I loved FFIII. Now what ? What other RPG would I like?

Im almost finished Final Fantasy III, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I found it to be an exciting, enganging and fun game. Being my first RPG, sure there were a few moments of frustation, but once I got the hang of it, and developed a strategy, I thoroughly enjoyed the game. I especially loved the exploring aspects-visting towns and castles, gathering items from dungeons, and talking to the townsfolks and creatures. And the graphics? My gosh, when I entered Doga's grotto, my jaw dropped.

It will be a long wait until FF IV comes out. Until it does, are there some other RPG's, in the same caliber (or better) with similar game mechanics and aethetics as FFIII. Plenty of exploration, towns and townfolks to meet and explore, engaging storyline and with great graphics? Stylus controls would be great, but not necessary.

Many thanks in advance.

If this is your first RPG then buckle up because there are some other amazing ones, especially the final fantasys. If you are talking just the DS and if you liked FFIII that much and if you never played them before then I would recommend looking into buying the GameBoy Advance versions of the past final fantasys. They remade Final Fantasy 1 and 2 on the same cartridge, There is also FInal Fantasy IV advance, Finala Fantasy V advance, and Final Fantasy VI Advance. Since IV is coming out for DS you can wait for that but the others are all good and somewhat similar to the turn-based gameplay of III but they have the active time battle system where enemies can attack you while you are selecting your battle options and it adds another element to the battles (i like it better). The graphics are not as good because they are GBA games but if it's final fantasy you like then these are all good games to look into.

Yes get Golden Sun now...

And if you want to play the best in the genre pick up a PS1 and get FF7, 8, 9, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, Legend of Dragoon, and countless others.

M co-worker lent me her hopy of FF VII for the PS1.

The downgrade in graphics in the GBA FF games is probably the only thing keeping me from playing them.