your favorite rpg? [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

PSXferrari

03-21-2007, 02:52 AM

Final Fantasy VII. Is it the best RPG ever? Not at all. It's Top 10 material, but definitely not the best. However, this is the single most important game in my life in my transformation from casual to hardcore gamer. It was the first RPG I played and finished, so its impact on me was far greater than any other RPG I played following it.

In a VERY CLOSE second is Panzer Dragoon Saga, a game worth all of its $100 price tag-- and sadly most people are too stupid to get it. It alone justifies owning a Saturn. Don't have the money for it? Shitty excuse-- if you can dish out $60 on your worthless current-gen games, than you can pay a little more for an all-time classic. Unlike FF7, Panzer Dragoon Saga IS definitely Top 5 material, competing up there with the likes of Chrono Trigger and FF6. Yes, some may doubt, but ask anyone who's played and none will challenge that statement.

ShenmueFan

03-21-2007, 04:49 AM

Final Fantasy VII. Is it the best RPG ever? Not at all. It's Top 10 material, but definitely not the best. However, this is the single most important game in my life in my transformation from casual to hardcore gamer. It was the first RPG I played and finished, so its impact on me was far greater than any other RPG I played following it.

In a VERY CLOSE second is Panzer Dragoon Saga, a game worth all of its $100 price tag-- and sadly most people are too stupid not to get it. It alone justifies owning a Saturn. Don't have the money for it? Shitty excuse-- if you can dish out $60 on your worthless current-gen games, than you can pay a little more for an all-time classic. Unlike FF7, Panzer Dragoon Saga IS definitely Top 5 material, competing up there with the likes of Chrono Trigger and FF6. Yes, some may doubt, but ask anyone who's played and none will challenge that statement.

Panzer Dragoon Saga is an amazing game that most gamers know nothing about...in my list of greatest games ever, for sure...

Nate Nanjo

03-21-2007, 07:21 AM

Pesona 2: Innocent Sin.

Graham Mitchell

03-21-2007, 07:28 AM

Phantasy Star 1. Later PS's, except IV, all seem to have big flaws or don't meet the audio-visual standards of the 16-bit hardware. But PS1 really delivers. It looks and sounds great for the SMS, and is ambitious in scope. My personal favorite.

icbrkr

03-21-2007, 07:47 AM

I'll go with my 3 favs - Wasteland, Skies of Arcadia, and Fire Emblem.

GillianSeed

03-21-2007, 08:20 AM

I like a lot of console RPGs, but my two favorites are on the PC -- Ultima VII: The Black Gate and Fallout. (the SNES version of U7 was significantly altered)

roushimsx

03-21-2007, 09:06 AM

it doesen't have to be the greatest rpg of all time, just yer personal favorite. mine would have to be the legend of zelda. (one of the greatest games ever made).

In that case, my favorite console RPG is Metroid Prime.

My fav PC would have to be a toss up between Baldur's Gate II and Fallout. I know, I know, Planescape Torment this and that...I still liked BG2 and Fallout better :(

kaedesdisciple

03-21-2007, 09:08 AM

It's so tough to choose, so I'll go with three of my favorites:

Final Fantasy Tactics
Dragon Warrior IV
Final Fantasy Legend II (I played this one so many times as a kid, so factor in nostalgia for me)

Lady Jaye

03-21-2007, 09:21 AM

Neverwinter Nights

cyberfluxor

03-21-2007, 09:41 AM

The game I've sunk the most time in is Diablo II: LoD. I spent at least a few thousand hours playing it over the years. I haven't really logged on in almost a year but I had a consistant streek of playing at least a little each night and going all out on weekends. It somewhat feels like a waste of time now but boy was it fun at that time.

The game I've enjoyed the most, although not the longest play time, is Final Fantasy V. It was the first RPG I really played and quite often. I got it from a friend in '97 on emulation and played it almost every day after school, but only got around 100 hrs into it. Of course I didn't get too far within that time I was mainly just wondering around and replaying it and just having fun. Thinking back upon it I've wanted it for years for the SNES or PS1 but in no hurry.

Alucard79

03-21-2007, 09:48 AM

I have always enjoyed the Suikoden series, mostly part 1 & 2.

CosmicMonkey

03-21-2007, 09:50 AM

As far as traditional turn-based RPGs go, I'd have to say Skies of Arcadia on the Dreamcast. Surely one of the finest RPGs ever made, imho.

As for action RPGs, I'd have to say Zelda: a Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time.

mailman187666

03-21-2007, 09:51 AM

Final Fantasy X - I think this game was great and I couldn't put it down.

Frogger - just kidding

word about Panzer Dragoon Saga - I think this game was incredible for a saturn game, but i felt like it could have been longer and could have had more character customisation. I spent the money on it and have to say its one of the best saturn games I've played.

crazyjackcsa

03-21-2007, 09:54 AM

Panzer Dragoon Saga
Shining Force 3
Fire Emblem
Skies of Arcadia
Grandia 2.

Those are my top 5, Each for different Reasons. PDS for being the greatest Hybrid/RPG experience while including the greatness of the Panzer series. I love Strategy RPG's And Shining Force 3 was one of the best. Fire Emblem rekindled my love of strat RPG's after setting them down for quite some time. Skies and Grandia, Well come on, Grandia's battle system was fantastic and Skies was a fantastic departure from the end of th eworld sullen anti hero type that floats around in RPGs

XYXZYZ

03-21-2007, 09:54 AM

Ys Books I & II, PC Engine.

Graham Mitchell

03-21-2007, 09:58 AM

Ys Books I & II, PC Engine.

Okay, I thought only traditional RPG's counted. If we're gonna include action-RPG's, I rescind my nomination for Phantasy Star. Y's Book I and II is probably my real favorite.

7th lutz

03-21-2007, 10:01 AM

I really can't say have I rpg that I like the most.
Dragon Warrior 3
Dragon Quest 8
Phantasy Star 1, 4
Lufia 1
Final Fantasy Tactics
Shining force

For Action Rpgs:
Crystalis

Griking

03-21-2007, 10:04 AM

Currently its World of Warcraft. I've played this game far more than any other RPG.

I've also played Diablo II pretty regularly a few years back

My favorite offline RPGs have been

Ultima IV (Apple II)
Daggerfall (PC)
Wizardry (Apple II)
The Bard's Tale (Apple II)

Nebagram

03-21-2007, 10:23 AM

Traditional RPGs... I'd have to say Grandia 2. Was the only game for a long while to have me hooked in a 'just try and tear me away from the pad!!!' type of way.

If non-traditional ones count, let's go with Wonderboy 3 on the Master System. Such an underloved classic! :D

FantasiaWHT

03-21-2007, 11:49 AM

Traditional- Phantasy Star II
Action- Wonder Boy III
Strategy- Shining Force II

Hey, a comment about Panzer Dragoon Saga and the price. It's FREE! Even if you don't own a Saturn. Why? Sure, you might spend a crapload of money to buy a Saturn and PDS, but play the game and sell the system and you basically just broke even. If you play your cards right, you might even MAKE money from the deal! I did the same exact thing with a TG-16 and a Saturn a few years ago. Bought each of them and all the games I ever wanted to play/try for the systems and then resold them all.

That's why I love classic gaming, it's free, as long as you don't plan on keeping everything you buy.

Daria

03-21-2007, 12:11 PM

I have lots of favorites.

My childhood favorite is Shining Force, I know that game backwards and forwards and can pick it up from any save point and just play. It's not a game with excellent character development or a surperb storyline. But all the characters are charming and the darker plot is a welcome diversion from other bright and perky RPGs that were being released at the time. It's a comfortable game that's just extremly familar to me and I love playing it.

Then you have the list of RPGs I can't choose between.

Alundra - Great gameplay, challenging puzzles, depressing story with funny dialouge.
Breath of Fire 3 - Fun adventure story with memerable characters.
Persona 2 - Dark RPG with a interesting plot.
Dragon Warrior 8 - It's hard to pick between the Dragon Warrior series but I think 8 just may be my favorite... or maybe 5. Or 7. Bah. Anyway this time around I really liked the characters and Dhoulmagus. Again dialouge was funny... notice a trend? And the alchemy pot was really fun to play with.
Lunar Eternal Blue - Lunar has everything going for it. Great heros, even better villians. Hillarious exchanges between characters. Epic adventure story. Love this game.
Paper Mario - Hilarious. Fun. Best game on the 64.
Vandal Hearts - I like simplier Tactical RPGs, something about the difficulty level and ease of play reminded me of Shining Force. Another game in which I liked the characters too, and the art style.

Xexyz

03-21-2007, 12:28 PM

My favorite RPG is Suikoden. It's simple, straight forward, and yet engaging. You have 100+ characters to recruit, and it doesn't take more than 20 hours to beat. I love RPG's on the short side, and this one fit the bill.

64Bits

03-21-2007, 01:22 PM

Chrono Trigger. Next?

tom

03-21-2007, 01:42 PM

Chrono Trigger. Next?

WIZARD'S CROWN (unbeatable)

PentiumMMX

03-21-2007, 02:06 PM

Traditional RPG: Paper Mario (N64). Why? It's what got me interested in RPGs in the first place (And what helped me realize that not all RPGs suck like Quest 64).

Real-Time Action RPG: If it counts, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX). It has RPG elements, after all...

MMORPG: Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (Dreamcast), 'Nuff said.

Three-P

03-21-2007, 02:25 PM

Sarcastic answer-Hydlide. (I can't even use that as an answer with a straight-face.)

Sarcastic answer #2-Tecmo's Secret of the Stars. (While not as bad as Hydlide, this game still left a lot to be desired.)

Real answer-Chrono Trigger. Now, that was a unique RPG that was obviously inspired by the H.G. Welles book, "The Time Machine." It also features characters designed by the legendary Akira Toriyama, who also worked on Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest, and Tobal.

Trebuken

03-21-2007, 06:43 PM

WIZARD'S CROWN (unbeatable)

I think we can date ourselves by the games being chosen here... :)

I'd second Wizard's Crown, and Bard's Tale

I don't think I could pick one game...

I might consider Pool Of Radiance (the original). After playing that I tore through all the gold boxed games as they were released...

eday_2010

03-21-2007, 06:48 PM

Final Fantasy IX, then Final Fantasy VIII, then Final Fantasy II/IV.

AMG

03-21-2007, 07:00 PM

Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is probably my all time favorite RPG.

The game has so much depth and replayability.

FantasiaWHT

03-21-2007, 07:13 PM

Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is probably my all time favorite RPG.

The game has so much depth and replayability.

I did enjoy both Elder Scrolls III & IV, but I think calling the games deep is a misnomer... they're actually pretty shallow, but INCREDIBLY broad. There's tons and oodles and gobs of stuff to do, but there isn't the depth & complexity of actual mechanics that other games can offer.

AMG

03-21-2007, 07:50 PM

I did enjoy both Elder Scrolls III & IV, but I think calling the games deep is a misnomer... they're actually pretty shallow, but INCREDIBLY broad. There's tons and oodles and gobs of stuff to do, but there isn't the depth & complexity of actual mechanics that other games can offer.

By depth I mean the ability to enchant your own magical items/weapons. Create potions through alchemy etc. The game offers tons of options that other RPGs just can't touch. Plus the ability to truly role play your own character is just icing on the cake. Morrowind will keep a hardcore RPG player happy for years.

SeGaFiEnD

03-21-2007, 07:59 PM

Phantasy Star. Enough said!

ShenmueFan

03-21-2007, 08:03 PM

Phantasy Star. Enough said!

I love Phantasy Star Online...I really need to play PS I-IV!

Blitzwing256

03-21-2007, 08:12 PM

Ultima exodus on the nes

never have I played a game since that was so deep and overall fun to play, great customization, lots and lots to do and you can just play through the game any way you want with no artifical walls like in every other so called "rpg" it really feels like you're are role playing a charecter.

good runners up :

super hydlide, dragon warrior 3 final fnatasy 8 and final fantasy tactics.

I just love a game where you can customize your charecters in any way you see fit. thats what I like to see in an rpg.

Keir

03-21-2007, 08:24 PM

I'll give you one guess.

<== HINT

Snapple

03-21-2007, 08:41 PM

If you go by the RPG I've spent the most time playing, then it's without question Star Ocean: The Second Story. I've put in several hundred hours of gameplay into the game. It's kinda depressing.

Overbite

03-21-2007, 09:37 PM

STAR OCEAN 3

well not really. I think Dragon Quest 8 is my favorite, but its hard to choose!

Hwj_Chim

03-21-2007, 10:42 PM

Lunar and Lunar 2 Eternal Blue the only RPGs that held my interest

Aussie2B

03-21-2007, 11:06 PM

My favorite is Star Ocean: Blue Sphere for Game Boy Color. Despite it being on just a little Game Boy cartridge, it's got some of the most depth I have ever seen in any RPG, not to mention its innovativeness and just how extremely entertaining every aspect of its gameplay is. Plus it pushed the GBC to its absolute limits in terms of graphics and music.

I love every other Star Ocean game too, though. They're all in my top 10.

Valkyrie Profile is right up there too, around second or third place.

My favorite RPG not developed by tri-Ace is Chrono Trigger. Kinda generic answer, I know, but I was obsessed with that game back when hardly anybody knew about it. :P

goemon

03-21-2007, 11:52 PM

Here's an unexpected answer: Kuroi Hitomi no Noir Cielgris Fantasm for PS. It doesn't take long to beat (you could beat it in one long sitting if you skip all the text and side quests) but there are tons of possible endings to get. It's very customisable too.

The Great Dane

03-21-2007, 11:53 PM

Mine is Suikoden 1, with Suikoden 2 VERY close behind. Suikoden was the very first rpg that I ever played (other than Legend of Zelda games, which I don't count as rpg anyway). It is the only one that I can play through multiple times and not ever get bored of it.

I Have No Name

03-22-2007, 12:14 AM

Yeah, I'd like to have a unique answer but honestly it's a tie between Final Fantasy VII and Ocarina of time. Those two I've put the most time into Final Fantasy I just got absorbed into the story and explored every nook and cranny and Ocarina I still play over and over, begining to end, I love that game.

MrRoboto19XX

03-22-2007, 01:20 AM

Earthbound/Mother 2 hands down.

Nothing finer.

The_Chosen_One

03-22-2007, 02:13 AM

It would be tough to pick a top 5 but the number 1 spot is easy:

Phantasy Star IV

LiquidPolicenaut

03-22-2007, 02:32 AM

Mmmm, I got a lot of favorites too, but If I gotta nail it down to one, it will be Lunar: EB on the Sega CD. Still play it to this day :)

pooch

03-22-2007, 02:38 AM

I still remember how captivated I was by Earthbound and Lufia 2.

DTJAAAAMJSLM

03-22-2007, 09:47 PM

Final Fantasy VIII.

PSXferrari

03-22-2007, 11:06 PM

Final Fantasy VIII.

Odd. Decent by RPG standards, but universally considered to be the worst Final Fantasy game. Any particular reason? And, not trying to be an ass by saying this, but have you played any of the other FF games?

Aussie2B

03-22-2007, 11:13 PM

Nate Nanjo

03-22-2007, 11:13 PM

Odd. Decent by RPG standards, but universally considered to be the worst Final Fantasy game. Any particular reason? And, not trying to be an ass by saying this, but have you played any of the other FF games?

Its usually one of those, love or hate games no inbetween. Like Unlimited Saga, only not as much hate.

xtremegamer

03-22-2007, 11:14 PM

Secret of Mana. I loved this game as a kid and still can sit through and play it again now. Intro music gives me tingles. I love this game!

Daria

03-22-2007, 11:14 PM

I already posted my console RPG favorites so now I'm going to name some great PC titles.

Baulder's Gate II
Fallout II
Arcanum
Knights of the Old Republic II (I know available on console too but really it's a pc genre type game)
Princess Maker II ( >.>' )

... I just noticed how much I really like sequals. Too bad they never made an Arcanum II.

PSXferrari

03-22-2007, 11:17 PM

You'd be surprised just how many people really love FFVIII, above and beyond all the other Final Fantasy titles.

Most Final Fantasy games are pretty widely enjoyed, but 8 is a love it or hate it kind of game, it seems.

Hmmm.... never realized. Always thought it was just completely bashed on. I did completely play through the game back when it was originally released, and I liked it overall but just don't think it held a candle to its predecessors. Not even a Top 10 RPG on the PS1 system. Then again, I loved Final Fantasy X, and that seems to be a disliked game by many FF fans too.

Daria

03-22-2007, 11:27 PM

Hmmm.... never realized. Always thought it was just completely bashed on. I did completely play through the game back when it was originally released, and I liked it overall but just don't think it held a candle to its predecessors. Not even a Top 10 RPG on the PS1 system. Then again, I loved Final Fantasy X, and that seems to be a disliked game by many FF fans too.

Umm... there's a lot of RPGs on the PSone. Top 10 isn't exactly extreme or anything.

FantasiaWHT

03-22-2007, 11:35 PM

I liked VIII better than VII :) My two least favorite FF's are VII and II... II's character growth system is just broken. VII is ugly, the characters are annoying, and the battles & materia system are quite unfun.

PSXferrari

03-22-2007, 11:48 PM

Umm... there's a lot of RPGs on the PSone. Top 10 isn't exactly extreme or anything.

Right, best system ever for 3D RPGs. My point is just that I'm surprised it's as popular as it seems to be when it's not even Top 10 on its system. Almost all the games listed by people so far are all-time classics. And after all, you'd expect that if people are naming of their favorite RPG ever. However, Final Fantasy VIII is a good RPG, but no classic, which I why I made that point.

Daria

03-22-2007, 11:50 PM

What's 3D or even 2D have to do with it?

PSXferrari

03-23-2007, 12:08 AM

What's 3D or even 2D have to do with it?

Why do you have to complicate things Daria? Ok..... it has to do with it because you said that the PSX had a ton of great RPGs. I agreed by saying "yes, best system for 3D RPGs ever", just to indicate how much I agreed with your point. I did not say "best system for RPGs ever" because that is easily debatable with the SNES, generally considered the best system for 2D RPGs. It was just a quick, simple statement; didn't intend for it to bother you. Jeez, I don't harass you about your complete lack of effort at volleyball.

nebrazca78

03-23-2007, 12:11 AM

8-bit: Miracle Warriors for Master System (yes I like it better than Phan Star)

16-bit: Lunar: The Silver Star for Sega CD

32-bit: Panzer Saga for Saturn

Other: Grandia for Dreamcast

Daria

03-23-2007, 12:13 AM

PSXferrari

03-23-2007, 12:22 AM

Sorry, I misread your "Right, the best system for 3D" as sarcasm. So having injected your post with that bit of negative attitude I wasn't entirely certain how to respond. I wasn't trying to complicate things.

I also suck a volleyball. :�

Ahhh... yeah, I usually am being sarcastic so I understand your point. And I don't use things like LOL to distinguish the two, so you get stuck guessing instead. No, the PSX was definitely my all-time favorite system (just check out the name), and mainly thanks to its RPGs, so I would never bash on it.

calthaer

03-23-2007, 11:30 AM

It really is difficult to narrow it down to just one or two.

Ultima VII is a masterpiece, wholly and truly. I never did finish it, but man, it was a work of genius. I've always meant to go back to that, and should, with Exult.

Planescape: Torment is also an awesome game. I would say that this game, over and above any other, has come the closest to being a true work of high art.

I also liked KOTOR (didn't get to 2 yet)

...and while I have quite fond memories of FF4 & 7 and the original Bard's Tale series, those probably don't hold up to the scrutiny that those other games do.

raregamergirl

03-23-2007, 11:55 AM

Lunar the Silver Star Story :)
others up there, though, are Lunar Eternal Blue, Skies of Arcadia and Dragon Force (if you can call that an RPG)

Wolf

03-23-2007, 01:15 PM

Too hard to name just one but this would be my top picks to date.

Final Fantasy X International ( cause the DA force you to get maximum value )

Valkyrie Profile 1 and 2

Vagrant Story ( some would say its action to me it is real time rpg )

Xenosaga III was pretty badass too.

neuropolitique

03-23-2007, 01:19 PM

Rad Racer, by far.

segagamer

03-23-2007, 01:23 PM

If I were to pick just one, then it would have to be Phantasy Star 1 on Sega Master System. Very challenging and great graphics for its time, and definitely more challenging than the sequels.

Other favorites:
Landstalker
Shining series (Genesis and Saturn)
Panzer Dragoon RPG
Ys 1
Zelda 1

segagamer

03-23-2007, 01:25 PM

Rad Racer is RPG???

TurboGenesis

03-23-2007, 05:54 PM

8-bit: Miracle Warriors for Master System (yes I like it better than Phan Star)

16-bit: Lunar: The Silver Star for Sega CD

32-bit: Panzer Saga for Saturn

Other: Grandia for Dreamcast

Real good games here!

I am also a huge fan of Miracle Warriors!

Other favorites of mine:
Y's Book I & II
Cosmic Fantasy 2
Phantasy Star II (my favorite in the franchise)
Final Fantasy III(aka VI) (my favorite in the franchise)
Chrono Trigger
Valkyrie Profile
Albert Odyssey
Star Ocean III Til the end of time
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Dragon Quest VIII (my favorite in the franchise