the forms of all kinds of demons. The cool thing about the SMT series is that it has so many mythological references to demons. Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne is also an amazing game. Unlike the Persona games, you do not use your "own powers". Instead, you can recruit demons to join your party, leaving limitless possibilities. Also, Dante from Devil May Cry makes a cameo, who can be recruited as well, which is awesome. Elemental weakness are even MORE so important in this game that Persona 3 and 4. If you want a challenging, but really fun RPG, get Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne.

Okay, I'm done now. This post has gotten too long. 

[X]

I myself haven't played a whole lot of Star Ocean either. I've got Star Oceans' 1 & 2 for the PSP. The games remind me very much of Star Trek. It's like crossing Star Trek with an RPG and you get Star Ocean. I first noticed this the very instant the game introduced the Earth people via transporter beam. I was not expecting it at all so it was a pleasant surprise. I've also got Lunar for the PSP as well. Also a very nice classic RPG.

[knightmere]

Chrono Trigger DS is the best version of the game yet.  The extras are all good except for the Lost Sanctum, that place has the worst back tracking I have ever seen in a game. Prepare to climb the same mountain about 20 times over with forced encounters.  Luckily though it is an optional dungeon and the Dimensional Vortex the other extra dungeon is quite good.  I never got into Chrono Cross as it seemed to different to me and I was offended that it even shares the same namesake as Chrono Trigger.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

I like Chrono Cross's nifty Stamina/Element system.  Plus the game is really beautiful (especially on ePSXe with High Res... you can tell they put a lot of work into those textures, wow!).

[Neobelmont]

i highly recommend shin megami tensei. even persona 4, which gets headache-inducing with its scenes, is fantastic. pick up nocturne. dante guest appearance, smooth and quick battle system, demon negotiation and fusion, otherworldly aesthetic, curious/cautious pacing.

Goddang it what the hell is that kingu!!?

Meanwhile has anyone mention phantasy star yet or lagrange point for the famicom yet?


ラグランジュポイント Lagrange Point (Famicom, 1991)


It's music is unrivaled

VIDEO GAME: Lagrange Point (MUSIC)

[crisis]

Wow, this thread turned out better than I thought. Thanks for the suggesterations, guys. +1 for every contribution 

I'm currently played Chrono Trigger DS & I'm loving it. I agree with everything that was said, the music is superb, great artstyle/graphics, etc. I can't wait to see which ending I get.
(only thing that bugs me is the fact that Crono is a silent hero. Although I did hear that in one of the endings he DOES speak. kinda weird, huh?)
by the way, do you guys suggest I play Radical Dreamers? I heard it's a "sort of" sequel or prequel, I'm curious about it.

Definately gonna check out each game that has been mentioned. Xenoblade Chronicles, Persona, etc. I'm considering playing 2 RPGs at a time, so I don't get too confused lol. I've played & beat Lunar SSSC when it was first released (I even purchased the limited edition box set. I'm still kicking myself to this day for selling it >_<), good game. Played Breath of Fire 1, I enjoyed it but I didn't get too involved, and I need to change that.

I think my favorite FF is the original Tactics for PS-X. I haven't tried the updated versions/sequel, though. Are they any good?


keep the suggesterations coming!!