Topic RSS3:51 pm
Site Contributor
July 21, 2013
OfflineI’ve been playing quite a few RPGs during the past few years. My interest for the genre appeared when I had a roommate who had an immense collection of RPGs for many consoles. I kept telling him RPGs weren’t my cup of tea until he forced me to play Chrono Trigger. I absolutely loved it!
However this is exactly when my ‘problem’ began… Having played one of the best RPGs first, I’ve been looking to find a similar feeling to the one I had when playing Chrono Trigger but I’ve been struggling to find it. A lot of the games I have played were good… but not ‘Chrono Trigger great’. In fact, I’d say that among my collection, half of the games are RPGs but very few are very very good.
Here are the 5 role-playing games I consider to be the best so far. The first three could all be my favorite RPG of all time, I simply can’t decide ! The other two are in no particular order :
- Chrono Trigger (the RPG that started it all, besides Pokemon Red when I was a kid)
- Phantasy Star IV (possibly the best Genesis game I’ve played… but surely the best RPG on the system)
- Suikoden II (I’m playing this at the moment and it could very well end up being better than Chrono Trigger)
- Final Fantasy VI (III) (Never finished it but it was very good!)
- Final Fantasy Tactics (The game that got me into strategy-rpg games!)
That being said, I’d like to know which (J)RPGs are your favorite? It doesn’t have to be a SNES game!
10:03 am
Administrator
February 11, 2012
OfflineYou might not want to go back to the original Phantasy Star if you already played part IV.
You’re going to be hard pressed to find a RPG better than Chrono Trigger.
From what I played, take a look on Youtube for
Illusion of Gaia,
Terranigma,
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King,
Final Fantasy 9,
Final Fantasy 12,
No Ni Kuni,
Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory,
Super Mario RPG
Bravely Default
That should be enough to get your search going for now. Let us know if you have any questions.
1:35 pm
Site Contributor
July 21, 2013
Offline1:41 pm
Site Contributor
July 21, 2013
Offlinesegarule said
Try phantasy star by Sega Master System
I own this on Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection disc for the PS3, it is an unlockable/bonus Master System game on it. I have also tried a translated version of a PS2 remake of this game (called Generation or something). It certainly is not bad but Phantasy Star IV on the Genesis is much better in my opinion. The only reason I would play it is to understand the story of the series better.
5:10 pm
Site Contributor
July 21, 2013
OfflineI’ve wanted to try PS3 for some time now, it seems intriguing. It’s known as the ‘black sheep’ of the series too, right? I will surely give it a shot someday!
Also if I was seeking graphics that much I probably wouldn’t be playing some 20 years old games now, would I?
I have had the chance to try PS1 and PS2 in the past. And even though the first entries in the Phantasy Star series are good, I’m pretty sure they do not hold the candle to Phantasy Star IV.. Atleast, not to my taste.
—
On another note, I’ve heard that Dragon Quest III was pretty good! Has anyone played it?
10:00 pm
Site Contributor
Site Contributor
February 12, 2013
OfflineTo me, PSIV is by far the best in the series. It’s second only to Chrono Trigger when it comes to 16-bit RPGs. Both games have excellent pacing and are respectful of the player’s time.
Some of my favourite RPGs (other than Chrono Trigger and PSIV of course) are:
- Valkyria Chronicles – My favourite PS3 game. An amazing mix of turn-based strategy, RPG and third person shooter with a cool anime-themed alternate WWII history.
- Lunar Eternal Blue Complete – A beautiful game, with a charming cast of characters. The gameplay is quite generic, but the characters are so likeable, you’ll want to keep playing to find out what happens next.
- Super Mario RPG / Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door – Both are lighthearted, Mario-themed RPGs with a highly interactive, action-packed battle system.
- Skies of Arcadia Legends – A cool mix of classic (gameplay, random battles) and modern (3D environments, cut scenes) RPG features. Also features a unique “Air Pirate” theme and fun ship-to-ship boss battles.
- Fire Emblem – I’ve only ever played the first GBA Fire Emblem game, though my understanding is that the whole series is pretty similar. This game has a depth, challenge and maturity to it that is very surprising considering it was developed by Nintendo.
- Parasite Eve – A very fun mix of survival horror and RPG. The battle system is very unique and allows you to run around / dodge enemy attacks while you wait for your turn. This game is also great for us older gamers since it’s only about 10 hours long (it can sometimes be hard to find 40-hours to devote to a new RPG, as much as I’d like to).
Now playing: SNES - Phalanx, R-Type III, Genesis - Bio Hazard Battle, PS3 - Dragon's Crown
12:02 am
February 12, 2013
OfflineMy favourite RPG that I’ve actually played to completion would probably be Pokemon HeartGold. I’ve played and beaten at least one Pokemon main series game from each generation, but this one edges out the competition by having what I consider to be the best mix of Pokemon. It also doesn’t hurt that you can play in two different regions. Close runners up in the series include FireRed, Sapphire, and Y.
I’ve started, but have yet to complete Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII, Xenoblade Chronicles, Zelda II, and Super Mario RPG. Unfortunately, most of my gaming consoles remain at home while I’m off at the final year of university, where I don’t have much time to dedicate to gaming. (As soon as I get that sheepskin, I’m definitely going to catch up.) I would say Final Fantasy VI is my favourite of the lot thus far, including surpassing all of the Pokemon games, but every game I mentioned with the exception of Zelda II is phenomenal.
Currently looking for the following SNES games:
Chrono Trigger
EarthBound
Final Fantasy II (Final Fantasy IV)
Secret of Mana
Illusion of Gaia
Super Castlevania IV
Super Mario RPG
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
TMNT IV
Contra III
6:41 pm
October 26, 2014
OfflineNes user:
I’m sure most of us know how amazing this game is. But how does someone who grew up mainly NES feel about it? I’m not reviewing the game, just want to get something off my chest.
Phantasy Star is the first and only RPG I have played on the SMS. When it comes to the NES, I probably played the majoirty of them. I’ve beat a few of them, others I never finished. But when I compare the NES RPGs, especially the “big ones” like the DW series or FF, I have to say PS tops them all.
FF, to me, is just plain boring. I never could get in to it. I enjoyed the DW series, but to me they still don’t compare. Each DW game offered something new and different from the previous, but they were still “the same” to me if that makes sense. The stories never drew me in, and I never cared for any of the characters. They lacked any sort of personality to me. Granted, DW4 offered stories for each of their characters, but they weren’t interesting enough for me to give a crap.
Fight scenes were always bland. Oh look, characters flash when something happens. Wow, FF has your characters move forward. Swords and Serpents probably was the closest in offering a “look” more related to PS (even has moving enemy sprites) that I played on NES.
Then after many years I finally get to play PS…as in this year. Not even nostalgia could save all the RPGs I’ve played in the past…PS just trumped them all. The game is just beautiful. I was impressed with the enemy animations. Sure, its not much when you compare it to some games, but even after only playing it in 2014, I was still impressed by what it offered. How many people are amazed at what older games can do, even after seeing all the progression in games and systems throughout the years? Maybe its just me, but it speaks volumes about PS.
I don’t think I could ever sit down and enjoy the RPGs on the NES again. With PS, however, I know I could pop it in and have fun with it. I enjoyed the characters, and could feel each of their unique personalities. They “came alive” to me. I enjoyed the dungeons of the game, and applaud the style in which you explore. The game never felt too short or too long to me. It found a wonderful balance of length, and I loved every second. The story was probably the most enjoyable out of all the 8-bit RPGs I’ve played.
Maybe I’m speaking to the choir…maybe what I’m saying is pointless or stupid. I don’t know. But to me, Phantasy Star on the SMS is just an amazing game and an experience I’m proud to have been able to do…even if I am years late on it. The music is brilliant and right now I’m “playing” one of the tunes in my head.
I know there are a LOT of games I haven’t played on the SMS, since I played so few as a child, and I have only bought a handful more here recently. Perhaps I will play another RPG on the SMS that trumps SMS for me…I don’t know. Maybe I will find another SMS game that will top PS for me (even AKIMW doesn’t trump PS for me! Don’t hate me!)…I don’t know. Its a masterpiece that perhaps had I played it in my youth, I could have been able to have more SMS memories that I could share with you all.
5:31 pm
Site Veteran
Members
May 23, 2012
OfflineWhile I agree Phantasy Star on the SMS is very good and still worth playing I don’t agree that Phantasy Star IV is simply about the graphics. Personally I like the soundtrack and it felt that the series had really piqued with PS4, taken the series to a new level of quality after PS3. PS3 is cool because it has many different endings and feels different to the others.
“the Choir” The reason I like this site above others is because honestly, although this is called the SNES HUB you probably won’t find too many people that are as unbiased and objective towards different systems or games. I’m a fan of videogames, not a spokesperson of any corporation… like for example, LJN! 
Tactical RPG’s, gotta go with Shining Force. Draws you in, makes you actually develop a sense of care and duty with the characters, easy to get into, excellent battle sequences (better than SFII imo), nice sound effects, some great hidden stuff to find within and generally speaking is the game that made me hold onto a Megadrive for so many years. Yep, Shining Force, Secret Of Mana and Zelda LttP helped me bridge the gap towards RPG’s from the standard action games I was used to at that age.
Have you found any worthwhile RPGs during the past several months Antarch?
Do you like strategy RPGs? Final Fantasy Tactics is a favorite among many. I didn’t care for it for some reason. I think it may have been a little too hard off the bat, I can’t remember. Also the Disgaea series is well regarded if you like the strategy RPGs genre.
9:28 pm
Site Contributor
July 21, 2013
OfflineNo, not really.. I have not been buying many games this past year. I’m trying to play through the games I have already as much as I can. I think the last RPG I completed was Suikoden II and that goes back to when I initially created this thread haha.
Suikoden I and Pier Solar are the only ones I’ve found since then I think.. Was thinking of trying Suikoden V or Suikoden Tactics even though its critics aren’t the best. Equinox on the SNES and Robotrek seemed like interesting SNES RPGs too.. Haven’t looked that much into them yet. You should look into Treasure of the Rudras by Square.. Haven’t played my repro cart yet but the game seems innovative in many ways.
1:26 am
Site Contributor
March 9, 2012
OfflineHow have we gotten through this entire discussion without mentioning Shining Force? I feel like I must have missed it being mentioned, because it’s so obvious.
I feel like you would enjoy this series, Antarch. At least I can vouch for Shining Force II, because I have beaten that. It doesn’t have a story on par with Chrono Trigger, but the gameplay is excellent, and the soundtrack is among the best on the Genesis.
9:57 am
Site Contributor
July 21, 2013
Offline8:09 pm
Site Contributor
Site Contributor
February 12, 2013
OfflineShining Force 2 is fantastic. One of my favourite parts of that game is the wacky cast of characters that join your party (Phoenix, Ratman, Centaurs galore, etc.). Makes the cast of Fire Emblem games seem pretty tame by comparison.
Wonder why they stopped making traditional Shining Force games?
Now playing: SNES - Phalanx, R-Type III, Genesis - Bio Hazard Battle, PS3 - Dragon's Crown
12:18 am
Site Contributor
March 9, 2012
OfflineI was curious myself, so I did some digging… it’s kind of convoluted, and there’s no clear reason from what I can tell, but it looks like it had to do with the fact that the developer switched from being a Sega affiliate (Sonic Software Planning) to doing mostly Nintendo stuff (under the name Camelot Software Planning). Eventually, somebody else took over the Shining name, and the rest is forgettable (from what I’ve heard).
8:25 pm
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Site Contributor
August 24, 2012
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