Welcome to my 4th installment of this series where I list 10 games from each genre I like the most, and now it's finally time for the list that has been delayed countless of times by now but here's it is, my top 10 list of my favorite roleplaying games. Note that this list wont include any online RPGs they that will be for a seperate list...well If I ever make one that is :P.
Well let's cut the chit-chat and get to the part of this blog that actually matters for something...and that is the games on the list, off we go!
10.) Neverwinter Nights (PC, released year 2002)
The combat, the graphics, a great singleplayer and multiplayer experience, Bioware's c l a s s ic basicly had it all back then and it's still stands as one of the most impressive and enjoyable western roleplaying games to date, even though it's visuals have aged quite abit since it's release it never gets old to share the experience with a friend or two.
9.) Paper Mario (N64, released year 2001)
I really liked Super Mario RPG on the SNES but it wasn't before Mario did it again in paperform on the N64 that I was completely sold. The game was incredibly charming, had surprisingly good written dialouge, very interesting battle system and that pretty much everything was made in paper just made it impossible not to love this lenghtly and enjoyable adventure.
8.) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC/360/PS3, released year 2006)
I bet pretty much all you GS members have heared of this game. I mean it was just released last year and the 9.6 score here on Gamespot was pretty hard to ignore. And pretty much fully agree with that opinion as I have never liked the Elder Scrolls series but that all completely changed the day I picked up this game. The land of Tamriel where the games takes place feels incredibly alive as it seems all ofthe citizens go around and live a life of their own, and they somtimes evencome up and talk to you randomly and that they showed different kinds of expressions on their faces was very impressive. The combat system was also greatly improved from Morrowind as a hit counted as a hit and timing your block, spells and strikes just right became a bit of a game of it's own. There was even animals in the woods to hunt or just look at, it's all up to you as Oblivion is a completely free RPG experience. That the game also was and still amazingly stunning to look at certainly doesn't hurt things either.
7.) Diablo (PC, released year 1996)
Can something like going underground,getting deeper and closer to hell and the devil himself really be enjoyable at all? In Blizzard's RPG title Diablo it certainly is...hey it's a blast! It doesn't even matter if you like RPG games or not as this game was and still is a must have for anyone out there with a PC. If you somehow missed this gem then shame on you! and go out and get it straight away and see for yourself what the devil truly is capable of. The sequel was awesome aswell but did not have the same amount on impact on me as the original did. And I still wait eagerly for Blizzard to finally announce Diablo 3
6.) Final Fantasy VIII (Playstation, released year 1999)
2 years after the series debut on the Playstation, Square gives us Final Fantasy VIII the greatest love story ever told. While quite different from VII the relationship between Rinoa and Squall eventually evolved to something bigger than life, telling the story how it takes two to forge one fully complete soul. Some complained the game was too focused on this relationship but those who let the feelings get to them will tell you otherwise, and it's defiantly worthy the Final Fantasy name.
5.) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (PC/Xbox, released year 2003)
I was very sceptical about this game, sure I loved the early Star Movies and it was being developed by Bioware so it would at least be decent, but I could not ever in my wildest dreams believeit would be the best western RPG I had ever experienced. Because that's what this game is, my favorite WRPG of all time, the opening of the game wasn't too great and the combat system felt really wierd at first, butI along with all you other patient ones knows that instanlty changed once you got the lightsaber in your hands. The game successfully delivered the feel what it's like being a Jedi making decisions that would eventually determine if you would fight for the lightor the dark side. The dialouge is the game was just superb and how all of your decisions affected the story, wich ones that would fight against and along side you was just completely mind blowing. The sequel was very enjoyable aswell and I hope that someday a third game will finally be announced.I guess I will just have to settle with Bioware's upcomming title Mass Effect for the time being :P
4.) Chrono Cross(Playstaion, released year 2000)
For years fans had been hoping for a sequel for the SNES title Chrono Trigger instead Square released Chrono Cross on the Playstation in theyear 2000. While it wasn't a true follow up Chrono Cross brought back that colourful feel and incredible amount of charm that had been missing from the genre for so many years. Many unfortunally missed on this incredible game as most were busy enough with the ninth installment of the Final Fantasy series and it was the end of that console generation also the game never officialy hitted european shores. But those who did picked it up faced an experience that would be forever stuck in their mind whether they wanted too or not.
3.) Final Fantasy IX(Playstation, released year 2000)
Final Fantasy went back to it's roots in FF IX and i certainly don't complain as Square made one of the best roleplaying games ever in the process and I can defianlty see why the Final Fantasy mastermind Hironobu Sakagushi sees this as his favorite creation. Great cast of characther, heavily engaging story and beautiful design, it basicly had everthing you could expect in a high quality Final Fantasy game. And the experience never gets old no matter how many times you play trough it you'll always have to urge to play it just one more time.
2.) Final Fantasy VII (Playstation, released year 1997)
The Final Fantasy debuted on the Playstation for the very first time, now set in a greatly futuristic world and Square couldn't have done a better job. Featuring one of the most interesting cast of characthers ever, and perhaps eventhe coolest main villain in any game, this title brought the series to a hight it had neverreached before. Spiky haired main characther Cloud and his friends Tifa, Aeris, Barret among others brought me an adventure that still up til this time makes my wanna cry of laughter but also out of sorrow, something very few games have managed. and I hope that someday SquareEnix will remake this title so that notjust notIbut others that have not yetplayed it canexperience this amazing title. You teased us enough with that PS3 tech demo now is the time SE to step it up and bring it out for real.
1.) Chrono Trigger (SNES, released year 1995)
I don't even know where to start this game is amazing on so many levels it's ridicolous. What this game pulled off in 1995 with it's design, story, characthers, accessabilty is still something I found hard to believe. Like Chrono Cross it ever officialy hit Europe and I can't even state how unfortunate that is. As this game has inspired future FF titles, some Zelda games and many other roleplaying and adventure games just goes to show what kind of milestone Chrono Trigger really was. Key members from the development team Hironobu Sakagushi, Nobuo Uematsu, Akira Toriyama recently gave us Blue Dragon one the Xbox 360 wich brought back some of the vibes and feelfound in this game but the game was unfortunally too traditional to be appreciated by everyone and the story and characthers while good could have been more original. Which also shows what a masterpiece this really is as a project with highly experienced profiles of the indusrtyand being released 12 years later and having difficulties reaching up to the level of this game. Only the FF titles found on the original Playstation comes close. In other word you like RPGs even the slightest and own a SNES there is no excuse for you to not toplay this game.
Worthy Mentions
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn(PC)
Xenogears (PS)
Fallout (PC)
Tales of Phantasia (SNES)
Dragon Warrior (NES)
Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
Kingdom Hearts II (PS2)
Final Fantasy VI aka III(SNES)
Phantasy Star IV (GEN)
Jade Empire (Xbox)
Blue Dragon (360)
Fable (Xbox)
Suikoden III (PS2)
Pokémon Yellow(GB)
Unless you didn't notice I'm quite fond of Square and Bioware :P.And as you can see if you own a PC, PS1/PS2 or a SNES and like roleplaying games you can consider yourself a lucky son of a gun. And I think I covered the most important titles, well I don't think I've missed anthing crucial, but If I have I bet you'll let me know if i didfor surehehe.That's it for this time and I'll try not to take so much time until my next installment, just as long as you want one of course I will not keep something going that's unappreciated. Until next tíme.
Laterz!
Previous entries:
10 best platformers of all time