drivel said:
So, something that I keep coming back to over and over is just how compelling 8-bit and 16-bit RPGs were/are.
Xenogears for the PS1. It was a pixel ho-down with graphics that (other than the cut scenes) felt like they were ported over from the SNES, but the story in insanely involved and brilliantly written, and I still replay it every year or so because it is just so damn good.
Also, best combat of any RPG ever, IMO. For those who haven't played, you have weak, medium, and heavy attack buttons, and you string them together - if you use the same string often enough, your heavy attack turns into a super move. You CAN spam the super moves, or you can choose to practice the less powerful combo of a future super move. Also you can fly around in giant mechs. Or, you can have one party member in a mech while the other two are on foot, and have them hallariously punch the enemy mechs to death while yours defends. I never get tired of those combos, no matter how many times I play the game.
Oh, and honorable mention to FF7. Not because of the plot, which is good, but for the Materia system, which is my favorite magic/skill system of any RPG.
And a second honorable mention to Planescape: Torment for having the best dialog / choice system of any RPG I've ever played. The combat was kinda clunky, and spells... just didn't work very well (bad habit of crashing the game) but really fun characterization and plot. Also Fall From Grace is one of my favorite characters ever.