Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject: Favorite rpgs (a top 10 list)
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So, I just beat Guardian War and I think it is one of my favorite rpgs ever! It got me to thinking ... what are my other favorite rpgs? So I made this top 10 list, along w/brief comments on why I enjoyed each game. It is kinda long, so I just posted the bottom half for now ... stay tuned for the top half, coming shortly.
10 - Suikoden (PSX) The first rpg that I played through from begining to end, it holds sentimental value for me due to the satisfaction of beating a challenging game. Although the battles are a bit too numerous, and the magic is cliched, nothing can match the thrill of being able to customize your party from a selection of 108 characters!
9 - Liberation-captive II (Amiga cd32) It may be premature to list this game since I have not gotten very far in it yet, but it is very appealing. Not a traditonal rpg, but played in a future setting w/a unique 1st person perspective. Tough to go back to reading conversation windows, when all the discussions in Liberation are actual speech!
8 - The Bard's Tale (PS2) This game pokes fun at the entire rpg genre, but in the end it proves to be an excellent rpg in its own right. Your party options are unique, but the main draw is the hilarious voice acting! Great fun that even my fiance enjoys.
7 - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (GC) Forget the turn based Final Fantasy games, for me nothing beats this real time version. Great music, stunning graphics, and unique multiplayer options via the GBA, make this the most original and fun Fantasy title I've seen yet. With its reasonable length, this is also a good choice for less intense rpg gamers.
6 - .Hack (PS2) Since the rpg genre is more cliched now than it has ever been, it is nice to see this series (4 games) be so original. The combat engine is great, real time (comprable to PSO) but the story is what pushed it to the top for me. Awesome!
I'll post my remaining top 5 soon. If you are an rpg fan, please post your own list so I can see what I might have missed.
Here is the rest of my list, my top 5 favorite rpgs of all time ...
5 -
Lucienne's Quest (3DO) 3DO bias ... perhaps to an extent. But this is a great game on any platform. Combat is quite fun, w/the ability to use the terrain to your advantage (unique). The lead character is a female (also unique) I think the music is great, and the graphics are quite good considering that this was one of the 1st rpgs for a next gen platform (I like the multiple views) The story does not try to be a soap opera, but instead is straightforward & funny. And this is an rpg that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their rpg experience, since it has a more balanced level of difficulty. Great game!
4 - Guardian War/Powers Kingdom (3DO) Perhaps I am ranking this game so high since it is fresh in my mind, but I don't think so. Normally combat is my least favorite part of an rpg, but in Guardian War I love it! (good thing too, since that is basically all it is

) Much deeper than it appears, half the fun is figuring out how to tackle each level (which characters to use, bodies, weapons, etc...) Great graphics, and amazing audio! Truly ahead of its time ... "Another world, another time"
3 -
Phantasy Star Online Epidoe I & II plus (GC) The most addictive game ever? Maybe ... Amazing audio/visual package too! GC port beats out the DC original thanks to extra content and a very nice off-line mode. I love this game!
2 -
Skies of Arcadia (DC/GC) As far as traditional rpgs go, nothing can touch Skies! Impossible to sum up its brilliant points in just a small paragraph, I'll just say that for turn based rpgs, this is the best there is hands down!
Amazing story, that sadly has yet to be continued (where is the sequel Sega?) One of the most satisfying games I've ever beaten
1 -
Shenmue (DC) No point in an explanation here, as those who don't enjoy this game won't be swayed by my few words. But for those of us who know ...
As you can see from my list, I prefer real time rpgs to turn based. I also prefer settings that are modern or future. I did not include games like Zelda which are adventure titles, but I will say that Wind Waker is one of the best games ever!