RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

[DJ]

So yeah, I never got into the RPG genre, outside of playing the original Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy back in the day.

I'd like to explore this genre, but really don't know where to start. What are some good "starter" RPG's out there? I'm looking for something that has a good story but isn't overly complicated in terms of upgrading characters or figuring out where to go next.

I still have my PS2, so feel free to recommend games for that system. In fact, I'd kind of prefer PS2-era games and then work my way up to the 360/PS3.

[bcruise]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

So yeah, I never got into the RPG genre, outside of playing the original Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy back in the day.

I'd like to explore this genre, but really don't know where to start. What are some good "starter" RPG's out there? I'm looking for something that has a good story but isn't overly complicated in terms of upgrading characters or figuring out where to go next.

I still have my PS2, so feel free to recommend games for that system. In fact, I'd kind of prefer PS2-era games and then work my way up to the 360/PS3.

If you're talking more about JRPG's (Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, Kingdom Hearts, etc.) than Western Style ones (think Mass Effect, Skyrim, etc.), I'd recommend FFX. I know some people have issues with its protagonist (really, you could say that about a lot of the FF's), but the game does a good job of breaking a new player in, as most of the later FF's do.

The battle system itself is pretty newbie-friendly since it's turn-based instead of the active-time battles that many JRPG's use. That means you won't get attacked while it's your turn and can think about your next move.

There isn't a whole lot of customization until probably about 10-15 hours in (and you start acquiring key spheres which let you break off a character's designed growth path), Even then, your party members won't ever go way outside of their defined classes (in other words, your spellcasters won't be doing 9999 worth of physical damage). You have to play to their roles to be successful in this game. And you're not going to screw yourself by building the wrong attributes - the leveling and growth system simply doesn't allow it by design.

One thing though - this game is slated for an HD re-release, probably sometime this year. It might be worth your while to wait for that.

[goh]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Chrono Trigger,Shadow Hearts 1-3,Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 1 & 2 and Dark Cloud 2.

[bcruise]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Chrono Trigger,Shadow Hearts 1-3,Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 1 & 2 and Dark Cloud 2.

I just remembered several of the classic JRPG's got PSN re-releases, which sort of does make them this-gen...lol. Yeah, Trigger is a must for any RPG fan - a timeless classic. Dated though it is with the SNES-era graphics, it's still an amazing game.

And if there is any classic RPG that beats it out, it would have to be Final Fantasy 6, which is also now on the PSN store.

[DJ]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

If you're talking more about JRPG's (Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, Kingdom Hearts, etc.) than Western Style ones (think Mass Effect, Skyrim, etc.), I'd recommend FFX. I know some people have issues with its protagonist (really, you could say that about a lot of the FF's), but the game does a good job of breaking a new player in, as most of the later FF's do.

The battle system itself is pretty newbie-friendly since it's turn-based instead of the active-time battles that many JRPG's use. That means you won't get attacked while it's your turn and can think about your next move.

There isn't a whole lot of customization until probably about 10-15 hours in (and you start acquiring key spheres which let you break off a character's designed growth path), Even then, your party members won't ever go way outside of their defined classes (in other words, your spellcasters won't be doing 9999 worth of physical damage). You have to play to their roles to be successful in this game. And you're not going to screw yourself by building the wrong attributes - the leveling and growth system simply doesn't allow it by design.

One thing though - this game is slated for an HD re-release, probably sometime this year. It might be worth your while to wait for that.

Western or JRPG's are fine to recommend.

Mass Effect was a game I had my eye on.

How's Kingdom Hearts?

[BaylorBearBryant]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Diablo III

[trobinson97]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Castle Crashers.

[ps3veron]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Now I am hardly a fan of RPGs and I don't really see the point of linear RPGs (I am thinking, they are "role playing", so you should be able to create whatever role you want and just wander!).

Hence, allow me to introduce you to one of the most amazing games of all time: Oblivion!

Like I said, I am hardly an RPG fan nor am I good at any of them, but with Oblivion, you can get started and spend hours into just doing exactly what you wanted to do!

And its more approachable than the other RPGs I tried.

[aukevin]

Mass Effect and Skyrim for sure for the western ones, FFX for Japanese like bcruise said. I've only played one Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II, it was fun but I was missing out on the early story for sure.

If you have a Wii, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is really fun. It's actually a Gamecube game but I think it is way better than the Wii Paper Mario.

[Tyrant8RDFL]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

<h3>Kingdom of Amalur Reckoning</h3>

You dont need to play something that was in the past in order to get your feet wet or broken in.

The game I reccommend will be just fine , and its very enjoyable.

Mass Effect 2 or 3 I would go with also. Mass Effect one is solid but the gameplay moves very slow, and can be a turn off.

[DJ]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Before I forget, I should also mention that games played from a first-person perspective won't work for me. That camera view gives me a headache.

[aukevin]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Before I forget, I should also mention that games played from a first-person perspective won't work for me. That camera view gives me a headache.

Skyrim has a third-person perspective toggle in case you didn't know. Most vids for the game that I've seen seem to show first person all the time. I played it almost entirely in 3rd person.

[jyoung]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6 are still two of the best in the genre.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

I agree on Skyrim and Mass Effect.

As far as FP goes, does a game like COD give you headaches too? The reason I ask is because I agree with you on the dizzying effect of playing through the first person. But in games with decent framerate and reasonable bouncing effects when walking/running, it becomes much more tolerable.

And um...I take it if you are posting threads here, your The Show experience must still be lacking. Bummer.

PM me if you want help getting your MLB fix.

[goh]

Re: RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

I'm looking for something that has a good story but isn't overly complicated in terms of upgrading characters or figuring out where to go next.

See this part rules out Skyrim,KoA,Obvlion,Fallout etc.
Plus since it's on the PS3 he'd be stuck with a whole bunch of ugly.

Far as Chrono Trigger looking dated...

This...



looks a whole lot better than this....