RPG's for beginner?

[SpyHunter]

Can anyone suggest some RPG's for a beginner? I'm looking for games that are simple to play and I would prefer to control only one character.

I've played all the Zelda-type games and am looking to move into more traditional RPG's.

Any console would be OK.

[shadowkn55]

Dragon Warrior

[GillianSeed]

Can anyone suggest some RPG's for a beginner? I'm looking for games that are simple to play and I would prefer to control only one character.

I've played all the Zelda-type games and am looking to move into more traditional RPG's.

Well, one of the things that makes a traditional RPG traditional is the fact that you usually control a party. Most single-player RPGs are action-RPGs ala Zelda.

But for a great single-player character RPG, try Fallout (PC).

You could also try ChronoTrigger (SNES), your party is limited to three characters.

[Gapporin]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (SNES) is supposedly easier than your normal RPG.

[ShenmueFan]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest

[studvicious]

I third MQ. Yes, it's really easy but I rather enjoyed it. I also suggest EarthBound.

[Trebuken]

Any particular system?

Any game with Ys in the title.

Neutopia I + II for TG-16 are Zelda clones.
Any NES rpg's, maybe excluding Final Fantasy.

[bangtango]

Eternal Eyes for Playstation 1 is perfect for your needs. The gameplay is very linear and you don't do very much wandering around, so the chances of getting lost are nil. You control more than one character but it is turn-based action and the game is very user-friendly for a beginner. Even though it is one of the simpler RPG's for a "newer" system, it is a real favorite of mine. It takes even less time to beat than Dragon Warrior because it is a lot easier to level up your characters.

Dragon Warrior is actually a lot harder than people give it credit for, if someone is in a hurry to get through the game. If you don't take long periods of time to stay in one place and raise your experience levels, you can get your ass handed to you by "stronger" enemies on a regular basis. Outside of that, it is a fairly good adventure for a novice RPG fan. Be forewarned that 60-70% of the game is spent solely on killing enemies to boost your stats (experience and gold) and wandering around caves looking for items that you need to finish the game. As for actual plot development, it is fairly nil. There are only 2-3 big things you are actually "required to do" to finish the game and all of those involve collecting items. There are a couple of towns and caves you don't even need to visit and you could still finish the game ok.

[D_N_G]

crystalis nes
super mario rpg snes
ff mystic quest snes

[Vectorman0]

I think any of the Gameboy/GBC Pokemon games would be a great start. Don't let the kiddy facade fool you, it's a great game underneath, and a good one for beginners too.

[Frica89]

Definitely Super Mario RPG. I got that game when I was real little, I'll say six years old, and I managed to beat it (with a guide) over the course of a few months. It was the first RPG I ever played, and it did an excellent job of easing me into the genre. It stands today as my all-time favorite game.

[exit]

Earthbound is a great game to get into as a beginner. It's very light hearted and doesn't take itself very seriously, so you'll find yourself having a few laughs throughout the game.

[Poofta!]

most of the suggestions here are very crappy games.

earthbound, super mario rpg and fallout are all top notch. (i recommend them too)

the nes rpgs while fit your criteria, are pretty shoddy by todays' standards.

id recommend Fable (pc,xbox), Alundra (first one) (ps1), Diablo II (i know, its a quasi-rpg), The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (i know oblivion is new and omg beautiful, but morrowind is much more of an rpg, with a far far superior story).
anything in the Mana series, while it has 3 characters, there isnt much character leveling to worry about, and it plays in real time.

[Jorpho]

I would suggest Chrono Trigger, but then every RPG you play afterwards will seem inferior.

If you're not used to the idea of exploring (which is a nice way to describe backtracking and searching every nook and cranny for goodies), then CT might still be a bit too advanced, but the battle system is easy to get a handle on, the presentation is spectacular, and it isn't overly long.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Damaramu]

Fucking Fable, man. that's a great game! Get the one with the new stuff added. My wife loves that game and plays it often. Sorry if this post is rough in tone. I'm a bit...uh...drunk off of vodka I was drinking while gaming with friends. Mwahaha!

But yeah, Fable is a great game and I'm looking forward to Fable 2. Sex and a dog? I'm there! Just not at the same time!

[PallarAndersVisa]

Wild Arms (PSX)

[Daria]

RPGs for the most part aren't... complicated. Sure the difficulty level for a boss can be high, but generally leveling up can remedie that problem and has little to do with how well a fledgling RPG gamer would enjoy the game. That said I'd avoid a number cruncher like Disgaea that requires a bible sized strategy guide to explain the "strategies" for power leveling your troops. I'd also steer clear of old school computer to console ports like Buck Rogers or Rings of Power, not that you were planning on playing those anyways.

Point being the traditonal Japanese RPG doesn't require any sort of dumbing down to be easily understood or even enjoyed by gamers of all experience levels. The menu systems are generally very straight forward, and the storylines progress in a very limited linear fashion. So step away from that copy of Mystic Quest and pick up virtually any popular SNES or PSX title. Reccomendations as follows:

SNES:
Chrono Trigger
Lufia II
Breath of Fire II
Super Mario RPG
Final Fantasy III
Secret of Mana

PSX:
Breath of Fire III
Alundra
Final Fantasy IX
Grandia
Lunar
Lunar 2
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Suikoden
Suikoden II
Tales of Destiny II
Valkyrie Profile
Vandal Hearts
Wild Arms
Xenogears

Genesis:
Crusader of Centy
Landstalker
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star IV
Shining Force
Shining Force II

[Cambot]

Young Merlin for SNES.

[ubersaurus]

I wouldn't have gotten into RPGs had it not been for Earthbound, Mario RPG, and Chrono Trigger. Definitely all three of those are good choices.

In fact any of the Mario RPGs are really good choices.