Inspired by the recent blogs posted by RPG TEMPLE member AZELKOSMOS, I felt like sharing my personal top 10 RPG list. Please feel free free to respond with either your own top 10 list, thoughts on my list, or even better, suggestions as to what games I should check out next.
Whilest compiling the list, I had 2 key observations:
- very few of my favorites are recent titles from the last generations
- the PSone era was by leaps and bounds the best era in RPG gaming
Here is my list:
10. SHINING FORCE II (S-GEN)- This was the first grid based strategy RPG I ever played, and its unique (at the time) battle system was a breath of fresh air. The story wasn't overly great, but the game had just enough charm to go along with its addictive battle scenarios. This series should have remained a bright spot in SEGA's lineup, as it was really the inspiration that would lead to a whole new sub-genre (the strategy-RPG) but by the time the series hit the PS2, it had become a generic hack'n'slash affair, as series like Final Fantasy Tactics, Disgaea, Phantom Brave, Fire Emblem and such now reaped the benefits of the gameplay mechanics that Shining Force I &II inspired.
9. ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION GOTYE (PS3) - The only current generation title to make my list, but a title that I thoroughly enjoyed. Actually, I'm still enjoying it, because the damned game is 300 hours long, and I'm still only about 100 hours along, yet to get the main quest rolling at full speed. The open concept isn't for everyone, but I was thrilled to be able to go anywhere and do anything I wanted, and at times it was enjoyable just roaming the gameworld without any particular motivation other than pure exploration. The combat was intense being in real-time first person, and the depth and impressively massive worlds and dungeonswere staggering. The weather effects and realistic time passing night to day really help draw you into the concept. My only complaints are that they removed 2 of my favorite features from Morrowind; the ablility to layer many different styles and types of armors and clothing to create truly unique looking character, and the point and click open item menu screen. That said, thank the good maker they fixed the journal system.
8. PHANTASY STAR IV (S-GEN) - This entire early Phantasy Star lineup always intrigued me simply because it chose a sci-fi setting when it seemed everyone else was stuck in the dungeons and dragons mold, and this was the best game in the series. Sadly, it was also the last game worth playing in the series, as future installments would go in a new direction, replacing the anime inspired turn based format with a repetative hack'n'slash level grinding affair set amongst forgettable online-enabled environments when it hit the Dreamcast. The series then sunk to its lowest point when SEGA decided the Nintendo GameCube needed a phantasy star game that used card based combat. After another lukewarm response to"Phantasy Star Univers" on the current consoles, one has to wonder if this once wonderous series has been tarnished too far to make a comeback.
7. VALKYRIE PROFILE /VALKYRIE PROFILE II: SILMERIA (PS1/PSP/PS2) - A hit and miss series with most folks, but I really enjoyed this unique experience. It was very odd in it's design in that it had players explore towns and dungeons that were in 2D format but very highly detailed, and those linear 2D environments were connected to form a 3D-ish map area. It also used a strange combat system, as characters in your party were pre-assigned to a certain slot or button, and you would commence their attacks by hitting the corresponding button sequences. The visuals and artistic style alone make these games memorable, and the story set in a Norse mytho gave the games a unique flavor. It won't be for everyone, as the 2D portions take some getting used to, but if you're looking for something "different", this is it.
6. CHRONO TRIGGER (PS1/SNES) - No disrespect to Final Fantasy 2/3 or Secret of Mana, but this was the finest of the SNES RPGs, if for nothing more than its completely original and fascinatingly deep and inspired story. That said, it was also a tone of fun in the gameplay department and had plenty of graphical shine for its day. LOL, who am I kidding!? I'll be honest, I never played this on the SNES because it was hard to find and pricey, and it was only years later than I was able to enjoy it as part of the PSone's "final fantasy chronicles" set. Regardless, a fantastic game worthy of a spot in the top 10, and a game I most definitely would have had on the SNES had I not had my head up my arse.
5. DRAGON WARRIOR (NES) - I can't remember if the main character had a given name, nor can I remember exactly what I loved so much about this game, but I do remember that the fairy flute is burried four steps south of the bath in Kol, that the Axe Warrior won't give up Erdrik's armour very easily, and that metal slimes were experience points galore. It was slow paced, it was frustrating (why do torches only light up like four blocks of the room!?) and it was a level grinder, but this was my first RPG, and still one of my faves.
4. FINAL FANTASY VII (PS1) - An obvious pick, but it belongs here. This was the game that trulytook RPGs into the 3D and cutscene era, and it remains a fantastic story played out by some of the most memorable and beloved characters. It often gets over-hyped almost at tedium, but there's no denying the quality of this title. It remainsas popular as it is for good reason
3. VAGRANT STORY (PS1) - How can a man wearing a pair of assless chaps be such a fantastic protagonist? Simple; give him a fantastic battles system, a huge list of combos and abilities, and have him fight some of the largest and most impressive monsters ever seen in an RPG. Oh, it also helps to throw the best item creation system in there for kicks, along with hundreds of possible item combinations. The fact that the story was fantastic is almost an afterthought to the addictive item and combat aspects.
2. FINAL FANTASY XII (PS2) - Probably the closest thing I'll ever see to a Vagrant Story sequel, but one of the best RPGs in its own right. Most people wouldn't rate this as the best FF title, but it was certainly my favorite, if for nothing more than its art style and battle system. I liked the characters and story alot, and it was nice to see a Final Fantasy title with more of a "free-raoming" sense, especially after how linear FFX was in terms of exploring its locations.
1. LUNAR: SILVER STAR STORY/ ETERNAL BLUE (PS1) - Perhaps cheating to lump them together, and probably a surprise choice to most considering these are remakes of the old SegaCD classics, but I just can't say enough about these wonderfull games. Such a great blend of old-school gameplay mechanics (battle system, general layout/desgin) and fantastic production values for its time (anime movie segments, voice work, songs). Original songs were used in the games, chracters and monsters were vibrant, animated and moved during battle, and there were hidden bonus games and materials galore to make replays more enjoyable.While the game's stories generally boiled down to cliches, they were almost tongue-in-cheek in thier design, and the wonderfull characters and writting made them rise above the sum of thier parts. There was also a nice blend of humor, and a plethora of memorable moments, such as the first meeting with Quark the White Dragon, which lets you know early on that you're in for a treat.