Recommend me a jRPG.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:45 pm

Infinite Undiscovery is garbage. Eternal Sonata is mediocre (but looks great). Blue Dragon is horrible. Magna Carta 2 and Star Ocean 4 also look awful. Lost Odyssey looks average. Cross Edge is weak. And so on.

The only jRPGs I've beaten in the last year have been Tales of Vesperia (which lacked dual audio, but for the most part, enjoyable), Spectral Force 3 (garbage), Demon's Souls which was great, and Persona 4 (which was awesome).

Essentially I need a game that's going to keep me entertained throughout the entire game, like Persona 4 did. I'm looking for something with good gameplay, not just a showcase of graphics. Things like Sakura Taisen are enjoyable.

Anything come to mind guys?

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:52 pm

Why not play some other Megaten games? (maybe you've played them all, already?)

Hibachi · Post by **Hibachi** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:02 pm

If you're into the Tales games then you can't go wrong with
Tales Of Legendia
Tales Of The Abyss
Tales Of Symphonia

All very good and on the PS2

Lost Odyssey is actually very good as well even though the graphics are more functional.

Maybe check out the Xenosaga series, Rogue Galaxy and Dragon Quest 8 for the PS2 as well.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:27 pm

CMoon wrote:Why not play some other Megaten games? (maybe you've played them all, already?)

This (especially Nocturne), though the Shadow Hearts series is also worth a look. I also just finished the DS Chrono Trigger port the other day, if you don't mind something that old.

UnscathedFlyingObject · Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:56 pm

There's also Tales of Destiny Remake, Tales of Destiny 2, and Tales of Rebirth for the JP PS2.

Momijitsuki · Post by **Momijitsuki** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:31 pm

If you liked Persona 4, Persona 3 FES is an easy to find game, if you haven't played that already.

I can't really think of anything else, since I haven't really played many modern jRPGs and enjoyed them.

kozo · Post by **kozo** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:40 pm

Front Mission 5: Scars of the War

Excellent trailer here.

This is simply a fantastic game. A wonderful soundtrack, deep customization, loads of real strategy, limit-pushing graphics and a story that avoids the pitfalls of many jRPGs (Walter, the main character starts the game playable at around 25-28 years, and the story is decades long.) If you are into the FM series, it is a treat because it ties up the rest of the series beautifully, resolving any loose threads from the 4 or 5 games before, and has plenty of cameos. If you're not a fan of the series, that works too, because the game is incredibly moving on its own merit, and the story of Walter is self-contained within the game. The story crosses many years and several real-life (or their FM equivalent) countries. Not to mention, in terms of art and music (and overall design and playability) FM5 blows away the other games - it really doesn't feel much like the older games at all. Square managed to earn my respect for this one and gave the game a LOT of dignity.

Also, if you do not speak Japanese, an excellent English patch is almost done!

I admit that probably sounded like a PSA, and I know it's an SRPG and not a pure RPG, but if there was ever a solid, worthwhile & respectable title for the PS2, it would be this.

VorpalEdge · Post by **VorpalEdge** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:58 pm

I have no idea what your tastes are, but Valkyrie Profile 1/2 and Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter are worth looks. Considering your history, however, I'd definitely go with another ps2 megaten game though. Try nocturne or the digital devil saga games. Persona 3 is good too, but you may have had enough of that formula after p4, and the mechanics were improved by a large enough margin in 4 that 3'll probably feel like a giant step back in many respects, especially since it's harder and will make you wish for said improvements so many times.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:59 am

UnscathedFlyingObject wrote:There's also Tales of Destiny Remake, Tales of Destiny 2, and Tales of Rebirth for the JP PS2.

Yeah, I'm slowly making progress through Rebirth. I really like the battle system.

I can't get into Front Mission. I have FM4 and it's just too slow.

I've tried about 5 times to go through Valkyrie Profile 1 and I just can't do it.

I know Persona 3 is good but it didn't hold my interest as much as what Persona 4 did. I have FES and the original.. maybe I'll go back to it.

I'd like to check out Nocturne sometime because it's apparently really hard. I guess I'll have to pirate it because I'm not paying $100 for a used copy.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:12 am

http://www.zophar.net/translations/snes/english.html

Forget new stuff. I've been playing some Star Ocean, which is much better than 2 & 3.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:23 am

BulletMagnet wrote:(especially Nocturne)

Yes, yes, and yes. And now it is cheap. When I actually finish this game I will be very sad.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:23 am

CMoon wrote:
BulletMagnet wrote:(especially Nocturne)
Yes, yes, and yes. And now it is cheap. When I actually finish this game I will be very sad.

Not on ebay it isn't. Where are you getting this from?

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:32 am

Amazon

You can get it new from some vendors who sell through Amazon for ~$40. It got reissued about a year or so ago. I bought a copy for a friend for $30 last December.

CStarFlare · Post by **CStarFlare** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:47 am

Star Ocean 4 is actually pretty good, but the story is a new low for the series.

Phantom Brave's Wii port is out now, and though I haven't quite worked my way to them, it appears that there's new bosses. Maybe Pringer XX too?

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:54 am

CMoon wrote:Amazon

You can get it new from some vendors who sell through Amazon for ~$40. It got reissued about a year or so ago. I bought a copy for a friend for $30 last December.

I can't order from Amazon but I did find the reprint on eBay for around that price. Is it worth seeking out the original print for the OST instead?

CStar: Don't have a Wii. I bet 480p Phantom Brave looks nice though.

BIL · Post by **BIL** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:17 am

The CD included with NTSCU Nocturne's first print is the complete Japanese Maniacs Edition soundtrack (the US game is based on the Maniacs ed). It also has a few songs from the original ed's two-disc soundtrack.

Although it has some excellent songs, it's nothing not included on Maniacs + SMTIII OST. Might make sense to get the cheaper reprint now and the soundtracks later, if you're into collecting game music.

gundamalpha · Post by **gundamalpha** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:34 am

I'm going through the same phase as you elixir, and right now I'm very happy to settle down with handheld JRPGs, especially those on PSP. Currently playing Crimson Gem Saga and it's worth checking out. And make sure you place your order on Persona, it comes with 2 disc OST

thamasha69 · Post by **thamasha69** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:02 am

Baten Kaitos perhaps...been playing this a lot lately and its been holding my interest surprisingly. Looks real nice too in 480P and costs like $10.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:58 pm

gundamalpha wrote:I'm going through the same phase as you elixir, and right now I'm very happy to settle down with handheld JRPGs, especially those on PSP. Currently playing Crimson Gem Saga and it's worth checking out. And make sure you place your order on Persona, it comes with 2 disc OST

That's one I'm definitely looking forward to. I don't have any SMT experience past Persona 3 (35 hours or so), and Persona 4 (105 hours). I'm going to go ahead and order a copy of Nocturne's reprint.

Handheld RPGs are also fine providing that they fit into the following categories:

1) They exist
2) They're on a handheld
3) They don't suck

Pick two. That's pretty much what I've seen with most RPGs for the DS/PSP, with the exception of MHFU (which I've neglected recently because it's a hassle to find people online), and WEWY for DS. Then there's stuff like Crisis Core and Lunar Dragon Song and ugh, I can't stand that sort of thing. They're bad games.

Anyway yeah, Nocturne. I guess I should have said that I prefer PS2, PS3 or 360 but you can almost immediately rule out the PS3 because it lacks in the RPG department about as much as the DS does. I'm also sorta, sorta interested in Mana Khemia 2 even though I've yet to play the first one. Maybe I'll try the PSP version first.

edit: sfdjhfsuijhnvxvc nevermind I can't play with these voices

Momijitsuki · Post by **Momijitsuki** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 2:15 pm

A couple of handheld possibilities: Etrian Odyssey and The World Ends With You are both decent games.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 2:36 pm

Handhelds (unfortunately just for the DS):

Again, with Megaten, apparently Devil Survivor is great. It is getting fantastic reviews both from fans and critics.

The Etrian Odyssey games take the basic dungeon crawler format to the next level. My issue is that both games tend to have a 'right' way to play them, such that while you can pick any party you want, there are often only one or two really optimal builds. Of course, once you figure out that build it is a lot of fun, but I'd have dug a bit more room for play (without the spankage.)

Dragon Quest--what's there to say? If you like this sort of thing (I do), then there's a lot of it to be had on the DS.

Dark Spire--more or less a clone (though improved in a lot of ways) of Wizardry 1. Probably for a very small audience; I guess that isn't a JRPG, so you can toss this one out, though I was enjoying it.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:59 pm

Actually I've almost beaten WEWY. Though I can't stand shounen bullshit. Devil Survivor has a lot of it, complete with edgy trendy friend who can see into the matrix and wants you to "discover yourself". Graphically it looks awful. The gameplay is decent but I don't like how it unnecessarily cuts into a different screen for attacks when the battles are already in a perfectly fine sRPG style.

I really, really cannot tolerate RPGs which have a first person perspective for battles; with an enemy sitting in front of you, doing absolutely nothing except for occasionally twitching and a number appearing. Which leads me to..

Etrian has seriously tried to get me into the EO series and I can't enjoy them in any shape or form. I have something like 19 hours into the first EO but I don't like the fact that it's so hard. You have to warp out of dungeons about 2 minutes into them else you're dead. The game expects you to know how to manipulate and properly use every single skill in every single skill tree for every single character class and has little to no explanation on how to do so. If it wasn't for gamefaqs I wouldn't even know about the poison thing.

Dark Spire just looks exactly the same as EO, but just more western.

DQ should be put to sleep already.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:57 pm

Elixir wrote: I really, really cannot tolerate RPGs which have a first person perspective for battles; with an enemy sitting in front of you, doing absolutely nothing except for occasionally twitching and a number appearing. Which leads me to..

Guess you'll be sending back that copy of Nocturne then...

I have something like 19 hours into the first EO but I don't like the fact that it's so hard. You have to warp out of dungeons about 2 minutes into them else you're dead. The game expects you to know how to manipulate and properly use every single skill in every single skill tree for every single character class and has little to no explanation on how to do so. If it wasn't for gamefaqs I wouldn't even know about the poison thing.

Guess you'll be sending back that copy of Nocturne then...

Hehe, sorry to be a smart ass, but yeah, Nocturne is a lot of those things you describe above. Hard, doesn't explain itself, turn-based, first person, etc. It may indeed not be your cup of tea.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:20 pm

Elixir wrote:I'm also sorta, sorta interested in Mana Khemia 2 even though I've yet to play the first one. Maybe I'll try the PSP version first.

Don't play the PSP version, it's plagued with slowdown and got awful reviews - the PS2 version is cheap by now, and also includes a Japanese voice option if the English track bugs you. I personally liked it quite a bit overall, and have the sequel pre-ordered, but I have a thing for Gust titles so your mileage may vary.

Guess you'll be sending back that copy of Nocturne then...

Huh? Nocturne is nowhere near as spartan appearance-wise (I actually wrote a long and spoiler-laden article related to this here) or stupidly hard as an Etrian Odyssey/Dark Spire type of game - it's no CG-laden walk in the park, but even a lousy gamer like myself got through it (without a guide or FAQ, mind you) and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are certain things you need to figure out on your own, but I found that enough hints were scattered about to make things clear if you explored thoroughly enough. Check out some Youtube vids to at least get an impression of the thing if you're curious, definitely don't dismiss it.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:37 pm

BM> Yes, there are clues in the game, but the game also does not hold your hand. Note that I consider this a really positive aspect of the game. There are lots of undocumented features, including aspects of fusing that it is very unlikely the player will uncover on their own. The difference between playing in an informed manner and uninformed manner is really a HUGE thing in any SMT game, but especially Nocturne.

Actually, I think that since Elixir has all that previous experience with persona, it won't be an issue, but I still think Nocturne is potentially closer to the hard/having to escape from dungeons often/etc. that Elixir describes than the walk-in-the-park standard JRPG fare.

I guess I'm somewhere in the middle since I like most of the games we've been talking about, but feel that unlike Nocturne, EO has basically one 'easy' way to play it, and everything else you might try makes the game unbearably hard. With Nocturne, a little research (whether uncovering on your own or using an FAQ) can put enough knowledge in your hand that you can escape a lot of the hard-as-hell hazards.

I feel rather like the game was meant to be played twice--once where you don't know anything and you get your ass handed to you often (maybe very often) and may find bosses nearly impossible to beat, and a second time where you actually understand how to thoroughly exploit the system. That may be more than what a lot of gamers want to deal with, although I dig it.

And yeah, sure, I love the look of the game, but the in-battle stuff does look a lot like what Elixir said he hates in RPGs. (I guess it's 3rd person, over the shoulder view...)

Momijitsuki · Post by **Momijitsuki** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:46 pm

I guess there's always Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV for the DS, though I don't feel that either are as good as the original games, but whatever.

ZOM · Post by **ZOM** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:52 pm

+1 to Shadow Hearts - nice story, it even has some ties to their previous title Koudelka. Also Shadow Hearts 2 is a very very well done RPG and the battle system is ace. I'd go as far and say it's the 2nd best turn-based battle system I ever played.

Since SMT Nocturne/Lucifer's Call was already mentioned, I recommend looking into Digital Devil Saga 1+2 too.
Good games.

elfhentaifan · Post by **elfhentaifan** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:28 pm

Breath of Fire is a good game series.
I only played 4 and i can just recommend it, a very nice game with sweet artwork and i also like the music very much

romscout · Post by **romscout** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:30 am

Well looks like people already mentioned the Atlus essentials. I'm not sure if you're into action RPGs so much, but if you are then other Atlus games to look at are Devil Summoner and Odin Sphere. Devil Summoner 2 is also out and apparently an improvement over the original but I haven't tried it. For a game that came out this year, it sure is hard to find.

Of course if you're not so familiar with that sub-genre or you aren't too picky with it, then you could always go try whatever Mana games you haven't played. I generally consider them all to be pretty fun, although I haven't tried Dawn so can't guarantee on that (especially since I've heard so many bad things about it).

Also I second whoever recommended Baten Kaitos, although it's a lot easier to find Origins. The first title should still go for pretty cheap online though.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:49 am

CMoon wrote:Guess you'll be sending back that copy of Nocturne then...

Hehe, sorry to be a smart ass, but yeah, Nocturne is a lot of those things you describe above. Hard, doesn't explain itself, turn-based, first person, etc. It may indeed not be your cup of tea.

I don't mind if it's turn based, but it's definitely not first person. I know Nocturne has an option to display the game in first person after you've beaten it, but that's more or less fan service. I'm still going to go ahead and check it out. If I don't like it, oh well.

I'm really disappointed in the lack of RPGs for the DS. The handheld's been out for a really long time and nothing really notable stands out. I know I can't go expecting miracles from that tiny thing but it seems like almost all good RPGs are just ports. I guess my main issue with EO was that after 19 hours in, I didn't feel like I was achieving anything and I felt like I was wasting my time.

Thanks for the suggestions though. I'll take everything into consideration and try ti find something I can make my way through. I'm actually thinking of preordering Vesperia once it gets an English PS3 announcement even though I've already beaten the 360 version before. That's of course assuming that it ends up getting one.

shmups.system11.org

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