Topic: Your recommendations?...

[theANdROId]

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

[X]

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.

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.

[theANdROId]

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?

[GuyStarwind]

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.

[theANdROId]

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

[Captain Sheepy]

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.

[X]

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.

[Shiroi Koumori]

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.

[X]

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.

[shelverton.]

Isn't Fantasy Life a bit like Rune Factory too?
Europe never got RF4 so I was thinking about getting Fantasy Life instead.

[darkmanx_429]

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

[Ratty]

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.

[theANdROId]

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.

[X]

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.

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.

[theANdROId]

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)

I didn't see the sacrifice of Palom and Porom coming at all and...yeah, so I cried a little! :-P

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.