Favorite Action RPG's

[Tommy]

So just wondering since I haven't seen this before, but what are y'alls favorite Action RPG's. Mine is Legend of Mana. Can SOTN be considered action or an RPG for that matter? Let me know, need to find out what's good so I can play. Thanks.

[roushimsx]

Can SOTN be considered action or an RPG for that matter?

I don't see any reason why it couldn't. It's got an experience system and level building, and those are two major components (or one major component, really) for determining whether or not something falls under the over arching RPG umbrella (though in a more general sense, aren't you always playing a role in a game?).

For an action rpg, I've always considered it to be something that's an RPG but doesn't have a separate battle system (which rules out Rogue Galaxy, Dark Cloud 2, and even Yakuza from being strict action rpgs). SotN falls within that pretty neatly and then gets everyone confused because it's all integrated with a side scrolling platform/adventure game. UnF, do I love me some SotN.

On the PC, I really enjoyed Westwood's "Nox". Came out a bit before Diablo II and imo was a better evolution of Diablo than Diablo II was. Good story, great controls, and some of the slickest fucking mulitplayer you'll ever see in a game of that type. Sacred is supposed to be pretty good but I've yet to try it...apparently it's better than Divine Divinity, which I also really enjoyed...

on consoles, I had a hell of a fun time with Ys I+II and Ys IV on PCE CD along with Ys VI on PS2. Ys III is a bit too bare bones for me and i'm still holding out for a translation of Ys V. Ys IV SNES isn't terrible, but the pacing on it is worse than that of the PCE CD version...not bad, just gets a bit tiring at points. (Ys IV suffers from an incomplete translation, necessitating an open page to a dialog translation faq while you play).

Just to throw an asshat monkey wrench in there, I'll also vote for Deus Ex and System Shock 2. Both are freakin' excellent, though the weapon degradation and respawning enemies in System Shock 2 can make for a good annoyance on an initial playthrough. Co Op with a buddy or two makes the first run so much better.

[exit]

The Ys series is definitely my favorite Action RPG series, it's a shame that the series never caught on here. Xak is another neat one, but nobody has really seemed to translate any of them but th third, so I never had a chance to get into it.

[Hwj_Chim]

I will put my vote towards SOTN. If that game don't count then I will say Odin Sphere.

[Haoie]

I'm still inclined to call Symphony a platformer, because of all the platforms and what not.

So it's either that, or Seiken Densetsu 3, which apparently is like Legend of Mana, but better.

[2Dskillz]

sticking in classic genre borders, I will say Crystalis

[BydoEmpire]

Temple of Apshai series, and the Inty D&D games.

[Nirvana]

I love Legend of Mana.

[diskoboy]

Phantasy Star Online.

But it was perfect on the Dreamcast. I wasn't even remotely impressed with the Xbox or Cube version.

Online functionallity was just applied better on the DC.

[darkhades]

Faxanadu

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Im an Action Rpg nut

My favs

On the fence
Zelda Lttp OOT MM WW and TP
Alundra 1

In huddle
Twisted Takes of Spike Mcfang
Odin Sphere

[Daria]

I love Alundra. It has a fantasic story, and a series of very challenging puzzles. One of my favorite RPGs and my most favorite action RPG.

That said I also enjoed many of the 2D Zeldas, Seiken Densetsu 3, Fable, CIMA: The Enemy, Crystalis, Popful Mail, & Spike McFang.

[RJ]

I think we've previously considered Diablo-type games as action RPGs- so:

Diablo
Baldur's Gate: DA
Champs. Norrath: RoE
Darkstone (decent if ugly PS Diablo clone)
Bard's Tale (PS2)

& waiting to play Fallout: BoS (PS2) but I have to wait a few wks for my birthday.

[Daria]

Oh I loved Bards Tale... normally don't crae for the console Baulder's Gate type games, but that one was hilarious.

[Steve W]

I've played very few RPGs, let alone action RPGs, but some of the good ones stand out in my memory. Exile for the TurboGrafx-16 CD was really good. Rygar on the NES was another one. If you want to consider it an RPG, I'd also say Tower of Doom on the Intellivision. Phantasy Star Online was, in my opinion, the best action RPG I've ever played. I've loved both the Dreamcast and the GameCube versions. Phantasy Star Universe didn't even get close to the same feeling of fun (admittedly, I never went online with either one of them).

[vgc]

Skies of Arcadia - Dreamcast

Mike : )

[heybtbm]

No one's mentioned Chrono Trigger? C'mon people.

[Neo Rasa]

Maybe no one mentioned it because it's not an action RPG like Legend of Zelda, Ys, Alundra, etc.

[Tron 2.0]

Zelda:Serise in general
Ys 1-4:TG16/PCE version of corse i have yet to play the remakes.
Alundra
Land Stalker
Exile 1-2
Beyond Oasis
Legend of Oasis
Crusader of the Centy
Legend of Mana
Brave Fencer Musashi
Neutopia 1&2
Odin Sphere
PSO

[RPG_Fanatic]

Zelda-A Link To The Past
Alundra
Landstalker