Why can't I get into RPG'S?

[ReaXan]

Since i have gone more retro I decided to try games out that I didnt get to play as a child or didnt know about like Final Fantasy{Dont Laught},Lunar,Shining Force but those games or any RPG for that matter can't hold my interest very long.I played Final Fantasy 8 a while back but for some reason I just couldnt motivate myself to get past the train part on CD1 and have hit and missed on RPG's ever since.

Three types of games I usually play are Resident Evil type puzzle solvers,NBA sports games and strategy games like Aerobiz Supersonics or Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Any tips on how to motivate myself to get into these games or a new way to look at them and if there are any other gamers out there wanting to get into this genre but having trouble?

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

try the wild arms series(plenty of puzzles to solve)
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[Sylentwulf]

Well, if you're having trouble getting into them, and don't enjoy playing them...... why do you want to?

[ReaXan]

They are bound to be better than games like Shaq Fu LOL

[DigitalSpace]

Try Chrono Trigger. I've heard somewhere that it could be considered an RPG for people who don't generally like RPGs, and I can agree with that (I'd recommend playing the SNES version if you can - the PSX version has annoying load times).

Super Mario RPG is also worth a try if you haven't tried it yet.

I realize I've offered more game recommendations than advice - that's because I really don't have any. I'm not a major RPG player myself, but I do enjoy a few games in the genre.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

I also say Zelda 3, Secret of evermore, Secret of mana, kingdom hearts
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[FantasiaWHT]

Well, if you're having trouble getting into them, and don't enjoy playing them...... why do you want to?

Agreed :) You don't have to keep trying to like a genre you can't get into. MOST of us won't hold that against you *looks around, glaring*

I make no apologies about not being able to get into FPS. Once in a while I'll give one a try on somebody's recommendation, but it's never really had an effect.

[jdc]

Ditto.

I can't play sports games to save my life, the current fad with shooters is not what I want to play 24/7 (although I'm in love with Star Wars Battlefront these days)and although I do own GTA3, I'm not into playing it all day every day.

We are all individuals with different tastes. Some people look at my gaming tastes and wonder how it is that I can play racers for hours on end, going around and around a track. As far as RPGs are concerned.....not only is it my favorite genre, but I'm the WORST kind of RPGer. I take GREAT pleasure in endless random battles, levelling up my characters to the highest levels. I'll run around in circles trying to spawn enemies....literally for hours. For the average gamer, THAT constitutes the definition of a waste of time.

For the record.....I absolutley LOVE those platform/adventure games where you go around collecting tons of objects. It's been stated by many DP members that these games are a pet peeve of theirs.

Don't force yourself into a genre. You'll only get frustrated....and waste cash on games that you won't finish. That's cash that could be better spent on games that you DO like to play.

Also......I got into retro systems because I wanted to play all of the classic RPGs. However, I quickly found out that the classic platformers and shooters are difficult for me. I bought a Game Genie.....and now with codes like "endless continues", I can at least enjoy all of my retro collection.

[FantasiaWHT]

As far as RPGs are concerned.....not only is it my favorite genre, but I'm the WORST kind of RPGer. I take GREAT pleasure in endless random battles, levelling up my characters to the highest levels. I'll run around in circles trying to spawn enemies....literally for hours. For the average gamer, THAT constitutes the definition of a waste of time.



You said it!

I'm so sick of reviewers (in mags and otherwise) who blast all the things that an RPG is SUPPOSED to be! *whiiiiiiiiiiine- there's random battles, I don't like those! biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch- you have to level up your characters! mooooooooooooooooooooan- it's turn based*

[goatdan]

Personally, I'm in much of the same boat. I have probably completed less than five RPGs ever. If you want some that I think that a non-RPG person can get into, here are a few suggestions from what I've played:

Earthbound (SNES) - The anti-RPG, RPG. It's very humorous with lots and lots of details added in. I've probably played through it ten times now, and I'm still finding new stuff.

Grandia II (Dreamcast / PS2) - The battle system on this RPG isn't the usual RPG battle system... and for that and the really cool story, I love it. I still haven't brought myself to finish it though.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox) - This game is awesome. I picked it up for $10.00 at Circuit City after hearing praise for it forever. I hadn't wanted to get it and pay too much though since I knew it was an RPG and I classicly don't play them much. I played for 8 hours in the first two days of owning it, and all of that came when I probably should have been sleeping. GREAT fun.

[kai123]

I also say Zelda 3, Secret of evermore, Secret of mana, kingdom hearts

Agreed. I can't stand regualr turn based rpgs but I love action rpgs to death. I do enjoy the story of some rpgs so that motivates me to play them like Final Fantasy 3.

[XxMe2NiKxX]

Zelda is NOT an rpg.... but play it anyway.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

Well, I agree about Wild Arms, Chrono Trigger, and Super Mario RPG. But if you can't get into them don't worry about it. Play the games that you want to play. It can be hard sometimes to get into a boring, drawn out game.

Also, why does eveyone call Zelda: Link to the past Zelda 3. It's not.

[thegreatescape]

Grandia II (Dreamcast / PS2) - The battle system on this RPG isn't the usual RPG battle system... and for that and the really cool story, I love it.


Seconded. No random battles (random battles are teh suck) and the characters are great. Probably the only console RPG ive had the patience to finish, so thats gotta be saying something ;)

[Aussie2B]

Try Chrono Trigger. I've heard somewhere that it could be considered an RPG for people who don't generally like RPGs, and I can agree with that (I'd recommend playing the SNES version if you can - the PSX version has annoying load times).

I don't see why people who don't like RPGs would like it. It's a very traditional RPG (albeit an exceptionally well-made one).

I don't want to be dismal here, but it would probably be best to recommend just giving up on RPGs if time and time again you don't like them. However, if you'd determined to find one you enjoy (and I'm sure for anyone who dislikes a genre there's gotta be at least ONE game of that genre they can enjoy), I suggest you do some research before you play and try lots of different kinds of RPGs. It appears safe to say that you don't like very traditional RPGs or old-school style RPGs. That's no problem, though, because there are a million little sub-genres of RPGs. I'd recommend trying the real-time battle games such as the Star Ocean series and Tales series. If those aren't your cup of tea, you can go even further into the realm of action with adventure games. While not true RPGs, you can find RPG elements in the Zelda series, Crystalis, the Mana series, Castlevania 2 and Symphony of the Night, Alundra, and many more. If you don't find anything you like there (or if it's "not RPG enough" for you), try the opposite end of the spectrum. Play the games loaded with strategy, puzzles, and tons of micro-management. Valkyrie Profile comes to mind, but I'm sure there are better examples (I'd like to recommend strategy RPGs, but since you don't like Shining Force, I get the feeling that you wouldn't like any others). Have you tried text-adventures? They're not RPGs either, but many have an RPG-ish feel to them. They're usually nothing but puzzles.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Well, I agree about Wild Arms, Chrono Trigger, and Super Mario RPG. But if you can't get into them don't worry about it. Play the games that you want to play. It can be hard sometimes to get into a boring, drawn out game.

Also, why does eveyone call Zelda: Link to the past Zelda 3. It's not.

Well, before Zelda: LttP was released, on early posters (which came with the SNES system) it was call it "Zelda III"...and that's how the rumor started.


Anyways, RPG's, I cannot get into an RPG to save my life, I cannot get into a game that is more then 10 hours. Due to the fact, there just isn't enough time in the day to fully enjoy it without having to stop and do that thing people call "Sleep"...last RPG I got to finish was Final Fantasy V on PSX, which was around my Senior year in High School, been five years since then...I want to get into some RPG's in the near future, but I seriously have to plan out when and how to finish it. Always about determination when it comes to a full length game.

Which comes to mind, who are these psycho's who say 30-40 hours+ isn't ENOUGH? If I could find 30-40 extra hours in my time, I would be a pro at "time management"...but I can't do that, too much stuff in reality gets in the way of finishing an RPG.

[Gapporin]

My suggestion would be to try games like the Secret Of Mana series, or Final Fantasy Adventure; something that's a cross between action/RPG. It might help you ease into the genre. But I have to agree, if you don't really like it, then don't force yourself to play them.

[Captain Wrong]

Well, if you're having trouble getting into them, and don't enjoy playing them...... why do you want to?

Seriously.

I know where you're coming from. When I got into the retrogaming, I was in the same boat. But despite trying most of the "must-play" old school RPGs, I found the genre to be tedius and boring so I stopped trying to force myself into it and wrote RPGs off.

I think RPGs more than any other kind of game are one of those things where it either clicks with you or it doesn't. Really, if you check out a few of the biggies and you're not sold, you're probably not going to dig any of the hundreds of smaller games people will pop up and suggest you try.

No shame in that either. Not everyone likes everything and you tried, so no one can say you weren't open minded.

[ubersaurus]

Final Fantasy 8 and Lunar were kinda weak, if you ask me...

Definitely give Knights of the Old republic a rent and see what you think. That game had me HOOKED. For about 2 weeks I'd come home from work and play that game for like 6 hours straight.

Earthbound, Super Mario RPG, Chrono Trigger, and Mario & Luigi are all pretty good games if you aren't a big fan of the genre. I can also recommend Suikoden 1 & 2(Haven't played 3), as well as Dragon Warrior 1 & 3 (again, only ones of that series I've played). I personally greatly enjoyed Azure Dreams on PS1, but your mileage may vary.

[Fuyukaze]

It all boils down to one simple thing. What do you expect to get out of it? That you list off being able to enjoy playing titles such as Romance of the 3 Kingdoms and Aerobiz proves that the problem is not a lack of patience. Is it a feeling of acomplishment? Or perhaps its the story progresion? Perhaps the reason you are unable to keep interest in them is because you are looking for something in them that the games could never give. While enjoyment or lack there of is a valid reason, its to general of a reason to explain why.

[Speedy]

I have the same "problem" my mates love RPG games, i hate them. I never played one because i'm really getting bored with those games. But since i'm collecting i tried RGP's again (because they are great to collect), but it didn't worked. Last try that i did was Lufia, it's a great game on a great system, i've got the offical guide and the game is in my own language .... how much better it would be? But i quited the game after 5 minutes, bored -_-
My conclusion, you love them or you hate them, live with it ;)

[ScottK]

I'm a real picky gamer and an even pickier RPGer.

I used to hate RPG's with a passion. It all started out with Dragon Warrior for the NES. Then Final Fantasy came out and It actually got me somewhat interested in it. When I got a TurboDuo with the Y's Book I & II I was hooked on that game to death, but there was one problem...I wasn't really any good at RPG's and still didn't get the whole concept at that time.

I don't really like any of the RPG's out today. I tried Final Fantasy 7 once and it did nothing for me.

Here are the RPG's that I loved: Alundra (PSX)- Kinda like a Zelda, Y's Book I & II (TG-CD), Cosmic Fantasy 2 (TG-CD)- I don't know why, but I really loved playing this game. The story is excellent, but gameplay slower than hell., Shining Force 3 (SATURN)- My favorite RPG to date...I give it a perfect 10...however I fear that I maybe dead by the time Shining Force 4 or a collection disk of part 3 ever see light of day. heh

My final advise is to buy a Strategy Guide with any RPG that you may buy. Then you will be able to work through the game and enjoy. There is nothing more frustrating then getting stuck all the time.

[Aussie2B]

I think RPGs more than any other kind of game are one of those things where it either clicks with you or it doesn't. Really, if you check out a few of the biggies and you're not sold, you're probably not going to dig any of the hundreds of smaller games people will pop up and suggest you try.

The popular titles aren't necessarily a good representation of the smaller titles. It's not as if they're everything the less popular titles are and then some. I personally dislike many popular RPGs, but I still love the genre. Usually games become mainstream not because they are of the best quality but because they appeal to the lowest common denominator.

[imanerd0011]

ReaXan , I would suggest you play Secret of Mana, it's an RPG , but it's not a turn based RPG (like final fantasy games , or dragon warrior). I also can't stand turned based rpg's , I think they are a complete waste , because if games like Final Fantasy had a fighting system like Zelda or Secret of Mana , I would absolutely love them. I think the fact that you build you character up is very fun to the majority of gamers , but many don't like clicking on fight,run,etc as the method or combat.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

If you haven't givin them a try already, you sould really give the mario rpg series a try. Especially Mario and Luigi or the orginal game for the snes. They all are interesting,fast pasted and have semi action related gameplay.

[Lord Contaminous]

My suggestion, just go to GameFAQs and nab FAQs for as many RPG's as you can, by copying and pasting them onto Notepad and whatever documenting program you got.

I got tons and tons and tons of FAQ's for many RPG's you can think of burned on a disc.

To tell you got a good one, read through and see if, the author suggests information such as, a certain level for a character before advancing into a dungeon, or what magic and weapons you should have equipped on hand. That way it'll save you the agony of wasting time leveling up and wondering "Am I ready? Am I ready?"

[Jasoco]

I also can't get into most RPG's. I just can't.

The only exceptions are:
Dragon Warrior (The first and only one of the series.)
Super Mario RPG
Mario and Luigi Superstar
Earthbound (For the most part.)
Part of Final Fantasy V (On the Anthology discs.)

That's mostly it. Other ones I can't get into.

I don't count Zelda.

Also, if Fable is an RPG, add it to the list. I loved it. And how about Cubivore? It's ALMOST an RPG and I love it.

[dethink]

i can't get into them either anymore, but in my college days when i had nothing better to do, i owned practically every square release for the PS1. not that i played through all of them, but to me, that was just the era when big budget production and artistic creativity were at a peak where they could co-exist. those were the only games i really "collected" just to have for a rainy day if i ever got around to playing them. then i realized how much $$$ i was sitting on since they were all flawless non-GH games, and with the realities of adult life having long since set in, there's no way i could play through one of them, let along over a dozen. ;) the only ones i really played through were FFVII, and xenogears. i started chrono cross about a year ago, and lost interest. prior to that, the only RPG's i played were mario RPG (the first one i really got into), and then some of chrono trigger through emulation a couple years later.

i just can't get into a game that requires tons of time investment just to get to a save point so i dont have to watch 2 hours of reading/cutscenes again.

[BHvrd]

I'm also not a huge rpg fan, but it's not really rpg's in general just the heavily story driven type that are so linear it drives you insane. I love a good story, but for god's sake some rpg's just get carried away and forget they are also games.

I tend to lean more towards the stat driven rpg's. I like to manage all my characters skills and go around finding rare items, and really get into some micro-managing. I just enjoy more the hunting and gathering type rpg's, the more interactive the better I say.

My favorite stoydriven rpg's:

Super Mario RPG (snes)
Chrono Trigger (snes)
Blazing Heroes (saturn)
Lunar Silver Star 1&2 (Psx)
Suikoden (Psx)


My favorite deep stat and item hording rpg's:

Morrowind (Xbox) You should really try this if you never have!
Phantasy Star Online (Xbox)
Runescape (PC, http://www.runescape.com)
Diablo 1&2 (PC)
Everquest (PC)


Rpg's I hate:

Final Fantasy (all) "Final Fantasy Tactics is an exeption, a very fine game"
Grandia 1&2 "love the fighting system, overbearing storyline, way too linear"
Thousand Arms (Psx)
And all those rpg's that are so linear they make you sick.


I just figured I would show an example of what I like and don't like. In no way is this a complete listing but it should show the basics of what I like in rpg's. Maybe my likes and dislikes will be close to yours and you can try some of the games I listed.

Either way, i'm almost always on the fence when it comes to rpg's. I either love them or hate them. Not many exceptions.

[bargora]

I don't know if this will help you, but the only way I've ever been able to finish a RPG is if I was able to play it on my GBA. If you can just remember to play a little now and then so you don't forget what you were trying to do, handheld RPGs can be almost as good as Pac-Man for consuming ten minute chunks of your life. There are a crapload of RPGs that you can play on a GBA these days, too.

If I'm going to sit down in front of a console and TV, on the other hand, I almost always find myself shooting / blowing something up instead of RPGaming.

[jdc]

I don't think that anyone has mentioned......dungeon crawlers and those that have lately been based on them.

Grab a copy of Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance (1 or 2), either of the Lord Of The Rings games or Champions Of Norrath or Demon Stone. It's pure action based...but your characters level up as well.

I forgot to mention, but when I was first starting out gaming I became friends with a group of hardcore RPGers. They "forced" me to start playing RPGs (twist my rubber arm). Anyways.....a recipe that I have always followed was given to me as advice......

......"when you first start an RPG, level up 5 levels past what is suggested in order to do the first boss."

[J2games]

honestly, I'm in the same boat as you are... other than Zelda (of which I am borderline) I have never had the patience for RPG's... I find them tooooo slowwwww....I can't stand having to run around and talk to people to find keys in the woods to unlock the door in the cave to get the scepter to bring to the king to get the sword to slay the dragon to ..... (you get my point!)

Now, give me something with a million things on the screen to shoot at and more buttons that need to be pushed at once than I have fingers for.... THEN I am in heaven!

But I will add one funny little twist, on a lark I bought the DK Bongos for Gamecube, and having a kickin' time trying to coordinate hitting the things and clapping to the crazy songs... (I'm sure I look like a total idiot, but hey, it's fun and I'm alone....)

[ReaXan]

I am trying out Grandia II,I will let you know if I can overcome my lack on interest in RPGs

[Flojomojo]

I don't know if this will help you, but the only way I've ever been able to finish a RPG is if I was able to play it on my GBA. If you can just remember to play a little now and then so you don't forget what you were trying to do, handheld RPGs can be almost as good as Pac-Man for consuming ten minute chunks of your life. There are a crapload of RPGs that you can play on a GBA these days, too.

If I'm going to sit down in front of a console and TV, on the other hand, I almost always find myself shooting / blowing something up instead of RPGaming.This is brilliant advice, I want to take it ...but I find myself wishing I had more waiting to do in bus stations and airports, etc. Must be easier for student types, eh?

[SegaAges]

I'm with you dude.

rpg's always annoy me. it is just a genre that I can't get into. I have tried, I own final fantasy 10, but that is about it.

i don't know why i really don't like them, it is probably a combination of multiple things or something

[Flojomojo]

For me, I suspect it might have something to do with my attention span, which is about 9 seconds long. I *might* finish KOTOR once before the year is over, if I really apply myself. I don't understand anyone who complains about "only" 30 hours of gameplay.

[Cryomancer]

Try Robotrek ,Secret of Evermore, or Earthbound (as mentioned) if the fantasy setting bores you, I've had that issue before. I'm also kinda diggin Megaman X Command Mission right now.

For handheld RPGs don't forget that Pokemon is actually a pretty decent series, and there's some very interesting stuff for NeoGeo Pocket Color.

[max 330 mega]

i too truely hate RPG's , i dont have the attention span needed to play thru one. the only ones ive ever liked were:
shining force series
and magic knight rayearth for saturn.

[postulio]

i play RPGs almost exclusively. there are some spectacular ones that drag you in and beat you with a bat. then let you go just to watch you come back for more.



for starters i recommend not so RPGish RPGs. primarily:

Landstalker - genesis
Zelda A Link To The Past - Snes
Zelda Links Awakening - GB
Secret of Mana - SNES
Brave Fencer Musashi - Playstation
Parasite Eve (i prefer part 1, but 2 is good too, youll LOVE this if you like Resident Evil)

these should provide you with a working to great storyline (zelda for snes story sucks while the gb zelda story is the best in the series) and most importantly the gameplay isnt traditional rpg, gives you freadom to roam and fight what/when you want

after you play through them i recommend entering the RPG world even deeper with what makes them my favorite genre (the story and lenth)

play (preferrably in this order)

Final Fantasy 7 (8 sucks, 7 is probably my favorite RPG of all time, you might wanna try this first of all as a matter of fact)
Final Fantasy 6 (wierd after 7, but makes you appreciate its simplicity and story, play the playstation remake, its nicer!)
Breath of Fire 3
Wild Arms
Xenogears (this game is pretty hardcore storywise, try if youre interested)

[Kamino]

If you don't like rpgs, just wait it out.
It took me a long, long time to get into Action RPGs, which i REALLY enjoy.
Super Mario RPG however has always been good to me, whereas pokemon TOTALLY destroyed ANY interest I had in turn based, random battle, level-up-your-character-until-you-pass-out rpgs.
If you're looking for action RPG's,
I reccomend:
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance(current generation)
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2
ANY gauntlet games.

Oh, and if anybody has turn based rpg reccomendations for me, feel free to post or pm or whatever!!!! I NEED MORE.

[ReaXan]

Playing Grandia II right now,i am enjoying the game alot,I have been saving and coming back to it when I get bored,I am in Ryudo's hometown right now where everyone hates him LOL.

Only knack is I wish I could pick which people I want in my party and recruit others besides that I really have enjoyed the game so far

I am going to start on Skys of Arcadia in the meantime while I am finishing a boring part of Grandia II