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I hate jRPGs and I wanna hate-try some

Rincewind

Magister
Patron
Joined
Feb 8, 2020
Messages
2,739
Location
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Codex+ Now Streaming!
I would adjust the ever-living fuck out of that list and set you on the right path, but no one likes and listens to an elitist. Or something. Definitely some gems in there though.
No, please do. I'm interested in the views and recommendations of people who are connoisseurs of a given topic.

I kept collecting the recommendations, but it kinda devolved into CRPGAddict-level foolishness. You can't play them all, and even if you dedicated your short time on this Earth to playing them all, you'd get burned out by the mediocre stuff before you'd get to the really good games...

My intention was just to compile a somewhat narrowed down "what to download" list for safekeeping, just in case (versus downloading 10 TB of PSX/PS2 ISOs...)

But the question remains: where to start? If you'd narrow it down to a ranked top 5, top 10, or even top 20 list, that would be great. Literally just numbers next to the titles, then I can find reviews myself, that's not a problem (but I really prefer going in blind, without expectations).

To be clear, my objective is to experience the best RPGs on the PlayStation and PlayStation 2.
 

Nutmeg

Arcane
Vatnik Wumao
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Messages
23,538
Location
Mahou Kingdom
character customization is bland and shallow
It's a strict evolution of the FF5 class system, but yeah the particulars are all wrong -- which materia you are likely to have in stock to customize your party around which (both probable and fixed) encounters at any given time. This could be tuned extremely well, but it's not, and the biggest offender is, as with almost all JRPGs, the latter aspect i.e. the encounters. FF5 was OTOH tuned quite decently.
 

Damned Registrations

Furry Weeaboo Nazi Nihilist
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
15,836
What a coincidence! I spent two hours forum-diving on the Codex yesterday to collect PS2 and PSX recommendations. I won't play all these in a hundred years, but gotta download those ISOs for safekeeping before they get taken down.

Maybe it helps.

TitlePlatform
Soul Reaver 1 +Dreamcast
.hack // INFECTION -PS2
.hack // MUTATION -PS2
Ar Tonelico 1 -PS2
Ar Tonelico 2 -PS2
Arc The Lad -PS2
Armored Core +* (Get the sequels and expansions, 2-3 and the expansions were the best)PS2
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance -PS2
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance 2 -PS2
Baroque +*PS2
Beyond Good and EvilPS2
Blood will TellPS2
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter *PS2
Champions of Norrath 1 -PS2
Champions of Norrath 2 -PS2
Colosseum: Road to FreedomPS2
Dark ChroniclePS2
Dark CloudPS2
Dark Cloud 2PS2
DeSu 2PS2
Deus ExPS2
Devil May Cry 1PS2
Digital Devil Saga 1PS2
Digital Devil Saga 2PS2
Disgaea 1 +PS2
Disgaea 2 -PS2
Dragon Quest V + PS2
Dragon Quest VIIIPS2
Drakan: The Ancients GatesPS2
DrakengardPS2
Drakengard 1PS2
Dynasty TacticsPS2
Ephemeral FantasiaPS2
Eternal PoisonPS2
Eternal RingPS2
Eternal RingPS2
EvergracePS2
Fallout: Brotherhood of SteelPS2
Fallout: Brotherhood of SteelPS2
Fatal FramePS2
Final Fantasy X -PS2
Final Fantasy X-2 --PS2
Final Fantasy XII -PS2
Final Fantay VII: Dirge of CerberusPS2
Forever KingdomPS2
Forgotten Realms: Demon StonePS2
Front Mission 4 +PS2
Front Mission 5PS2
Ghost in the ShellPS2
GhosthunterPS2
GladiusPS2
God Hand ++* PS2
Grandia 2PS2
Grandia XtremePS2
Growlanser 2PS2
Growlanser 3PS2
Growlanser 5PS2
GungravePS2
Hungry GhostsPS2
IcoPS2
Jade Cocoon 2 *PS2
Katamary Damacy +*PS2
Kessen 3PS2
King's Field IVPS2
King's Field: Ancient CityPS2
Kingdom Hearts 1PS2
Kingdom Hearts 2PS2
LA PucellePS2
Legacy of KainPS2
Legaia 2: Duel Saga -PS2
Makai Kingdom +*PS2
Mana Khemia 1PS2
Mana Khemia 2PS2
MaximoPS2
Metal Gear Solid 2PS2
Metal Gear Solid 3PS2
Metal SagaPS2
Monster Hunter +PS2
Naval Ops ++ (There's some sequels/spinoffs, all pretty good)PS2
Nobunagas AmbitionPS2
Odin Sphere *PS2
Okage Shadow KingPS2
Okage Shadow KingPS2
OkamiPS2
Onimusha: Dawn of DreamsPS2
Persona 3 -PS2
Persona 3 -PS2
Persona 4 -PS2
PrimalPS2
Radiata StoriesPS2
Raidou 1PS2
Raidou 2PS2
Red FactionPS2
Rhapsody of ZephyrPS2
Ring of Red -*PS2
Robot Alchemic Drive -*PS2
Rogue GalaxyPS2
Romance of Three Kingdom 10PS2
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel SongPS2
Rule of RosePS2
Shadow Hearts 1 *PS2
Shadow Hearts 2PS2
Shadow Hearts 3PS2
Shadow of DestinyPS2
Shadow of RomePS2
Shadow of the ColossusPS2
Shadow Tower AbyssPS2
Shin Megami TenseiPS2
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne +++PS2
Shinobido: Way of the NinjaPS2
Silent Hill 2PS2
Silent Hill 3PS2
Silent Hill 4PS2
Silent Hill: Shattered MemoriesPS2
SirenPS2
Soul Nomad & the World EatersPS2
Soul Nomad & the World EatersPS2
Star Ocean 3PS2
Steambot ChroniclesPS2
Steel Lancer Battle Arena +*PS2
Suikoden 1 +PS2
Suikoden 2 +PS2
Suikoden 3PS2
Suikoden 5PS2
Summoner 2PS2
Tales of the AbyssPS2
TenchuPS2
The Bard's TalePS2
The Lord of the Rings: Third AgePS2
Twillight of SpiritsPS2
Unlimited SagaPS2
Unlimited SaGaPS2
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria -PS2
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth +* (PS1 version might be better)PS2
Warship Gunner 2 ++PS2
Way of the SamuraiPS2
Way of the Samurai 2PS2
Wild Arms 3PS2
Wild Arms 5PS2
Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken LandsPS2
Xenogears -*PS2
Xenosaga 1-PS2
Xenosaga 2-PS2
Xenosaga 3PS2
Xmen: LegendsPS2
Xmen: Legends 2PS2
Yakuza 1PS2
Yakuza 2PS2
Zone of the EndersPS2
Zone of the Enders 2: The 2nd RunnerPS2
AlundraPSX
Azure Dreams ++*PSX
Blood OmenPSX
Blood Omen: Legacy of KainPSX
Breath of Fire 3 ++PSX
Breath of Fire 4PSX
Brigandine +*PSX
Carnage Heart **PSX
Castlevania Symphony of the Night ++PSX
Castlevannia ChroniclesPSX
Chrono Cross --*PSX
Chrono Trigger +PSX
Colony WarsPSX
Earthbound +*PSX
Final Fantasy IX --PSX
Final Fantasy Tactics ++PSX
Final Fantasy VIII --PSX
Final Fantasy VIIIPSX
Gran Turismo 2PSX
GrandiaPSX
Harvest Moon Back to NaturePSX
Intelligent QubePSX
King's FieldPSX
Legend of Dragoon -*PSX
Legend of Legaia *PSX
Legend of Mana +*PSX
Martian GothicPSX
Medieval 1PSX
Medieval 2PSX
Megaman 8PSX
Megaman Legends +*PSX
Metal Gear SolidPSX
Parasite Eve 1PSX
Parasite Eve 2PSX
Persona 2PSX
PolicenautsPSX
RaymanPSX
Resident EvilPSX
Resident Evil 1PSX
Resident Evil 2PSX
Resident Evil 2PSX
Resident Evil 3PSX
Romance of 3 Kingdoms VIPSX
SaGa Frontier ++*PSX
SaGa Frontier II *PSX
Secret of Mana 2 PSX
ShadowtowerPSX
Silent HillPSX
Soul ReaverPSX
Soul ReaverPSX
Star Ocean 2 +PSX
Syphon FilterPSX
Tactics Ogre +PSX
Tales of Destiny +PSX
Tales of Destiny 2 +PSX
Tales of Destiny 2PSX
Tales of Phantasia +PSX
Tecmo's Deception II +**PSX
The HammerPSX
Tomba 1PSX
Tomba 2PSX
Vagrant StoryPSX
Valkyrie Profile +*PSX
Vandal Hearts *PSX
Wild ArmsPSX
Wild Arms 2PSX
Xenogears -*PSX
Scanned through and marked a bunch. + is good, - is bad, more is more and * is for stuff that is particularly unique. Anything not marked I either haven't played or don't have a strong opinion of.
 

Rincewind

Magister
Patron
Joined
Feb 8, 2020
Messages
2,739
Location
down under
Codex+ Now Streaming!
What a coincidence! I spent two hours forum-diving on the Codex yesterday to collect PS2 and PSX recommendations. I won't play all these in a hundred years, but gotta download those ISOs for safekeeping before they get taken down.

Maybe it helps.

TitlePlatform
Soul Reaver 1 +Dreamcast
.hack // INFECTION -PS2
.hack // MUTATION -PS2
Ar Tonelico 1 -PS2
Ar Tonelico 2 -PS2
Arc The Lad -PS2
Armored Core +* (Get the sequels and expansions, 2-3 and the expansions were the best)PS2
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance -PS2
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance 2 -PS2
Baroque +*PS2
Beyond Good and EvilPS2
Blood will TellPS2
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter *PS2
Champions of Norrath 1 -PS2
Champions of Norrath 2 -PS2
Colosseum: Road to FreedomPS2
Dark ChroniclePS2
Dark CloudPS2
Dark Cloud 2PS2
DeSu 2PS2
Deus ExPS2
Devil May Cry 1PS2
Digital Devil Saga 1PS2
Digital Devil Saga 2PS2
Disgaea 1 +PS2
Disgaea 2 -PS2
Dragon Quest V +PS2
Dragon Quest VIIIPS2
Drakan: The Ancients GatesPS2
DrakengardPS2
Drakengard 1PS2
Dynasty TacticsPS2
Ephemeral FantasiaPS2
Eternal PoisonPS2
Eternal RingPS2
Eternal RingPS2
EvergracePS2
Fallout: Brotherhood of SteelPS2
Fallout: Brotherhood of SteelPS2
Fatal FramePS2
Final Fantasy X -PS2
Final Fantasy X-2 --PS2
Final Fantasy XII -PS2
Final Fantay VII: Dirge of CerberusPS2
Forever KingdomPS2
Forgotten Realms: Demon StonePS2
Front Mission 4 +PS2
Front Mission 5PS2
Ghost in the ShellPS2
GhosthunterPS2
GladiusPS2
God Hand ++*PS2
Grandia 2PS2
Grandia XtremePS2
Growlanser 2PS2
Growlanser 3PS2
Growlanser 5PS2
GungravePS2
Hungry GhostsPS2
IcoPS2
Jade Cocoon 2 *PS2
Katamary Damacy +*PS2
Kessen 3PS2
King's Field IVPS2
King's Field: Ancient CityPS2
Kingdom Hearts 1PS2
Kingdom Hearts 2PS2
LA PucellePS2
Legacy of KainPS2
Legaia 2: Duel Saga -PS2
Makai Kingdom +*PS2
Mana Khemia 1PS2
Mana Khemia 2PS2
MaximoPS2
Metal Gear Solid 2PS2
Metal Gear Solid 3PS2
Metal SagaPS2
Monster Hunter +PS2
Naval Ops ++ (There's some sequels/spinoffs, all pretty good)PS2
Nobunagas AmbitionPS2
Odin Sphere *PS2
Okage Shadow KingPS2
Okage Shadow KingPS2
OkamiPS2
Onimusha: Dawn of DreamsPS2
Persona 3 -PS2
Persona 3 -PS2
Persona 4 -PS2
PrimalPS2
Radiata StoriesPS2
Raidou 1PS2
Raidou 2PS2
Red FactionPS2
Rhapsody of ZephyrPS2
Ring of Red -*PS2
Robot Alchemic Drive -*PS2
Rogue GalaxyPS2
Romance of Three Kingdom 10PS2
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel SongPS2
Rule of RosePS2
Shadow Hearts 1 *PS2
Shadow Hearts 2PS2
Shadow Hearts 3PS2
Shadow of DestinyPS2
Shadow of RomePS2
Shadow of the ColossusPS2
Shadow Tower AbyssPS2
Shin Megami TenseiPS2
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne +++PS2
Shinobido: Way of the NinjaPS2
Silent Hill 2PS2
Silent Hill 3PS2
Silent Hill 4PS2
Silent Hill: Shattered MemoriesPS2
SirenPS2
Soul Nomad & the World EatersPS2
Soul Nomad & the World EatersPS2
Star Ocean 3PS2
Steambot ChroniclesPS2
Steel Lancer Battle Arena +*PS2
Suikoden 1 +PS2
Suikoden 2 +PS2
Suikoden 3PS2
Suikoden 5PS2
Summoner 2PS2
Tales of the AbyssPS2
TenchuPS2
The Bard's TalePS2
The Lord of the Rings: Third AgePS2
Twillight of SpiritsPS2
Unlimited SagaPS2
Unlimited SaGaPS2
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria -PS2
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth +* (PS1 version might be better)PS2
Warship Gunner 2 ++PS2
Way of the SamuraiPS2
Way of the Samurai 2PS2
Wild Arms 3PS2
Wild Arms 5PS2
Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken LandsPS2
Xenogears -*PS2
Xenosaga 1-PS2
Xenosaga 2-PS2
Xenosaga 3PS2
Xmen: LegendsPS2
Xmen: Legends 2PS2
Yakuza 1PS2
Yakuza 2PS2
Zone of the EndersPS2
Zone of the Enders 2: The 2nd RunnerPS2
AlundraPSX
Azure Dreams ++*PSX
Blood OmenPSX
Blood Omen: Legacy of KainPSX
Breath of Fire 3 ++PSX
Breath of Fire 4PSX
Brigandine +*PSX
Carnage Heart **PSX
Castlevania Symphony of the Night ++PSX
Castlevannia ChroniclesPSX
Chrono Cross --*PSX
Chrono Trigger +PSX
Colony WarsPSX
Earthbound +*PSX
Final Fantasy IX --PSX
Final Fantasy Tactics ++PSX
Final Fantasy VIII --PSX
Final Fantasy VIIIPSX
Gran Turismo 2PSX
GrandiaPSX
Harvest Moon Back to NaturePSX
Intelligent QubePSX
King's FieldPSX
Legend of Dragoon -*PSX
Legend of Legaia *PSX
Legend of Mana +*PSX
Martian GothicPSX
Medieval 1PSX
Medieval 2PSX
Megaman 8PSX
Megaman Legends +*PSX
Metal Gear SolidPSX
Parasite Eve 1PSX
Parasite Eve 2PSX
Persona 2PSX
PolicenautsPSX
RaymanPSX
Resident EvilPSX
Resident Evil 1PSX
Resident Evil 2PSX
Resident Evil 2PSX
Resident Evil 3PSX
Romance of 3 Kingdoms VIPSX
SaGa Frontier ++*PSX
SaGa Frontier II *PSX
Secret of Mana 2PSX
ShadowtowerPSX
Silent HillPSX
Soul ReaverPSX
Soul ReaverPSX
Star Ocean 2 +PSX
Syphon FilterPSX
Tactics Ogre +PSX
Tales of Destiny +PSX
Tales of Destiny 2 +PSX
Tales of Destiny 2PSX
Tales of Phantasia +PSX
Tecmo's Deception II +**PSX
The HammerPSX
Tomba 1PSX
Tomba 2PSX
Vagrant StoryPSX
Valkyrie Profile +*PSX
Vandal Hearts *PSX
Wild ArmsPSX
Wild Arms 2PSX
Xenogears -*PSX
Scanned through and marked a bunch. + is good, - is bad, more is more and * is for stuff that is particularly unique. Anything not marked I either haven't played or don't have a strong opinion of.
Cheers, bro! All makes sense, just a bit confused about the -* category. Unique, has a lot of promise, but it was just shit in the end? Or just it's so bad it stands out?
 

Damned Registrations

Furry Weeaboo Nazi Nihilist
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
15,836
Cheers, bro! All makes sense, just a bit confused about the -* category. Unique, has a lot of promise, but it was just shit in the end? Or just it's so bad it stands out?
Yeah, unique doesn't necessarily mean good. Just being bad wouldn't be unique, but as an example, Xenogears has a completely wild story that goes into all sorts of crazy philosophical, biblical and psychological stuff and has a weird combat system for both on foot and in giant mechs, but it's also like 80 hours long and the combat isn't really fun once you get over the novelty, which isn't going to last all that long. Better off watching Majuular's review. It's only 3 hours.

Or for an example most people won't be familiar with; Ring of Red is an rpg where you command teams of giant mech pilots (pretty cool grungy design), and when they shoot, it goes into a weird first person mode where the reticle gradually gets more accurate and you decide when to pull the trigger. It's a neat concept and was visually impressive at the time, but it also means every battle takes approximately forever.

In short, at least watch a review of anything with a * to see if it tickles your fancy.
 

Dark Souls II

Educated
Shitposter
Joined
Jul 13, 2024
Messages
462
The best jRPGs are:

- Black Souls
- Black Souls II

All else is inferior.

You disagree?

You are wrong. These are objectively the Planescape: Torment of jRPGs.

BTW, this is my waifu:

iu
 

Nutmeg

Arcane
Vatnik Wumao
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Messages
23,538
Location
Mahou Kingdom
What a coincidence! I spent two hours forum-diving on the Codex yesterday to collect PS2 and PSX recommendations. I won't play all these in a hundred years, but gotta download those ISOs for safekeeping before they get taken down.

Maybe it helps.

TitlePlatform
Soul Reaver 1 +Dreamcast
.hack // INFECTION -PS2
.hack // MUTATION -PS2
Ar Tonelico 1 -PS2
Ar Tonelico 2 -PS2
Arc The Lad -PS2
Armored Core +* (Get the sequels and expansions, 2-3 and the expansions were the best)PS2
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance -PS2
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance 2 -PS2
Baroque +*PS2
Beyond Good and EvilPS2
Blood will TellPS2
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter *PS2
Champions of Norrath 1 -PS2
Champions of Norrath 2 -PS2
Colosseum: Road to FreedomPS2
Dark ChroniclePS2
Dark CloudPS2
Dark Cloud 2PS2
DeSu 2PS2
Deus ExPS2
Devil May Cry 1PS2
Digital Devil Saga 1PS2
Digital Devil Saga 2PS2
Disgaea 1 +PS2
Disgaea 2 -PS2
Dragon Quest V +PS2
Dragon Quest VIIIPS2
Drakan: The Ancients GatesPS2
DrakengardPS2
Drakengard 1PS2
Dynasty TacticsPS2
Ephemeral FantasiaPS2
Eternal PoisonPS2
Eternal RingPS2
Eternal RingPS2
EvergracePS2
Fallout: Brotherhood of SteelPS2
Fallout: Brotherhood of SteelPS2
Fatal FramePS2
Final Fantasy X -PS2
Final Fantasy X-2 --PS2
Final Fantasy XII -PS2
Final Fantay VII: Dirge of CerberusPS2
Forever KingdomPS2
Forgotten Realms: Demon StonePS2
Front Mission 4 +PS2
Front Mission 5PS2
Ghost in the ShellPS2
GhosthunterPS2
GladiusPS2
God Hand ++*PS2
Grandia 2PS2
Grandia XtremePS2
Growlanser 2PS2
Growlanser 3PS2
Growlanser 5PS2
GungravePS2
Hungry GhostsPS2
IcoPS2
Jade Cocoon 2 *PS2
Katamary Damacy +*PS2
Kessen 3PS2
King's Field IVPS2
King's Field: Ancient CityPS2
Kingdom Hearts 1PS2
Kingdom Hearts 2PS2
LA PucellePS2
Legacy of KainPS2
Legaia 2: Duel Saga -PS2
Makai Kingdom +*PS2
Mana Khemia 1PS2
Mana Khemia 2PS2
MaximoPS2
Metal Gear Solid 2PS2
Metal Gear Solid 3PS2
Metal SagaPS2
Monster Hunter +PS2
Naval Ops ++ (There's some sequels/spinoffs, all pretty good)PS2
Nobunagas AmbitionPS2
Odin Sphere *PS2
Okage Shadow KingPS2
Okage Shadow KingPS2
OkamiPS2
Onimusha: Dawn of DreamsPS2
Persona 3 -PS2
Persona 3 -PS2
Persona 4 -PS2
PrimalPS2
Radiata StoriesPS2
Raidou 1PS2
Raidou 2PS2
Red FactionPS2
Rhapsody of ZephyrPS2
Ring of Red -*PS2
Robot Alchemic Drive -*PS2
Rogue GalaxyPS2
Romance of Three Kingdom 10PS2
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel SongPS2
Rule of RosePS2
Shadow Hearts 1 *PS2
Shadow Hearts 2PS2
Shadow Hearts 3PS2
Shadow of DestinyPS2
Shadow of RomePS2
Shadow of the ColossusPS2
Shadow Tower AbyssPS2
Shin Megami TenseiPS2
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne +++PS2
Shinobido: Way of the NinjaPS2
Silent Hill 2PS2
Silent Hill 3PS2
Silent Hill 4PS2
Silent Hill: Shattered MemoriesPS2
SirenPS2
Soul Nomad & the World EatersPS2
Soul Nomad & the World EatersPS2
Star Ocean 3PS2
Steambot ChroniclesPS2
Steel Lancer Battle Arena +*PS2
Suikoden 1 +PS2
Suikoden 2 +PS2
Suikoden 3PS2
Suikoden 5PS2
Summoner 2PS2
Tales of the AbyssPS2
TenchuPS2
The Bard's TalePS2
The Lord of the Rings: Third AgePS2
Twillight of SpiritsPS2
Unlimited SagaPS2
Unlimited SaGaPS2
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria -PS2
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth +* (PS1 version might be better)PS2
Warship Gunner 2 ++PS2
Way of the SamuraiPS2
Way of the Samurai 2PS2
Wild Arms 3PS2
Wild Arms 5PS2
Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken LandsPS2
Xenogears -*PS2
Xenosaga 1-PS2
Xenosaga 2-PS2
Xenosaga 3PS2
Xmen: LegendsPS2
Xmen: Legends 2PS2
Yakuza 1PS2
Yakuza 2PS2
Zone of the EndersPS2
Zone of the Enders 2: The 2nd RunnerPS2
AlundraPSX
Azure Dreams ++*PSX
Blood OmenPSX
Blood Omen: Legacy of KainPSX
Breath of Fire 3 ++PSX
Breath of Fire 4PSX
Brigandine +*PSX
Carnage Heart **PSX
Castlevania Symphony of the Night ++PSX
Castlevannia ChroniclesPSX
Chrono Cross --*PSX
Chrono Trigger +PSX
Colony WarsPSX
Earthbound +*PSX
Final Fantasy IX --PSX
Final Fantasy Tactics ++PSX
Final Fantasy VIII --PSX
Final Fantasy VIIIPSX
Gran Turismo 2PSX
GrandiaPSX
Harvest Moon Back to NaturePSX
Intelligent QubePSX
King's FieldPSX
Legend of Dragoon -*PSX
Legend of Legaia *PSX
Legend of Mana +*PSX
Martian GothicPSX
Medieval 1PSX
Medieval 2PSX
Megaman 8PSX
Megaman Legends +*PSX
Metal Gear SolidPSX
Parasite Eve 1PSX
Parasite Eve 2PSX
Persona 2PSX
PolicenautsPSX
RaymanPSX
Resident EvilPSX
Resident Evil 1PSX
Resident Evil 2PSX
Resident Evil 2PSX
Resident Evil 3PSX
Romance of 3 Kingdoms VIPSX
SaGa Frontier ++*PSX
SaGa Frontier II *PSX
Secret of Mana 2PSX
ShadowtowerPSX
Silent HillPSX
Soul ReaverPSX
Soul ReaverPSX
Star Ocean 2 +PSX
Syphon FilterPSX
Tactics Ogre +PSX
Tales of Destiny +PSX
Tales of Destiny 2 +PSX
Tales of Destiny 2PSX
Tales of Phantasia +PSX
Tecmo's Deception II +**PSX
The HammerPSX
Tomba 1PSX
Tomba 2PSX
Vagrant StoryPSX
Valkyrie Profile +*PSX
Vandal Hearts *PSX
Wild ArmsPSX
Wild Arms 2PSX
Xenogears -*PSX
Scanned through and marked a bunch. + is good, - is bad, more is more and * is for stuff that is particularly unique. Anything not marked I either haven't played or don't have a strong opinion of.
What's your beef with Valkyrie Profile 2?

Also I can recommend Front Mission 5 on that list. Also Berwick and Tearring Saga are missing.
 

Damned Registrations

Furry Weeaboo Nazi Nihilist
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
15,836
What's your beef with Valkyrie Profile 2?
It's been a long time, but I recall not liking the combat (I've heard it's actually great but it never clicked with me, trying to break specific parts was too difficult to be viable) the story aspect was more generic rpg stuff compared to the first game, and the party members were randomized boring filler characters with no connections to the story. That last bit was especially bizarre. It felt like having a pregen party member from a western rpg dumped onto the team instead of actually meeting a real character. Seems like the devs wanted to keep the random party member aspect from the first game but weren't willing flesh out characters that might never get recruited in a playthrough.
 

Suicidal

Arcane
Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
2,317
Maybe I should give it another go at some point. I noticed that I became a lot more patient with games and put more effort into meeting them halfway.
Nah, if you didn't like it back then, you probably aren't going to like it now either. Stick to dungeon cralwers since there are more than planty.
Well, as I said, I've become a lot more patient.

Also, dungeon crawlers are not the only JRPGs I enjoy. Since then I've played and liked Suikoden 1 & 2, Romancing SaGa 2, Last Remnant, Nocturne (although it's pretty much a dungeon crawler except with a standard JRPG camera angle and traversal).

Even Trails in the Sky 1 somewhat, which is probably the closest game to a Final Fantasy out of those. I wish it had more combat and dungeon crawling and free-form traversal instead of being linear as fuck and full of talking to faceless NPCs about the most mundane shit imaginable.

I think if I stomached Trails I can certainly stomach FF7 now. It's not high on the priority list, but I'd like to give it another chance.
 

Grampy_Bone

Arcane
Joined
Jan 25, 2016
Messages
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If someone is asking for recommendations for a genre they are unfamiliar with, you don't go with out-there fringe stuff, you stick with the titles with broad appeal. No one gets into Queen listening to Ogre Battle.

I had a friend ask for CRPG recommendations, strictly being a shooter guy, and I offered him Gothic 2. Figured it's at least somewhat action based, right? He walked out the tower at the beginning, died to a goblin, quit and uninstalled. "Your friend is bad at videogames." Maybe, or I just offered him a game I liked, instead of thinking what he might like. He did eventually get into RPGs from Fallout 3 and Borderlands though... (Codex: "REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE")

CVV said he wanted non-anime JRPG. That pretty much means Final Fantasy, and FF7 is still THE Final Fantasy. But he already played it so the discussion is pretty moot. Anime is often the biggest stumbling block to these games. Westerners don't like anime, unless they had a friend show them a VHS of Vampire Hunter D or Ninja Scroll or Robotech as a kid.
 

Grampy_Bone

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Damned Registrations

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FM3 is too borked.
I enjoyed FM3, but I'm not sure I could recommend it. Very slow game, and I loved the whole locational damage/parts system. I'll always remember the time I had a pilot stuck outside their giant mech get attacked by a pair of mechs. After eating the equivalent of an AA flak gun to the face from about 30 feet away, he preemptively shot a pistol at the second mech that was lining up a rifle shot on him from triple that distance behind him, and the pistol caused the pilot of the second mech to be forcibly ejected. Front Mission Man became in in joke with my friends afterwards, more powerful than any child of destiny with a burned village. Never got around to playing other games in the franchise, but I've always wanted to.
 

Damned Registrations

Furry Weeaboo Nazi Nihilist
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Maybe, or I just offered him a game I liked, instead of thinking what he might like. He did eventually get into RPGs from Fallout 3 and Borderlands though...
Seems to me the issue wasn't that you suggested a niche game, as that you suggested a game that had little to do with his interests. He might have been more into Deus Ex or even something way out there like Eye: Divine Cybermancy since they involve, you know, shooting people. Or something like Fallout 2 since it's not a fantasy setting with swords and shit. This is why I generally try to wheedle more details about what people want before offering recommendations, and give details about why I'm recommending them. 'Doesn't like anime' and 'no parties full of children' isn't a lot to go on, but I'd say FF7 fails the first bar, given that the main character's signature weapon is a sword that is physically impossible to wield the way he does, regardless of his strength, unless Cloud secretly weighs like 600 lbs to stay balanced. Something like Suikoden or SMT3 is a way better recommendation, despite being more niche.
 

Ash

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Front Mission 3 is a terrible waste. The premise & setting have promise and the 2D art pre-rendering is beautiful when it shows up from time to time. The core however (combat and immediate things revolving around it, like ability unlocking, shopping and mech customisation) is largely worthless. Battles feature little tactics or strategy to it, customisation seems extensive but barely changes a thing, just spec HP and you're good. Ability unlocking is a crapshoot, it's just not a good game. Also the soundtrack is nothing special and the story is forgettable and not well-written, though not without value entirely.

Similar case with Suikoden. Lackluster game design, good if you need a unconventional sleeping aid maybe.

Rincewind: at your request, top 20 PS1 games. I will exclude many excellent ports from PC, Arcade, SNES etc, unless they do something notably different to the original version. I am not a connoisseur of JRPG as most are low quality storyfag games and cringe weebness, but rather a connoisseur of quality gaming.

1. Final Fantasy 7 (JRPG)
2. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (JRPG)
3. Doom
4. Tomb Raider
5. Final Fantasy 9 (JRPG)
6. Hogs of War
7. Resident Evil
8. Tomb Raider 2
9. Parasite Eve (JRPG)
10. Silent Hill
11. Resident Evil 3
12. Parasite Eve 2
13. Brahma Force
14 Spyro the Dragon
15. Vigilante 8
16. Final Fantasy 8 (JRPG)
17. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
18. Vagrant Story (JRPG)
19. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
20. Final Fantasy Tactics (JRPG)

Honorable JRPG Mention: Koudelka, Metal Gear Solid (lol)

The Final Fantasy games & Castlevania SOTN all have mods (romhacks) called "HardTypes" that are essential on replays. A few simple changes elevates the gameplay, addressing the one bad thing about those games most people of the old school can agree upon (there's some challenge but could have been more).

Look to Squaresoft for PS1 JRPGs. Not just one step above the competition, but rather in their own league entirely. By the time of the PS2 their talent, integrity and goodwill was already on a downward slope.

Top 20 PS2 games. Same rules as above. The start of gaming decline began here, though PS2 was still a good generation for gaming overall. But for example, truly good RPGs, survival horrors, first person shooters? Just forget it. Unless they were PC ports anyway (e.g Half-life).

1. Devil May Cry
2. The Punisher
3. Resident Evil 4
4. Need for Speed: Underground 2
5. Metal Gear Solid 3
6. Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
7. Manhunt
8. GUN
9. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
10. Final Fantasy X (JRPG)

Anything past this point maybe I don't even consider THAT great and would recommend not bothering with. PS2 generation decline in effect.

11. Devil May Cry 3
12. Hitman: Blood Money
13. GTA Vice City or San Andreas
14. Colin Mcrea Rally 2004
15. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
16. Destroy All Humans 2
17. Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkiachi 3
18. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
19. Prince of Persia
20. Max Payne

SMT3 is a popular underdog JRPG for the PS2, I've not played that one but it does look interesting. Might be worth a shot.
 
Last edited:

Rincewind

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I am not a connosuer of JRPG as most are low quality storyfag games and cringe weebness, but rather a connoisseur of quality gaming.
Same here, so this general Top 20 is even better. Updated the spreadsheet with the recommendations (keeping Ash'es in a separate column; I don't believe in averages when it comes to reviews).
 

Nutmeg

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Vatnik Wumao
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I am not a connosuer of JRPG as most are low quality storyfag games and cringe weebness, but rather a connoisseur of quality gaming.
Same here, so this general Top 20 is even better. Updated the spreadsheet with the recommendations (keeping Ash'es in a separate column; I don't believe in averages when it comes to reviews).
Please add:

Armored Core
Carnage Heart
Einhander
Elemental Gearbolt
Front Mission 2
Future Cop
Ghost in the Shell
Llylgamyn Saga
Nectaris
New Age of Lyllgamyn
Omega Boost
Panekit
R-Type Delta
RC de Go
Side by Side Special 2000
Silent Bomber
Trap Gunner
 

Jack Of Owls

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May 23, 2014
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I would adjust the ever-living fuck out of that list and set you on the right path, but no one likes and listens to an elitist. Or something. Definitely some gems in there though.

I kept collecting the recommendations, but it kinda devolved into CRPGAddict-level foolishness.

I can certainly relate to this. Just today I was thinking: "Okay, now that I've got all my 8, 16 and 32-bit emus set up to perfection, I should group together all the Shin Megami Tensei games (or at least III through V) and put them into a special dedicated folder and assign .icos, boxart, screenshots and video trailers to them, along with a full text description from MobyGames of each entry in the series. But... I fought the compulsion like hell, and won the battle! I have no special exclusive folder or Launchbox entries for Shin Megami Tensei games III-V. Huzzah!

:kfc:
 

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