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JRPG Masterpieces
January 8th, 2016, 10:49
Any more suggestions?
--
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
Sentinel
January 8th, 2016, 11:29
I was trying to find something to add to this list, but it seems everyone has covered the best games I can think of!
I have heard amazing things about Lunar: Silver Star and the Phatasy Star series, but I have never actually played them. Well, I did play a Gamecube version of the Phatasy Star series, but I was abysmally bad at it from what I can remember.
I have heard amazing things about Lunar: Silver Star and the Phatasy Star series, but I have never actually played them. Well, I did play a Gamecube version of the Phatasy Star series, but I was abysmally bad at it from what I can remember.
Traveler
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January 8th, 2016, 13:29
Normally I'm a mature and cynical wRpg guy, but I find these jRpgs very good, even masterpieces of some sort (in no particular order):
Final Fantasy XII: love the freeform nature of the exploration and character building
Crimson Shroud: Living proof that smaller is better. Excellent pen&paper feel and superb English prose (in a Japanese game!!!!)
Final Fantasy IX: a cutesy, warm, fluffy feeling all around. Shame on the excessive grinding though.
Tales of Vesperia: A cynical, but very likable hero, plus a quick combat system.
Star Ocean Till the End of Time: Excellent progressive rock soundtrack and fast paced combat. Juvenile story, but for some reason I find it good.
Ni No Kuni: Not entirely my liking, but the closest thing to an interactive Sunday cartoon. Superb English localization.
Resonance of Fate: A brave attempt to do something radically different -- and it mostly works! Quirky characters borderline on self-parody.
Shin Megami Tensei (whatever): A very mature, critical view on heavy stuff such as religion and humanity. Could have been the bestest evar but the excessive random encounter rate kills it.
Xenoblade Chronicles: joyful exploration in an exotic setting.
Shadow Hearts Covenant: loads of humor and spooks (yes, it works!), alternate history, excellent stuff.
And just for some troll feeding
:
Dragon's Dogma: Japanese attempt on a wRpg design. And it works! Hooraayy!
As you can see, I'm omitting fan favorites like FFVI or Chrono. This is intentional, as I am not a fan of old snes rpgs (too chibi, too grindy, too simple, etc)
Final Fantasy XII: love the freeform nature of the exploration and character building
Crimson Shroud: Living proof that smaller is better. Excellent pen&paper feel and superb English prose (in a Japanese game!!!!)
Final Fantasy IX: a cutesy, warm, fluffy feeling all around. Shame on the excessive grinding though.
Tales of Vesperia: A cynical, but very likable hero, plus a quick combat system.
Star Ocean Till the End of Time: Excellent progressive rock soundtrack and fast paced combat. Juvenile story, but for some reason I find it good.
Ni No Kuni: Not entirely my liking, but the closest thing to an interactive Sunday cartoon. Superb English localization.
Resonance of Fate: A brave attempt to do something radically different -- and it mostly works! Quirky characters borderline on self-parody.
Shin Megami Tensei (whatever): A very mature, critical view on heavy stuff such as religion and humanity. Could have been the bestest evar but the excessive random encounter rate kills it.
Xenoblade Chronicles: joyful exploration in an exotic setting.
Shadow Hearts Covenant: loads of humor and spooks (yes, it works!), alternate history, excellent stuff.
And just for some troll feeding
: Dragon's Dogma: Japanese attempt on a wRpg design. And it works! Hooraayy!
As you can see, I'm omitting fan favorites like FFVI or Chrono. This is intentional, as I am not a fan of old snes rpgs (too chibi, too grindy, too simple, etc)
Keeper of the Watch
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January 8th, 2016, 19:44
Loving the love for Shadow Hearts: Covenant. Never realized it had so many fans 👍
--
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
Sentinel
January 8th, 2016, 20:23
Originally Posted by RenethielThe original Phantasy Star series consist of four games that were originally released on the Sega Master System and Genesis/Mega Drive. PS1 was on the SMS while II, III, & IV were Genesis/Mega Drive.
I have heard amazing things about Lunar: Silver Star and the Phatasy Star series, but I have never actually played them. Well, I did play a Gamecube version of the Phatasy Star series, but I was abysmally bad at it from what I can remember.
The Gamecube game you refer to was probably Phantasy Star Online which isn't related to the main series other than being in the same universe.
Phantasy Star II, III, & IV are available on Steam.
Fwiw, the first game was the best by far imo. It was actually remade for the PlayStation 2 but was never released outside of Japan. It's playable in English though via emulator and a translation patch.
SasqWatch
Original Sin Donor
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January 8th, 2016, 22:21
Shoot, I entirely forgot about both Lunar and Phantasy Star! I get to thank my son for turning me onto to both of these series a long time ago, and both are great.
SasqWatch
January 8th, 2016, 22:27
I thought of another game … Actually I found the cartridge and played a bit last night ..
Golden Sun. There are two GBA games that are *excellent*, and one for the DS that I found mediocre. Oh well.
Golden Sun. There are two GBA games that are *excellent*, and one for the DS that I found mediocre. Oh well.
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-- Mike
-- Mike
SasqWatch
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January 8th, 2016, 22:40
Has anybody also played DS RPGs? I remember a few good games.
Small list of games that I own.
Small list of games that I own.
Spoiler – DS RPGs
--
“Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.”
“Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.”
Jaded Old-Timer
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January 8th, 2016, 22:54
I think I reviewed about half of those for RPGWatch under my 'whole game in my hand' series .
.
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-- Mike
-- Mike
SasqWatch
January 8th, 2016, 23:03
Originally Posted by txa1265I read a few of them but wasn't a member yet when you posted them. As I never heard of this site till after I joined in 2010. Was there a reason why you stopped?
I think I reviewed about half of those for RPGWatch under my 'whole game in my hand' series
--
“Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.”
“Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.”
Jaded Old-Timer
January 9th, 2016, 00:12
This thread has reminded me that I never played Shadow Hearts. I think I have an old blue PS2 in the back of a closet somewhere that'll play it -- I wonder if it's worth getting the game for the first time now.
I wouldn't say the following list contains masterpieces -- but if you like JRPGs, here are my honorable mentions that sometimes go overlooked.
Breath of Fire IV (PSX) -- I'm often put off by the anime art style, but I find this game genuinely lovely, with a distinctive washed-out color palette and a Ghibli-esque look to the characters' faces. The combat system also brings a couple of small but nice tweaks to the turn-based formula that make battles slightly less dull than old-school games can sometimes be.
Shining Force and Shining Force 2 (Genesis) -- others in the thread have already mentioned the wonderful Phantasy Star IV, but these two little Genesis SRPGs also just became available on Steam, so you can get them legally and cheaply. If you like Fire Emblem, Shining Force is like a simplified version of that.
Final Fantasy XII (PS2) -- For my money, this was the best FF since the SNES, VII included. Yasumi Matsuno's version of the FF battle system was a big influence on the first Dragon Age game's development, so I look at this game as a sort of bridge between eastern and western game design.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment (PSX) -- I can't pretend this is anything but bias on my part. As games, these are not the best. I just like the crazy, fetish-y take on world mythology and mysticism. I understand the later games in the series are actually a lot better, but I've never had the impulse to pick them up -- they just don't look weird enough.
I wouldn't say the following list contains masterpieces -- but if you like JRPGs, here are my honorable mentions that sometimes go overlooked.
Breath of Fire IV (PSX) -- I'm often put off by the anime art style, but I find this game genuinely lovely, with a distinctive washed-out color palette and a Ghibli-esque look to the characters' faces. The combat system also brings a couple of small but nice tweaks to the turn-based formula that make battles slightly less dull than old-school games can sometimes be.
Shining Force and Shining Force 2 (Genesis) -- others in the thread have already mentioned the wonderful Phantasy Star IV, but these two little Genesis SRPGs also just became available on Steam, so you can get them legally and cheaply. If you like Fire Emblem, Shining Force is like a simplified version of that.
Final Fantasy XII (PS2) -- For my money, this was the best FF since the SNES, VII included. Yasumi Matsuno's version of the FF battle system was a big influence on the first Dragon Age game's development, so I look at this game as a sort of bridge between eastern and western game design.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment (PSX) -- I can't pretend this is anything but bias on my part. As games, these are not the best. I just like the crazy, fetish-y take on world mythology and mysticism. I understand the later games in the series are actually a lot better, but I've never had the impulse to pick them up -- they just don't look weird enough.
--
"But if it's a battle," he said, "which side is which?"
"If it's a battle," said Lilac.
"But if it's a battle," he said, "which side is which?"
"If it's a battle," said Lilac.
Thou hast lost an eighth!
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January 9th, 2016, 02:12
Originally Posted by Hexprone
This thread has reminded me that I never played Shadow Hearts. I think I have an old blue PS2 in the back of a closet somewhere that'll play it -- I wonder if it's worth getting the game for the first time now.
I wouldn't say the following list contains masterpieces -- but if you like JRPGs, here are my honorable mentions that sometimes go overlooked.
Breath of Fire IV (PSX) -- I'm often put off by the anime art style, but I find this game genuinely lovely, with a distinctive washed-out color palette and a Ghibli-esque look to the characters' faces. The combat system also brings a couple of small but nice tweaks to the turn-based formula that make battles slightly less dull than old-school games can sometimes be.
Shining Force and Shining Force 2 (Genesis) -- others in the thread have already mentioned the wonderful Phantasy Star IV, but these two little Genesis SRPGs also just became available on Steam, so you can get them legally and cheaply. If you like Fire Emblem, Shining Force is like a simplified version of that.
Final Fantasy XII (PS2) -- For my money, this was the best FF since the SNES, VII included. Yasumi Matsuno's version of the FF battle system was a big influence on the first Dragon Age game's development, so I look at this game as a sort of bridge between eastern and western game design.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment (PSX) -- I can't pretend this is anything but bias on my part. As games, these are not the best. I just like the crazy, fetish-y take on world mythology and mysticism. I understand the later games in the series are actually a lot better, but I've never had the impulse to pick them up -- they just don't look weird enough.
Definitely get SH:C. I played it around a year back again and, even though it is dated in some ways, it's still a great experience.
--
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
Sentinel
January 9th, 2016, 06:50
Originally Posted by txa1265Where could I find all those reviews?
I think I reviewed about half of those for RPGWatch under my 'whole game in my hand' series
Originally Posted by FalksiIsn't it a direct sequel to another game?
Definitely get SH:C. I played it around a year back again and, even though it is dated in some ways, it's still a great experience.
Devout Priestess of RPGs
January 9th, 2016, 07:05
Originally Posted by ElelTheir in the article database on the site, but the archive does not show/display them.
Where could I find all those reviews?
Edit: So after doing a wayback search here is the link for the full archive.
Link - http://www.rpgwatch.com/games/handhe…/articles.html
Seems the articles date back to 2006.
--
“Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.”
“Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.”
Last edited by Couchpotato; January 9th, 2016 at 07:17.
Jaded Old-Timer
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January 9th, 2016, 07:21
Originally Posted by HexproneIt started a bit slow but, once you get out of France, it gets good. I think I might have to rev it up again myself!
This thread has reminded me that I never played Shadow Hearts. I think I have an old blue PS2 in the back of a closet somewhere that'll play it -- I wonder if it's worth getting the game for the first time now.
--
The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common: instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views….-- Doctor Who in "Face of Evil"
I smell a… wumpus!?
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January 9th, 2016, 13:58
Originally Posted by CouchpotatoThanks for digging those up!
Their in the article database on the site, but the archive does not show/display them.
Edit: So after doing a wayback search here is the link for the full archive.
Link - http://www.rpgwatch.com/games/handhe…/articles.html
Seems the articles date back to 2006.
They were a heck of a lot of work, a ton of money, and by the end I had started doing more consumer electronics reviews and shifting away from playing so many games … Plus smartphones were here and DS/PSP games were dwindling …
--
-- Mike
-- Mike
SasqWatch
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January 9th, 2016, 15:10
Originally Posted by Elel
Where could I find all those reviews?
Isn't it a direct sequel to another game?
Yeah, it's a direct sequel to Shadow Hearts. I've heard very good things about it, but never played it. Only played the second game in the series.
--
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
“All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”
Sentinel
January 9th, 2016, 15:21
Originally Posted by FalksiI played the 3 games. SH1 wasn't bad, but they definitely mastered the formula in SH2.
Yeah, it's a direct sequel to Shadow Hearts. I've heard very good things about it, but never played it. Only played the second game in the series.
Dalek SasqWatch
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January 10th, 2016, 15:06
Has anyone mentioned the Etrian Odyssey series? They are DS only, but for anyone who has a DS and likes semi old school gaming, I would highly recommend them. I particularly love how you get virtual graph paper and draw your maps with the stylus as you go.
SasqWatch
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