Blue is Me

Tag: rpg

  • Can you give a list of some good RPG games for the PlayStation?

    I’ve played so many at this point I’ll divide them into tiers (I’m assuming you mean PS1).

    S Tier (All time great)

    Suikoden II (1999)
    Xenogears (1998)
    Chrono Cross (1999)
    Final Fantasy Tactics (1998)
    Final Fantasy IX (2000)

    A Tier (very good / excellent)

    Star Ocean 2 (1999)
    Saiyuki: Journey West (2001)
    Ogre Battle: Limited Edition (1997)
    Breath of Fire III (1998)
    Breath of Fire IV (2000)
    Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena (1998)
    Thousand Arms (1999)
    Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (1998)
    Tales of Eternia (2001)
    Final Fantasy VII (1997)
    Diablo (1998)
    Legend of Legaia (1999)
    Valkyrie Profile (2000)
    Azure Dreams (1998)
    Vagrant Story (2000)
    Lunar Silver Story (1999)
    Lunar 2 (2000)
    Grandia (1999)
    PoPoLoCrois Story II (2000)
    Tales of Phantasia (1998)

    B Tier (solid / decent)

    Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden (2002)
    Master of Monsters: Disciples of Gaia (1998)
    Tear Ring Saga (2001)
    King’s Field III (1996)
    Kartia: World of Fate (1998)
    Front Mission 3 (2000)
    Dragon Valor (2000)
    Arc the Lad II (1996)
    Arc the Lad III (1999)
    Threads of Fate (2000)
    Tales of Destiny (1998)
    Brave Fencer Musashi (1998)
    Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
    Langrisser IV (1999)
    Wild Arms (1997)
    Vanguard Bandits (2000)
    Vandal Hearts II (1999)
    Parasite Eve (1998)
    Parasite Eve II (2000)
    Legend of Dragoon (2000)
    SaGa Frontier 2 (2000)
    Shadow Tower (1999)
    Brave Prove (1998)

    C Tier (average)

    Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth (2001)
    Guardian Crusade (1999)
    Goemon: Space Pirate Akogingu (1996)
    Beyond the Beyond (1996)
    Alundra 2 (2000)
    Baroque (1998)
    Koudelka (2000)
    Wild Arms 2 (2000)
    Digimon World 3 (2002)
    Jade Cocoon (1999)
    Dragon Quest VII (2001)
    Shadow Madness (1999)

    My top 25 would be..

    1. Suikoden II
    2. Final Fantasy Tactics
    3. Xenogears
    4. Final Fantasy IX 
    5. Chrono Cross
    6. Star Ocean 2
    7. Lunar 2
    8. Breath of Fire III
    9. Breath of Fire IV
    10. Valkyrie Profile
    11. Lunar Silver Story
    12. Tales of Eternia
    13. Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena
    14. Final Fantasy VII
    15. Legend of Legaia
    16. Grandia
    17. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
    18. Thousand Arms
    19. Azure Dreams
    20. Saiyuki: Journey West
    21. SaGa Frontier 2
    22. PoPoLoCrois Story II
    23. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
    24. Vandal Hearts II
    25. Vanguard Bandits
    26. Kartia: World of Fate

  • Can you give me a long list of SNES RPG games?

    I’ve played so many at this point I’ll divide them into tiers.

    S Tier (All time great)

    Chrono Trigger (1995)
    Super Mario RPG (1996)
    Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (1994)
    Treasure of the Rudras (1996)
    Final Fantasy VI (1995)
    Terranigma (1996)
    Illusion of Gaia (1994)

    A Tier (very good / excellent)

    Super Shell Monster Story II (1996)
    Live a Live (1994)
    Final Fantasy IV (1991)
    Final Fantasy V (1992)
    Secret of Mana (1993)
    Trials of Mana (1995)
    Bahamut Lagoon (1996)
    Front Mission: Gun Hazard (1996)
    Far East of Eden Zero (1995)
    Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (2000)
    Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War (1996)
    Sailor Moon: Another Story (1995)
    Star Ocean (1996)
    Lufia II (1996)
    Earthbound (1995)
    Breath of Fire II (1995)
    Gunple: Gunman’s Proof (1997)
    Shin Megami Tensei II (1994)
    Glory of Heracles IV (1994)
    Warriors: Legend of the Blue Dragon (1997)
    Super Robot Wars Gaiden: The Elemental Lords (1996)
    Tenshi No Uta: Song of the Angel (1994)
    Romancing Saga 3 (1995)

    B Tier (solid / decent)

    Mystic Ark (1995)
    Arabian Nights (1996)
    Super Robot Wars 3 (1993)
    Super Robot Wars EX (1994)
    Metal Max Returns (1995)
    Feda: The Emblem of Justice (1994)
    Treasure Hunter G (1996)
    GOD: Heed the Call to Waken (1996)
    Energy Breaker (1996)
    Tales of Phantasia (1995)
    Shin Megami Tensei If.. (1994)
    Laplace’s Demon (1995)
    Soul Blazer (1992)
    Robotrek (1994)
    Arcana (1992)
    Dungeon Master (1991)
    The 7th Saga (1993)
    Dragon Quest VI (1995)
    Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu (1992)
    Secret of Evermore (1996)
    Shadowrun (1993)
    Dark Half (1996)
    Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer (1995)
    Torneko’s Great Adventure: Mystery Dungeon (1993)
    Aretha II: Ariel’s Wonderful Adventure (1994)
    Emerald Dragon (1995)
    Hiouden: Legend of the Scarlet King (1994)
    Super Chinese World 3 (1995)
    Holy Umbrella: Dondera’s Wild!! (1995)
    Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis (1995)
    Magna Braban: The Wandering Hero (1994)
    The Adventures of Hourai High: Transfer Student Drama Bomb (1996)

    C Tier (average)

    Twisted Tales of Spike McFang (1994)
    Secret of the Stars (1995)
    Eternal Filena (1995)
    Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (1992)
    Dual Orb II (1994)
    Magic Knight Rayearth (1995)
    Brain Lord (1994)
    Ys V (1995)
    Ys III (1992)
    Dragon Quest V (1992)
    Alcahest (1993)
    Slayers (1994)
    Lagoon (1991)
    Inindo: Way of the Ninja (1993)
    Mobile Suit Gundam: Cross Dimension 0079 (1995)
    Albert Odyssey (1993)
    Dragon View (1994)
    Drakkhen (1991)
    Ranma 1/2: Treasure of the Red Cat Gang (1993)
    Burning Heroes (1995)
    Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (1994)
    Super Chinese World 2 (1993)
    Marvelous: Another Treasure Island (1996)
    Neugier: The Journey Home (1993)
    Ancient Magic: Bazoo! World of Magic (1993)
    Gulliver Boy (1996)

    If I were to rank them in top 25…

    1. Chrono Trigger
    2. Final Fantasy VI 
    3. Treasure of the Rudras
    4. Super Mario RPG
    5. Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
    6. Terranigma
    7. Illusion of Gaia
    8. Final Fantasy IV
    9. Glory of Heracles IV
    10. Warriors: Legend of the Blue Dragon
    11. Earthbound
    12. Live a Live 
    13. Far East of Eden Zero
    14. Bahamut Lagoon
    15. Lufia II
    16. Breath of Fire II 
    17. Final Fantasy V
    18. Trials of Mana
    19. Secret of Mana
    20. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
    21. Star Ocean
    22. Super Robot Wars Gaiden: The Elemental Lords
    23. Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
    24. Tenshi No Uta: Song of the Angel
    25. Romancing Saga 3
    26. The Adventures of Hourai High: Transfer Student Drama Bomb

     

  • What are some great JRPGs that have never been localized and released in the West?

    I’ll only address the ones I’ve played that have fan translations available on http://cdromance.org but here’s my top 10 (I’ll also link all my video playthroughs of each):

    1) Treasure of the Rudras (1996, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/QaYb0l7AO90

    Square’s last RPG for the SNES is pretty amazing, you play as one of three protagonists initially (and eventually a fourth) and playing as one progresses the story of another; the spell system is also unique because it’s based on whatever Japanese characters that you input and it will create a custom spell based on it.

    2) Mother 3 (2006, GBA)

    https://youtu.be/ANd1Iaf96io

    Arguably better than its Earthbound, Mother 3 is a darker tale that still involves many of the quirky type characters, enemies and locations that Earthbound has, and still to this one day one of the most requested RPGs from Western fans

    3) Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (2000, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/blacqQ-s8dU

    Thracia 776 might be the best of the SNES era Fire Emblem games – and it’s not for the faint of heart, it might also be the most difficult FE game ever. Reinforcement after reinforcement will come, forcing you to come up with the best tactical strategies to survive but trust me it’s worth it as the story and characters are top notch!

    4) Samurai Shodown RPG (1997, Neo Geo CD)

    https://youtu.be/vz0Yn5U_ZHk

    Yes Samurai Shodown does have an RPG, exclusive to the Neo Geo CD but it’s worth playing as the graphics are wonderful, the characters are familiar to any Samurai Shodown player and the combat system is unique – you input fighting combos as attacks!

    5) Bahamut Lagoon (1996, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/sp5UZVIhPZQ

    Another great Square entry, Bahamut Lagoon is a tactical RPG where you control dragons. That’s nuff said right?

    6) Far East of Eden Zero (1995, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/LKtOFAwGnd0

    It’s a travesty none of the Tengai Makyo RPGs got officially released in the West because they are all pretty high production with solid gameplay and story elements. As well as a real time clock feature that equates the days in the game to real life. But you can pick up a fan translation for this one and I highly recommend it.

    7) Metal Max Returns (1995, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/TFI-7bydbts

    A fun RPG set in a post apocalyptic setting, what’s special about this one is the fact that you can either fight normally as your character, or drive a tank and fight as a tank as well! In addition to the that the enemies are absolutely insane – ever fight a woolly mammoth tank or a killer plant with laser beams or a gorilla that shoots sonic waves?

    8) Sailor Moon: Another Story (1995, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/HmlTSiOi2zQ

    Bet many Westerners didn’t know that Sailor Moon had a SNES RPG! That’s right and it’s a pretty good one too; many Sailor Moon fans definitely check it out but even if you aren’t it’s a very solid RPG in it’s own right.

    9) Feda: Emblem of Justice (1994, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/KnKsGzKFk1w

    Heavily inspired by the Shining Force games, you can think of this as ‘Shining Force for the SNES’ it’s got great tactical combat and also the characters have memorable personalities as well.

    10) Shin Megami Tensei II (1994, SNES)

    https://youtu.be/o0LVRG9m718

    A dungeon crawler RPG at its heart, this iteration of Shin Megami Tensei plays quite differently from the newer versions as it really is a Japanese dungeon crawler RPG with crazy monsters in a post apocalyptic setting.

    Good news is recently we have been seeing more and more previously unreleased RPGs being brought over to the West officially (Romancing Saga, Live a Live, Trials of Mana etc) hope this trend continues.

  • What do you think of Final Fantasy 16? Is it as good as the reviewers say?

    Most reviewers and Final Fantasy fans see Final Fantasy XVI as a return to form after the divisive reception of Final Fantasy XV (IMO one of the worst FF games). I think Final Fantasy XVI is a good FF game but I don’t hold it in as high regard as most reviewers and fans.

    The story and characters in XVI are far more fleshed out and developed than FFXV’s (although that’s not saying much). The gameplay is more or less linear as in FFXIII’s and you have the same active combat system as in FF7 Remake and FFXV. The graphics and soundtrack are as we’ve come to expect from FF games, stellar.

    However my main gripe with the game is that although it returns to a more traditional medieval setting compared to FF15, I’m torn about the combat system. Fans of God of War, Bayonetta and Devil May Cry may enjoy the stylish combat system with some quick time events here and there thrown in, but I still enjoy my traditional JRPG turn based combat. Call me old school like that. FF16 just feels like the developers saw games like God of War and Uncharted, wanted to make a game with a nice story and characters and lots of cinematics and then have stylish combat sequences. For me, the battles get repetitive and it’s not particularly challenging even on the ‘action mode’ which is the harder difficulty.

    I get it, the storyline is more cohesive than FF13 and FF15’s but I think too much was sacrificed in terms of the actual gameplay. Half the game is just watching lengthy cutscenes. And the other half is mashing buttons and dodging in fights. But don’t get me wrong, it’s a good FF game. But is it one of the best FF games ever? I don’t agree with that.

    I would rank FF16 around the same tier as FF12, a game that focuses more on the combat (albeit a bit grindy) at the expense of the story and characters that FF16 has. So that puts FF16 somewhere in the middle – I don’t rank it as high as the all time greats FF6, FF9 or FF4, nor is it going to be as iconic as FF7 or FFX. At the same time it’s not a terrible FF game like FF8, FF13 or FF15 either. So it sits in the middle alongside FF5, FF12 and FF7 remake – good but not great. 7/10 for me.

  • What is the greatest RPG of all time and why?

    Here’s my top 20

    1. Chrono Trigger (forever a place in my heart, i’d still play it over and over every day)
    2. Final Fantasy VI
    3. Mother 3
    4. Persona 5
    5. Golden Sun
    6. Pokemon Gold & Silver (the best generation IMO)
    7. Elder Scrolls: Morrowind
    8. Terranigma
    9. Fallout New Vegas
    10. Seiken Dentsetsu 3
    11. Ultima IV
    12. Star Ocean
    13. Phantasy Star
    14. Grandia II
    15. Mass Effect 2
    16. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
    17. Baldur’s Gate II
    18. Dragon Quest VIII
    19. Live a Live
    20. Ys: Oath of Felghana