enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
I generally see these three eras being stated by different fans as the best times for RPG fans. Which of the three do you think is the GOAT era for RPGs? I'm mainly talking about JRPGs however you can include strategy RPGs or Action RPGs if you like. Mind you I'm talking about my experience in North America, so it would be interesting if people from different continents had a wildly different take on the matter, since I was horrified to learn recently that Chrono Trigger for example never had a European release on the SNES?????! (A crime)
SNES:
The SNES was a great time for multiple genres and has a great library. We had some of the best RPGs in the genre that have aged incredibly well and many subsequent games have used for inspiration. The 16 bit aesthetic for these games is still beautiful to look at and arguably aged better than a lot of the PS1's early 3D graphics.
Chrono Trigger (my fave SNES game)
Earthbound
Final Fantasy 4
Final Fantasy 6
Secret of Mana
Zelda Lttp
Breath of Fire 1
Breath of Fire 2
Super Mario RPG
Tales of Phantasia
PS1:
This was probably Square's strongest era ever, back when they were king of the RPG.
Final Fantasy 7 (changed the industry)
Final Fantasy 8 (my fave FF)
Final Fantasy 9
Tail Concerto
Kartia
Suikoden 1
Suikoden 2
Chrono Cross (just as amazing as Chrono Trigger)
Xenogears
Final Fantasy Tactics (the only SRPG I really love)
Wild Arms 1
Wild Arms 2
Grandia
Lunar Silver Star Story Complete (the story of Luna and Alex <3)
Lunar Eternal Blue Complete
Star Ocean Second Story
Legend of Dragoon
Thousand Arms
Jade Cocoon
Breath of Fire 3 (my fave BoF)
Breath of Fire 4
Alundra (first game to rival Zelda Lttp in quality)
Dragon Quest VII
Tales of Destiny 1
Tales of Eternia (or Destiny 2)
Valkyrie Profile
Amazing that Sony started off with a "no RPGs in the West" policy and we forced ourselves to played that turd Beyond the Beyond when it came over as RPG fans were dying for anything at that point.
PS2:
Ok, so I would have to say that while the PS1 has some of my top faves the PS2 imo is the one I'd vote for as the Golden Era. We had both quality AND quantity at this point thanks to revolutionary titles like FF7 paving the way.
Final Fantasy 10 (either 2nd fave FF or tied with 8 for favorite)
Final Fantasy 12
Digital Devil Saga 1
Digital Devil Saga 2 (one of the best on the system)
Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne
Wild Arms 3
Wild Arms 4
Wild Arms 5 (favorite WA tied with 5)
Wild Arms Alter Code F (tied with 5 as my fave)
Jade Cocoon 2
Suikoden 4
Suikoden 5 (best Suikoden imo)
Ar Tonelico
Ar Tonelico 2
Atelier Iris 1
Atelier Iris 2
Atelier Iris 3
Mana Khemia
Mana Khemia 2
Okami
Devil Summoner
Devil Summoner 2
Sakura Wars: So Long My Love
Grandia Xtreme
Grandia 2
Grandia 3
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Tales of the Abyss
Shadow Hearts 1
Shadow Hearts: Covenant (incredible game)
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
Mega Man X: Command Mission
Dragon Quest 8 (my fave DQ)
Dark Cloud 1
Dark Cloud 2
Rogue Galaxy
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Kingdom Hearts 1
Kingdom Hearts 2
Persona 3 & FES
Persona 4
Xenosaga
Xenosaga 2
Xenosaga 3 (one of the best RPGs ever, a masterpiece and on par with Xenogears)
EDIT: ***Since the Nintendo DS is such a strong contender, you can vote for that one as well. The DS arguably has the strongest RPG lineup in the history of handhelds.***
DS:
Solotorabo: Red the Hunter
Radiant Historia
Final Fantasy 3 remake
Final Fantasy 4 remake (my fave version of the game)
Okamiden
Dragon Quest 4
Dragon Quest 5
Dragon Quest 6
Dragon Quest 9
Golden Sun Dark Dawn
Mario and Luigi Partners in Time
Mario and Luigi Dream Team
Sands of Destruction
Blue Dragon Awakened Shadow
Zelda Phantom Hourglass
Zelda Spirit Tracks (my fave handheld Zelda)
Final Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light
The current gen is looking pretty hopeful. Not sure if we'll ever have another Golden Age in the RPG genre (at least for JRPGs) but things are looking up from last gen at least
What do you consider the Golden Era? My vote goes to the PS2. There can only be one
SNES:
The SNES was a great time for multiple genres and has a great library. We had some of the best RPGs in the genre that have aged incredibly well and many subsequent games have used for inspiration. The 16 bit aesthetic for these games is still beautiful to look at and arguably aged better than a lot of the PS1's early 3D graphics.
Chrono Trigger (my fave SNES game)
Earthbound
Final Fantasy 4
Final Fantasy 6
Secret of Mana
Zelda Lttp
Breath of Fire 1
Breath of Fire 2
Super Mario RPG
Tales of Phantasia
PS1:
This was probably Square's strongest era ever, back when they were king of the RPG.
Final Fantasy 7 (changed the industry)
Final Fantasy 8 (my fave FF)
Final Fantasy 9
Tail Concerto
Kartia
Suikoden 1
Suikoden 2
Chrono Cross (just as amazing as Chrono Trigger)
Xenogears
Final Fantasy Tactics (the only SRPG I really love)
Wild Arms 1
Wild Arms 2
Grandia
Lunar Silver Star Story Complete (the story of Luna and Alex <3)
Lunar Eternal Blue Complete
Star Ocean Second Story
Legend of Dragoon
Thousand Arms
Jade Cocoon
Breath of Fire 3 (my fave BoF)
Breath of Fire 4
Alundra (first game to rival Zelda Lttp in quality)
Dragon Quest VII
Tales of Destiny 1
Tales of Eternia (or Destiny 2)
Valkyrie Profile
Amazing that Sony started off with a "no RPGs in the West" policy and we forced ourselves to played that turd Beyond the Beyond when it came over as RPG fans were dying for anything at that point.
PS2:
Ok, so I would have to say that while the PS1 has some of my top faves the PS2 imo is the one I'd vote for as the Golden Era. We had both quality AND quantity at this point thanks to revolutionary titles like FF7 paving the way.
Final Fantasy 10 (either 2nd fave FF or tied with 8 for favorite)
Final Fantasy 12
Digital Devil Saga 1
Digital Devil Saga 2 (one of the best on the system)
Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne
Wild Arms 3
Wild Arms 4
Wild Arms 5 (favorite WA tied with 5)
Wild Arms Alter Code F (tied with 5 as my fave)
Jade Cocoon 2
Suikoden 4
Suikoden 5 (best Suikoden imo)
Ar Tonelico
Ar Tonelico 2
Atelier Iris 1
Atelier Iris 2
Atelier Iris 3
Mana Khemia
Mana Khemia 2
Okami
Devil Summoner
Devil Summoner 2
Sakura Wars: So Long My Love
Grandia Xtreme
Grandia 2
Grandia 3
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Tales of the Abyss
Shadow Hearts 1
Shadow Hearts: Covenant (incredible game)
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
Mega Man X: Command Mission
Dragon Quest 8 (my fave DQ)
Dark Cloud 1
Dark Cloud 2
Rogue Galaxy
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Kingdom Hearts 1
Kingdom Hearts 2
Persona 3 & FES
Persona 4
Xenosaga
Xenosaga 2
Xenosaga 3 (one of the best RPGs ever, a masterpiece and on par with Xenogears)
EDIT: ***Since the Nintendo DS is such a strong contender, you can vote for that one as well. The DS arguably has the strongest RPG lineup in the history of handhelds.***
DS:
Solotorabo: Red the Hunter
Radiant Historia
Final Fantasy 3 remake
Final Fantasy 4 remake (my fave version of the game)
Okamiden
Dragon Quest 4
Dragon Quest 5
Dragon Quest 6
Dragon Quest 9
Golden Sun Dark Dawn
Mario and Luigi Partners in Time
Mario and Luigi Dream Team
Sands of Destruction
Blue Dragon Awakened Shadow
Zelda Phantom Hourglass
Zelda Spirit Tracks (my fave handheld Zelda)
Final Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light
The current gen is looking pretty hopeful. Not sure if we'll ever have another Golden Age in the RPG genre (at least for JRPGs) but things are looking up from last gen at least
What do you consider the Golden Era? My vote goes to the PS2. There can only be one