This line is probably considered blasphemous to most folks on this forum. Aside from a select few titles(Chrono Cross, Skies of Arcadia, Dragon Quest 8), I find them derivative, redundant, and boring. The Mario + Luigi games and Paper Mario were fun, but I would actually consider them more action-rpgish, with fun and unique battle systems.
What's weird with me, is that I simply love action rpg games such as Zelda, Alundra, and Landstalker. Games with actual gameplay and puzzles, instead of selecting commands from a menu and trudging through a maze-like cave. Aside from Zelda, this genre has disappeared. Where have they gone? And I also like platformer games with rpg elements like the Castlevania/Metroidvania style games. Call me weird...
Most people will say it's all about the story. But I'll pick up a book if I want to read. I've tried several Final Fantasy games and I just don't get why this series is so popular. The only one I ever had fun with was Mystic Quest and that's considered a bastard child of the series.
And what is with the main protaganists looking like females? It's sometimes hard to tell the difference between heroes and heroines. Is this some kind of trend? I might be un-PC, but playing as a character who looks like a drag queen doesn't interest me. What happened?
Help me to understand the boringness of this genre. I remember when they were rarely released stateside. Until the highly overrated Final Fantasy 7 was released. I've tried TONS of them and usually get bored by the second dungeon. I think it's just considered a "cool" thing by gamers to say they like and collect rpgs, yet deep down inside they are bored to tears. Who has time to play all of these things anyway? Go ahead and hate, I don't care. Rpgs are boring.