Baby's First JRPG

[nohorsetown]

Alright, fair enough. Somehow Tidus still *feels* like big-hair-big-sword to me, but I stand corrected.

EDIT: oops, that was a reply to Octogunspunk, but I'm all mixed up. Sorry.

 

[Saltyk]

Without knowing your gaming systems and tolerence for graphics, I can't say much.

People have recommended some older titles, so I'd suggest Legend of Legaia or Legend of Dragoon. They're both PSOne titles and will probably be hard to find unless they release them as PSOne classics on PSN. Also, even upon finding one, they might be expensive. I recently saw Legend of Dragoon on sale for $50. Yeah, a PSOne game on sell in 2011 for $50.

The Suikoden series are great. Suikoden 2 is largely considered one of the best in the series. And if, you have data from the first game (with all 108 characters recruited and alive) you can actually get the hero from it as a party member.

More modern games you might wanna try Valkeria Chronicles or even White Knight Chronicles. Though I don't think either is the strongest JRPG. In Valeria Chronicles defense, that largely due to the odd but cool combat mechanic.

 

[Akihiko]

I'd go with the Tales of series personally. A great series which is already pretty damn similar to anime, art style and all as well as being very user friendly. Abyss(PS2 and soon 3DS) and Vesperia(360) being two of my favourites.

Shin Megami Tensei(Including Persona) while an amazing series, I wouldn't give it to anyone who's new to the genre, because they can be pretty 'hardcore'. Persona 3 and 4 are much friendlier, the bosses can still be pretty harsh, one of which lasts atleast an hour.

If you wanted an FF to start with. I'd go with X. It's not old enough to be dated, however, it isn't as controversial as the newer FF's.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Thanks for the recommendations peeps, had a look-see about.

I is only got PS2 (and a mid-range gaming PC), so we're looking at: Persona 3/4 (probably 4, I'm watching the anime, anyone see any glaring differences there?); FFX (largely because of someone =P ); FFVI ('cos of ZP, oddly enough...(!)); and Suikoden V.

... How're you guys with Oukami?

 

[T.D.]

Does Pokemon count as a JRPG? I thought Pokemon was a genre of its own.

 

[neonsword13-ops]

If you like anime, I suggest Persona 3 and 4.

It might be hard to find yourself a copy, though, It's a rare and expensive series. (Used copy of Persona 4 stil runs for 40 dollars.)

But once you do, you will love them to bits.

 

[Odd Water]

Chrono Trigger or Baldur's Gate 2.

Though BG2 may be a little much for a first try.

 

[StBishop]

Pokemon (whatever you can play on a system you have).
Final Fantasy (anything other than 13 or 11. Probably not 10-2 either as it's a direct sequel.)

Everyone will have a personal view on the best and worst Final Fantasy but to be honest they're all pretty good with the notable exception of FF 13 which was widely regarded as consisting of none of the good parts of final fantasy and all of the bad; and 11 is an MMO.

Take all of the suggestions with a grain of salt because some of the games that've been recommended appear to me as an answer to "What is the best JRPG?" rather than "What's a good way to test the waters?".

Chrono Trigger or Baldur's Gate 2.

Though BG2 may be a little much for a first try.

BG as a JRPG? Canadian Developer using D&D Rules which is not Japanese and set in a Western High Fantasy setting.

I don't see how BG is even maybe a JRPG?

 

[Smeggs]

Final Fantasy I

Its very simple, pretty well balanced on the GBA and very easy to get into

If you want something more story based then play Persona 3. It can be pretty hard but its certainly interesting and has a great story

Persona 3 isn't necessarily what I'd call a JRPG good for a beginner to the genre. Christ, I remember that I played that game for almost a month, nearly nonstop, and I come to find I was only somewhere around halfway through the game...then again that might be P4 I'm thinking of. If I remember right the bosses require a lot of grinding as well.

On another note, Chrono Cross would probably be a good one. It's a PS1 game, two discs, but doesn't take forever to beat. It's not too hard either, don't think I ever wiped out against a boss. Has some cool abilities you can get as well, and a good story. Also, the graphics are acceptable for a PS1 game.

 

[neonsword13-ops]

Persona 3/4 (probably 4, I'm watching the anime, anyone see any glaring differences there?)

There isn't that much of a difference. The anime is doing quite well at stuffing the 80 hour adventure into a 25 episode series. There are some minor differences I saw in the anime but nothing too substancial.

I do have a minor gripe with the character design for Kanji, however. (He does not have a nose ring.)

Other than that, yes, the show is following along quite nicely and if you like it, I suggest getting the game.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

The Pokemon series was practically made to introduce people to JRPGs. It is pure turn-based combat. Alternatively, Persona 4 is great in the fact that it has actual RPing involved so it can be used to ease you into the genre. It is a great game to boot.

this is definitely a good statement.

i'll add in that if you are looking for a game that is more on the "action" side but still semi faithful to what the difference between wrpg's and jrpg's are about, i'd suggest kingdom hearts, the series is great for all ages and all newcomers to the genre of action/rpg/jrpg

 

[kyogen]

Thanks for the recommendations peeps, had a look-see about.

I is only got PS2 (and a mid-range gaming PC), so we're looking at: Persona 3/4 (probably 4, I'm watching the anime, anyone see any glaring differences there?); FFX (largely because of someone =P ); FFVI ('cos of ZP, oddly enough...(!)); and Suikoden V.

... How're you guys with Oukami?

Do you mean Okami, the Shinto-based fantasy-action game from Clover Studios? It's absolutely fantastic! It's not a JRPG, though. It's more like an adaptation of The Legend of Zelda series.

PS2? Have a good look at Persona 4, FF X and XII (everyone fights about why one FF game is good and another isn't, look at both and consider what appeals to you--personally, I prefer XII, but they're both good), Dragon Quest VIII, and perhaps something from Suidoken, Tales, or Devil Summoner.

 

[FaceFaceFace]

Chrono Trigger.

This. It's a classic, pretty much the height of SNES JRPGs, and should be a great way for you to figure out if you like them or not since despite being very unique it is also very typical of JRPGs in a lot of ways. After that you should expand to less typical JRPGs, like Persona 4. Or Persona 4. Or, you know, Persona 4.

PS: (I would recommend Persona 4)

 

[Traun]

Thanks for the recommendations peeps, had a look-see about.

I is only got PS2 (and a mid-range gaming PC), so we're looking at: Persona 3/4 (probably 4, I'm watching the anime, anyone see any glaring differences there?); FFX (largely because of someone =P ); FFVI ('cos of ZP, oddly enough...(!)); and Suikoden V.

... How're you guys with Oukami?

Don't start with Okami.

Also, you can emulate Chrono Trigger( get a SNES emulator, get yourself the Chrono Trigger ROM and party), not to mention that there is a PS2 version floating around somewhere.

 

[Kermi]

Dragon Quest VIII was pretty great, if you've got a PS2. That was the last decent JRPG I played.

 

[Kodlak]

I would say Final Fantasy 7, as it was my first JRPG at the age of 7 and really got me into the genre. In all fairness I have been struggling to get into some recent JRPGs.

 

[TheLastTatlFan]

Pokemon is insanely easy to get into (any of the Poekmon games, seriously.), and if you're any good at hunting around for used copies, Megaman Battle Network 2 and 3 (Blue) are excellent, simple and elegant if a little atypical, just as long as you remember the Capcom Mantra: The Story Doesn't Matter.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

I'll suggest the same one I started with: Pokemon.

Really, if you've never played it, Pokemon is a game I'd recommend anyways.

I'm disappointed that it took so many posts before Pokemon was posted.

For shame, Escapist.