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Recommend me some sub 20 hour RPG classics

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Soul Blazer
 
I will be a bit controversial and say Catherine. Though it is usually classified as a puzzle game due to that being the primary gameplay mechanic, it has heavy RPG elements: heavy character development, the ability to talk to NPCs, and the ability to make choices through dialogue which directly effect your relationship with other characters and the outcome of the game. I would say that it offers more role-playing than many standard JRPGs.
 
Great recommendations all around guys. I'd throw my hat in the Suikoden I and II camp as well. They are short and amazing.
Also Transistor and Child of Light are both new, yet short and very enjoyable RPGs.
 
Kent said:
It's completely hidden - the only way to really tell it's when you suddenly start encountering different enemies in a given area.

There's a wonderfulguide on GameFAQs about all of the game's internal mechanics and crazy math (check out the section on sparking, too). Battle Rank returned in The Last Remnant as a explicit mechanic.
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Yup, you can easily tell by grinding one place the entire play through.

The swamp at Grail gets different but consistent monsters until it hits the end tier and you only fight Krakens. (Stupid maelstrom and multi attacks per turn)

PS: Blue GOAT OP character. Orlandu eat your heart out.
 
The second time I beat Seiken Densetsu 3 (secret of mana 2) it took me 17 hours. Even if it takes 25 to beat it first time, it's still a good choice.
--edit--
But yeah, Child of Light is better!
 
Parasite Eve 1 & 2 are both killer. Also Granstream Saga is campy and weird but I actually like it. Wild Arms 1 & 2 are good but I can't remember the completion time on them.
 
Yaboosh said:
It isn't a classic, but South Park Stick of Truth is a wonderful sub 15 hour RPG.
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Yep. I just finished this last week. Had a great time with it, and I'm only a casual SP fan (I fell off shortly after the movie, and caught a few of the key eps over the years).
 
I just beat mass effect 1 again and surprised it only take me 25 hour. I thought it would be longer.

Suikoden 1 and 2 are also pretty short rpg
 
You can easily do Suikoden in 15 hours easily.

Suikoden II can take just under 20

In fact Clive's quest in Suikoden II requires the player to get to the final area of the game before the 20th hour, I've gotten to L'Renouille in 16 hours.

I'll echo Chrono Trigger this is a short but awesome game.

All of the Ys games can be easily completed in under 10 hours.

Lunar Silver Star Story can also be done under 20 hours.

Not everything has to be about length, despite my love for Dragon Quest VIII, Xenoblade. The short RPGs can be amazing and get to the point where they never wear out their welcome.
 
Surprised this one hasn't been mentioned yet:

Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter, for the PS2

15ish hours and some of Capcom's best work. It's also got a Hitoshi Sakimoto (FF Tactics, FFXII, Muramasa off the top of my head) composition, and he's firing on all cylinders.

Edit: This one's a real love it or hate it deal. Most people fall one way or the other on it. Also, push through the first half hour. It takes a little while for the game to get going and you to adjust to it. It starts clicking around the point you reach the train.
 
Paltheos said:
Surprised this one hasn't been mentioned yet:

Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter, for the PS2

15ish hours and some of Capcom's best work. It's also got a Hitoshi Sakimoto (FF Tactics, FFXII, Muramasa off the top of my head) composition, and he's firing on all cylinders.

Edit: This one's a real love it or hate it deal. Most people fall one way or the other on it. Also, push through the first half hour. It takes a little while for the game to get going and you to adjust to it. It starts clicking around the point you reach the train.
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I just hated how much was locked behind the dragon gauge in that game. Also there is so much locked behind the rating system.
 
eyeball_kid said:
I will be a bit controversial and say Catherine. Though it is usually classified as a puzzle game due to that being the primary gameplay mechanic, it has heavy RPG elements: heavy character development, the ability to talk to NPCs, and the ability to make choices through dialogue which directly effect your relationship with other characters and the outcome of the game. I would say that it offers more role-playing than many standard JRPGs.
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Yeah this game is fantastic.
 
Sir TapTap said:
Can't think of many but Off by Mortis Ghost is a fantastic, free RPG that's super surreal and a bit creepy (no jump scares) and feels rather earthbound inspired. I can't recommend it enough. It's gotta be under 20 hours. I have videos on my channel too, but mobile so no links

http://offgame.wikia.com/wiki/OFF_Wiki
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It's so strange, this game.

I played it this year, finished and never understood what the hell I was doing. But it was a good experience.
 
Chrono Trigger springs to mind as the obvious top choice for what you want. The DS version is great. Read on if you dare. I've included classic wrpgs, jrpgs, rpg-ish adventure games, and miscellaneous hybrids as well as some great newer games that are less than or close to the 20 hour mark.

Genesis
Beyond Oasis
Shining in the Darkness (probably a little longer than 20)

SNES
Illusion of Gaia
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Shining Force
Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past

Saturn
Legend of Oasis
Dragon Force (probably a lot longer than 20 hours, but I think one character's play through is less than 20 and is really fulfilling)
Guardian Heroes

PS1
Vagrant Story
Parasite Eve 1, 2
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

PS2
Way of the Samurai 1

PS3
Dragon's Crown
Rogue Legacy

PS4
Diablo 3 (I find this more fun on consoles than on PC)

PSP
Patapon 1 (2 and 3 are longer)

DS
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

3DS
Crimson Shroud
Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

PC
Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos (skip the sequels)
This War of Mine
Shadowgate (the 2014 remake)
Legend of Grimrock 1 (2 is even better, but over 20 hours)
Fallout 1 (2 is longer)
Quest for Glory 1-4
Freedom Force 1
Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich
FTL
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Papers, Please
Dishonored
Westerado: Double Barreled
 
The original Fallout, in stark contrast to its sequels, and pretty much every CRPG inspired by it. Even if you do most of the sidequests, you're looking at only slightly over 20 hours.
 
I'm looking at all these titles and I'm thinking you're crazy. Maybe I just take my time in RPGs. Ultima 1-4 can be completed with 20 hours.
 
Paper Mario clocks in at 24 hours according to how long to beat, and Thousand Year Door at 30 hours. Both are well-paced and very much worth the slightly extra time investment.
 
I tried to enjoy all four RPGs you mentioned in the first post, but I also found them all to be quite dull.

the 15 BEST RPGs I've ever played are:

1 Dark Souls
2 Risen
3 Myth: The Fallen Lords
4 Final Fantasy IV
5 Quest for Glory So You Want To Be A Hero
6 Xenogears
7 Legend of Grimrock
8 Suikoden II
9 Fallout New Vegas
10 Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
11 Baldur's Gate 1
12 Dark Souls II
13 Shadowgate
14 Final Fantasy IX
15 Arthur: Quest for Excalibur
 
Suikoden & Suikoden II

The first one is quite short, and you can beat the second one in under 20 hours, though you'll probably not want to rush through it so fast since it's AMAZING.
 
orborborb said:
I tried to enjoy all four RPGs you mentioned in the first post, but I also found them all to be quite dull.

the 15 BEST RPGs I've ever played are:

1 Dark Souls
2 Risen
3 Myth: The Fallen Lords
4 Final Fantasy IV
5 Quest for Glory So You Want To Be A Hero
6 Xenogears
7 Legend of Grimrock
8 Suikoden II
9 Fallout New Vegas
10 Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
11 Baldur's Gate 1
12 Dark Souls II
13 Shadowgate
14 Final Fantasy IX
15 Arthur: Quest for Excalibur
Click to expand...

Since when has Myth been an RPG?
 
Definitely agree with Parasite Eve 1. Pretty sure you can beat that one at least twice over and do the New Game+ dungeon in under 20 hours.
 
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