Topic: Evan_B's Recommended RPGs

[Evan_B]

I've been contemplating redoing my blog to pretty much exclusively cover RPGs lately, but I play too many other genres for that to be my sole focus. So I figured, why not share some of the fun with you guys? I'd like to talk about some of my favorite RPGs in recent memory so I don't clog the reviews section with this stuff.

As you may know, I play a lot of 3DS/Wii U, but since one of those things doesn't have jack **** in terms of RPGs I'll also draw upon my PS Classics, VC, and PC stuff. Let's talk about great, underrated, or unknown RPGs!

Recent Favorites:

The Keep:
I gave this title a whole lot of love on my podcast, and I am a huge sucker for First-Person-Western RPGs. Despite it's higher-end price point, the Keep has great presentation values and a surprisingly good combat system for a 3DS real time RPG. Add in multiple difficulty levels, decent puzzling, and growth based- equipment rewarding dedicated player choice, and you have a 3DS eShop title that is well-worth the price.

Phantasy Star:
Yeah, I have been pining for a retro feel after the bitter taste Bravely Default left in my mouth so I started playing Phantasy Star again on VC. It's crazy to think that this game came out before Final Fantasy and features a female protagonist, but it's a pretty traditional dungeon-crawling sci-fi JRPG. However, the music is great and the character builds are interesting and satisfying. Excited to play the rest of the series.

Solatorobo: Red the Hunter:
Proof that JRPGs don't need to beat your head against the wall with difficulty spikes or even really in-depth combat systems, Solatorobo is a totally underrated action RPG with cool customization, repetitive combat, but stellar presentation values and a very engaging and lovable story. I'd be lying if I said I didn't roll my eyes pretty hard when I first started playing but gradually became very immersed in the world and characters of the story. There's also plenty to do and collect in the game so it feels especially full.

Will post more soon!

[ejamer]

...
Phantasy Star:
Yeah, I have been pining for a retro feel after the bitter taste Bravely Default left in my mouth so I started playing Phantasy Star again on VC. It's crazy to think that this game came out before Final Fantasy and features a female protagonist, but it's a pretty traditional dungeon-crawling sci-fi JRPG. However, the music is great and the character builds are interesting and satisfying. Excited to play the rest of the series.
...

Every couple of years I go back to this game. Haven't finished it yet, because the gameplay is so unabashedly old-school that it eventually wears on me, but each time I get a little bit further along before dropping the game in favor of something else.


I really want to play through the full Phantasy Star series eventually, and have access to them on GBA (I through III) and PSP (II through IV). But I need to get through this game first.  Maybe this year will be the year?

[Dan Laser]

Thanks for the interesting coverage so far - looking forward to seeing what else is on your list! I really regret not picking up Solatorobo when I had the chance (although I'm so bad at finishing RPGs that it would probably still be sitting unplayed in my backlog anyways haha).

[Evan_B]

Cthulhu Saves the World:
This is a Steam RPG from the guys who made Breath of Death (3?), and it's delightfully bizarre. The story is mostly there for laughs, but good dialogue and wacky situations and characters sell the very DQ-ish mechanics. Also, it has a great and insightful director's commentary that is accessible in-game! It also has a few neat battle mechanics and decent depth.

Crimson Shroud:
If you own a 3DS and don't have Crimson Shroud... Well, that's okay. It's a very like-it-or-hate-it experience. If you have any sort of love for dice-based tabletop games, though, you should really check this game out. It features a number of clever and forward-thinking mechanics, a solid plot, fantastic music, and has a new game+ that opens new areas, raises the difficulty, and an alternate ending! There's a definite difficulty curve, and the only flaw I can really give the game is an ambiguous localization that forces the player to grind for a certain drop halfway through the game. Even though you'll have to consult a guide just once, that doesn't stop Crimson Shroud from being one of my favorite RPGs in recent memory.

Nox:
Ah, Nox. A strangely comedic RPG that plays on it's strengths. Choose one of three paths- the warrior, wizard, or conjurer, and play through three very unique storylines that have intertwining characters and themes. Nox may feel standard, but once you sink your teeth into each class' unique combat mechanics and weirdly charming stories (there's a guy named Horrendous), you'll enjoy Nox very much. It's also hard as nails, so get ready to abuse that quick save!

[Evan_B]

Ys Book I and II:
This game is what made me want to try the rest of the series, which I've been mostly disappointed with upon picking up. I actually believe that these two games are some of the easiest retro RPGs to pick up because of their quick and easy combat system, very polished (and incredible) soundtrack, and shorter playtime. Ys I and II are Action RPGs that prove relentless in pattern memorization and difficulty- even with the best gear in the game and a maxed out character, the final boss is still tough. But if you are looking for a classic to fall in love with, look no further than Ys: Book I and II.

The Last Story:
Some might remember my rave reviews when this game first came out. I proclaimed that this was on par with Xenoblade Chronicles. While I still stand by that statement, I will say that this game is not for everyone. However, if you're looking for a more intimate RPG that takes some liberties with design and mixes up conventions, I strongly recommend this game. The intricacies of its battle system aren't revealed until around the tenth chapter, but the combat mechanics become more and more satisfying as you continue playing. The plot is a bit standard, but definitely has it's twists and turns, and the game delights in putting players into new and rewarding situations with its design.  Also, there's a wonderful soundtrack. It's detail is just as impressive as Xenoblade just on a much smaller scale.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time:
Have friends close by? Enjoy co-operative dungeon crawlers? Liked Crystal Chronicles but never enjoyed the Magicite Pot? Is this the game for you! Also, you can still play online thanks to the weird engine Square Enix created to allow this game to play on differen systems. Anyway, Echoes of Time is the most polished and bizarre entry in the series, with a solid magic system, tons of customization (weapon and armor crafting is insane), and a touching and strange single player story. Want to beat the final boss on very hard mode? Good luck, unless you have a team of maxed out mercenaries or three friends! Features decent music, but the co-operative player, or the one that loves crafting, will find the most joy in this title.

[Evan_B]

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch:
As a huge Studio Ghibli fan, I was floored by the presentation of this title, as it literally looks like one of their movies brought to life. Also coupled with an incredible soundtrack, the one weakness I would give this game is the story, which feels a bit strange and drawn out. However, the gameplay of Ni No Kuni is very unique, and I would argue that it's one of the most enjoyable combat systems I've used in recent memory, having played through the game alongside a friend and never really feeling like the progression of mechanics went beyond me. However, it is very tactical and features many layers of depth, so many different players can enjoy something about this title. It's certainly a very beautiful and classy JRPG, which stands out from the rest of the bunch for a number of reasons.

Digimon World: Dawn/Dusk:
Looking for more monster catching? How about more traditional RPG combat? I guess Digimon World: Dawn and/or Dusk might be the game for you. While Digimon hasn't enjoyed the same popularity as Pokemon, the games are always solid, and this title is no exception. The story requires no understanding of previous titles, and features a staggering amount of Digimon that actually manages to stick in your head quite a bit, since it's interesting and exploitable evolution mechanics are intertwined in many ways. The music is fairly good, as well, with quite a few great tracks. The game's content, even after the main story, is pretty impressive, and I'm glad to say you'll invest a lot more time doing unique things in this game than your normal Pokemon entry. Also, the final, post-game "boss" is insanely impressive and will make you feel truly accomplished.

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan
Ah, Atlus. You make many games, but they usually feature a very traditional battle system that is expanded upon with a franchises' unique "twists". Like Etrian Odyssey! The team-based mechanics and job skill classes make this game's combat an initially-frustrating but ultimately rewarding delight. Mixed with the exploration mechanics, Etrian Odyssey IV in particular seems to have the most original ideas in the series, mixing dungeon exploration with specific gimmicks (thanks to the inclusion of smaller-sized caves), overworld travel where avoiding FOEs is key, and a wealth of jobs with unique traits that synergize in many different ways. Its time-based system that effects enemy placement, type, and even your own personal resource management is quite novel too, but here it gels the best. Add a absolutely amazing soundtrack and one of the best final dungeons I've ever played, and I rank Etrian Odyssey IV pretty high on my personal list of favorites.

[Wah]

Play the mass effect series. You game-depraved Nintendo geeks!
Mass effect 2 is seen as one of the best games of all time

[Evan_B]

I'm currently looking into finding a way to play the first two Mass Effect titles, as I have heard they are very good. Best game of all time, however... Not too sure about that.

[Triforce Hermit]

ME series is extremely overrated like all of Bioware's games.

If you like the Ys series, try Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Made by the same people and I personally think it is better.

[Evan_B]

I've been playing Ys Seven quite a bit and I'm not sure I totally love where the series went, but that also give me an excuse to talk about Fairune!

This is a cheap RPG you can pick up on iOS or 3DS, and it is a clear image to old Ys titles. However, where Fairyne differs is it's deceptive achievement hunting nature, which has challenges ranging from killing or seeing every monster to low-death count runs and even speed-running this relatively short game. If not for my great love of Ys I and II I may not have picked this title up, but I'm glad I did because it's cuteness, low price, and addictive quality are wonderful, and it's a title one can easily replay but takes a bit more finesse to master. It has an awesome final boss, too! There's a sequel in the works that I'm quite curious about.

[Wah]

ME series is extremely overrated like all of Bioware's games.

If you like the Ys series, try Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Made by the same people and I personally think it is better.

it's overrated for a reason have you ever played it?
No?
Shut up.
ME3 was **** but 2 omg 2 is one of the best games ever I see it better then Zelda OOT!

[Evan_B]

Cool man, I can't wait to check it out.

I have heard very good things about it.

[Triforce Hermit]

ME series is extremely overrated like all of Bioware's games.

If you like the Ys series, try Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Made by the same people and I personally think it is better.

it's overrated for a reason have you ever played it?
No?
Shut up.
ME3 was **** but 2 omg 2 is one of the best games ever I see it better then Zelda OOT!

I have played the entire series with multiple playthroughs and probably have 300 hours into the series. So yes, I have played it. I have done everything but the DLCs and if the DLC are what makes it "the best game ever", then that furthers my point. The story is lackluster and overdramatizes to try and keep you interested, the characters have no development, and entire concept of dialogue is "Up is good, down is bad, sometimes you hold left".

That last one I especially have a problem with. All I hear is "OMG THE CHOICES ARE SO DIFFICULT AND REAL." No it's not. If you are being a bad person, then go down. If you are being good, go up. HOW IS THAT DIFFICULT?! I've done multiple ME1 playthroughs and it was so boring (achievement hunting) that I just hold up everytime I talked and rushed through it. Shocker, by the end of the game, I was full paragon. Then when this choice is given to you at the ending, it is a giant problem and ruined the series? Really? I don't like Dragon Age, but at least they want you to read the dialogue and think about what the decision does.

I'll give credit where credit is due. The Genophage story was perfectly done and showed the culture's struggle extremely well. But only because they focused so much on it and left the other races as an afterthought.

The rest of the game is mediocre, but because it is Bioware, everyone think its the greatest thing ever and anything bad about it is EA's fault.

Edit: And what is this obsession people have with ME2? That was the weakest out of all the titles imo.
Edit 2: Also, let's try to avoid derailing Evan's thread.

[Wah]

well, I liked it

[Evan_B]

Like I said, it's a recommended RPGs thread, so I appreciate the recommendation.

[Wah]

well, I liked it

and just because a game is overrated doesn't mean its a bad game,
that means Mario Zelda and Pokémon all suck if that's true!

[Evan_B]

Of course, sometimes it just means the fanbase is loud enough to express their opinions about it and make it seem like it is a largely enjoyed game. Which, it might be. I'm not saying it isn't.

Dragon Warrior Monsters 2:
There's actually two different versions of this game, mimicking Pokemon's formula with a few more notable changes, but like I said with Digimon- if you like monster collecting but are looking for something a bit more traditional, this game has got you. Featuring a lovely GBC soundtrack from the games composer of the franchise as well as an interesting story that far exceeds the original DWM in many aspects, the game just feels good and is quite substantial. You might need a guide if you're looking to make a specific monster with the breeding system (fairly complex for a GBC RPG), but otherwise, it's a relaxing and cute installment that we will never see the remake of because modern Square Enix hates the west.

Shin Megami Tensei IV:
As someone who has recently become quite enamored with Atlus (having played very few of their pre-PS2 titles), I've missed out on some of their series, but I decided to jump right into SMTIV and see what all the fuss was about. To say the game is hard is overselling it a bit- the game just features several difficulty spikes in which the player must experiment upon new demons and catalogue their strengths and weaknesses. The first six hours are truly a test of dedication, but once the game opens up a bit and gives you freedom to complete challenges and explore, SMTIV becomes a surprisingly lengthy and continuously rewarding experience. There's a few technical and mechanics aspects that seem questionable, but overall it looks, feels, and definitely sounds like a full-fledged console RPG on a handheld, rather thanone designed for the limitations of the 3DS. The story isn't that great, but it is wacky... And edgy.

Crystal Warriors:
You thought I'd talk about a strategy series like Fire a emblem first, didn't you? WRONG. Crystal Warriors is an SRPG released for the Sega Game Gear, so it's not exactly a well-known title. While it features pretty standard affinity system (water, fire, earth, wind, light, shadow), it's highly portable nature, especially on 3DS, allows the player to not worry too much about their choices. Another feature unique to the game is it's summon system, where there are roaming, unaffiliated mobs that the player can engage and, once defeated, become a summon for the character that slew them. It allows a little bit more of a EXP grind for under-leveled characters, and the summon can also be used to tank hits from enemies. As well as having their own elemental affinity, summons are a key element in strategy and character building that offer a great deal of replayability. It's not a mind-blowing SRPG, but it is surprisingly well-constructed and fun for a cheap timesink.

[Evan_B]

Oh boy, here we go. It's time to put Pokemon on the list.

Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Before the franchise added a type, ridiculous evolution options, and an increased emphasis on story, we had a remake of a game which... Added two types, ridiculous evolution options, and increased emphasis on story. However, HeartGold and SoulSilver are what I consider to be the essential Pokemon experience because it's twice the game any other entry in the series, featuring a narrative that takes you from Johto to Kanto, with a number of quirky narrative arcs along the way. It also brings back the unnecessary but fun feature of Pokemon Yellow where your first team member follows you outside it's Pokeball. The mechanics are sound, the graphics are crisp, the music is wonderful, and it's a meaty experience that doesn't feel empty. Sure, the more recent games have nicer graphics, but HeartGold and SoulSilver are classic looking and feeling games.

Dokapon Kingdom:
Take Mario Party. Make it even more destructive. Turn it into a deep, job-based and turned-based RPG and you have Dokapon Kingdom. The impressive thing is, the game functions as both a cooperative story based RPG as well as a friendship-destroying party game. The mechanics are deep, the potential to ruin your friends is present and delightful, and the story campaign is extensive. Best party game ever.

[ejamer]

...
Dokapon Kingdom:
Take Mario Party. Make it even more destructive. Turn it into a deep, job-based and turned-based RPG and you have Dokapon Kingdom. The impressive thing is, the game functions as both a cooperative story based RPG as well as a friendship-destroying party game. The mechanics are deep, the potential to ruin your friends is present and delightful, and the story campaign is extensive. Best party game ever.

During your first game, it's hard to know what's going on. You have no idea what the real scope of the game is while starting off, and the random movement and rock-paper-scissors combat seem really limiting. But anyone who sticks with the game long enough will find there are tons of things to do and uncover in this game.


Take over towns, build them up, bring gifts to the king, make deals with a demon, change your class and level up differently, change your opponents name and haircut just to show them you're the boss, get kidnapped by aliens, or send an assassin robot after your foes. That's just scratching the surface.


I don't know if it counts as an RPG or not, but Dokapon Kingdom is a really interesting experience and certainly worth trying if you can find a copy.

[Mop it up]

Yeah, Dokapon Kingdom is a pretty neat idea. I just don't know anyone who wants to sink that amount of time into a game, so I have to stick with "casual" games like Mario Party.

Coincidentally, Pokémon HeartGold is still my fave in the series.

[Wah]

Xenoblade 3d.
Holy salamander Cuttlefish.
Is this game good.

[Evan_B]

Yeah, I could write endless praise for Xenoblade, but I didn't want to go with the most obvious choice with the start of thread.

For the record, and if anyone would like me to elaborate, my top 3 RPGs of all time are:
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Chrono Trigger
Xenoblade Chronicles

With Ys Book 1 and 2 and FF: Crystal Chronicles as 4 and 5.

[Wah]

what about super Mario RPG?

[Evan_B]

It's a great game, but kind of marred by the imprecise platforming and overabundance of original characters and species. The soundtrack is good but not amazing, and the story is not as compelling as Thousand Year Door. It's still amazing but it doesn't scratch my top ten.

[Wah]

You might like the Phoenix wright games,
I frickin love them.
buy on Nintendo Eshop today!