Ok, I have switched BOF4 for BOF3 in my list. Still leaning more towards other games, but I've read that the story in the game covers many years, like Dragon Quest V? That's a big plus to me, as I love timeskips.
Some great options in that list but the answer has to be Xenogears. It is in my opinion a must for all JRPG lovers. It has the most vast, ambitious story and is probably my favorite in all of gaming in that regard. For that reason alone it's worth playing but the battle system is very solid and fun, good characters, some nice worthwhile side quests, etc. While it's a shame they had to make so many sacrifices for disc 2, you get a nice long satisfying portion from the first disk while the second disk is more or less the wrap up leading to the final boss. Don't let comments on the second disk scare you, this is truly a must play if you enjoy JRPGs.
A comment for Trails in the Sky, only play it if you're prepared to follow up with the sequel. The first game is a pretty slow burn until the end setting up the characters and world building but it has a big cliff hanger at the end and the second game is where all the big pay off hits. It's pretty awesome and makes playing the first game worthwhile even if you don't care for slow burns. I definitely recommend playing Trails in the sky 1 and 2 when you get the chance. Great characters and a series known for good story and world building.
I have to ask, have you played Skies of Arcadia?
I have not. I considered adding to the list, but was put off when I learned about how frequent the encounter rate is.
I don't know if it helps, but my favorite JRPG's of all time (not counting SRPG's) are: Xenoblade Chronicles, Vagrant Story, FFVI and Chrono Trigger. After that, the order constantly changes.
Anyway, the count so far is:
Xenogears: 11 votes
Suikoden: 5 votes
Grandia 2: 4 votes
Star Ocean 2: 4 votes
Trails in the Sky: 3 votes
BOFIV: 2 votes
Valkyrie Profile: 2 votes
A bit surprising. Didn't think Xenogears was so loved around here.
I'm rolling through Breath of Fire. Then 2-4 maybe - if a good translation of 2 exists.
This was fixed with Skies of Arcadia Legends which released for the Gamecube (Original version released on Dream Cast). The Legends addition fixes the encounter rate, the issue with acquiring gold for a certain part in the story, added bounty hunt side quests, weapons and items, and a special side quest that is interesting and delves a little bit into the past of the main character showing how he got his scar. Even with the encounter rate and gold issue, the original was still my second favorite JRPG and Legends improved the experience so much. It's an extremely charming game with fun characters, cool locations, a solid story, plenty of exploration but also, who doesn't want to be a sky pirate? If you can acquire Skies of Arcadia Legends I HIGHLY recommend it. Add it to your list for future play, sir.
I have not. I considered adding to the list, but was put off when I learned about how frequent the encounter rate is.
I have been playing the Trails series since 2015 and just now I am at the end of the last released game (Cold Steel II). I had some months off from playing them, but overall it became one of my favorite series ever.
The games are:
Liberl Arc
Trails in the Sky (PSP, PC)
Trails in the Sky SC (PSP, PC)
Trails in the Sky the 3rd (PC release this year)
Crossbell Arc
Trails in the Zero (Unreleased in english)
Trails in the Azure (Unreleased in english)
Erebonia Arc
Trails of Cold Steel (PSP, PS3)
Trails of Cold Steel II (PSP, PS3)
Trails of Cold Steel III (PS4, releases in Japan this year)
Each arc is in a different country with a different set of characters, but all stories are in the same continent and there's a lot of stories that span multiple arcs. The lore, setting and world building are all amazing. Because of that, those games are a slow burn and should be played at a slow pace to enjoy everything they have to say. Even NPCs have stories and arc on their own.
If you play Trails, start with Sky on the PC. Use fan made tools to increase battle speed and have an awesome time with it. Here's the community thread (don't see the spoilers) and there's people in there playing Trails for the first time too:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=227658088
I have not. I considered adding to the list, but was put off when I learned about how frequent the encounter rate is.
Not to steal your thread, but I'm in a similar situation and creating another thread suggesting old JRPGs seems unnecessary.
I also have Grandia 2 in my backlog and I could probably be convinced to buy Trails in the Sky, but beyond that my list is:
- Shin Megami Tensei 3: I've actually already started this and fought this guy once (pretty sick battle actually, harder than many final bosses of other JRPGs), but for whatever reason I've dropped it for about 2 months now. I like the setting though, and the world has lots of visually and thematically interesting stuff going on.
- Odin Sphere (PS2): Honestly, I don't know anything about this game. I saw it on a thrift shop month or two back for 3, vaguely recalled hearing good things about it on Gaf, and seeing Atlus' logo on the box I was pretty convinced that it was worth grabbing.
- Front Mission 3 (Vita): Bought it about 2 years ago and played few missions. I actually really liked it's combat system and Mecha customization, but dropped it regardless. I dunno, I guess I got little overwhelmed after hearing that the game has 2 +60 hour paths.
- Grandia 2: I honestly don't know much about this game, but the battle system looks fun.
- Xenogears: I've heard it's one of the best stories in videogames, which is definitely a huge plus. Complaints about second disc leave me a bit worried. I kind of like the visuals, for some reason. Xenoblade is my favorite JRPG ever, but I guess the games don't have much in common.
- Breath of Fire 4: great visuals, playing with a villain seems like it could be a very cool story device.
- Star Ocean 2: don't know much about it, but the battle system looks very fun
- Suikoden 2: I've also played this one for a few hours a couple of years ago. Enjoyed, but couldn't see why it was regarded as such a classic. Obviously, I've played too little of it to know.
- Trails in the Sky: people seem to really love this one. I'll tell you one thing, I kind of hate the visuals. Not because they are old, but because the characters skating animation while walking drives me nuts. I could probably get past this if the game is REALLY good, but keep that in mind. It's weird because Adol in Ys: OiF (which is visually fairly similar) is animated just fine.
- Valkyrie Profile: Don't know much about it. Good visuals, but I've heard there's a time limit thing, which concerns me.
I like the writing on this one but the game itself did not hold me past the first few hours and the battle system is... frustrating (which is the real reason I stopped). It relies allot on movement but you don't have adequate control over how you move and have to plan around the game's constraints. I couldn't work past it.
You have a command to move the characters >.>
Unless you are talking about normal attacks (which you will move close to enemies) or crafts which some of them change your positioning.
Either way, I always recommend you searching for tools that speed up the battle system. It makes the experience better.
SO2 is the only game in that list that's actually bad, lol. Awful game with awful combat.Star Ocean 2 is terrible? What kind of crazy notion is this?
SO2 is easily my favorite in the entire series, and even among other people, it's generally well-regarded.
Dude no, get it on PS4, not PS2. The PS4 version improves on every aspect and also contains the original game if you're so desperate to play the old one.Not to steal your thread, but I'm in a similar situation and creating another thread suggesting old JRPGs seems unnecessary.
- Odin Sphere (PS2): Honestly, I don't know anything about this game. I saw it on a thrift shop month or two back for 3, vaguely recalled hearing good things about it on Gaf, and seeing Atlus' logo on the box I was pretty convinced that it was worth grabbing.
Frustrating how? It's intuitive enough (except the quartz system which takes some experimentation I guess) and it's not that difficult.I like the writing on this one but the game itself did not hold me past the first few hours and the battle system is... frustrating (which is the real reason I stopped).
What on Earth? You can 100% control your character's movements if you want...It relies allot on movement but you don't have adequate control over how you move and have to plan around the game's constraints. I couldn't work past it.
Solid list except for SO2 which I'd avoid. Weird that you'd have a problem with the visuals in Trails in the Sky, as it's by far the best looking game in that list.
I'd also second the Saturn RPG recommendations but I'm guessing you're unlikely to have a Sega Saturn.
Out of that list I would prioritize Suikoden 2, probably. But you should play 1 first. It sets the tone of the world and story, and it's short enough. People already told you why Suikoden great, but yeah, it's an epic story with tight world-building, the recruitment for your base is fun and rewards exploration, and the combat is fast-paced (though also quite easy). Also, beautiful art and glorious soundtracks in both.
SO2 is the only game in that list that's actually bad, lol. Awful game with awful combat.
Dude no, get it on PS4, not PS2. The PS4 version improves on every aspect and also contains the original game if you're so desperate to play the old one.
Frustrating how? It's intuitive enough (except the quartz system which takes some experimentation I guess) and it's not that difficult.
What on Earth? You can 100% control your character's movements if you want...
Just a suggestion, get Odin Sphere on PS4 instead of PS2. I haven't played the new version, but as far as I know, it fixed a lot of boring things with the original.
And get on trails asap.
Let me reiterate and emphasize:Dude no, get it on PS4, not PS2. The PS4 version improves on every aspect and also contains the original game if you're so desperate to play the old one.
I don't know anything about this game.
Oh c'mon, it absolutely is not! Those characters skating, the poor 3D and drab colors, ugh.
Playing the original Suikoden really is that important? I guess I'll dock a few points from Suikoden 2 then, not really interested in the first game.
Oh c'mon, it absolutely is not! Those characters skating, the poor 3D and drab colors, ugh.
Playing the original Suikoden really is that important? I guess I'll dock a few points from Suikoden 2 then, not really interested in the first game.
Oh c'mon, it absolutely is not! Those characters skating, the poor 3D and drab colors, ugh.
Playing the original Suikoden really is that important? I guess I'll dock a few points from Suikoden 2 then, not really interested in the first game.
Hi guys. Lately I feel like playing a new (old) JRPG. Right now I'm between the following options:
- Grandia 2
- Xenogears
- Breath of Fire 4 (actually switched this one for Breath of Fire 3)
- Star Ocean 2 (PSP)
- Suikoden 2
- Trails in the Sky
- Valkyrie Profile
I suspect most people will say Suikoden 2, but let's see. Please describe why you are recommending the game, and if you can rank the games in your opinion, even better!
Out of the list I would choose Xenogears.
And funny thing is I've played only the demo back in 1999 or smth when I happened to get my hands on a psx demo with many games on it. & I remember the beginning and the main char had a long pony tail and at the time I was mainly rocking 3 arcade centers in the hood and hooked up on the king of fighters 96 and he looked just like Robert Garcia. Also the battle system where you can land some cool combos by mixing the buttons was something new to me and totally awesome. Loved the demo and been waiting for a possible remake of it but I guess I'll just play the original.
Out of the list, I almost read all the posts here and I'm shocked how nobody mentioned Chrono Cross???!!
GAF has no love for Chrono Cross?
I know Chrono Trigger is a classic and period but personally I have some great great GREAT memories with that game. I just fucking loved it. And the OST from Yasunori Mitsuda is just pure heaven. Been listening to that OST every single day for so many years and never ceases to make me sentimental.
I don't know what GAF thinks of it but to me is one of the most memorable games.
Also I read about Lunar eternal blue that came up some time after Lunar Silver Star Story Complete which is definitely in my top 5 fav jrpg of all time. It's one hell of a game. Solid story, great characters, beautiful battle system (boss fights might go longer than 30 mins at least from my exp). Eternal blue just didn't stick to me for some reason.
Also I will also recommend you my 1st ever jrpg game which introduced me to the amazing world of jrpg games and I won't say anything about it except that It's the only game ever that I've finished 4 times so far (every 4 years or so) even recently.
Thousand Arms.
Question for those who've played them: Is the Trails series SRPG and not JRPG?
I don't know if it helps, but my favorite JRPG's of all time (not counting SRPG's) are: Xenoblade Chronicles, Vagrant Story, FFVI and Chrono Trigger. After that, the order constantly changes.
Anyway, the count so far is:
Xenogears: 11 votes
Suikoden: 5 votes
Grandia 2: 4 votes
Star Ocean 2: 4 votes
Trails in the Sky: 3 votes
BOFIV: 2 votes
Valkyrie Profile: 2 votes
A bit surprising. Didn't think Xenogears was so loved around here.