Dark Savior for the Sega Saturn. I remember the day I bought it, I played it for so long I got a migraine. As a game it was pretty sub-standard, but as a piece of story-telling, I was properly engrossed. It had character.
This game was incredible; very long, multiple endings, a compelling story, likable (and genuinely detestable) characters, the ability to customize every aspect of your army, right down to the names of the individual soldiers (I had all my friends in my squads :P ) and it got some great critical acclaim.
It's only flaw was underexposure and a short production run; too few people had heard of it (nevermind purchased it)
Dark Savior for the Sega Saturn. I remember the day I bought it, I played it for so long I got a migraine. As a game it was pretty sub-standard, but as a piece of story-telling, I was properly engrossed. It had character.Terpsichore-23
Agreed... I liked the multiple scenarios. The controls and the battle system were very simple. but thestory was fantastic. a remake or sequal would be fantastic. I remember you could play through it first time, complete it quite swiftly, but, continue from the end game save, and things are different. scenes and decisions played through differently.I think there were 6 different scenarios, and it got very dark and challenging later on in the game.
An interesting title that was very well reviewed at the time if i remember correctly? Probably hasn't aged very well though... But worth a play through for the story.
Shadowrun for the Genesis. I had a very nice time with that game.
djsundowner
coulda swore Shadowrun was a SNES exclusive. But I agree, if it's the same one, Very good game. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Pretty hard in some places too:D
Breath of Fire III for the PS1. Didn't get great reviews but it's easily one of my favorite ps1 RPGs. In fact I'd go so far as to say the entire Breath of Fire series is underated. Which is a shame as they are all great games and I'd like to see Capcom make another.
Shadowrun for the Genesis. I had a very nice time with that game.
Odnomiar
coulda swore Shadowrun was a SNES exclusive. But I agree, if it's the same one, Very good game. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Pretty hard in some places too:D naw it was on both systems though I enjoyed the Genesis version more
For the life of me, I don't know why Chrono Cross never gets enough mention or credit. Heck, Gamespot gave it a 10 out of 10 (an extreme rarity)and it was even released 3 years after FFVII and FFVII (a 9.5 rating from Gamespot) stillgets much, much more praise and attention than Chrono Cross.FFVII getsa prequel game (Crisis Core) and afull CG movie depicting the aftermathand what does ChronoCross get? Nothing.
It had great characters that were fully developed along the story arc. It had many riveting twists and and turns and getting the real ending was truly involving and getting it was like discovering an uber-Easter egg in a game. And let me just highlight the mid-game twist that will really hit you out from left field. The start of the game even had a brief scene alluding to that mid-game uber twist and that alone truly raises its credibility as being a game with a well thought out story and any true and great RPG has a great story to drive the player's actions.
Where is the love for this game? I always cringe whenever I read "What are the best PS1 RPGs?" threads indifferent forum sites andthe first fewpages are just filled with FF this and FF that and some other obscure niche RPGs.
I'm not sure. Most of the RPG's I played when I was younger, like FFI - VI, all get rated very high. Secret of Mana and Evermore also get good ratings, as does Chrono Trigger. I suppose the only game I remember playing and not hearing alot about was E.V.O.: The Search For Eden. So I guess I'll say that E.V.O. is an underrated RPG.
Legend of Dragoon definitely gets an undeserved bad rap, it remains one of my favorite RPGs. I'd say more about that one, but it seems pretty well covered by everyone else. Another one is Suikoden II, a true gem of a game that bombed at release (Konami released it right when Final Fantasy 8 came out, you can guess which one everyone knew and cared about). While Gamespot gave it a lowly 7.6, the user average is a 9.4, a much more deserving score in my book.
For the life of me, I don't know why Chrono Cross never gets enough mention or credit. Heck, Gamespot gave it a 10 out of 10 (an extreme rarity)and it was even released 3 years after FFVII and FFVII (a 9.5 rating from Gamespot) stillgets much, much more praise and attention than Chrono Cross.FFVII getsa prequel game (Crisis Core) and afull CG movie depicting the aftermathand what does ChronoCross get? Nothing.
It had great characters that were fully developed along the story arc. It had many riveting twists and and turns and getting the real ending was truly involving and getting it was like discovering an uber-Easter egg in a game. And let me just highlight the mid-game twist that will really hit you out from left field. The start of the game even had a brief scene alluding to that mid-game uber twist and that alone truly raises its credibility as being a game with a well thought out story and any true and great RPG has a great story to drive the player's actions.
Where is the love for this game? I always cringe whenever I read "What are the best PS1 RPGs?" threads indifferent forum sites andthe first fewpages are just filled with FF this and FF that and some other obscure niche RPGs.
futs22
I agree 110% with everything you wrote. Although I may be a little biased. *looks up at avatar.
Edit: Oh, and no one mentioned the original shadow hearts. Shame on you all.
For the life of me, I don't know why Chrono Cross never gets enough mention or credit. Heck, Gamespot gave it a 10 out of 10 (an extreme rarity)and it was even released 3 years after FFVII and FFVII (a 9.5 rating from Gamespot) stillgets much, much more praise and attention than Chrono Cross.FFVII getsa prequel game (Crisis Core) and afull CG movie depicting the aftermathand what does ChronoCross get? Nothing.
It had great characters that were fully developed along the story arc. It had many riveting twists and and turns and getting the real ending was truly involving and getting it was like discovering an uber-Easter egg in a game. And let me just highlight the mid-game twist that will really hit you out from left field. The start of the game even had a brief scene alluding to that mid-game uber twist and that alone truly raises its credibility as being a game with a well thought out story and any true and great RPG has a great story to drive the player's actions.
Where is the love for this game? I always cringe whenever I read "What are the best PS1 RPGs?" threads indifferent forum sites andthe first fewpages are just filled with FF this and FF that and some other obscure niche RPGs.
freshwb
I agree 110% with everything you wrote. Although I may be a little biased. *looks up at avatar.
Edit: Oh, and no one mentioned the original shadow hearts. Shame on you all.
I think Secret of evermore (SNES) is the most underated RPG IMO, it had great boss battles and the overall story was great.
archvile_78
I agree 100%
Lufia II on SNES is quite underated too i believe. *expect someone stupid enough to say FFVII*
i think lufia 2 was pretty underatted as well the gameplay was a little different than most thing you see now... final fantasy mystic quest was another one
I'm not sure. Most of the RPG's I played when I was younger, like FFI - VI, all get rated very high. Secret of Mana and Evermore also get good ratings, as does Chrono Trigger. I suppose the only game I remember playing and not hearing alot about was E.V.O.: The Search For Eden. So I guess I'll say that E.V.O. is an underrated RPG.
Before I typed in my post about Chrono Cross, I was choosing between Legend of Legaia and Chrono Cross. I chose Chrono Cross since I actually finished it and took the time to seek out how to get the real ending. As for Legend of Legaia, I got pretty far into the game, but my older brother ruined it for me since we were playing it at the same time using different memory cards so that we wouldn't accidentally overwrite each other's save games. The thing is, he got so engrossed in it, he would sometimes hog the PS1 and I would end up watching him. So, I just watched him finish it.
I will however, give credit where credit is due. That being said, I also believe that Legend of Legaia didn't get enough recognition for being a great RPG.
Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2 are underestimated, even though it is a very popular series, more people should check it out. I love being a Lvl 99 Sora and going Final Form to just destroy the Heartless and Nobodies.
I can't believe no one has said Mother/Earthbound zero.
Jelley0
Earthbound is pretty widely regarded as one of the best SNES games of all time, it has a rabid following of worshippers. I don't think it's underrated. I can't understand why in the hell Nintendo hasn't delivered this hard to find game to the VC. That might prove to be a tipping point for me when it comes to getting a Wii.
I agree with all posts here. Chrono Cross was on one of the most amazing rpgs to come out of Japan, but there was a whimper about it. Come and gone and yet it had everything from characters, a fantastic story and uber music. There's not even a hint of a another Chrono game on the horizon which makes financial sense cause Square are milking their FF cow for all it's worth. Grandia being underrated seems almost criminal. Dunno really, played a large amount of rpgs in my life... umm... Terranigma? don't know if it's underrated or not.
Log in to comment