General Role-Playing Game Thread

[Krymner]

Yo, this is the official CAG Role-Playing-Game Discussion Thread. Stay on topic...OR ELSE.

This would be Thread 7 for those of you counting.

Now, how bout them RPGs, eh??

[SL4IN]

I'm stuck in Platinum right now, and I'm not quite sure what to do. I'm screwed for the moment because no one has posted an up-to-date FAQ either. :(

[Krymner]

Is Platinum really all that different from D/P? I haven't played a Pokemon game in awhile tho. I wish they would make a Pokemon tactical strategy RPG.

Almost finished with Xenosaga 2. Just got past the part where that big-ass thing explodes from the planet. That was pretty cool. I'm probably gonna skip all the sidequests, but I know I do need to grind a little for some skill points now.

Anyone know what kinds of things transfer over to Episode 3 from 2? I think the only thing that I got in this one that transferred from my Episode 1 save file was some swimsuits or something...

[Oktoberfest]

yup you do get something from Episode 2. Similar stuff you get from Xenosaga I.

[Azumangaman]

Man, I really got to get back on the RPG train. I was having so much fun with Tales Of Vesperia too...

[SL4IN]

They added so much new content to Platinum that it could have been released as a sort of sequel to diamond/pearl. It's by far the biggest update to any of the pokemon games.

[keithp]

Playing Suikoden V as I get the chance. I've never played any of them before, but I think I'll like it, apart from some horrible voice acting so far. I'm only a couple of hours in, and from what I understand the really good parts come after about 5 hours.

[Moxio]

Platinum looks kind of lame.

Gimme a G/S/C remake, Nintendo.

[pete5883]

Platinum looks kind of lame.

Gimme a G/S/C remake, Nintendo.
Kind of surprised they haven't announced it yet. I guess they've gotta give Platinum a wide berth.

[cletus]

Suikoden 5 is usually ranked second after 2 in terms of quality. I just remember it had one of the best plots of any RPG I've ever played.

[Paint Drinker]

Finally started playing Xenogears after a couple of months of screwing with my PSP. I'm playing the 2.0 version so it has Japanese voices, the original combos and weighs in kilograms (metric system rocks, silly yanks. :P) among other things.
Anyway I haven't played this before and thought I should, as an RPG fan, because apparently it is one of the best. I'm at the part where I just fought that Pirate guy and we fell into these sand catacombs. I haven't done anything after that.

So far it has been pretty awesome, the pacing has been great and there is pretty much a constant stream of action going on, so far. The combat is very cool and reminds me (abstractly) of Legend of Legaia in that you can choose how you want to attack, I'm sure there is a better comparison but if there is, I haven't played it.
The graphics are an eyesore for the most part and the sprites look like anus, but the animations for them in combat are surprisingly good. So far the story is great, from the start it lays out the character but shrouds it in mystery, which I like. The anime cutscenes are sweet because the in-game ones are boring without voices, and I was surprised to see them in a PSOne game. They seem to be fairly consistant and are shown fairly often. Is this true of the whole game? Or doi they start becoming less frequent after the game starts to get going?
Only major gripe is the slow as all hell text speed and the jarring use of the 'O' button instead of 'X' and no Analogue support (which sucks on the PSP, breaks my hands)
So far though, great game.
Also playing through P3:FES again for P4 when it arrives as well as some Disgaea 3 on the side. I used to play one RPG exclusively at one time, now I don't as it helps prevent 'Insert game name here' fatigue.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

Playing ToV right now.

[ChibiJosh]

Suikoden 5 is usually ranked second after 2 in terms of quality. I just remember it had one of the best plots of any RPG I've ever played.

Screw the masses, Suikoden 5 is the best in my opinion. Hell, I thought the original was better than 2.

[pete5883]

Finally started playing Xenogears after a couple of months of screwing with my PSP. I'm playing the 2.0 version so it has Japanese voices, the original combos and weighs in kilograms (metric system rocks, silly yanks. :P) among other things.

!
I may have to try this someday. What's different about the combos?

[the_punisher]

Tredging through Lost Odyssey right now. Just beat the second disk, 19 hours in. If you think i suck, well i'm stuck at Final Fantasy X at about 70% complete, 35 hours in. Yes, 35 hours. :(

[DarthPuma]

When is that mother 3 fan translation coming? And how exactly is that going to work, as in playing it on a gba or ds.

[62t]

When is that mother 3 fan translation coming? And how exactly is that going to work, as in playing it on a gba or ds.

It should be in the next few days. If you want to play it on GBA or DS you need a flash cart

[DarthPuma]

It should be in the next few days. If you want to play it on GBA or DS you need a flash cart


Oh. I was hoping there would be a way to like somehow get the translation on the gba cart. Far fetched, I know, but it would be cool.

[Moxio]

*appears*

I sense piracy!

*disappears*

[62t]

Don't look now but Persona 2: Innocent Sin patch is out

http://tsumi.wordpress.com/

here is a youtube clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYcHGJViqMQ

http://www.crosser.altervista.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=80

[Lorddraco07]

Woot! Finally be able to see what happens in the first part of Persona 2.

[Moxio]

Thanks for the link.

[JEKKI]

http://xs129.xs.to/xs129/08285/lpt380.jpg

still gotta beat P2 EP -_-

it's freakin sitting on my TV thing... halfway beaten... staring at me...

STARING!

[Astinus Majere]

Suikoden 5 is usually ranked second after 2 in terms of quality. I just remember it had one of the best plots of any RPG I've ever played.

I thought 3 was supposed to be the best. I've only played 1 and 2, but I have more nostalgia for 1.

[Over easy]

Still on ToV. May start FF IV again during my train ride to work.

[ChibiJosh]

Been playing Shining Force II recently since it released on the VC. After 10-15 years, it's still one of my top RPGs. Of course, a lot of the dialog seems really corny nowadays.

It should be in the next few days. If you want to play it on GBA or DS you need a flash cart

I picked up a flash cart last night for the sole purpose of playing Mother 3 on my DS. Hopefully it arrives before too long.

[BlueLobstah]

I thought 3 was supposed to be the best. I've only played 1 and 2, but I have more nostalgia for 1.


Varies in opinions I suppose. Suikoden I, II & V are most similar while III splits off in a slightly different direction. Personally, II is my favorite but III and V aren't very far behind. I actually liked that III was slightly different but still inherently Suikoden.

Sales wise, III has sold the best of any in the series although one would question the availability and limited print run of II...

Quite a few RPGs on my docket. Got FFIV DS during the TRU sale, but also have Odin Sphere from Goozex and Mario RPG on the VC. I don't want to start FFIV yet, so between the latter two which should I play first?

[Jest]

Whats a decent RPG for PSP or DS? I need something to play on the bus. I'm into turn based and not action. I didn't like Etrian Odyssey or DQIV.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

Whats a decent RPG for PSP or DS? I need something to play on the bus. I'm into turn based and not action. I didn't like Etrian Odyssey or DQIV.

Valhalla Knights, Monster Hunter, Crisis Core?

[fatbeer]

Valhalla Knights, Monster Hunter, Crisis Core?

Those are action rpg.

Whats a decent RPG for PSP or DS? I need something to play on the bus. I'm into turn based and not action. I didn't like Etrian Odyssey or DQIV.

If you hate Etrain Odyssey or Dragon Quest, then you must hate level grinding. Your not into action games so that rules out Crisis Core, Gurumin and World Ends with You. Too many of ds and psp rpgs are remakes though. I guess if you never play it, it's new to you.


:psp: Final Fantasy I, Yggdra Union, Jeanne D Arc, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness ,Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

:ds:
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Sonic Chronciles, Pokemon Diamond or Pearl, Rhapsody, Disgaea ds, Final Fantasy III or IV(Both got decent amount of level grinding)

[keithp]

Whats a decent RPG for PSP or DS? I need something to play on the bus. I'm into turn based and not action. I didn't like Etrian Odyssey or DQIV.

Tried Puzzle Quest yet?

[Jest]

I've played almost all of those games actually :P. I liked Crisis Core quite a bit, maybe I'll give Valhalla Knights a try. Strategy is a strange animal for me. I traded in WotL but really liked FFTA and A2 probably because they were easy. I also liked Jeanne D'Arc but traded that in too. They aren't really my thing but if Disgaea or Yggdra are cheap used I'll pick one of them up.

I thought there were more RPGs... The only ones I haven't played are Valhalla Knights, Monster Hunter, FFI+II, Yggdra Union, Disgaea, Mario and Luigi, Sonic, and Rhapsody.

[62t]

btw another DS RPG got fan translated - Soma Bringer


http://somatrans.referata.com/wiki/Main_Page

you're going to need a flash card though

[Allnatural]

Finished Tales of the Abyss recently. This being the third I've played (Legendia and Symphonia earlier, and Vesparia waiting in the queue) I think this may be my favorite RPG "series."

[fatbeer]

I've played almost all of those games actually :P. I liked Crisis Core quite a bit, maybe I'll give Valhalla Knights a try. Strategy is a strange animal for me. I traded in WotL but really liked FFTA and A2 probably because they were easy. I also liked Jeanne D'Arc but traded that in too. They aren't really my thing but if Disgaea or Yggdra are cheap used I'll pick one of them up.

I thought there were more RPGs... The only ones I haven't played are Valhalla Knights, Monster Hunter, FFI+II, Yggdra Union, Disgaea, Mario and Luigi, Sonic, and Rhapsody.

There a lot of rpgs. But how many are consider good? I guess you have to throw some action rpgs in mix.

Just hope that future release such as Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Chrono Trigger Ds, Parasite Eve III, Star Ocean: Second Evolution, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, Suikoden Tierkreis, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, Dragon Quest series remakes, Final Fantasy Agito XIII, Tales of Heart, Suikoden Tierkreis, Mario & Luigi RPG 3, and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon will make up some of sub par portable rpgs.

:psp:
Brave Story( I never played it)
Rivera A Promised Land(Mix reviews. I hate it. While other love it)
Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure
Tales of The World: Radiant Mythology(I think this garbage game, but some people like it)
Valkyrie Profile Lenneth
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Star Ocean First Departed(coming next week)
Monster Hunter Series

:ds:
Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings
Luminous Arc(Mix reviews. I hate it a lot. While other love it)
Megaman Battle Network(if you like this sorta thing)


ds rpg list

Children of Mana
Contact
Deep Labyrinth
Digimon World Ds
Digimon World: Dust
Digimon World: Dawn
Disgaea DS
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
Drone Tactics?
Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts
Eragon
Etrian Odyssey 1
Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings
Fossil League: Dino Tournament Championship
From the Abyss
Front Mission
Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy
Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth Remix
Inuyasha: Secret of the Divine Jewel
Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja
Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns
Justice League Heroes
Lock's Quest?
Lost Magic
Luminous Arc
Lunar: Dragon Song
Magicial Starsign
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Mazes of Fate DS
Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker x Ninja
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker x Saurian
Mega Man Star Force: Dragon
Mega Man Star Force: Leo
Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus
Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer
Naruto: Path of the Ninja
Orcs & Elves
Pokemon Diamond
Pokemon Pearl
Pokemon Ranger
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure
Rondo of Swords
Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon
Spectrobes
Spectrobes II
Summon Night: Twin Age
Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal
The World Ends With You

psp rpg list

Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos
Alien Syndrome
Astonishia Story
Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light
Brave Story: New Traveler
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Dragoneer's Aria
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
Dungeons & Dragons Tactics
Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts
Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground
Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony
Final Fantasy I
Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
Generation of Chaos
Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure
Jeanne D'Arc
Justice League Heroes
Kingdom of Paradise
Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion, The
Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch, The
Legend of Heroes III: Song of the Ocean, The
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Monster Hunter Freedom
Monster Hunter Freedom 2
Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner
PoPoLoCrois
Riviera: The Promised Land
Spectral Souls
Star Ocean: First Departure
Tales of The World: Radiant Mythology
Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade
Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code
Valhalla Knights
Valhalla Knights 2
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse
Yggdra Union
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim
Wild ARMs XF

[JEKKI]

btw another DS RPG got fan translated - Soma Bringer


http://somatrans.referata.com/wiki/Main_Page

you're going to need a flash card though


oh hellz yah! Soma Cruz!

[eswat]

Finally upgraded my copy of The Witcher to Enhanced Edition. But decided to start over again, mostly so I can play on Hard difficulty, where you actually need to use Signs and Alchemy to kill anything.

[Rodimus]

I just wanna play Persona 2 Innocent Sin, but I'm to stupid to figure out how to make it playable. Plus I have a Mac, they usually suck at that kinda stuff. Anyone wanna help me, there's a reward....

[FloodsAreUponUS]

I just wanna play Persona 2 Innocent Sin, but I'm to stupid to figure out how to make it playable. Plus I have a Mac, they usually suck at that kinda stuff. Anyone wanna help me, there's a reward....

Install windows. /smartass

Also does anyone know how long ToA is? I am about 30something hours into it, and wondering If I should go back and finish.

[Rodimus]

From what I understand the Tale of games are all pretty long. Be prepared for another 30-40 hours.

[Allnatural]

From what I understand the Tale of games are all pretty long. Be prepared for another 30-40 hours.
For me:

Tales of Symphonia - 60 hours (a few sidequests completed)
Tales of Legendia - 72 hours (all character quests completed)
Tales of the Abyss - 58 hours (no sidequests completed)

[Over easy]

I forgot Star Ocean is coming out next week for PSP. That should be fun to play. But as much as I like handheld RPGs, I need to save up money for the upcoming month. Maybe I'll just stick with FFIV for now.

I hope I can finish ToV in time for ToS 2. Unfortunately, my Gamecube was stolen with my memory card, so I lost my ToS saves. I wouldn't mind playing it again, but the game just takes too long.

[Lorddraco07]

Mother 3 patch is done! Gogogo lol. So can't wait to play it.

http://mother3.fobby.net/

[SL4IN]

Beat Pokemon Platinum today! Now to digg into all the new after game stuff.

[depascal22]

Whats a decent RPG for PSP or DS? I need something to play on the bus. I'm into turn based and not action. I didn't like Etrian Odyssey or DQIV.


Brave Story New Traveler isn't bad. Very generic but it's turn based and it does everything pretty well.

The strategy games are where it's at. Disgaea, Jeanne d'Arc, and Final Fantasy Tactics could keep you busy until 2010.

[JEKKI]

yo look what i made!!!

http://i34.tinypic.com/2qv401d.jpg

does that make me cool yet?!?!?!

[Destromas]

So, RPGs...

Infinite Undiscovery - Undiscovered
Tales of Vesperia - 3 hours in
Lost Odyssey - On the last disc
Penny Arcade Episode 1 - Meh
Arkadian Warriors - Meh
Phantasy Star Universe - Beaten Story
Oblivion - Beaten
Two Worlds - Beaten
Too Human - Beaten
Mass Effect - Beaten


I just can't seem to get into Square-Enix games anymore...

[pete5883]

yo look what i made!!!

http://i34.tinypic.com/2qv401d.jpg

does that make me cool yet?!?!?!
Where can I download this? Need one.

[Nephlabobo]

yo look what i made!!!

http://i34.tinypic.com/2qv401d.jpg

does that make me cool yet?!?!?!

Yes. Yes it does.

Now playing Enchanted Arms and enjoying it.

[JEKKI]

Where can I download this? Need one.


check it out!!

http://www.cubeecraft.com/character104.html

they got hella things there btw... but it's a pain in the azz to make!! unless u got sum recommended thick paper.

oyah I jus beat Traume Center 2 on DS so.... Dragon Quest IV time soon!!!

[RelentlessRolento]

note: might not apply here but makes me happy:

the new 99 Nights is beign made by the same devs behind Lost Odyssey.

[pete5883]

Eh, I feel like the devs for Lost Odyssey are irrelevant, since Sakaguchi was in charge of them.

[Krymner]

I just can't seem to get into Square-Enix games anymore...

It seems like the only Squeenix games that are good anymore are on handhelds, and most of those are remakes of older games. It may be just me, but I really think Square and Enix both made better games before they merged.

[blueshinra]

It may be just me, but I really think Square and Enix both made better games before they merged.
There's a really great quote I read somewhere once, about Square and Enix, pre-merger; it was along the lines of "the competition brought out the best in both companies."

Hope this isn't too offtopic for this thread, but one thing I miss about them being separate companies is that we don't get any good non-RPG games out of them anymore. Where have the Einhanders and Bust A Grooves gone?

[Rodimus]

Hah, it's like make your own Nocturne Mighty Mugg. Very cool.

[mlisette23]

yo look what i made!!!

http://i34.tinypic.com/2qv401d.jpg

does that make me cool yet?!?!?!

That's awesome, reminds me that I still need to beat this game...right after FES and DDS

[keithp]

Mother 3 patch is done! Gogogo lol. So can't wait to play it.

http://mother3.fobby.net/

Been playing since yesterday. FANTASTIC!! Really great game.

[depascal22]

Just finished Brave Story New Traveler. I give it a C+ just because it didn't do anything that hasn't been done before. The battle animations are fantastic and the girls are all in their best Warrior/Slut attire.

Now, it's on to Tales of Eternia. I'm about 30 minutes into it and it's weird playing a Tales game from before Symphonia. I like the game but it's definately a blast from the past.

[BlueLobstah]

Just started Super Mario RPG... maybe I'll be able to finish it this time around.

[Krymner]

I was gonna pick up Eternal Sonata for the PS3 this weekend, but after playing thru the demo again, I think I'm gonna wait for a price drop now.

I guess I got a couple weeks until Valkyria Chronicles comes out, so I think I'm gonna get back into Persona 3 FES and play thru The Answer quest.

[SL4IN]

Started Golden Sun on the gba today. Figured it was time to play through that again, since I hadn't beaten it since it came out. I also never beat The Lost Age, so I figured I'd start GS 1 and then continue on with GS 2. Last I remember, I could beat GS in just a few days, so I'm hoping it'll go that quick this time.

Edit: Playing Golden Sun again reminds of how fucking good RPG's can be.

[pete5883]

I thought GS was one of the worst RPG's I've ever played. One of the few I started and didn't finish.

Question: Anyone own, or know anything about the Persona 3: Official Design Works book?

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-lt-77-2-49-en-15-persona-70-1xlg.html

[Krymner]

I never finished Golden Sun either. Only got about halfway thru it. Not that it was bad, I just thought it was very mediocre.

[depascal22]

I'm playing Eternal Sonata and Tales of Eternia at the same time I'm at the inevitable "Let's go to the capital and talk to the king/ruler/duke" part in both games. Now I remember why don't play 2 RPGs at the same time.

[Moxio]

You assholes didn't like Golden Sun? Get the hell out of this thread.

[depascal22]

I've never played Golden Sun so I don't have an opinion either way. I was never into playing RPGs on my GBA but now I'm really into PSP RPGs. Go figure.

[Rodimus]

Here's a question for all you RPG fans. Who is your favorite "silent hero" in an RPG?

[JMEPO]

Golden Sun is fantastic although I never did play the 2nd one. Any good?

[StarKnightX]

Here's a question for all you RPG fans. Who is your favorite "silent hero" in an RPG?

Off-hand I'm going to say Chrono. But that's partly because he was the first to come to mind. Ryu from BoF would be a pretty close second for me.

[blueweltall]

Here's a question for all you RPG fans. Who is your favorite "silent hero" in an RPG?

That dude from Suikoden II.

[Rodimus]

Off-hand I'm going to say Chrono. But that's partly because he was the first to come to mind. Ryu from BoF would be a pretty close second for me.

He's the first one I thought of too. I also liked the hero from Suikoden V (even though he was very girly looking) His facial expressions gave him a personallity.

Also I liked Mario in his RPGs. Jumping around and acting things out to tell a story.

[Moxio]

Here's a question for all you RPG fans. Who is your favorite "silent hero" in an RPG?

Ryu, BoFIV.

[Rei no Otaku]

Golden Sun sucks ass.

Best silent hero? Probably the prince from Suikoden 5.

[Jest]

Golden Sun was good when it was released. I was blown away. It was the first game I bought for my GBA. I've finished it a few times since then. Using spells in the environment to get to places was the first time I've saw that.

Also, silent heroes suck.

[pete5883]

Here's a question for all you RPG fans. Who is your favorite "silent hero" in an RPG?
Silent heroes are awful, but I like Crono, and maybe the guy from DQVIII. He's not half bad.

[Moxio]

Golden Sun sucks ass.

You reek.

[fatbeer]

Here's a question for all you RPG fans. Who is your favorite "silent hero" in an RPG?

Nintendo characters! Wait, this is rpg thread, I mean that guy from Persona 3. He got super pimping skills. There are way too many silent heroes in rpg in general, from jrpg of Suikoden or Shin Megami Tensai to Western Rpg of Star Wars Old Republic.

[Moxio]

I forgot about Minato.

...Damn, it's a tie between Minato and Ryu. :|

[62t]

no love for Link?

[Z_meista]

Wait, this is rpg thread, I mean that guy from Persona 3. He got super pimping skills.

True. And the main hero from Suikoden 2.

[fatbeer]

I don't consider a Zelda game as a rpg. It probably have the fewest rpg elements then most games. Castlevania have more rpg elements then that and it is consider as action adventure.

[blueshinra]

Here's a question for all you RPG fans. Who is your favorite "silent hero" in an RPG?
Another vote for Chrono, here, though Mario comes a very close second.

[pete5883]

I forgot about Minato.
Same here. I like Minato's "I run around with my hands in my pockets" style.

[Moxio]

He is very insecure about his frail, girly hands is all. [-(

[BlueLobstah]

Another vote for the hero of Suikoden II. 8-)

Crono deserves a mention as well.

[kainzero]

I watched my friend beat Infinite Undiscovery today, and I was so surprised that I could tell what kind of person each character was based on their design and like, 5 lines of dialogue.

And people wonder why I don't like most JRPGs anymore.

On the other hand, I finally started Mass Effect.

[depascal22]

Tetsuya from Brave Story just because he's fresh in my mind. Also because he seems like he's a kid that's being babysat instead of some great hero.

[Krymner]

I'll send up another vote for Chrono. However, I agree with fatbeer that the hero from Persona 3 was a hell of a pimp. Best silent hero with the ladies ever.

I wish I could erase all my memories of Chrono Trigger from my mind and play it again for the very first time. I tried to replay it on the PS1 release about 3 or 4 years ago, and I got about two-thirds thru before those load times just got to be too much. But other than that, its probably more than 8 years since I last played thru the entire game.

Anyone here who hates Chrono Trigger???

[blueweltall]

I watched my friend beat Infinite Undiscovery today, and I was so surprised that I could tell what kind of person each character was based on their design and like, 5 lines of dialogue.

And people wonder why I don't like most JRPGs anymore.

On the other hand, I finally started Mass Effect.

Careful with Mass Effect there is so much game ending bugs. Use more than one save files.

[Rodimus]

I didn't run into any game ending bugs With Mass Effect but I still saved like every 15 minutes. I loved that game. In fact a few days ago I went back and completed all the optional missions including the "Bring Down the Sky" DLC mission.

[Krymner]

This kinda goes with what we have been discussing about silent heroes. I was reading this article over at 61FPS (http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/61fps/archive/2008/10/27/on-renaming-characters.aspx) about re-naming characters in RPGs and was wondering how everyone here felt about the subject.

I used to like the option back in the old 16-bit era, but nowadays with all the voice acting in games, it just seems kind of lame. Sorta like in Persona 3 that I'm playing thru now, they have to dance around your character's name but it seems it would be so much better if the hero had a real name they could say instead of just "him" or whatever. How different would both FFX and X-2 be if they actually referred to "Tidus" in the game instead of dancing around it, all because you could change his name?

But when you are forced to give characters names, I usually pick Krymner for the hero, if it fits. If not, I'll default to Cole, a four-letter name that I've used since FF1 back in the NES when all you had was four spaces for a name. A buddy of mine always makes his hero's name "Dude" and names the lead female "Bitch". It makes for some funny dialog.

[SL4IN]

Started Disgaea DS yesterday and I'm now starting chapter two. Didn't do much grinding, but I've only been using Etna and Laharl.

[Rodimus]

When naming my heroes I went through phases. When I was a kid it was always my name: "Jared" Then I would give everyone their default name, unless I can't then it's either "Kayin." or "Rodimus"

Now if I have to name someone it's an original name every time. Sometimes it takes me a good 15 minutes to think of something to stick. I try to have it make sense with the game, for instance in Persona 3 since it's in Japan I gave him a Japanese name. He was a silent hero so I named him "Kioshi" which means "silent one" in Japanese.

[kainzero]

This kinda goes with what we have been discussing about silent heroes. I was reading this article over at 61FPS (http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/61fps/archive/2008/10/27/on-renaming-characters.aspx) about re-naming characters in RPGs and was wondering how everyone here felt about the subject.

I used to like the option back in the old 16-bit era, but nowadays with all the voice acting in games, it just seems kind of lame. Sorta like in Persona 3 that I'm playing thru now, they have to dance around your character's name but it seems it would be so much better if the hero had a real name they could say instead of just "him" or whatever. How different would both FFX and X-2 be if they actually referred to "Tidus" in the game instead of dancing around it, all because you could change his name?
Just a quick comment here:

I actually don't like voice acting in RPGs and I really wish they'd just do away with it...

[depascal22]

Any suggestions for a PSP RPG after I finish Tales of Eternia? I'm thinking Final Fantasy I or Tales of the World but I'm not sure if I want to play another Tales game so soon. I'd prefer a turn based game but I'll take a game with a real time battle engine if it's well done. I've already played Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, Jeanne d'Arc, and Brave Story.

[Jest]

If you can't decide or find a turnbased game you really want try Crisis Core.

[Lord_Kefka]

Subject for discussion: Good grinding versus bad grinding.

I've beat games like FFVI, FFIV, and both Shining Force's more than once. In later playthroughs I would try to max out skills (like all the spells from VI's espers) collect ultimate weapons for FFIV GBA and get all the characters in both Shining Forces and make them usable.

But I got FFIII for DS. And I'm hating the job grinding. A lot. Which is disturbing me since I'm a complete whore for Final Fantasy games. The job class system is cool, the story and characters are fine, I just get so damn tired trying to up my job.

What grinds do you like? Which ones drove you nuts? Anyone have some advice on this damn job system in FFIII?

[BlueLobstah]

One of the few games where I actually enjoyed grinding was FFXII, although chains probably helped to some effect as you felt like you were always working towards something. Grinding generally feels bad when battles are repetitive, long, or random. FFXII certainly alleviated most of these claims as they were neither long nor random, and while sometimes repetitive the overall speed of the battle makes it a non-issue.

It's been a while since I've played FFVI (probably 12 years), but I don't remember any grinding issues or concerns when playing it then. FFIII DS on the other hand was very grindy so much to the extent that I never finished it, and its been so long of a break since last playing it I'm not sure if I ever will.

[SL4IN]

I normally don't mind grinding. Though, I have found the most fun grinding to be in Disgaea.

[blueweltall]

I didn't run into any game ending bugs With Mass Effect but I still saved like every 15 minutes. I loved that game. In fact a few days ago I went back and completed all the optional missions including the "Bring Down the Sky" DLC mission.

Your lucky, I got stuck on a elevator and the damn door wouldn't open. I was at level 47 and had to start all over.:bomb:

Side quest mission and exploring the planets was boring as hell too.

[kainzero]

Grinding is only fun when you DON'T have to do it.

Playing FF3 DS, you have to grind to advance. Lame.
Disgaea: Grinding to advance the story sucked. Grinding in the postgame wasn't so bad.

FF4, FF6: Don't recall any grinding. Maybe in FF4 if you wanted to hunt pink tails or something but it was kinda lame. FF6, seriously, how many of those spells do you really need? But you could do it if you want, therefore, it's fun.

[JEKKI]

I started playing Dragon Quest 4, it's fun but there's one part where I felt the game force you to grind.

It's when you need to deliver the weapons and armor to the castle, you need to grind not for experience but for money and weapons... either you can win the weapons requested or you can get other weapons which you can sell thru your store to make the necessary cash to afford the requested shyt from the next town.

anyway, during that part I was playing DS with my left hand and focusing on internet browsing with my right so it was all good.

[fatbeer]

I never had any problems with level grinding in Disgaea or NIS games. In a regular play through, I can beat most stages with little or no level grinding. And once you understand the formulas, you can get way more xp then any other rpg within a short time span.


If you want to talk about bad level grinding, you should be talking about Spectral Force 3. You literally have to level grind to advance the story. Your force to play many random battles or quests to make a story mission to appear. It doesn't help that there is no meter to indicated how much is need to unlock these story mission. To make this worse, most of battles are long, dull and boring. Your army is always outnumber 4 to 1 and as result it contributes to long battles. And once these story missions do appear, your force to play them. So, there's possibility you can screw yourself if can't beat those story mission.

[Mr. Beef]

I've never minded grinding all that much. I love Pokemon, and that game is basically nothing BUT grinding. Same with FFT, and a lot of JRPGs. As long as the grinding process isn't dumped on you, and made mandatory, then I can kinda deal with it. Like, if I'm heading into a new area that I have to go through in order to progress the game, and the enemies are like, 10+ levels ahead of me, then yeah, fuck that game.

[JEKKI]

niiiiiice! I'm lookin for stuff to listen to and found retronauts podcast

so I'm listening to the episode where they talk about psx,

they talked about how psx was like an RPG machine...

and they all agreed on how crappy Legend of Dragoon was!!

thank you!! Legend of Dragoon was sum of the worst shyt I ever played thru... how can ppl like that game?!?!?!

I dont even understand like how on gaf ppl ask :what psx games do u wanna see on PSN?" and ppl actually respond LoD!!

-_-

[willardhaven]

niiiiiice! I'm lookin for stuff to listen to and found retronauts podcast

so I'm listening to the episode where they talk about psx,

they talked about how psx was like an RPG machine...

and they all agreed on how crappy Legend of Dragoon was!!

thank you!! Legend of Dragoon was sum of the worst shyt I ever played thru... how can ppl like that game?!?!?!

I dont even understand like how on gaf ppl ask :what psx games do u wanna see on PSN?" and ppl actually respond LoD!!

-_-

LoD is awful, it makes FF VII look like a PS3 game.

[Rodimus]

Your lucky, I got stuck on a elevator and the damn door wouldn't open. I was at level 47 and had to start all over.:bomb:

Side quest mission and exploring the planets was boring as hell too.

Wow, that sucks. You mean you had to start the game over from the beginning or just re-load a previous save point?

The mineral collecting was pain. And the payout wasn't even worth the effort. But I liked the side quests that had some action and story. The side mission where you board a ship and everyone is dead cause some lady went crazy and killed everyone was cool & a little spooky. I was expecting to see more DLC by now. Any word on some more?

[depascal22]

If you can't decide or find a turnbased game you really want try Crisis Core.

Should've told you I already finished Crisis Core and loved it.

As for grinding, I actually like it when I can just play for a few minutes. I'll pop the game, level up my party and save it.

Disgaea does grinding really well with the Item Dungeons. Not only do your guys get more powerful but the weapons do also. It's a win - win.

[Moxio]

I thought LoD was solid.

[DQT]

FFT did an excellent job of rewarding you though. The more battles you took, the more skills you could buy. Not only that you could pick whatever skill you wanted. Most other FF's don't give you that option.

Last night I was thinking how I consider myself an FF fan, but I've only ever clicked with 3 out of 8 FF games I've completed. Those are pretty lousy odds. Anyone else in the same boat?

Grinding in Pokemon is a pain in the ass. I've managed to love the series in spite of that.

[Krymner]

I've had Legend of Dragoon for some time now and its still in the shrinkwrap. I've heard mixed reviews from friends, but I've really never had the time to play it.

I've beaten all the Final Fantasies except for XII (well, and XI too, but that's not a real Final Fantasy game). I don't really like the class-changing ones like 3 and 5, and 2 was a pain in the ass. I loved FF 1, 4, and 6, and the PS1-era ones. I know a bunch of people loved FFX, and it was okay, but I still don't like it as much as some of the others.

To be honest, I'm not all that optimistic about XIII being all that great. I'm sure it will LOOK great, but as far as everything else, I'm just not expecting to be blown away or anything. I really hope I'm wrong and its the best FF game ever, but the way its looking, I doubt it. I am expecting a kick-ass soundtrack tho, since Hamauzu is working on it.

[Ninjanickx]

I am playing Fallout 3 and Fable 2 in the RPG area, I really love both of them. Even though F3 can have me very frustrated at times..

[Lord_Kefka]

Grinding is only fun when you DON'T have to do it.

Playing FF3 DS, you have to grind to advance. Lame.
Disgaea: Grinding to advance the story sucked. Grinding in the postgame wasn't so bad.

FF4, FF6: Don't recall any grinding. Maybe in FF4 if you wanted to hunt pink tails or something but it was kinda lame. FF6, seriously, how many of those spells do you really need? But you could do it if you want, therefore, it's fun.


That's a good point actually. Depending on the version (and therefore the difficulty) of FFIV very little grinding was needed unless it was before a tough boss. FFVI didn't need it but I always enjoyed it. I chalked it up to the variety of characters and I just did the spells for fun.

But yes, grinding in FFIII is a pain. Especially if you want (or NEED) to change jobs for a particular part you have to go through the job transition and then grind up. It's all but stopped the story pacing.

I think I enjoyed grinding in Tactical RPG's more. I know I put massive hours into both FFT and FFTA. And compulsively leveled ALL the Shining Force characters. I think that's because the battles had more possibilities. Characters, movement, spells and attacks. Playing a static 4 characters in FF III against the same enemy classes is boring me.

What say the rest of you? Which type is best for grinding? Strategy, Action or Turn-based?

[blueshinra]

niiiiiice! I'm lookin for stuff to listen to and found retronauts podcast
Retronauts is the shit. Jeremy Parish loses points for his virulent hatred of FFVII, though ;)

What say the rest of you? Which type is best for grinding? Strategy, Action or Turn-based?
Probably strategy RPGs, but as long as the combat's entertaining, I don't mind grinding in any type of RPG.

[pete5883]

I'm really not liking the "no revival til late in the game" of DQ right now. Marquis de Leon fucked me up because of a couple lucky hits on Kyril.

[depascal22]

Bumping an old thread. I just finished Chapter 3 on Eternal Sonata and it's kind of dragging. The cutscenes are good but they drag on about five minutes too long.

[Thomas96]

You know I've been playing some 10 dollar Conan (ps3) and it says PSN compatible; I've been in every menu, everywhere, does conan have some secret online anything? cause I haven't found it.

[depascal22]

I guess Makai Kingdom is getting a reprint. estarland.com has it for $19.50 before shipping. GQD has it for $24.99 with free shipping if you find something to put the order over $25. It's a good thing I got rid of my copy when I did. I'm thinking the days of rare RPGs might be over.

http://www.estarland.com/Playstation2.product.22407.html
http://www.gamequestdirect.com/730865530151.html

[Rei no Otaku]

Last Remnant is actually pretty damn good.

[depascal22]

SMT Digital Devil Saga and SMT Nocturne are also getting reprints. $28.95 on estarland.com. Release date for them and Makai Kingdom is Nov. 25.

[pete5883]

I greatly enjoyed this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0r60gXnvw

[Rodimus]

^ Don't get it. Sounds like a bunch of noise.

[Nelo Ice]

GT gave the last remnant an 8.0

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43106.html?type=

The Last Remnant is a hard game to judge. A person's enjoyment of it will be directly related to how much they can tolerate the persistent graphical issues. If you can get past it, there's a lot to enjoy. The smart design decisions and its unique battle system.

[Krymner]

I loved Persona 3's music. It complemented the game so well. I'm a little worried about P4, since Shoji Meguro isn't doing all the music like he did in P3. He's still doing a large part of it tho, at least. What I have heard of the P4 OST sounds like its a little harder. I will miss Yumi Kawamura's insert songs too. Does anyone know what music we'll be getting on the pack-in soundtrack?

Otherwise, I cannot wait for P4. Besides the story, I think the biggest gameplay addition I'm looking forward to is having full control over all the characters in battle instead of letting the AI handle it. Often in P3, they would do some pretty stupid stuff, pissing me off and getting someone killed. Usually me.

[pete5883]

I dunno, I'm afraid having full control is going to make the game take even longer than it did before.

[darthbudge]

I started playing Chrono Trigger the other day, and I am absolutely loving it. It is probably the best RPG I have played in a LOOOOOOOONNNGGGGG time.

[Chibi_Kaji]

I dunno, I'm afraid having full control is going to make the game take even longer than it did before.
I seem to recall hearing that you can still let the AI control your team if you want.

[Rei no Otaku]

GT gave the last remnant an 8.0

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43106.html?type=
Yeah the game is a lot better than the other reviews have been saying. I've been enjoying it quite a bit.

[Nelo Ice]

watchin that review made me want the game and amazon has it up for $39.99

the battle system looks fucking insane

[FloodsAreUponUS]

Sounds like I should wait for the PC version of Last Remnant

[Rodimus]

$40 for Last Remnant is an awsome deal, but I'll probably play it for a few weeks only to lose interest when P4 hits.

[pete5883]

I seem to recall hearing that you can still let the AI control your team if you want.
Yeah, but if I turn on the AI I'm sure every 10 hours or so someone will do something stupid that will make me regret turning it on.

[JEKKI]

I heard Raidou / Devil Summoner on PS2 sucked,

but now part 2 is out in japan and sum1 on gaf reviewed it

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343684

I want it!!

[Chacrana]

That review definitely has me more interested in Devil Summoner 2... that first game was pretty damn mediocre.

Though, I still mostly want it for the bonus copy of Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne... whatever stupid subtitle it was. The one that has Raidou thrown in.

[SpecTrE3353]

I started playing Chrono Trigger the other day, and I am absolutely loving it. It is probably the best RPG I have played in a LOOOOOOOONNNGGGGG time.

I am playing the recently released DS version. I think it is the best RPG I have played since... well... the last time I have played Chrono Trigger.

[Moxio]

I'll never understand the overwhelming praise for Chrono Trigger. CT is a great game, but hardly the best RPG out there.

[Krymner]

I heard Raidou / Devil Summoner on PS2 sucked,

but now part 2 is out in japan and sum1 on gaf reviewed it

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343684

I want it!!

That does seem interesting. I never played Devil Summoner, but I've heard the consensus on it is that it sucked. What was so bad about it?

I will be glad when the SMT devs at Atlus start developing for this gen, tho.

[blueshinra]

Preordered Persona 4 early last week (really wanted the artbook) and picked up a cheap used black label Dark Cloud on Black Friday. More for the backlog @_@

I'll never understand the overwhelming praise for Chrono Trigger. CT is a great game, but hardly the best RPG out there.
Blasphemy! It's not my personal favorite, but I do consider it one of the all time RPG greats, if not THE greatest.

[pete5883]

I'll never understand the overwhelming praise for Chrono Trigger. CT is a great game, but hardly the best RPG out there.
What RPGs do you think are better? I don't think CT is necessarily THE best, but it's definitely up there.

[Rei no Otaku]

Chrono Trigger is still amazing. Love that game.

[Chacrana]

That does seem interesting. I never played Devil Summoner, but I've heard the consensus on it is that it sucked. What was so bad about it?

I will be glad when the SMT devs at Atlus start developing for this gen, tho.

A lotta shit.

1) The story was totally lame. It had Rasputin in it, and he was the dirtiest of Russians, but he didn't save the plot.

2) The battle system is boring. This game uses real time battles sorta like Yakuza's... if Kazuma's attacks looked like they did no damage and you had to hit people like 50 fucking times to kill them. And if you didn't have any of those cool special techniques. Just poke at them with your sword till they die. You can summon a demon to help you fight, but it's still boring.

3) Stupid puzzle solving. STUPID. A lotta times, you'll be presented with an archaic puzzle or something like "this needs to be burned for you to get through." This means you gotta summon the appropriate demon to get rid of the obstacle. If you don't have it well... better go find it. Completely asinine.

4) You are never safe. Dungeons? Battle. Seemingly safe areas? Battles. The town where you buy stuff and heal yourself? Battles. They never fucking end. And a lotta times, you'll be facing like... the zombies that give you 2 exp, so what's the point?

They fucked up.

[Krymner]

A lotta shit.

They fucked up.

Sounds like it. I think thats one I'll skip then.

I did sign up for the SMT MMO beta the other day, tho. Kinda interested in seeing how that's gonna suck work.

Preordered Persona 4 early last week (really wanted the artbook) and picked up a cheap used black label Dark Cloud on Black Friday. More for the backlog @_@

Just 2 more weeks till P4. :whee: I'm really looking forward to it. I've had mine preordered since August.

[Moxio]

What RPGs do you think are better? I don't think CT is necessarily THE best, but it's definitely up there.

FF IV, VII, IX, BoFIII, IV, Tales of Symphonia, Persona 3, Star Ocean, Star Ocean 2, Xenogears...

I'm sure there are more, but probably escape me right now.

[JEKKI]

whooo! I got Fallout 3 yesterday! I heard that game is the shyt!!

unfortunately... no time to play...

Persona 4 come out hella soon and it got a pretty dang good score in 1up

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3171567&p=2

so now the pressure is on to beat Valkyria Chronicles b4 I get that game...

and then once all that is done... I recently got my hands on

http://i38.tinypic.com/4sl1f8.jpg

broken cases FTW!

RPG heaven! all I need is Arc Rise Fantasia

[Krymner]

Nice haul JEKKI!

I just got Fallout 3 also!

But Valkyria Chronicles comes first, yah. I haven't had much time to play it the last few days, but I'm gonna sink some time into it today and tomorrow and make as much progress as possible. I hope the DLC thats coming out for the game early next year isn't too expensive. I probably won't buy the "extra hard mode" but the one where you control the empire soldiers sounds like it would be cool. I really hope there's a sequel someday.

[Jest]

Persona 4 comes out the day before my math exam >.< Save me JEKKI with your uber JEKKISTYLE .

Im going to be playing P4 first, then Valkyria after since I'm getting it for Exmas.

I also have The Witcher which I haven't even opened and Chrono Trigger. Why do RPGs always build up at the same time?

[Chibi_Kaji]

I was hoping I would have finished Valkyria Chronicles before getting P4. But it looks like that isn't going to happen.

[Rodimus]

What's the maximum number of cats you can get in Chrono Trigger. I'm refering to the little mini game in the fair where at first he gives you a cat then cat food after that. Also, how does the cat food work?

[MSI Magus]

Two quick questions.

1. What is new in CT for the DS? Pretty sure I read something about a new dungeon and possibly new endings? I am just debating if its worth it to keep replaying it......I love this game to death and have beat it a million times but first off my back log is getting huge and second off the Tiny little DS screen just doesnt do this games lush graphics justice. If the new content isn't worth it it just makes so much more sense to break out my old CT and play it on the TV.

2. Is Suikoden IV even worth playing? I started it as a work out game(I ride on an exercise bike while playing a non action based game for an hour and a half a day)and between the meh reviews and word of mouth on this game and this horrid sailing I am not sure if its worth it or I should skip right to Suikoden V which I have seen people say is amazing.

[Rodimus]

New Things in Chrono Trigger DS:

- Two new dungeons that unlock near the end after you get the upgraded flying Epoch. These areas include new items & monsters.
- New Final Boss
- One new ending supposivly better in linking Chrono Trigger to Chrono Cross.
- Arena mode where you raise a monster and use it in multiplayer battles (although I hear this mode sucks.)
- A more accurate translation from the orginal Japanese script (Frog no longer has his acccent, "Lighting" element is changed to "Light")
- An "Extras" menu much like the PSX version...... so not really "new"

I'm loving it. Like you I've beatin this game a million times. It plays nice on the DS. They moved all the battle cluter to the bottom screen (which also acts as an optional tuch screen) I really haven't gotten into the new stuff yet so I can't comment on that yet, I plan on doing all that once I get near the end.

[62t]

also a new final boss. Btw the new dungeon is unlock after completing the game for the first time.

[Rodimus]

^ I got two open right now. I'm confused about the new dungeons. I heard there were two. Are there three?

Nevermind - One of the dungeons "Lost Sanctum" is found in two seperate eras. I haven't entered them yet so I asumed they were diffrent. I guess the Dimensional Vortex doesn't open till you beat it.

[MSI Magus]

New Things in Chrono Trigger DS:

- Two new dungeons that unlock near the end after you get the upgraded flying Epoch. These areas include new items & monsters.
- One new ending supposivly better in linking Chrono Trigger to Chrono Cross.
- Arena mode where you raise a monster and use it in multiplayer battles (although I hear this mode sucks.)
- A more accurate translation from the orginal Japanese script (Frog no longer has his acccent, "Lighting" element is changed to "Light")
- An "Extras" menu much like the PSX version...... so not really "new"

I'm loving it. Like you I've beatin this game a million times. It plays nice on the DS. They moved all the battle cluter to the bottom screen (which also acts as an optional tuch screen) I really haven't gotten into the new stuff yet so I can't comment on that yet, I plan on doing all that once I get near the end.

Thanks, would love to hear more opinions from everyone as you reach the extra content. As I said I just have so much to play(castlevania, away shuffle dungeon, DQIV...and that snot even getting into console stuff)that I am questioning playing this when the graphics just dont look nearly as good on that tiny screen.

[Rodimus]

Actually I think the graphics look better on a tiny screen. Now when you blow it up, that's when they start looking shitty. Personally anything 16-bit looks awful on a screen bigger than 32'.

[MSI Magus]

Actually I think the graphics look better on a tiny screen. Now when you blow it up, that's when they start looking shitty. Personally anything 16-bit looks awful on a screen bigger than 32'.

Bigger then 32 inches is the key word there. Personally I think you cant even see the rich colors on the DS and everything is squinted together.

[MSI Magus]

Have to say I am very happy I started Suikoden V. I am not even into the main quest of the game(just got to the big plot twist where the Prince gains some freedom)and I am thoroughly enjoying this game and understanding why people have called Suikoden V a revival for the series.

[Rodimus]

Glad you enjoy Suikoden V. You got over the hump now it's only gonna get better.

I'm playing Chrono Trigger's new extra dungeon "Lost Sactum" and I must say it sucks. it's a two hour long fetch quest which has you back tracking way to much through the same 10 screens. I was really looking forward to it but it's been nothing but a disapointment. I hope the Dimensional Vortex is better.

[MSI Magus]

Glad you enjoy Suikoden V. You got over the hump now it's only gonna get better.

I'm playing Chrono Trigger's new extra dungeon "Lost Sactum" and I must say it sucks. it's a two hour long fetch quest which has you back tracking way to much through the same 10 screens. I was really looking forward to it but it's been nothing but a disapointment. I hope the Dimensional Vortex is better.

Not sure if I am glad or sad that the CT extra dungeon sucks or not. I have been really tempted to play it because of the extra content but I have so much else to play and as I said in the other topic I really do think the game doesnt look that great on the tiny DS screen.

I really dont get why so many people see Suikoden V as having a hump in the first few hours. Ya 90% of it was story and not gameplay and you spend a little too much time running around town finding crap but over all its highly enjoyable.

[Mr. Beef]

Dammit, I'm stuck in P3, and now P4 comes out? Fuck. And I still haven't beaten Tales of the Abyss yet, even though I've been putting that game off for months. And then I've got Mother 3 to deal with, although it feels like I'm underleveled ALL the time in that damn game.

[JEKKI]

http://www.rpgamer.com/features/2008/nisainterview.html

X-Edge just seems to have NIS America all over it. It features characters from Disgaea, Mana Khemia, Ar tonelico, Spectral Souls, and the Atelier series. I mean, come on, there are even Prinnies. When should we expect to see it in North America?

NISA: X-Edge is an interesting project since it's a collaboration between 3 different companies. It's pretty funny to see a little Prinny fight characters from Darkstalkers like Morrigan and Demitri.

The release date isn't finalized yet, but it's going to be in March 09.

[MSI Magus]

http://www.rpgamer.com/features/2008/nisainterview.html

Sounds cool but will probally suck!

[blitz6speed]

just hit the 40 hour mark in FF12 and loving it. I am on the way to faywood right now in it. Should be the last 1/4 of the game or so. The game isnt anything like FF7/FF10 tho. Theres hardly any ZOMG moments, FF7/10 were chock full of them. But the story is amazing, great cast of characters, wonderful voice acting, gambit system rocks, etc. Its just such a well made game.

[MSI Magus]

just hit the 40 hour mark in FF12 and loving it. I am on the way to faywood right now in it. Should be the last 1/4 of the game or so. The game isnt anything like FF7/FF10 tho. Theres hardly any ZOMG moments, FF7/10 were chock full of them. But the story is amazing, great cast of characters, wonderful voice acting, gambit system rocks, etc. Its just such a well made game.

I thought it was the worst made FF since VIII. The story was paced horribly going nowhere till later in the game. The characters received no character development and while the gambit system wasnt bad it lacked the depth of the junction, sphere grid, materia and equipment systems of the last few games. XII honestly didnt supras the last 4 FF games in any single way or form.

[Krymner]

I still haven't gotten around to playing FF XII yet. After I'm done with Persona 4, I'm gonna finish up the Xenosaga series with III, and then maybe I'll play either FF XII, DQ VIII, or half a dozen other PS2 RPGs that remain in my backlog.

Damn, I hate being late to the party on all the PS2 RPGs. Luckily, there haven't been too many great ones this gen yet, so at least I'm not getting too far behind on the new releases.

[blitz6speed]

I thought it was the worst made FF since VIII. The story was paced horribly going nowhere till later in the game. The characters received no character development and while the gambit system wasnt bad it lacked the depth of the junction, sphere grid, materia and equipment systems of the last few games. XII honestly didnt supras the last 4 FF games in any single way or form.

I got to CD 2 on FF8 before i quit playing it when it came out on the PSX. I really hated it. I want to give it another shot tho. I thought the story pace was fine in FF12, things progress not too fast but in no means slowly. And i like the characters more because i dont know their entire life stories from beginning to end. I know just enough to care about them.

I loved the materia system, but that style of play would never work on a open world rpg like FF12. The gambit system works great for the style of game this is. I got about halfway through before i even touched the gambit system to be honest, and since discovering how useful it is, ive become a huge fan. Obviously this would never work on a game like FF7 or FF10, but thats what makes it unique for me i guess. I look forward to finishing it, i am just a bit fatigued since i played it for almost 7 or so hours strait.

I still haven't gotten around to playing FF XII yet. After I'm done with Persona 4, I'm gonna finish up the Xenosaga series with III, and then maybe I'll play either FF XII, DQ VIII, or half a dozen other PS2 RPGs that remain in my backlog.

Damn, I hate being late to the party on all the PS2 RPGs. Luckily, there haven't been too many great ones this gen yet, so at least I'm not getting too far behind on the new releases.

Honestly, this gen is really weird. Some great games, but the MUST PLAY titles are really few and far between. Also, the RPG selection is pretty awful. I had an absolute blast with blue dragon, but a lot of people didnt seem to like it. It plays a lot like DQ8 on PS2 did, cept much faster paced and didnt beat you senseless with endless random battles. The worst RPG ive played so far has to be infinite undiscovery, although im very early into it, i put it back in the backlog because i wanted to spend more time playing better games (recently finished Bioshock, GH Aerosmith, MK v DC, etc). Dragon Quest 8 is absolutely fabulous btw, you will love it.

[MSI Magus]

I got to CD 2 on FF8 before i quit playing it when it came out on the PSX. I really hated it. I want to give it another shot tho. I thought the story pace was fine in FF12, things progress not too fast but in no means slowly. And i like the characters more because i dont know their entire life stories from beginning to end. I know just enough to care about them.


Ah so you like more shallow games then. Not trying to be insulting just saying that but liking charcters without much background/depth and combat without as many options which is what FFXII and DQVIII both are. Guess to each his own. To me I couldnt stand either game because the story of both games were slow paced jokes and the characters far too shallow.

[blitz6speed]

Ah so you like more shallow games then. Not trying to be insulting just saying that but liking charcters without much background/depth and combat without as many options which is what FFXII and DQVIII both are. Guess to each his own. To me I couldnt stand either game because the story of both games were slow paced jokes and the characters far too shallow.

I like a deep story line as much as the next guy, but it doesnt need to exist for me to enjoy a game. My PS2 backlog is nearly finished anyhow, ill soon be starting on the 360 rpgs.

[JEKKI]

seriously... I cant believe u guys overlooked this...

A little birdie told us that someone was finally getting brave enough to localize a game in the Sakura Wars series, mainly the fifth game in the main series for the PS2. Would that be NIS America, and what can you tell us about the game?
NISA: Haha, your birdie knows too much. Let's just say the game is in the works by an undisclosed company. I've heard somewhere that the game should come out in '09.

[62t]

Would have prefer the original Sakura Taisen remake for PS2 but that game is almost 5 years old now. Maybe they can release Sakura Taisen 1+2 on PSP later on.

[Chacrana]

seriously... I cant believe u guys overlooked this...

That would be awesome, but I don't believe it.

I want to, though. Always wanted to try one of those games.

[JEKKI]

believe it... theyve been talking about it since anime expo

[Chacrana]

Well I definitely hope you're right. It'll be pretty crazy if we're still getting some great RPGs on the PS2 through 2009.

I wonder how much better the new SMT: Devil Summoner is... I've heard it's much better and the trailer did make it look kinda okay, but I dunno... seeing Raidou Kuzonoha back in action makes me weary. Because the last game was sooo boring...

[heavyd853]

I was never too interested in the Sakura Taisen stuff because I knew it would never come out here, but now!

Now I'm interested....sorta

[Chacrana]

I just hope the game is as good as I'm lead to believe it is. This will b the first NIS game I'll have enjoyed if that's the case.

[62t]

Well I definitely hope you're right. It'll be pretty crazy if we're still getting some great RPGs on the PS2 through 2009.

I wonder how much better the new SMT: Devil Summoner is... I've heard it's much better and the trailer did make it look kinda okay, but I dunno... seeing Raidou Kuzonoha back in action makes me weary. Because the last game was sooo boring...

If they throw in the new version of Nocturne it doenst matter if the main game is crap

[Chacrana]

If they throw in the new version of Nocturne it doenst matter if the main game is crap

That's what I thought until I found out that all the new version did was replace Dante with Raidou. The new cinematics are up on Youtube and they look so shitty. Nowhere near as badass as with Dante.

[depascal22]

Almost done with Eternal Sonata. I liked it. The battle system was pretty good and the graphics are jaw dropping gorgeous. I wish the party was a little smaller at the end but very enjoyable throughout.

[willardhaven]

So what kind of RPG is Sakura Wars? I have wanted to try the series since I was in middle school.

[Rodimus]

Almost done with Eternal Sonata. I liked it. The battle system was pretty good and the graphics are jaw dropping gorgeous. I wish the party was a little smaller at the end but very enjoyable throughout.

I got halfway through this, stopped playing the got rid of it. But now I want to finish playing it. That's why I want it from you. ;)

[DQT]

I finished DQ Heroes: Rocket Slime recently. I have never played a DQ game before and I thought it was pure fun. I loved all the puns and jokes.

I often trash on Square Enix for being rehashing and milking their franchises, but man this game indicates to me that SE's still got it. It reminds me of charming platformers on the Playstation like Brave Fencer Musashi and Threads of Fate that were lighthearted, fun and made without the hint of the desire to be exploited as a future cash cow. Which of course, is ironic considering it is a spinoff.

[Krymner]

So when we gonna hear something about an HD SMT game?

Will it be PS3 exclusive or will it go multi?




I still need to play Nocturne and DDS someday. :cry:

[MSI Magus]

Arggg stupid 360s red ringing on me. I was really enjoying ToV but my 360 RRoD on me a few weeks ago. Now after getting my console back like 3 weeks later I cant recall WTF I was doign in the game. I checked the summary, flew around the world map and visited a few random towns....even looked around in a few FAQs.....but I am completely and utterly lost on where I was in the game. Guess its time to play DDS or Persona 4.

[pete5883]

So when we gonna hear something about an HD SMT game?

Will it be PS3 exclusive or will it go multi?
You know, I've been thinking that SMT is probably going to go to Wii, PSP, or DS after P4. The fact that they just released another PS2 game indicates that they like developing on the cheap, so I don't see why that would change. Plus, they just announced Devil Survivor or whatever on the DS.

[MSI Magus]

You know, I've been thinking that SMT is probably going to go to Wii, PSP, or DS after P4. The fact that they just released another PS2 game indicates that they like developing on the cheap, so I don't see why that would change. Plus, they just announced Devil Survivor or whatever on the DS.

I think it would be hella cool and not that suprising if they kept the next game on the PS2. I mean seriously its cheap to develop for and Persona 4 shows that the fan base is happy staying on the PS2.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

I just hope its not DS/PSP.

REAAAAAAAAAAAALY hope its not the DS.

Shitty Sound, Shitty Graphics.
Ugh.

PS2 please. I have no problem with ps3.

[MSI Magus]

I just hope its not DS/PSP.

REAAAAAAAAAAAALY hope its not the DS.

Shitty Sound, Shitty Graphics.
Ugh.

PS2 please. I have no problem with ps3.

The DS doesnt have shitty sound and graphics there just arnt enough developers taking advantage of the hardware. I would rather see the next game hit the DS and have solid all around graphics/sound and keep focusing on gameplay then move to the PS3 and cost twice as much or more to purchase just to have better graphics.

[Chacrana]

The DS doesnt have shitty sound and graphics there just arnt enough developers taking advantage of the hardware. I would rather see the next game hit the DS and have solid all around graphics/sound and keep focusing on gameplay then move to the PS3 and cost twice as much or more to purchase just to have better graphics.

You can't really do CD-quality audio at all, so if you have a fully orchestrated soundtrack, it'll sound like garbage on the DS. That's a problem, especially when you consider that Shoji Meguro likes his rock music, and it'll sound like the most tinny wailing you've ever heard. I can deal with the graphics, but they sure were ugly in FFIV...

I mean, yeah, it's obviously important that the gameplay is good, but the audio and visual stuff is a really important part of the experience for an RPG and I feel like the DS just isn't anywhere near good enough.

Edit: I would be just fine with it staying on the PS2. There's really nothing wrong with it - the visuals are still creative and don't look bad at all, and the sound quality is obviously there.

[MSI Magus]

You can't really do CD-quality audio at all, so if you have a fully orchestrated soundtrack, it'll sound like garbage on the DS. That's a problem, especially when you consider that Shoji Meguro likes his rock music, and it'll sound like the most tinny wailing you've ever heard. I can deal with the graphics, but they sure were ugly in FFIV...

I mean, yeah, it's obviously important that the gameplay is good, but the audio and visual is a really important part of the experience for an RPG and I feel like the DS just isn't anywhere near good enough.

Funny since I am fairly certain that I saw you naming RPGs as the genre you are loosing interest in. If not regardless I saw many people in that topic saying this was so. So let me get this straight.....we must have the series stay on the PS2/PS3/360 because it needs the graphical and audio power......yet everyone preferred the SNES/PSX RPGs. Makes perfect sense to me!

Seriously, people at this site are losing track of what games are and what it means to be a gamer. Everyone whines that the old days were so great.....yet everyone whines about DS graphics and sound.....it makes no God damn sense. The DS could pull off more then appropriate sound/graphical capabilty. Would it look like Persona 3 and 4 or sound like them? No. Should that matter? No.

[Chacrana]

Funny since I am fairly certain that I saw you naming RPGs as the genre you are loosing interest in. If not regardless I saw many people in that topic saying this was so. So let me get this straight.....we must have the series stay on the PS2/PS3/360 because it needs the graphical and audio power......yet everyone preferred the SNES/PSX RPGs. Makes perfect sense to me!

Seriously, people at this site are losing track of what games are and what it means to be a gamer. Everyone whines that the old days were so great.....yet everyone whines about DS graphics and sound.....it makes no God damn sense. The DS could pull off more then appropriate sound/graphical capabilty. Would it look like Persona 3 and 4 or sound like them? No. Should that matter? No.

See, here's the thing: Almost all DS and PSP RPGs suck. And almost all PS3/360/Wii RPGs suck. The genre is just garbage by this point, because Square/Enix/Namco/Tri-Ace/Atlus usually have their heads up their asses; not because we all of a sudden have pretty graphics. The major devs. have all but completely lost their talent in creating a game. Putting an RPG on the DS or PSP doesn't necessarily mean it'll be better than what comes out on a competent system - it'll just mean you have to play it on the DS' tiny-ass screens with shitty graphics and audio. That's it. Persona 4 is one of the rare exceptions where a new RPG isn't trash, and it would be a good game if it were on the DS. But because the PS2 is more capable, it's a better game on that system.

[MSI Magus]

See, here's the thing: Almost all DS and PSP RPGs suck. And almost all PS3/360/Wii RPGs suck. The genre is just garbage by this point, because Square/Enix/Namco/Tri-Ace/Atlus usually have their heads up their asses; not because we all of a sudden have pretty graphics. The major devs. have all but completely lost their talent in creating a game. Putting an RPG on the DS or PSP doesn't necessarily mean it'll be better than what comes out on a competent system - it'll just mean you have to play it on the DS' tiny-ass screens with shitty graphics and audio. That's it. Persona 4 is one of the rare exceptions where a new RPG isn't trash, and it would be a good game if it were on the DS. But because the PS2 is more capable, it's a better game on that system.

You realize you made no point there right? You yak on about how newer games are trash so stuff on the DS is trash not because of graphics or other hardware limitations but because of the developers.....then state that Atlus is an exception and they shouldnt do the DS because of hardware limitations.

I agree that Persona should stay on the PS2. It has a huge audience there, cheap development and the anime style wont beneift nearly enough from going to HD gaming to justify the cost. However that is not the subject at hand. The subject was could they do a quality game on the DS and if they arnt going to stay on the PS2 where do they go. Thus the argument of P5 going to the DS.......

[FloodsAreUponUS]

The DS doesnt have shitty sound and graphics there just arnt enough developers taking advantage of the hardware. I would rather see the next game hit the DS and have solid all around graphics/sound and keep focusing on gameplay then move to the PS3 and cost twice as much or more to purchase just to have better graphics.

I never said I wanted it to move to ps3/360. It would be nice but Atlus cant afford it for at least another couple of years.

The DS does have shitty tinny sound, and it does have shitty graphics that look like an N64.

Play a DS with Quality Headphones and you will see how awful it is.

[Chacrana]

I don't see how there was no point there.

Let's break it down:

- Most new RPGs are bad.
- Deductive reasoning tells us that some new RPGs are good.
- The DS has worse hardware than consoles.
- The PS2 has better hardware than the DS, as it is a console.
- It would be nice to get one of those good RPGs on the PS2, because that good RPG would have better graphics and sound.
- Bad RPGs suck regardless of which system they're on.
- DS sucks.

If they had to move to a next gen system, I'd want the games on PS3, then Wii, then 360. Because I hate the 360. But I also kinda hate the Wii.

[MSI Magus]

sigh Ill say this then drop it because there wont be any getting through to you guys. I guess I am just a dying breed. I am a gamer pure and simple. I am not a new school gamer nor an old school gamer just a gamer. That means I want to get my hands on as many good games as possible regardless of system or any other limitation. Sorry that I dont place emphesis on something as stupid as making sure the sound is as crystal clear as possible or that its fully orchestrated. Chrono Trigger and FFVI are still seen as having among the best sound tracks ever and guess what.....they didnt need orchestras or digital sound quality. So again sorry guys, sorry you have forgotten what it means to be a gamer. The DS puts off perfectly fine sound quality, yes it would be nice if it could be digital and orchestrated and blah blah freaking blah.....but its not and a good composer will work with the limitations and turn out something as the guys did with CT and FFVI. Hell I would say if anything these new big flashy audio and graphical capabilities are a crutch. I used to hum a long with half of the games I played....the Zelda tune is still in my dreams. Outside Persona 3 I cant recall the last time that happened in a game...and my guess is its because composers are worrying so much about making a fanciful dramatic "piece of art" that they are forgetting that really in a game something catchy that fits the mood is far more important.

*puts his PC on sleep and goes to play with his DS for game play not sound*

[Chacrana]

Okay... but I'm not sure why you're breaking your neck to propose limitations for a game.

[Rodimus]

Bottom line, I want my RPGs on a console. Very rarely can I stand playing 50 hours of an RPG hunched over a tiny screen straining my beautiful blue eyes. For me it's all about being comfortable, and I'm very comfortable with my 40' DLP.

I'm still a little pissed about the next Suikoden & Valkyrie Profile being on the DS.

[Krymner]

I'm gonna have to agree with Chac & Floods on this one.

DS is a great system, don't get me wrong. I love my DS Phat. I love playing RPGs that are suited for the system (as long as they don't have crappy stylus controls...I'm looking at you, TWEWY).

But every now and then, I want an RPG to entrall me like Persona 4 has done. If P4 were on the DS, I know I would not be playing it as much as I am on the PS2, simply because of eye strain, hand strain, neck strain, etc. I've plugged more than 50 hours into P4 so far, and playing on a DS for 50 hours = physical pain.

Also, I do like voice-overs (well, when the actors are good, I like them). The DS just can't handle extensive voiced dialog like a console can.

I wouldn't mind the series staying on the PS2 (I think Disgea 3 would have done much better on the PS2) however, I do want to see what Altus in "next-gen" is capable of.

[Chacrana]

Oh man, you just can't play the DS comfortably either - if you lay down with the DS above you, the blood leaves your hands, and sitting straight up and looking down at the DS hurts your neck after a while. And those buttons are too damned small. I honestly can't think of a single advantage to playing an RPG on the DS... particularly because I don't play games outside of the house.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

Oh man, you just can't play the DS comfortably either - if you lay down with the DS above you, the blood leaves your hands, and sitting straight up and looking down at the DS hurts your neck after a while. And those buttons are too damned small. I honestly can't think of a single advantage to playing an RPG on the DS... particularly because I don't play games outside of the house.

This.

We never said anything about a game being on a better console was going to kill the gameplay.

Being on a DS means not comfortable, worse sound, worse graphics, less VA, less everything.

I don't play games while on the go so a DS is useless to me unless I want a neck cramp, or severe eye strain, or hand aches, or carpal tunnel, then Ill go play my DS.

PS2>DS

[MSI Magus]

Its not that I want to limit the series nor that I want the series on the DS. I was simply defending the DS's capabilities saying its stupid to say they couldn't make a good game for the DS or that it wouldn't be AS good as other versions.

As I have already stated but as per so often people ignored me saying I vastly prefer the series to come to the PS2. Hell I would preffer the PS2, PSP and possibly even 360 over the DS. I was simply stating that the DS's hardware is certainly up to the job and went on a bit of a rant on gaming in general because I am tired of peoples attitudes towards it. As I stated people whine that the old days are better yet everyone has turned into a graphic/sound whore which is the opposite of the freaking old days. The problem is simply that most gamers have grown up and like most adults focus on their bitches in life vs the things they are happy with. As a kid you would be happy for a good game no matter which system it was on....I bet most people here sat and played games on the original game boys tiny green screen and were happy to.....now though......

[mykevermin]

Y'all take Chac seriously.

Seriously?

[Krymner]

Shit, Final Fantasy Legends III was the bomb on the little green screen. I was playing that bitch back in high school when I was supposed to be doing homework. BUT I had the sound down and my walkman blasting out some tunes on cassettes that was worth listening to. Like Ace of Bass. Dude, I fucking saw the sign and it opened up my EYES!

[MSI Magus]

Shit, Final Fantasy Legends III was the bomb on the little green screen. I was playing that bitch back in high school when I was supposed to be doing homework. BUT I had the sound down and my walkman blasting out some tunes on cassettes that was worth listening to. Like Ace of Bass. Dude, I fucking saw the sign and it opened up my EYES!

Hehe Ace of Bass thats freakign great. I drove my dad nuts with that band when I was like 12/13ish! Anyways see though, you were happy! It didnt matter that you were moving tiny little images around on a green screen the game was good so you were happy. Gurantee most of the people bitching here did the same thing. But now because people are adults they have to fucking bitch about everything and if its not exactly 100% the way they want then it must be flawed and not worth it!

[Krymner]

Its just human nature to want something better, dude. If humans hadn't wanted something better than the horse, then buying a new 2008 Mustang would mean something else completely.

I was happy watching Saved By The Bell and drinking grape Kool-Aid too. Doesn't mean I still want to watch whatever teeny-bop crap that's on Disney/Nickleodeon now. (But I'm still down for the grape Kool-Aid. OH-YEAH!)

We have matured. Our gaming tastes have matured.

[Rei no Otaku]

Hehe Ace of Bass thats freakign great. I drove my dad nuts with that band when I was like 12/13ish! Anyways see though, you were happy! It didnt matter that you were moving tiny little images around on a green screen the game was good so you were happy. Gurantee most of the people bitching here did the same thing. But now because people are adults they have to fucking bitch about everything and if its not exactly 100% the way they want then it must be flawed and not worth it!
Yeah, we may have been happy with that back in the day but it's 2008 now. I expect more from my games.

[MSI Magus]

Its just human nature to want something better, dude. If humans hadn't wanted something better than the horse, then buying a new 2008 Mustang would mean something else completely.

I was happy watching Saved By The Bell and drinking grape Kool-Aid too. Doesn't mean I still want to watch whatever teeny-bop crap that's on Disney/Nickleodeon now. (But I'm still down for the grape Kool-Aid. OH-YEAH!)

We have matured. Our gaming tastes have matured.

Why is it that we blame human nature for silly things like this but not things like having sex with a young girl? Its in our nature to seek out young fertile woman thus men are usually attracted to a girl thats age 15/16 even though society says thats disgusting? So why not pardon that person after all its human nature? Look I understand that they are 2 extreames but its true. We try to pardon a lot of stupid stuff saying eh its human nature yet villianize other things that are also human nature. My point is that its not a good excuse to be stupid and illogical. Would I rather play a game on my PS2 then my DS? Hell yeah! And would I rather a game have the best graphics and music possible? Hell yeah! But that doesnt mean I am going to be so stupid and illogical as to brush of stuff hitting a hand held just because its screen is small, nor excuse that type of idiocy as human nature.

Yeah, we may have been happy with that back in the day but it's 2008 now. I expect more from my games.

Man you guys really do like to stretch words to the extreme. I am not saying that games should be like back then. As I said I would rather have a game with the best graphics and sound possible. But that doesnt mean that if someone makes a game that looks like shit I will brush it off. If that is the case ill miss amazing titles like N+. And again you guys are such hypocrits and unable to see it. When CT was announced everyone went nuts....and I have seen people including I believe you playing it. Yet all of a sudden OOOO I expect more from my games. *rolls his eyes* I am not saying things need to be old school, have crappy graphics or any extream like you make it want to seem. Just that a game can have shit graphics and be an extreamly good title.

*should have just left it at you guys forgot what it means to be a gamer and let the topic die*

[Rei no Otaku]

What does CT have to do with this? That's an old game, not a new property. I don't expect more from games that came out over 10 years ago because THEY CAME OUT OVER TEN YEARS AGO.

[MSI Magus]

What does CT have to do with this? That's an old game, not a new property. I don't expect more from games that came out over 10 years ago because THEY CAME OUT OVER TEN YEARS AGO.

*shakes head*

Wow....just wow....

[Rei no Otaku]

No, explain. Don't just shake your head. I want to know why I should expect current gen graphics from a game that came out 10 years ago. Actually, don't explain. For some reason you always derail these threads with nonsense arguments like this. It really doesn't matter.

Anyway, I still don't like Persona 4 as much as 3. Don't get me wrong, I like it but there's a number of ways it just feels like a step back. In fact the only thing I like more is the ability to control the whole party.

[Rodimus]

Consoles are starved for good RPGs (PS3 I'm looking at you), the DS isn't.

[MSI Magus]

No, explain. Don't just shake your head. I want to know why I should expect current gen graphics from a game that came out 10 years ago. Actually, don't explain. For some reason you always derail these threads with nonsense arguments like this. It really doesn't matter.

Anyway, I still don't like Persona 4 as much as 3. Don't get me wrong, I like it but there's a number of ways it just feels like a step back. In fact the only thing I like more is the ability to control the whole party.

People complain that the DS cant handle making a game with music and graphics that satisfy. CT was brought up because its a game that recently people went nuts over....yes it is an old game but it was played recently and judged by modern standards. People enjoyed it, people didnt bitch about graphics and sound but instead praised both despite the fact it didnt even push the DS's hardware. Given this it makes the point that the DS cant handle the games you want to play and that "you expect more" stupid things to say.

Consoles are starved for good RPGs (PS3 I'm looking at you), the DS isn't.

Funny thing is this is said all the time....and I think people arguing with me here have said it too....yet now they are arguing the DS cant make good enough RPGs.....this whole thing is just insane. Anyways *hugs rodimus for using his brain*

[Krymner]

I understand the point you're trying to make Magus. Music and graphics are just part of what make an RPG good, and aren't totally necessary to enjoying the game. You seem to be stressing gameplay (and to a certain degree, story) over music and graphics, which I can understand. However, what makes an awesome RPG so...awesome, is that it has it all. Graphics, story, gameplay, and music combined together in one package.

Well, for me personally, I have yet to play an awesome original, non-remake DS RPG. My favorite original non-remake DS RPG so far is Etrian Odyssey. Its so shallow in story but it is all about the gameplay. The music was crappy, the story was practically non-existant, the artwork was pretty but there was barely any animation, BUT the gameplay was solid old-school dungeon crawling. However, Etrian Odyssey is a very niche RPG game.

I'm not saying "...the DS can't handle making a game with music and graphics that satisfy."

I am saying that nobody has made a DS RPG with music and graphics and gameplay that satisfy. Not with the whole package. At least in my opinion. I mean, I think its possible to make one, I do conceed to that. But I don't think anyone's made an original non-remake awesome RPG for the DS.

[Rodimus]

I had a lot of fun with The World Ends With You. The story made me sleepy, but the setting was a nice change. I've noticed that RPGs that stray away from the Sci-Fi/ Fantasy theme and focus more on a modern day setting tend to be more interesting. I guess they're easier to relate to.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

I understand the point you're trying to make Magus. Music and graphics are just part of what make an RPG good, and aren't totally necessary to enjoying the game. You seem to be stressing gameplay (and to a certain degree, story) over music and graphics, which I can understand. However, what makes an awesome RPG so...awesome, is that it has it all. Graphics, story, gameplay, and music combined together in one package.

Well, for me personally, I have yet to play an awesome original, non-remake DS RPG. My favorite original non-remake DS RPG so far is Etrian Odyssey. Its so shallow in story but it is all about the gameplay. The music was crappy, the story was practically non-existant, the artwork was pretty but there was barely any animation, BUT the gameplay was solid old-school dungeon crawling. However, Etrian Odyssey is a very niche RPG game.

I'm not saying "...the DS can't handle making a game with music and graphics that satisfy."

I am saying that nobody has made a DS RPG with music and graphics and gameplay that satisfy. Not with the whole package. At least in my opinion. I mean, I think its possible to make one, I do conceed to that. But I don't think anyone's made an original non-remake awesome RPG for the DS.

Final Fantasy Tactics A-2 was decent at best,
Still a farcry from FFT though.

Its probably the best non-remake DS RPG.

[Krymner]

Oh yeah, FFTA2 was wasn't bad. I put about 10-15 hours into it, then lost interest tho when FF IV and DQ IV came out. I'll go back to it eventually.

And I haven't played more than about 20 minutes of TWEWY, but didn't much care for it because of the stylus combat. I might pick it up someday if I see it real cheap and give it another try.

[Chibi_Kaji]

Anyway, I still don't like Persona 4 as much as 3. Don't get me wrong, I like it but there's a number of ways it just feels like a step back. In fact the only thing I like more is the ability to control the whole party.
Yeah, I can agree with you on that. P4 has done a number of things better then 3 did. But there are a few things that feel like a step back. The only thing that really bothers me is they only let you visit a dungeon during the day. I would have liked it if they let the player decide what time of day they wanted to visit a dungeon.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

Yeah, I can agree with you on that. P4 has done a number of things better then 3 did. But there are a few things that feel like a step back. The only thing that really bothers me is they only let you visit a dungeon during the day. I would have liked it if they let the player decide what time of day they wanted to visit a dungeon.

Persona 4 is better then 3 in every way possible.
All of the characters are more interesting.
No more Fuuka.

And the people who bitch about dungeons are doing it wrong.
You can finish the entire dungeon in a day. Its not hard, you finish in a day and then you are allowed to have like a month+ of time to do whatever you want.

Persona 4 fixes all of 3 problems, and adds better music.

[Chibi_Kaji]

You're quoting the wrong guy. I never said it it wasn't better then P3. But I'm saying that I feel some parts in P4 feel like a stepback.

I never said I had a problem with the dungeons. I just said I hate the fact I'm forced to give up my after school hours in the game to grind(Unlike 3 where you went in at night which really didn't bug me). And it's nice that you can finish a dungeon in one day. However I like to pace myself and take breaks from the mindless grinding in the game and work on my Slinks or something.

And I never had a problem with P3's music. Most of the time I was grinding I was listing to podcasts or music on my Zune. I do the same with 4 as well.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

You're quoting the wrong guy. I never said it it wasn't better then P3. But I'm saying that I feel some parts in P4 feel like a stepback.

I never said I had a problem with the dungeons. I just said I hate the fact I'm forced to give up my after school hours in the game to grind(Unlike 3 where you went in at night which really didn't bug me). And it's nice that you can finish a dungeon in one day. However I like to pace myself and take breaks from the mindless grinding in the game and work on my Slinks or something.

And I never had a problem with P3's music. Most of the time I was grinding I was listing to podcasts or music on my Zune. I do the same with 4 as well.
When you take breaks, it gives you less time to work on SLinks.
Its not hours worth of grinding.
It took me 2 hours to finish the 4th Dungeon.
This game is really easy if you know what you are doing.

[Rodimus]

Dungeon crawling during the day seemed like a a step back at first, but I quickly realized it's not a big deal at all. The dungeons are much shorter and I feel like the characters level fairly fast. I haven't had to grind at all yet. I go through a dungeon twice, once for the story and a second for all the optional side quests & boss.

[depascal22]

So which of the current gen consoles has the best RPGs at this point? I'd say it's the DS, the PSP, and the 360 running at the front of the pack.

[MSI Magus]

So which of the current gen consoles has the best RPGs at this point? I'd say it's the DS, the PSP, and the 360 running at the front of the pack.

DS easily. After that PSP and 360 and then the Wii with the PS3 lagging furthest behind. The 360 has quite a few good Western RPGs and is slowly getting Japanese support. And the the Wii has Super paper Mario, Fire Emblem and ToS2 but all I can think of for PS3 thats exclusive is Disgaea 3......

[heavyd853]

PS3 is sorta saved in the rpg category by backwards compatibility though.

[depascal22]

I should've said software for the console. You could also say the Wii is doing well because people can still go back and play the original Tales of Symphonia or the Skies of Arcadia port.

[pete5883]

DS is a great system, don't get me wrong. I love my DS Phat. I love playing RPGs that are suited for the system (as long as they don't have crappy stylus controls...I'm looking at you, TWEWY).
!
I thought the in-battle stylus controls in TWEWY were just about perfect.

I really wish more developers were smart enough to make 2D games on DS. 2D looks great on DS, 3D does not.

In P4, I can finish an entire dungeon in a day, but it isn't any fun. Having to spend big blocks of yen on recovering SP means I can't buy any equipment. I'd much prefer to spread out my crawling a bit instead of having to do it in one big lump.

[JEKKI]

bam!!!

http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/22/sakura-taisen-brings-lips-and-war-to-north-america/

more Sakura Taisen coming to america hubboob!

[Chacrana]

bam!!!

http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/22/sakura-taisen-brings-lips-and-war-to-north-america/

more Sakura Taisen coming to america hubboob!

Glad it was true. I wonder which one they'll bring over... hmm...

Good to know the ol' PS2 still has some life in it.

[62t]

Glad it was true. I wonder which one they'll bring over... hmm...

Good to know the ol' PS2 still has some life in it.

It is suppose to be Sakura Taisen V

[Chacrana]

It is suppose to be Sakura Taisen V

That's what the RPGamer interview hinted at, but this Silconera article says "at least one," which has me wondering if they might start with the remake or whatever it was of the original.

[62t]

That's what the RPGamer interview hinted at, but this Silconera article says "at least one," which has me wondering if they might start with the remake or whatever it was of the original.

Well the remake of the original Sakura Taisen is going to be six years old next year, which might be dated. Plus Sakura Taisen V has a new main character so it isnt a bad place to start. The at least one comment could refer to action Sakura Taisen spin off, PSP version of 1 and 2, or the DS verison.

[MSI Magus]

Well the remake of the original Sakura Taisen is going to be six years old next year, which might be dated. Plus Sakura Taisen V has a new main character so it isnt a bad place to start. The at least one comment could refer to action Sakura Taisen spin off, PSP version of 1 and 2, or the DS verison.

How cool would it be though if they did like a Sakura Taisen collection. Release several of the games, toss in some goodies then release it in a collectors box for $80-$100.

Edit - On the not so positive side Capcom is openly stating the chance of seeing another Breath of Fire game is really low.

http://kotaku.com/5115773/capcom-has-no-plans-to-bring-back-breath-of-fire

I understand the point that they dont have RPG development teams on the level of Square or Namco.....but come on your telling me you dont have teams big enough to pull of a 2D BoF released to the DS or XBLA?

[62t]

How cool would it be though if they did like a Sakura Taisen collection. Release several of the games, toss in some goodies then release it in a collectors box for $80-$100.

Edit - On the not so positive side Capcom is openly stating the chance of seeing another Breath of Fire game is really low.

http://kotaku.com/5115773/capcom-has-no-plans-to-bring-back-breath-of-fire

I understand the point that they dont have RPG development teams on the level of Square or Namco.....but come on your telling me you dont have teams big enough to pull of a 2D BoF released to the DS or XBLA?

Well on PS2 they only released the remake of the original Sakura Taisen, ST 3, and 5, which would make a weird collection. Plus it is pretty risky to invest so much on a niche gene. It is better to release V first to see the sales first, than consider releasing the spinoff to ST5, the PSP ST which includes ST1+2, or the DS Sakura Taisen.

[dallow]

Suikoden Now Available for PLAYSTATION® Network

What:

Konami's epic RPG Suikoden makes its way onto PLAYSTATION®Network today as the flagship title is now available for download for $5.99. In Suikoden, players enter an ancient world of bravery, mysticism and romance as they embark on a quest to discover their true destinies.

With the future of the Scarlet Moon Empire at stake, players seek out the Stars of Destiny to aid them in overthrowing the corrupt government. The head of the Liberation Army, players can also gather up to 108 companions to join them in battles as they call the shots in large-scale warfare. Suikoden offers variation in combat with the ability to battle groups of enemies with a team of six characters, defeat foes in one-on-one duels, or control the battlefield during major conflicts as the Liberation army wages war.

[Rodimus]

Suikoden for $6! That's pretty sweet. I must've beaten that game like 5 or 6 times.

[Chacrana]

Definitely cool to see some good games finally hitting the PS1 section of the store. Between this and Castlevania Chronicles, there's actually a reason to give Sony money again.

[62t]

now they just need suikoden 2

[depascal22]

Bravo, Sony. Now let's get all the other PS1 RPGs on the Network.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

They give us Suikoden instead of the superior Suikoden 2.
Ugh.

KILL THE SCALPERS!

[MSI Magus]

Suikoden for $6! That's pretty sweet. I must've beaten that game like 5 or 6 times.

No exaggeration, I wouldn't be surprised if I have beaten that game 20 times or more.

[blueweltall]

If they're going to release Suikoden II, do you guys think that we'll be able to use our Suikoden I file on II?

[depascal22]

That's a great point. How does the PSP or PS3 recognize that you've gotten all 108 stars on the first one? Maybe Suikoden II will never see the light of day.

[pete5883]

Now that P4 has namechecked him, someone talk me into / out of playing Devil Summoner Kuzunoha Raidou and the etc. etc.

[Rodimus]

Only play Devil Summoner if you're a die hard SMT fan. Otherwise it's a pass. In battles Raidou only has a handful of moves. They get boring quick and and for the most part unstrategic. You'll find yourself mashing attack most of the game. Like always the setting and story is unique and pretty good. The fusion works pretty much the same. It's not a horrible game, it's just meh. My rating would be 7/10

I just wish Raidou had more moves.

[JEKKI]

Suikoden... the only game I want on PSN is POLICENAUTS!!

that aside... u kno Phantasy Star IV is on virtual console yesterday??

Phantasy Star I-IV will all hold a special place in my 2009 old skool backlog lol

[Rocky071]

Give me Suikoden II on PSN damnit!

^ Policenauts I would also probably purchase.

[heavyd853]

I forgot how awesome youtube was for soundtracks!


Go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1inOy6xfGX8&feature=related

[EXStrike]

The Last Remnant is fuck-awesome.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

Suikoden... the only game I want on PSN is POLICENAUTS!!

that aside... u kno Phantasy Star IV is on virtual console yesterday??

Phantasy Star I-IV will all hold a special place in my 2009 old skool backlog lol

PSIV is out?

Looks like I gotta fire up my wii...
Damn.

[Chacrana]

I seriously doubt that the Last Remnant is awesome, let alone fuck-awesome, but I do agree that Policenauts needs to hit the US.

[FloodsAreUponUS]

I seriously doubt that the Last Remnant is awesome, let alone fuck-awesome, but I do agree that Policenauts needs to hit the US.

Its the best Square console RPG this generation.

[Chacrana]

Its the best Square console RPG this generation.

Which serves as airtight evidence that Square-Enix is the biggest fuck-up this gen.