Random encounters in JRPGs

I've been replaying Final Fantasies for the past three months so the random encounters feel normal now. I'm about twenty five hours into the fifth game, and loving it all over again. The sixth will be next.

Originally Posted by Carnifex
I've been replaying Final Fantasies for the past three months so the random encounters feel normal now. I'm about twenty five hours into the fifth game, and loving it all over again. The sixth will be next.

I was a big fan of the series up until FF 8. Which games have you played so far?

In the past three months I've played the first through fourth, right now I'm about thirty hours into the fifth game, grinding out two more jobs before I try the next part. Just picked up my first three legendary weapons and not sure if I made good choices, but it's done now!!

Are you playing the Steam version? What versions of FF 1&2 did you play?

IV, V, and VI were the pinnacle of the series imo.

I never played VII and VIII, do they too have random encounters? Any way to stop them, like a special ring of no encounters or whatever? I heard that IX was released for PC with a no encounter mode.

And while we're discussing that, does anyone know if Steam versions of VII and VIII are actually playable? I looked into VII's Steam forum, and everyone was lamenting that the game randomly deletes all their saves. Sounds ominous. It's not like I absolutely need a PC version, I just thought it'd look better graphically.

I'm not sure about the Steam versions, but in the original versions of those games, there were items/abilites you could equip that greatly reduced the random encounter rate or eliminated it completely. You didn't obtain those items until well into the game though.

People say these are great games, but I don't know if I can handle the encounters until I find these items. Are they at least easy to play? I think I can handle easy random encounters better than tough ones. And if there's any chance anyone wants to elaborate of where those items can be obtained in these games, preferably early on (if possible), you're very welcome to do so

Well, I don't think the random encounters in those two games are that bad, and most of them are definitely easy to beat. I think you should try them, if you like JRPG's you are really missing out if you haven't played those! In the original version it'll definitely take quite a while before you get the no random encounter items though.

The graphics didn't age well though, but there is still some amazing CG, and some amazing music!

I started playing JRPGs later than Western RPGs, so I missed out on a lot. Now trying to play all the classics. I already decided that emulation is way better than playing on an actual PS1 (platforming elements in Xenogears put me into a state of mind when I could murder someone!!). Using an emulator at least you can save anywhere and such things wouldn't be as maddening.

As for these two games, I just don't know if I should play them or if I should wait for their PC ports with enhanced features, like a no encounter mode in IX. VII seems to have an actual remake in the works and I'm on the fence about it (I want turn-based battles, not action clicking), but VIII they will probably just port as is.

Originally Posted by Elel
I started playing JRPGs later than Western RPGs, so I missed out on a lot. Now trying to play all the classics. I already decided that emulation is way better than playing on an actual PS1 (platforming elements in Xenogears put me into a state of mind when I could murder someone!!). Using an emulator at least you can save anywhere and such things wouldn't be as maddening.

As for these two games, I just don't know if I should play them or if I should wait for their PC ports with enhanced features, like a no encounter mode in IX. VII seems to have an actual remake in the works and I'm on the fence about it (I want turn-based battles, not action clicking), but VIII they will probably just port as is.

The problem with these games is that it's not as easy as just reducing/eliminating random battles, as the whole balance of the game was done assuming they are there. So it would have to be a full rebalance, perhaps by multiplying the bonuses you get from the fixed battles (and then, the rewards and skill points you get). Basically, if you want to play old JRPGs you'll probably have to accept the fact that they have lots of random battles.

The first two games I played the Nintendo versions. Holding a controller for that long these days felt pretty darn weird. Three four five have all been the steam versions, I have six as well but haven't finished five so….back to playing!!

The random encounter for me would be boring as heck if I just did them the same way every time, same attacks same spells, ect. I do not do that, each fight is a chance to change things up for me, and that keeps it a bit fresher for me.

Originally Posted by Elel
As for these two games, I just don't know if I should play them or if I should wait for their PC ports with enhanced features, like a no encounter mode in IX. VII seems to have an actual remake in the works and I'm on the fence about it (I want turn-based battles, not action clicking), but VIII they will probably just port as is.

Both FF VII & VIII have already been available on Steam for some time.

Originally Posted by Carnifex
The first two games I played the Nintendo versions. Holding a controller for that long these days felt pretty darn weird. Three four five have all been the steam versions, I have six as well but haven't finished five so….back to playing!!

The first two games were remastered for the PS1 and bundled together on one disc called Final Fantasy Origins. Those versions look a lot nicer than the original Nintendo games.

I never finished FF3. I played the original version on an emulator years ago, but it just didn't grab me for whatever reason. I've played both versions of FF IV, and I actually prefer the 2D sprites of the original.

Personally I think some games have better random encounter than other games have planned encounters. Two examples that come to mind are Dragon age 2 and the newer Pool of Radiance. They had tons of tedious encounters where you fought the same monsters about 50 times. Personally I'd much rather play Wizardry 8 or Final Fantasy 3, where there are random encounters, but where combat is more fun, and opponents more numerous.

Originally Posted by JDR13
Both FF VII & VIII have already been available on Steam for some time.

I'm hoping for newer ports with slightly smoothed out graphics, but more importantly with some enhanced features (like no encounter mode). And with all technical problems solved. It doesn't inspire trust when you look into the Steam forum and it's full of complaints that the game randomly deletes your saves. I wouldn't even touch VII for PC after reading the forum. Maybe something is wrong with its compatibility with Win7.

Originally Posted by forgottenlor
Personally I think some games have better random encounter than other games have planned encounters. Two examples that come to mind are Dragon age 2 and the newer Pool of Radiance. They had tons of tedious encounters where you fought the same monsters about 50 times.

At least if you cleared a room in DA2 you could explore it, without being interrupted by a new random encounter every three steps…

Yikers, vanishing saves are a serious complaint indeed, especially in most Final Fantasy games. I haven't had any issues with the Steam versions I've played so far, those being three-five, so I sure hope the ones further along get fixed at some point.

Originally Posted by Elel
At least if you cleared a room in DA2 you could explore it, without being interrupted by a new random encounter every three steps…

Well, games that do random encounter right don't give you one every three steps. Most of them also give you some reliable way to escape or avoid them. Elminage Gothic gives you an escape spell for example.

Just a tiny, random thought…

Last Dream isn't one of the old classics (even if it's retro)…but one charming feature it's got is that there's a setting that allows you to change the frequency of encounters. Suuuuper handy.

I don't understand the disdain for "random encounters" in JRPGs. Aren't encounters in Baldur's Gate basically random? Yes, I know they have been hand-placed there in BG, but what difference does it make if you fight a hand-placed encounter vs. a random one? How could one even know the difference in a controlled experiment?

I have no problem with games like Last Dream, Final Fantasy 4/6/7/10, Elminage Gothic, The Dark Spire, Lost Odyssey, etc. Never understood this issue but I also grew up with this design and have been playing these types of JRPGs since I was 5.

Originally Posted by forgottenlor
Well, games that do random encounter right don't give you one every three steps. Most of them also give you some reliable way to escape or avoid them. Elminage Gothic gives you an escape spell for example.

Can anyone give an example of an RPG that has random encounters every 3 steps? I can't recall playing any RPGs that had a really excessive amount of encounters. Usually they are fairly balanced, like the games I mentioned in my previous post.