JRPG's that just got everything right
- Thread starter SebbyGVS
- Start date
The only ones I thought that did really well that aren't mentioned are FF VI, VII and IX along with Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2. Also the Mana games were actually quite good.
Although in response to FFXIII they could have improved the combat so much with a better if they changed UI. Instead of that 2 column skill list it would be 3 columns of skills. I don't think the plot was too bad just most of the characters they could have done more with than what they did use them for. For example, Hope wasn't a bad character(overall) but he droned on about his revenge and its resolution took too long for my liking.
Although in response to FFXIII they could have improved the combat so much with a better if they changed UI. Instead of that 2 column skill list it would be 3 columns of skills. I don't think the plot was too bad just most of the characters they could have done more with than what they did use them for. For example, Hope wasn't a bad character(overall) but he droned on about his revenge and its resolution took too long for my liking.
Chrono Cross - lots of different characters, sense of style, most dynamic battle system in an RPG, gorgeous visuals and music, etc.
And my favorite JRPG ever (so I'm always disappointed nowadays):
FF XII - gigantic areas to explore, many cities with very different styles, very hardcore hidden areas, sense of adventure and progression, mysteries, enchanted lands, lots of races and original gameplay ideas, cool weapons, customization, excellent mix of sci-fi and fantasy, interkingdomnal intrigue, well developed hunting sidequest, etc.
And my favorite JRPG ever (so I'm always disappointed nowadays):
FF XII - gigantic areas to explore, many cities with very different styles, very hardcore hidden areas, sense of adventure and progression, mysteries, enchanted lands, lots of races and original gameplay ideas, cool weapons, customization, excellent mix of sci-fi and fantasy, interkingdomnal intrigue, well developed hunting sidequest, etc.
I wouldn't say the persona series got everything right.
As someone who hadn't played them before and started with the 4th, the persona fusion system can be quite daunting.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE this game (played through like a quarter of it and it's already one of my favourites), but I just wish the persona system wasn't as confusing.
As someone who hadn't played them before and started with the 4th, the persona fusion system can be quite daunting.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE this game (played through like a quarter of it and it's already one of my favourites), but I just wish the persona system wasn't as confusing.
Suikoden 2
This game got everything right in my book. The story is enthralling and interesting, graphics are highly doable for its age (2d sprites, the only graphics that age well.. ), it has very strong characters in it, nice easter eggs, lots of freedom to walk around and do random stuff, an interesting battle system and a decent leveling system.
This is a game I will recommend to every RPG player, although the experience is double if one plays the first game, as a lot of characters make reappearances, but the first game is a wee bit older and shows its age.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8-wGndfd-Y[/youtube]
This game got everything right in my book. The story is enthralling and interesting, graphics are highly doable for its age (2d sprites, the only graphics that age well.. ), it has very strong characters in it, nice easter eggs, lots of freedom to walk around and do random stuff, an interesting battle system and a decent leveling system.
This is a game I will recommend to every RPG player, although the experience is double if one plays the first game, as a lot of characters make reappearances, but the first game is a wee bit older and shows its age.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8-wGndfd-Y[/youtube]
I dont believe there has ever been a game in any genre that has got everything right but the
best JRPG out for a long time has been Xenoblade Chronicles absolutely superb game and apart from Valkyria Chronicles the best game I have played in over a decade (its my 3rd favourite game of all time now, so long street fighter 2 turbo).
Valkyria Chronicles is definitely worth a look although I would class it as a strategy game rather than an RPG.
FF wise VI - X are all pretty solid. IV,VI,VII and X being my top four.
Golden Sun is a great portable JRPG only played the first one so I am unfamiliar with the sequels.
Ar Tonelico 2 melody of Metafalica was also strangely enjoyable for me but beware its not for everyone and the characters really like to talk but I thought it was great just way to easy.
Disgaea Series is always worth look if you want a turn based strategy RPG.
I could say more but most of the ones have already been mentioned already, if I really had to narrow down a list to the JRPGs that were the closest to getting everything right I would say
FFVII
Xenoblade Chronicles
Persona 4
Valkyria Chronicles (if you want to call it a JRPG)
best JRPG out for a long time has been Xenoblade Chronicles absolutely superb game and apart from Valkyria Chronicles the best game I have played in over a decade (its my 3rd favourite game of all time now, so long street fighter 2 turbo).
Valkyria Chronicles is definitely worth a look although I would class it as a strategy game rather than an RPG.
FF wise VI - X are all pretty solid. IV,VI,VII and X being my top four.
Golden Sun is a great portable JRPG only played the first one so I am unfamiliar with the sequels.
Ar Tonelico 2 melody of Metafalica was also strangely enjoyable for me but beware its not for everyone and the characters really like to talk but I thought it was great just way to easy.
Disgaea Series is always worth look if you want a turn based strategy RPG.
I could say more but most of the ones have already been mentioned already, if I really had to narrow down a list to the JRPGs that were the closest to getting everything right I would say
FFVII
Xenoblade Chronicles
Persona 4
Valkyria Chronicles (if you want to call it a JRPG)
There's definitely something good to be said about JRPGs. I was really into them when I was a kid. They aren't afraid to do things different and that's a big plus. But on the negative side they often go WAYYYY out there, usually alternate universe/reality out there, and when every single game is like this it gets old after about a decade of playing them with no change in sight.
Now that I'm older I tend to stick by trust WRPGs, because I always know what I'm getting into and I've gotten emotional over enough 14 year old protagonists dying to save the world.
Now that I'm older I tend to stick by trust WRPGs, because I always know what I'm getting into and I've gotten emotional over enough 14 year old protagonists dying to save the world.
I love the persona games but haven't been able to play them all.
I say my favorite JRPG would definitely be Kingdom Hearts and KH2. The entire KH series combines my favorite elements of action games and the JRPG which is why it is my favorite.
I also really enjoyed the star ocean games, but I could not follow the story unless I played it all the way through... and even then it was kinda goofy
My other favorite series is dot.//Hack, great atmosphere and awesome characters. I fell in love with it from the first game and then played through the first series. I'm not sure I liked where they took it with GU, but I enjoyed playing the first game. I really hope that theyre new .hack game for the next gen consoles goes back to the old style.
Now that I think about it. action RPG's are much more inviting to me.
I say my favorite JRPG would definitely be Kingdom Hearts and KH2. The entire KH series combines my favorite elements of action games and the JRPG which is why it is my favorite.
I also really enjoyed the star ocean games, but I could not follow the story unless I played it all the way through... and even then it was kinda goofy
My other favorite series is dot.//Hack, great atmosphere and awesome characters. I fell in love with it from the first game and then played through the first series. I'm not sure I liked where they took it with GU, but I enjoyed playing the first game. I really hope that theyre new .hack game for the next gen consoles goes back to the old style.
Now that I think about it. action RPG's are much more inviting to me.
Haven't played any persona games but I did really like Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call (Europe name of nocturne), had Xenoblade Chronicles for a while but didn't play longer that an hour due to playing it on an old tv (couldn't read anything! text too small).
Gotta say I'm dissapointed no one mentioned Tales of Symphonia, may favourite JRPG, think I spend over 400 hours on that game
Gotta say I'm dissapointed no one mentioned Tales of Symphonia, may favourite JRPG, think I spend over 400 hours on that game
I'll agree with that.zombieshark6666 said:
The only thing FFXII didn't do right (besides the atrocious sound quality) was making certain things impossible without using a guide. Not difficult, impossible.
Finding that one spear by avoiding certain chests? Impossible without a guide (unless you decide to avoid ALL chests, which just isn't much fun.)
And those recipes you need in order to craft the strongest weapons? No way do people figure that stuff out by simple trial and error, not without profoundly tedious amounts of grinding. We're talking thousands of hours of grinding.
I cannot think of anything wrong with Final Fantasy VI. At all. If you can, find a way to play the SNES version (FFIII) or the GBA version. It's, imo, the best Final Fantasy game ever, and one of the best JRPGs ever.
I noticed you haven't listed Final Fantasy XII. It had a nice battle system,a decent story and enough exploration to keep you busy for weeks. The protagonist however, had absolutely no reason to exist in the game.
If you can get past this thing you have against outdated graphics, Chrono Trigger is one of the best JRPGs I have played.It truly was a game that got everything right.
I would recommend Persona 3, but seeing as to how you thought Persona 4 was repetitive,Persona 3 is not going to improve your opinion.But aside from that,it had a nice and immersive story and great game mechanics.
Play Kingdom Hearts, which technically is a JRPG. Be it on the PS2,the PSP or even the DS. I would recommend starting with the original Kingdom Hearts on the PS2 if you plan on doing so.
The two Dissidia games are two of my favourite JRPGs.It makes up for its mediocre story with a very deep and engaging battle system.
If you liked Tales Of Vesperia,you might want to try out the others. Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss have both earned my recommendation.
If you can get past this thing you have against outdated graphics, Chrono Trigger is one of the best JRPGs I have played.It truly was a game that got everything right.
I would recommend Persona 3, but seeing as to how you thought Persona 4 was repetitive,Persona 3 is not going to improve your opinion.But aside from that,it had a nice and immersive story and great game mechanics.
Play Kingdom Hearts, which technically is a JRPG. Be it on the PS2,the PSP or even the DS. I would recommend starting with the original Kingdom Hearts on the PS2 if you plan on doing so.
The two Dissidia games are two of my favourite JRPGs.It makes up for its mediocre story with a very deep and engaging battle system.
If you liked Tales Of Vesperia,you might want to try out the others. Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss have both earned my recommendation.
I don't know if they count as "JRPG" in the strictest sense, but Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and A2 are some of the best examples of Turn Based Strategy I've ever seen, and their seamless integration of RPG elements I think qualifies them, though they are a bit easy to break and get too easy.