i love the old RPGs -- what can you recommend?

allyourblood

allyourblood

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my absolute favorite RPGs of all time are (in no particular order):

Ys I&II
Neutopia 1 & 2
Crusader of Centy
Lunar 1 & 2 (Sega CD)
Shining Force II


those are what i consider to be the "cream of the crop" when it comes to RPGs. i confess that i have not progressed beyond the 2d, cutesy games and hackneyed stories; i love 'em! i've played more, but these are the real standouts for me.

i want to play a new RPG that smacks of the oldies. has there been anything released in the last year or two that fits the bill? i read a review or two of Lost Magic for the DS, but they were luke warm, really.
 
stuff thats recent but with an old classical feel? I dont know. I'll have no choice but to recommend ones that I think are good, regardless of release period. Also, I dont know what systems you have.

Shadow Hearts.
Dragon Quest 8.
Fire Emblem (any)
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

You're better off with the actual classics if you want the classical feel.
Chrono Trigger
Xenogears
Breath of Fire series
 
It may not be exactly what you are looking for, but have you played Septerra Core? Its a console style RPG for the PC, its a couple of years old and didn't have much exposure but got good reviews. It was rereleased last year by Topware games:

http://www.topware.com/game_projects/project.php?l=en&game=10

You can probably find it for less than $10 and I believe that you can still find the demo laying around the web.
 
I second Fire Emblem, I had a great time with Sacred Stones, and I'm still playing Blazing Sword, and Path of Radiance.
 
[quote name='allyourblood']

i want to play a new RPG that smacks of the oldies. has there been anything released in the last year or two that fits the bill? i read a review or two of Lost Magic for the DS, but they were luke warm, really.[/QUOTE]

Atelier Iris 1 and 2?

Hell, every review I ever read said "While fun, it feels stuck in the past". I only played a bit of it, but it certainly feels old school. Reviews said the same thing about Dragon Quest VIII.

If you've got a GBA, Tales of Phantsia is old school.

I actually went and looked at my shelf, there's always Ys: Ark of Phantasm and Growlanser Generations too.
 
Try the first Grandia, I have no idea about the others but the first one is basicly what you described as the games you like.
 
Paper Mario 2 reminded me a lot of my favorite SNES RPGs. If you like Super Mario RPG, definitely get it immediately. The battles are great, the storyline is a little weak but characters and dialogue are top notch. Presentation is truly perfect, from the loading screens to cut scenes, and it's hillarious. Cheap, fun, long. I really can't recommend it enough.

Grandia II is another safe bet considering the games you listed. Stick with Grandia II though, not other Grandias.

Seriously though, Paper Mario, now.
 
[quote name='SpookyD']Try the first Grandia, I have no idea about the others but the first one is basicly what you described as the games you like.[/quote]

I'll second this notion, as I just tried it out a couple days ago. I was debating whether to play Grandia or Grandia III. However, when I actually tried to play Grandia, the game was WAY too cutesy for me. Maybe it was the translation, but I don't know. I'll eventually get to it, but for now I'm playing Grandia III, and to say the least, it's awesome (especially the battle system).

So if you're looking for a new recently released classic RPG, with the routine storyline (and all that jazz that original RPGs come along with), I'd say Grandia III would be a good choice. There are not many sidequests, I think, but it's classic and cliche in everyway. From the 10 hours I've played so far, it's a great game overall. A good break from all the other complex RPGs that have come out in the past couple years.
 
Here are some I remember:

For Sega Genesis:
Beyond Oasis
Landstalker
Sorcerer's Kingdom
Light Crusader

Sega CD:
Popful Mail
Vay

SNES:
Arcana
Brain Lord
Soul Blazer
Illusion of Gaia
Brandish
Inindo
Lufia I & II
Paladin's Quest
Secret of Mana
Secret of Evermore

For the GBA (many remakes from older platforms but often easier to find):
Breath of Fire I & II
Golden Sun I & II
Phantasy Star Trilogy

On Sega Saturn:
Albert Odyssey
Legend of Oasis
Shining wisdom
Shining the Holy Ark
Magic Knight Rayearth
 
i've played some of the aforementioned games, and reallly liked them. i'm definitely going to check out the Grandia series, too.

man, i wish they'd re-release Y's I&II on GBA/DS.
 
I like Phantom Brave and La Puchelle. They are both strategyRPGs. Gladius is fun if you want to play a gladiator stylized strategy RPG.
 
Only one person in here suggested Landstalker? For shame. You can do Alundra 1 also, since it's essentially Landstalker 2.

Also, yes, Paper Mario.

Paper Maaaaaaaaaaaaario.

Also be on the lookout for Project Exile, as it looks most delicious and IMMENSLY oldschool, and is en route to the DS (not GBA as the vid shows, the dev's site says DS now). I made a post about it, no one really replied, but the game basically takes the sprites from Secret of Mana and drops them into Final Fantasy 6's backgrounds/maps, and makes the battle system like Chrono Trigger. It looks incredible, especially coming from an unknown developer. Makes me wish I could go work for 'em, actually, but I've got my hands in a project already (*cough* sig *cough*).

You could probably give the Mario and Luigi games a shot. I prefer the first one over the DS sequel.
 
[quote name='Strell']Only one person in here suggested Landstalker? For shame. You can do Alundra 1 also, since it's essentially Landstalker 2.
[/QUOTE]

Yea, but he wants to play a new rpg with old school roots... hell, I could have named off a ton of old school RPG's if he wanted them ;)

And yea, Alundra was bad ass, one of my favorite PS One games... I can't wait for Landstalker to come out on the PSP.

I still say the OP just needs to play either Atelier Iris or DQ 8... every review for DQ 8 mentions how it's so old school but it's done right.
 
DQ8 doesn't really have old-school style gameplay, IMO. I don't really understand why it gets the reputation for being old-school. It's just really simplistic - simplicity doesn't equal old-school.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Yea, but he wants to play a new rpg with old school roots... hell, I could have named off a ton of old school RPG's if he wanted them ;)
[/QUOTE]

I was going by the possibility maybe he wasn't aware of it/hadn't played it, but point taken. :)
 
[quote name='Koggit']DQ8 doesn't really have old-school style gameplay, IMO. I don't really understand why it gets the reputation for being old-school. It's just really simplistic - simplicity doesn't equal old-school.[/QUOTE]

I think it has an oldschool feel (from what I've played so far). Turn-based battles, potions and such for healing items, magic learned incrementally, weapons/armor that get stronger as you go on( and don't pull any of this "Gain +30 ST but lose 3% Mana reg over time" or whatever); it's as close as you're gonna get if you want a "new" game.

OP, try skies of Arcadia Legends for the GC. DO yourself a favor and pick it up, pronto. I agree with all the SNES suggestions, Earthbound especially, and the Paper Mario reccomendation (Paper Mario is a fuckING 'A' title). With the Wii coming out, you'll have a chance to play some hype-ass shit.
 
[quote name='ofacto']It may not be exactly what you are looking for, but have you played Septerra Core? Its a console style RPG for the PC, its a couple of years old and didn't have much exposure but got good reviews. It was rereleased last year by Topware games:

http://www.topware.com/game_projects/project.php?l=en&game=10

You can probably find it for less than $10 and I believe that you can still find the demo laying around the web.[/QUOTE]

wow, that was the first PC rpg i played! since then i have forgetten its name, thanks for reminding me.
 
I second Skies of Arcadia Legends on Gamecube. It's battle system is a bit like Lunar where you move around the field and can get in different attack strengths depending on location and proximity. Although some find them boring, I also really liked the ship-to-ship battles.
 
Well, last night I just finished Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, and I must say it is easily one of the greatest games of this generation, if not the greatest.

It has beautiful graphics, a simple but highly entertaining story, fun battle mechanics, and is so overwhelmingly satisfying that I really cannot describe it. I finished it and just sat there staring at the TV.

For some reason it's the fact that the series always introduces a slightly more serious tone to the Mario universe, and for whatever reason (I guess since I've grown up with the Mario series) it always feels well worth it.

In any case, I'd really suggest that be your next one. I'm going to tell that to anyone who owns a Gamecube at this point.
 
I'll third the Septerra Core recommendation, and Xth the Paper Mario one, where X is the large number of referrals its gotten plus 1.

Also, if you are into the strategy type rpgs, I would suggest an old PC title called Odium. I remember really liking it at the time, and I think it kinda flopped in terms of sales (like Septerra Core). They definitely went to the bargain bin quickly.

Aren't they about to release Vandal Hearts for the DS? That was my first strategy RPG on the PSX. I remember liking it, though not as much as the original Final Fantasy Tactics. OMG! Play FF Tactics for the Playstation! Its way better than its GBA counterpart. I can't believe I played FFT Advance twice and never finished it. I would get to a point where I had everyone where I wanted them, and it just ceased to be fun for me.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Yea, regardless of age everyone should play Landstalker.

http://psp.ign.com/articles/648/648551p1.html

But hey, it IS coming out in the future ;)[/quote]

Oh. My. God.

The only question is how long I will be able to resist updating my firmware.

I'm playing Rhapsody now. Despite its cute factor and low difficulty, I'm really having a good time with it. It's not the greatest RPG I've ever played, but it's got boatloads of charm and personality. Reminds me a lot of Lunar and Working Designs.
 
[quote name='Strell']Well, last night I just finished Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, and I must say it is easily one of the greatest games of this generation, if not the greatest.[/QUOTE]

This man speaks the truth. Paper Mario now.
 
Ill probably be the only one to recommend this, but track down a copy of Beyond the Beyond for the PSone. This game came out when RPGs were few and far between, and I still have a soft spot for it to this day. :D
 
[quote name='Strell']Only one person in here suggested Landstalker? For shame. You can do Alundra 1 also, since it's essentially Landstalker 2.

[/QUOTE]

No, Ladystalker on the SNES is Landstalker 2. Never released in the US.
 
[quote name='rodeojones903']Ill probably be the only one to recommend this, but track down a copy of Beyond the Beyond for the PSone. This game came out when RPGs were few and far between, and I still have a soft spot for it to this day. :D[/QUOTE]

It was OK if you were new to RPGs but was terribly derivative to experienced player. It felt like listening to a Lenny Kravitz song. You're sure it's a cover but cannot place the original performer.
 
Huh. Learn something new everyday.

Without getting into semantics I was purely talking about it from a gameplay perspective.

//is very, very groggy right now
 
[quote name='Strell']Well, last night I just finished Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, and I must say it is easily one of the greatest games of this generation, if not the greatest.

It has beautiful graphics, a simple but highly entertaining story, fun battle mechanics, and is so overwhelmingly satisfying that I really cannot describe it. I finished it and just sat there staring at the TV.

For some reason it's the fact that the series always introduces a slightly more serious tone to the Mario universe, and for whatever reason (I guess since I've grown up with the Mario series) it always feels well worth it.

In any case, I'd really suggest that be your next one. I'm going to tell that to anyone who owns a Gamecube at this point.[/QUOTE]

What I can't believe, Strell, given your avatar and Nintendo-loving tendencies :D, is that you didn't play this game until NOW, well over a year from its release! I have an emormous backlog of games on the GC and PS2, but I played through this (with my son) ASAP the very first month it came out. And I'm new to this whole Mario/GC/PS2/console gaming in general thing, having not played a console before I got the GC in Dec 2003 since my Colecovision (missed the whole NES/SNES/N64 eras). My point being, even though I was not weaned on Mario games, I had heard this was excellent and wanted to play it right away!

I just finished Mario & Luigi Partners in Time on the DS - similar type of game of course, though I much prefer the presentation of Paper Mario.

I hope you don't wait until 2008 to play Super Paper Mario!

Oh, though I don't even know what "old school' means to you people (as to me old school is "Adventure" on the Atari, and things like Adventure and Zork on the old mainframe), I found Dragon Quest VIII to be one of my favorite games this gen (along with Paper Mario).

Looks like I'll have to break out that copy of Skies of Arcadia Legends some day soon though...
 
Even though this is for the 360, TES: Oblivion obviously. Has a great Old School feel to it. Which is probably why it has sucked 120 hours out of my life.

For the last gen Xbox, I'd highly recommend The Bard's Tale, it actually pokes "teh funny" at all the RPG cliches and does it very well.

For the Gamecube, I'd say Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is as old school as it gets. Great story...check...Turn based battle...check...35+ hour to complete...check.

For the PS2, there are a lot of RPG's, but the one that stands out for me would be Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Lands. It's another one of those underrated Atlus releases. Not the most pretty game in the world, but it more than makes up for it in gameplay.

These should definately get a look see:

PS1
Suikoden II
Valkyrie Profile (PSP remake is coming in July)
Vagrant Story
Wild Arms (or Alter Code F)

Dreamcast
Skies of Arcadia

Sega CD
Vay's

Sega Genesis
Phantasy Star II - IV (I'm thinking you've probably played these, but it's worth a mention)
Sword of Vermillion

Sega Master System
Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord
Phantasy Star
Y's The Vanished Omens

Super Nintendo
Y's III: Wanderers of Y's

NES
Dragon Warrior

PC
Baldurs Gate I + II (Duh)
Betrayal at Krondor (Needs DOS emulation)
Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven
Planescape: Torment
Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines (a little newer, but I wanted to get out the fact that this is a great game by now defunct Troika Games)

One more XBOX title I would recommend is Arx Fatalis. It's done by the same people doing Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

Hope this helps!
 
[quote name='io']What I can't believe, Strell, given your avatar and Nintendo-loving tendencies :D, is that you didn't play this game until NOW, well over a year from its release! [/QUOTE]

Haha! :)

Well I never played the original because I wasn't totally into the whole "paper" concept. I'd played the first M&L and liked it quite a bit, and I played Mario RPG years ago and LOVED it, but the N64 version didn't look all that great.

However, Paper Mario went to $20 on gamestop.com for a while last summer, I picked it up, and started it, and loved every second of it. I feel bad for taking this long to go back and finish it, but wow is it an amazing game.

I've got the N64 counterpart at my apartment, and I think I'm going to start up a game on it (since I think I'm heading back there today).

Amazing, amazing games.

Oh, and I said this in another thread, but I'm getting Super Paper Mario FIRST DAY it is out. I have not dropped cash on a launch game in forever, but I gaurantee you it will be in my hands that day and will be played for quite some time.
 
[quote name='Strell']Haha! :)

Well I never played the original because I wasn't totally into the whole "paper" concept. I'd played the first M&L and liked it quite a bit, and I played Mario RPG years ago and LOVED it, but the N64 version didn't look all that great.

However, Paper Mario went to $20 on gamestop.com for a while last summer, I picked it up, and started it, and loved every second of it. I feel bad for taking this long to go back and finish it, but wow is it an amazing game.

I've got the N64 counterpart at my apartment, and I think I'm going to start up a game on it (since I think I'm heading back there today).

Amazing, amazing games.

Oh, and I said this in another thread, but I'm getting Super Paper Mario FIRST DAY it is out. I have not dropped cash on a launch game in forever, but I gaurantee you it will be in my hands that day and will be played for quite some time.[/QUOTE]
If it makes you feel any better, I got Paper Mario for $20 (free after rebate) as well, having rented it the week before to make sure I liked it (this was before I was a full-fledged CAG and bought anything cheap without bothering to know anything about it :p) and I have not played it since. So my save is where it was when I returned the copy to Blockbuster.

But as you say, loved every minute of what I had played, just haven't gotten back to it.
 
i've got a few of these on my radar now, folks. thanks very much. i'm playing thru Mario & Luigi: PiT, and enjoying it very much. kinda weird, but i like it.
 
Phantasy Star - Sega Master System

Still my favorite RPG of all time. I remember the nights me and my brother stayed up to play this game. And it's still the only RPG I had to get pen and paper and draw the maps to fiqure out where to go.

Panzer Dragoon Saga - bought the day it came out. Worth every penny.
 
[quote name='allyourblood']my absolute favorite RPGs of all time are (in no particular order):

Ys I&II
Neutopia 1 & 2
Crusader of Centy
Lunar 1 & 2 (Sega CD)
Shining Force II


those are what i consider to be the "cream of the crop" when it comes to RPGs. i confess that i have not progressed beyond the 2d, cutesy games and hackneyed stories; i love 'em! i've played more, but these are the real standouts for me.

i want to play a new RPG that smacks of the oldies. has there been anything released in the last year or two that fits the bill? i read a review or two of Lost Magic for the DS, but they were luke warm, really.[/QUOTE]

Heh you like some good games sir. Anyways...

You like cute colorful RPGs with fluffy storylines? You'd love PoPoLoCrois. And that's not a knock in anyway, it's my favorite PSP game.

The Atelier Iris games would be a good choice too.
 
[quote name='Daria']Heh you like some good games sir. Anyways...

You like cute colorful RPGs with fluffy storylines? You'd love PoPoLoCrois. And that's not a knock in anyway, it's my favorite PSP game.

The Atelier Iris games would be a good choice too.[/quote]

thanks! adding them to my "list"!
 
You have to play Final Fantasy VI (III in the US). It swept me off my feet with an epic storyline and great gameplay, and even though I don't like to recommend mainstream titles, no gamer should miss this one.

Der Langrisser is a great game, and the battle system is similar to Shining Force. It hasn't been fully translated yet, but it's still one of my favorites.
 
[quote name='whitereflection']You have to play Final Fantasy VI (III in the US). It swept me off my feet with an epic storyline and great gameplay, and even though I don't like to recommend mainstream titles, no gamer should miss this one.

Der Langrisser is a great game, and the battle system is similar to Shining Force. It hasn't been fully translated yet, but it's still one of my favorites.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I agree. FF VI is the single most amazing FF game ever. Also don't miss out on the greatest RPG of all time (no pun intended): Chrono Trigger.
 
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