RPG's. Which Era Do You Prefer?

[Oberfuhrer Hamm]

Were you at home playing an RPG on an Atari in the pre-crash era?
Or did you like em better during the 8 and 16 bit era?
Or are more modern RPG's more to your taste?
Or are you against RPG's in whatever form?

Post your thoughts here.

Edit: I decided to add a PC RPG option in the poll to see how many people prefer them over console RPG's.

[AB Positive]

My favorite RPG era does have to be the 8/16 bit time. Phantasy Star series, some of the best in the Final Fantasy series, tons of Square and Enix gems... beautiful.

However, pre-crash did contain all those glorious infocom games. Hard call but I give it to the 8/16 bit era.

-AG

[calthaer]

I prefer the RPGs that appear on a PC over the ones on a console any day of the week. They usually feature a good story. Once in a while you get a Final Fantasy VII, but even that doesn't stack up to Planescape: Torment.

Console RPGs could more accurately be classified as SIAGs - Stat & Inventory Accumulation Games.

[Arqueologia_Digital]

I prefer 8/16 bit classic RPG´s

[chevy_chase]

8 bit / 16 bit, CHRONO TRIGGERs my favorite

[Oberfuhrer Hamm]

Unfortunately, I missed out on 8 and 16 bit RPG's back in the day. The only way I have played them was in an emulator, and everyone knows that that is just not the same. One of these days I will have to hunt down those old games and play them on my SNES.

[Drexel923]

8-16 bit all the way

[InfernalCheese]

This is a hard choice for me between the 8/16 bit era and the PC gaming. But i'll have to vote for 8/16 bit ( Shining Force anyone? )

[Stamp Mcfury]

I would have to say that the 8/16 bit were the ones i liked the most

Almost all of my favorite Rpg's were made then (Lunar, Final Fantasy, Zelda, Shining Force, Phantasy Star, ect ect)

Of course I did start gaming in the 8 bit era, so it might be a bit of nostalgia ;)

[hezeuschrist]

I prefer the RPGs that appear on a PC over the ones on a console any day of the week. They usually feature a good story. Once in a while you get a Final Fantasy VII, but even that doesn't stack up to Planescape: Torment.

Console RPGs could more accurately be classified as SIAGs - Stat & Inventory Accumulation Games.

Yeah, and PC RPG's aren't all about that :roll:

I play RPG's for the story and sometimes the strategy. First and foremost, story.

[kainemaxwell]

8/16 bit era for me. To me the rpgs weren't about which has the best graphics, best quality sound or how much voice work you could fit in it, it was about the story and the characters.

[JMO]

I used to really like console RPG's, but lately I can't stand them. I mean, yeah, there's Chrono Trigger... and I guess Final Fantasy VI... and Earthbound... I just can't get interested in talking about these games.

My major beefs about CRPG's in general are that for all intents and purposes, the only reason to keep playing them is for the story, or the character uberizing, if you really have nothing better to do. The question for me is: Why don't I read a great book (yes, there are books with really good storylines out there... perhaps... even better than those in CRPG's... I know, I know, it's hard to believe) or play a game that doesn't consume 40 hours of my life without leaving me with that warm satisfying feeling I get after playing and conquering a difficult game.

And why do people praise the Phantasy Star series? I've played about 3/4ths through every PS except PSIII, and they're terrible, hideously monotonous and uninteresting games. Yes, Phantasy Star was one of the first games with a heroine as the main character, and Phantasy Star II was the first game to have elements of classical tragedy in its storyline. But who cares? Phantasy Star I & II are still painfully uninteresting console roleplaying games that are about as much fun to play as watching paint dry.

You can talk all you want about advancing the console roleplaying genre, but in the end, modern console RPG's have the same uninteresting and boring gameplay as their predecessors, just with hours of cutscenes in-between the combat.

As for computer RPG's, there are actually some very good ones that a lot of people seem to ignore. The Ultima series seems to get ignored by console gamers in general, and I have to ask... why? While the first 3 were about as generic as CRPG's get, Ultima IV had something that even RPG's today don't have, which is an original driving concept. Instead of building your character to demi-god status in order to kill Foozle, your job is to advance your character morally and reputation-wise until he becomes an/the avatar. Very few games since have opted to give the player a different goal other than to kill some big monster after hours of combat, and yet Ultima IV proved it was possible 18 years ago.

Ultima VI had some of the most monumentally open-ended gameplay in any RPG, and while I'm glad to see that this type of gameplay has spread into other games (the most recent example being something like the Daggerfall series), it was still done unbelievably well the first time around (although for all intents and purposes Ultima VI is a buggy mess). Why don't more people demand actual role-playing gameplay like that found in Ultima VI? I'm fairly convinced that it's because they don't know any better. Many console rpgers haven't even heard of the Ultima series, and it's a shame, because Ultima inspired/created almost everything in CRPG's today.

And... this has been a really long post. I think I'll see the flames I recieve after such a bloated and negative post, and respond accordingly. Although I'll probably end up forgetting I even made this post in the frist place.

[WiseSalesman]

I voted 8/16 bit, but there were some really good ones in the modern era as well, with Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story, and Grandia II topping my charts for those.

8/16 bit? Good lord, there's a ton of great ones I've played.

Final Fantasy II/ Final Fantasy III
Chrono Trigger
Secret of Mana (or is it an adventure game? You decide.)
Super Mario RPG
Lufia/Lufia II
Robotrek
Illuision of Gaia
Soul Blazer
Tales of Phantasia (import)
Terranigma (import)

Hell, I'm sure there are more if I were to think about it a bit.

Problem is that, much like the above poster, while I used to classify RPGs as my favorite genre, I've recently been completely unable to play them. I got bored with just issuing commands to my characters and waiting for them to perform. I want to actually CONTROL what they're doing. I might be able to play a game like Secret of Mana or even Vagrant Story now, but not a traditional rpg. I'm hoping that the upcoming FFXI and Tales of Symphonia will be able to bring me back to my favorite type of game once more.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.

[EnemyZero]

I think the 32 bit era, on playstation was the most abundant generation. Def. had alot of amazing RPG's....next would be 16 bit days then 8...and modern gen in dead last

[suppafly]

I chose 8 and 16 bit era. Because RPGS now feature only gay male characters and girls who look like "Charlies angels"... SCREW SQUARE

[Raedon]

It would be 8-16 bit computer RPG's..

Pool of Radaence, Bard's Tale etc.

[slip81]

8 and 16 bit had the best RPG's, and most of em' were on the SNES and PC. Though Sega had a few good ones as well.

[Half Cab Leroy]

8 and 16 bit for sure. So many of my all time favorites are from then.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.

[Overbite]

since i could only pick one, i chose modern. I like the 8 and 16 bit rpgs too, but tales of symphonia and star ocean 3 are really really good. I like the real time battles more than turn based.

[whoisKeel]

gonna have to go with 8/16 cause well, that's when i actually liked rpgs. (dragon warrior, mana, ff 4/6, chrono)
i can't really play prgs anymore...i think the last one i finished was ff9 when that came out. tho my favorite rpg of all time is ***drumroll*** Final Fantasy Tactics omg!!11123 i used to love that game like you can't believe. i remember on like my 4th time beating it for so i played for over 12 hours...then quit for 30 mins, and then started a new game. jeez. i've tried playing kartia, tactics orge, hoshigami but they didn't do it for me :(

if i get a ps2 i gotta try disgaea tho.

[Ed Oscuro]

Console RPGs could more accurately be classified as SIAGs - Stat & Inventory Accumulation Games.
Alternatively, SLUGs LOL

I like 'em all, though :>

[Aussie2B]

While my top favorites are on fairly modern systems (PSX, PS2, GBC), as a whole I gotta go with the 16-bit era (8-bit didn't offer a whole heck of a lot, in my opinion). Just the SNES library all by itself is amazing, but when you factor in all the Super Famicom RPGs and some stuff by Sega (screw Phantasy Star, though)... it's enough to make me female-ejaculate. o_O It's sad really... I keep buying more and more awesome SFC RPGs, but I don't have the time to play them all as much as I'd like...

[Fuyukaze]

While I love the modern age of RPGs, I must admit I had alot more fun with my 16 bit days. The FF series and Lufia series were games I loved. While I didnt play much GEN games, there was the Shining series as well. I had joy, I had fun, I had duck hunt with a gun.....

Well, while DH isnt an RPG, the 8bit/16bit days were what I loved most.


JMO wrote-

And... this has been a really long post. I think I'll see the flames I recieve after such a bloated and negative post, and respond accordingly. Although I'll probably end up forgetting I even made this post in the frist place

While I may not agree with you, I can respect your opinion. I didnt play any of the Ultima series on PC untill Ultima Online came out. Sorry but when your poor you go with what you can afford and consoles have for the most part been cheaper then comps. I did enjoy the ports that came out for the NES though. There was a number for the SNES but they were very hard for me to track down. Now that I have tried a number on emulation, I wish I could have found them when they were new or only a few years old.

And to a degree, you are dead on about a number of the curent RPGs out for the new systems. It used to be when you finished an RPG, you felt you had done something. One could sit watching the credits not waiting for a game+ save option, but simply wishing for more. I forgot the last time I played an RPG and didnt want it to end with the "final" boss.

[bVork]

The point of a roleplaying game is roleplaying, after all. And very few console RPGs allow you to have any effect on the storyline. PC RPGs like Planescape: Torment, Ultima 4-7, the Elder Scrolls series, and the Wizardry series allow the player to choose how to play the game.

PC RPGs also tend to have more strategic battles. Aside from realtime stuff like Utlima 7 (in which combat is absolutely HILARIOUS as your moronic party members charge recklessly towards enemies and then flee after a few minutes, dropping important items along the way) and the Elder Scrolls series, most PC RPGs have systems that require proper positioning of party members, proper choice of equipment, and proper use of terrain.

Most console rpgs are very linear, with little (and often no) choice in direction or conversations. You might as well read a book or watch a movie.

[om3ga]

Def 16 bit.

Earthbound
Super Mario RPG
FFVI
Chrono Trigger


/drool

[DigitalSpace]

16-bit. Imo, nothing will ever match up to those days.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

16 bit but I do like current or semi current rpgs
________
Ford Pinto specifications (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Ford_Pinto)

[Keir]

Somehow missed this poll the first time around. I voted for PC RPGs. And by PC I mean C64.

[DeliverMessiah]

My favorite RPG era does have to be the 8/16 bit time. Phantasy Star series, some of the best in the Final Fantasy series, tons of Square and Enix gems... beautiful.

I have to agree with you... Fantasy Star is one of the best RPG games, EVER..Actually it was my first RPG game as well... and I guess it set the standard. I also like Secret of Mana and Lufia too..

I do like the current RPG games like Lunar, Chrono Cross/Trigger, and FF series but in many current RPG's there are too many puzzles and side quests that distract from the story line.. and can get kind of tedious.

[tritium]

I'm going to get flamed for this reply but here it goes....

I prefer the 32-bit era of RPGs... FF7, FF8, Chrono Cross, Legend of Dragoon Etc...


My fav system for RPG's is the psOne.

-Tritium

[Sibs]

The SNES RPGs were/are the best. Back then, they didn't need to sacrifice gameplay for flashy graphics and cutscenes.

[DeliverMessiah]

The SNES RPGs were/are the best. Back then, they didn't need to sacrifice gameplay for flashy graphics and cutscenes.

EXACTLY!!! :D

[Ed Oscuro]

The SNES RPGs were/are the best. Back then, they didn't need to sacrifice gameplay for flashy graphics and cutscenes.
Somebody's never seen Square's "Live a Live" in action. Not terribly flashy (and some complain of the graphics!) but even then the games were as much about setting a mood as they were "gameplay."

I really think that's one of the main draws of an RPG - getting in character (a bit. Sort of hard for me to do with a female character, though I always like having them as leader of my party ;)

[DeliverMessiah]

I really think that's one of the main draws of an RPG - getting in character (a bit. Sort of hard for me to do with a female character, though I always like having them as leader of my party ;)
Y? Cant relate to a female? :o

[atomicthumbs]

That's a tough call. My favorite RPGs EVER are on the 8bit to 16bit and modern era as well. Instead of basing it on the era, I guess I'd prefer to base it on the game. I mean, I love Dragon Warrior as much as Wild Arms. I love Final Fantasy III (VI) as much as Final Fantasy VII. Can't even get into Lunar 1 & 2. Both of those eras had absolutely fantastic RPGs.

[Jasoco]

The original Dragon Warrior and Mario RPG are the ONLY RPG's for me. The ONLY ones I can play.. The ONLY ones I can even STAND playing. Screw Final Fantasy and Phantasy Star, those bloated overhyped RPG's and MMORPG's.

[Moon Patrol]

16 Bit era by far. Some of the greatest RPG's ever were released, games like Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, Landstalker, and many many more were released. The new generation focuses way too much on graphics and crap than a story line. I would so much rather to see more games like SoM released than anything, that game was WONDERFUL!

[Alucard]

I would say that I like all rpg's, new and old. Some of the modern era one's like valkyrie profile have really hooked me. But I like alot of the older one's to like secret of mana and the zelda series and final fantasy series. I would say that I'm in the middle of them all.

[Daria]

I voted for PC RPGs since I generally love their gameplay the most- especially the era of Baulder's Gate and Fallout. It's also probably why I've loved just about every major hit for the XboX.

But I enjoy my console games too. Wouldn't collect them if I didn't. But I don't really have a favorite era: I love the simplisity of 8 bit gaming as well as the modern editions to the old tried and true formula. There was a bit of a hurdle in the transition to 3D gaming that I just didn't care for. PSOne/Saturn 3d renderings just god awful ugly, and the camera angles for awhile were pretty sucktastic. But now I can appreciate the immersive enviorments of games such as Fable or Sudeki. Eye Candy just doesn't get much sweeter.

I've also become quite attached to voice acting, when it's done well. It bothers me now when an RPG comes out and it isn't fully vocalized, there's no reason for it. We have the disk space, voice actors are terribly underpaid- publishers can afford the talent.

That whole rant sounds fairly shallow though, but honestly between 8 bit and next gen RPGs I don't find a whole lot of differences that aren't cosmetic. Which is probably why I enjoy the full range of the spectrum equally. I also don't mean to imply that I prefer 3D over 2D. I don't. I found both mediums to be beautiful when done well. A new gorgous 2D game is just as exciting- if not more- to me as a new 3D one.

Otherwise I jusge the games on an indiviual basis. Gameplaywise I mean. I adore Shadowrun for genny but I can't attribute my fondness to the 16 bit era. I love it because it's a kickass RPG, with intriguing dialouge, unique gameplay, and an accurate emulation of the original FASA rpg.

[ZeetherKID77]

Modern era. After all, where would we be without games like Final Fantasy VII and Magic Knight Rayearth? Not to mention Pokemon, which got me into video gaming (even though I stopped liking it after Ruby and Sapphire and am desperately hoping Diamond and Pearl will be better)

[Jumpman Jr.]

Current generation RPG's. None of that top-view shit

:puke:

[atomicthumbs]

Current generation RPG's. None of that top-view shit

:puke:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/atomicthumbs/cryingtopview.jpg

[AlexKidd]

Though i've enjoyed a few newer rpgs(fable,baten kaitos,tales of symphonia) I really love the 8 and 16 bit ones. The snes had the best rpgs ever in my opinion. Chrono Trigger and FF6 especially. But by picking 8 and 16 bit that also includes all of the original Phantasy Star's and Dragon Warrior's . Also Y's 1-4 and Shining Force 1 and 2. Those are some great games right there.

[Lothars]

Definitly love the 8/16 bit era :)

All the squaresoft games, enix games some of the very best rpg's

though i do love pc's Rpg they rock :D I would say they rock as well, kind of a hard decision

[sirhansirhan]

The 16 bit era is the only era that had more than one RPG I liked. Even with 8 bit RPGs, I could only ever get into Final Fantasy; never any of the Dragon Warriors or anything. On SNES, I absolutely adore Final Fantasy 2 and 3 (US numbers) and Earthbound, and have a lot of respect for Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, Chrono Trigger, and Super Mario RPG (I like Mario to a lesser extent than the previous three listed).

I recently got into Disgaea, which is the only current generation RPG I like (well, and I like Atelier Iris, too, come to think of it), and it occurred to me while playing it that it was the first RPG since the SNES days where I actually liked the characters. For example, I liked Final Fantasy 7 well enough, but there was not a single character in that game I liked.

Oh, and I never really cared for any of the Genesis RPGs, so really, only SNES. The frontier of Saturn RPGs is yet to be explored by me, though.

[sealboy6]

I voted for the modern era because I think that included the PSX, which had good Final Fantasies, Vagrant Story, Parasite Eve, and Chrono Cross, but I would say that the new RPGs just don't match up. Old systems have good RPGs too, like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. I wish I could have voted for two of them.

[VG_Maniac]

The SNES RPGs are the best by far in my book. Most RPGs these days are very flashy and beautiful to look at...but not very fun. Don't get me wrong though...there are many modern RPGs I like.

[Nirvana]

As much as I'd like to say the 8-bit/16-bit era, I actually had more fun with the Squaresoft RPGs on Playstation, especially Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, SaGa Frontier, and I'm one of the handful of people that enjoyed Legend of Mana. Even though Secret of Mana was so much better.