Adventure Gamers - Forums

It’s been a while since I last played a RPG and I’m starting to look around for options, even if they end up on a “save for later” wishlist.

I’d prefer not to wade through huge lists, so maybe give your top 3?

Not a genre I’ve had much time for for many years, but I used to really dig these back in the PS1/PS2 days.

JRPG’s:

Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. I prefer Chrono Cross (one of my favorite games, period), but both are fantastic.

Dragon Quest XI - A really feel good adventure that also has some very serious moments. Wonderful cast of characters.

I also really enjoyed DQ IV, VI, and VIII.

Lunar Silver Star Saga Complete (the PS1 version)
Lunar 2 Eternal Blue (I adore them both, but I actually think this one is superior).
This is pure old fashioned JRPG goodness. Lighthearted but still with a sense of importance to the proceedings. Lunar 1 is more of a traditional hero’s journey that flourishes on its charm and the strength of its characters (good and evil and in between). Lunar 2 is a little less conventional, and the charm and characters are just as strong.

Grandia 1 (PS1, also now on Switch) and Grandia 2 (on Dreamcast and Switch).
These are such charming games. They do the coming of age story from the perspective of an enthusiastic, happy kid—as opposed to the Final Fantasy paradigm of troubled youth protagonists.

Suikoden 1, 2, and 3. You mostly hear about how great number 2 is, but 1 and 3 are also fantastic.

Xenosaga - This is probably the only 40+ hour game I ever beat in a week. I’m not sure I’d have patience for it today, but it was absolutely gripping back then. I regret not going on and playing II and III. The story and characters were so out there, it was just a joy to get swept away and see what crazy thing would happen next.

Xenogears - The precursor to Xenosaga, but really not connected. Hard to recommend this one because the second disc is 80% exposition (time and budget constraints), but when it was good it was very very good. This game goes so many places, thematically and location-wise, it’s almost unfathomably ambitious.

Western:

Disco Elysium - But you probably know about this one already.

Planescape Torment

Knights of the Old Republic

Jade Empire—this one is really underrated nowadays, I think. It was very well received when it came out, but now it’s like the black sheep of the Bioware family. I think it’s right up there with the rest of their games.

Fable - This was a disappointment to some people, but since I hadn’t really been on board the hype train for all those years, I was able to enjoy it for what it was when it finally came out, and I really really really enjoyed it.

Witcher 3
Dragon Age Inquisition
Mass Effect 1 - 3
Ultima 7
Ultima Underworld 1 & 2

Baron_Blubba - 20 September 2022 05:38 PM

Disco Elysium - But you probably know about this one already.

I just wanted to say thanks for persisting with the DE recommendations. I’ve just finished it and it’s become one of my favorite - if not favorite - RPGs.

It definitely took a while to get the hang of it, because it’s so different in that you’re not trying to be *the hero* (unless you want to). That alone sets it apart from pretty much all RPGs, and combined with the fact you can’t really fail, allowing you to take up the role you’ve assigned yourself to play and be the character you want to be. I’m pretty sure there hasn’t ever been a game which allows you to discover and explore your self as a character and as a player so extensively.

That, combined with the writing, and sheer personality of the game, well.. it’s just brilliant.

(part of the reason I’ve written this is because if I’d read something like this rather than the dozens of “it’s really dark” reviews, then I’d have given it a chance much earlier)