So, what're you playing?

[Ard]

after trying out the Suikoden 4 disc and finding out the disc is bad and I must take it back to Blockbuster.

This is honestly for the best.  That is by far the worst game in the franchise, and abysmally bad in general.

[schild]

Oh man Suikoden past 2 is just bad. The whole series at this point really.

[Rasix]

Started on Xenosaga last night, after trying out the Suikoden 4 disc and finding out the disc is bad and I must take it back to Blockbuster. Xenosaga I'm not sure about - the way combat is done seems to rip me right out of the game itself. But it was interesting enough that I will probably continue it, if for no other reason than to find out if I really like or hate JRPG's.

Not sure that's the best game to find that out with.  Heh.

Still playing some Uncharted 2.  Perfect cinematic action game.  Better than the original in ever way possible.  Seems short though, but I may have a ways to go.  Who knows.

I have about a month to finish 1-2 ME playthroughs on the PC.  I better get cracking on that.

[Vision]

Still playing some Uncharted 2.  Perfect cinematic action game.  Better than the original in ever way possible.  Seems short though, but I may have a ways to go.  Who knows.

There is one gripe I have about Uncharted 2 over the original. Despite the inaccurate controls in the first game, I still felt more in control of Drake while he was scaling walls, or hopping from one ledge to another, even if I would accidentally end up dying due to a mis-jump. In 2, while on a wall, I can just point the stick in every direction while hitting jump until I find the direction that works, there is no punishment for jumping in the wrong direction. This sorta left me feeling like i was just pushing buttons to continue one long scripted jump sequence (which I guess I was) instead of actually controlling Drake.

[Yegolev]

Animal Crossing: City Folk.  I have figured out how to grow trees, planted some coconuts, and have recently acquired one foreign fruit.  The "multiplayer" on this is ... unfathomably bad.

[Strazos]

Started on Xenosaga last night, after trying out the Suikoden 4 disc and finding out the disc is bad and I must take it back to Blockbuster. Xenosaga I'm not sure about - the way combat is done seems to rip me right out of the game itself. But it was interesting enough that I will probably continue it, if for no other reason than to find out if I really like or hate JRPG's.

Suikoden 3 is supposed to be better, AFAIK.

Also, Suikoden 4 is somewhat related to Suikoden Tactics, which actually was not abysmal.

[schild]

Suikoden 2 -> Suikoden 1 -> Everything Else.

Everything after 2 is pretty much trash.

Tactics wasn't abysmal, but it was not good.

[Ard]

Suikoden 3 is one of my all time favorite jrpgs.  I liked the way the story played out, and I liked the game mechanics more than the stock ones used in Suikoden 1 and 2.  I'm in the minority in my opinion of that game though, and I know it.  But for gods sake, do not look back on Suikoden 4 as your basis on anything.  Xenosaga is also a crapshoot for things that should and should not be done in rpgs.

[fuser]

Switched to some racing with NFS:Shift over the holidays.

This game should never of shipped with this kinda loading times, it's worse then PS2 loading GT3/GT4.

[Samwise]

Fired up Majesty 2 and couldn't tear myself away from it for several hours.  It is really satisfying watching dudes run around and level themselves up without me having to steer them around constantly.  Like Progress Quest but with graphics.

[Tebonas]

I'm drifting through my Holiday sales as they get downloaded. At present, I'm playing A Farewell to Dragons. The GUI needs much work, the graphics are poor, and I already found errors in the spelling after 15 minutes playtime. But I enjoy the setting.

[HaemishM]

Turns out the Suikoden 4 disc was fucked up, so I had to return it. They didn't have another copy of it, and what they did have in the preowned games for the PS2 was pretty sparse. I picked up Unlimited Saga - figured I'd trade one JRPG for another. It's a Square Enix thing, so maybe it'll be a good example of a JRPG. Any thoughts? And if it sucks, I figure I can get a few bucks in trade for it once I get my Christmas Gamestop giftcard in the mail.

[Ard]

You managed to go from one really bad jrpg to one of the worst.  Even I won't touch that one, and I like the romancing saga series and am willing to put up with a lot of wonky crap.

Finished up Brutal Legend and Dragon Age over the holiday.  Brutal Legend actually surprised me at how abruptly it ended.  I knew it was short, but I wasn't expect it to end when it did storywise.  Really felt like they'd meant to put in another area.

Nearly done with Valkyria Chronicles finally.  Only have 4 more chapters to go.  I actually got surprised by a few of the story turns.
Nearly done with the campaign for Majesty 2, but the missions where you have to kill the paladins on one side and the archers on the other is kicking my ass repeatedly.  I keep thinking I'm doing okay, and then an hour later the game makes me cry.

[stray]

Turns out the Suikoden 4 disc was fucked up, so I had to return it. They didn't have another copy of it, and what they did have in the preowned games for the PS2 was pretty sparse. I picked up Unlimited Saga - figured I'd trade one JRPG for another. It's a Square Enix thing, so maybe it'll be a good example of a JRPG. Any thoughts? And if it sucks, I figure I can get a few bucks in trade for it once I get my Christmas Gamestop giftcard in the mail.

Wait.. Are you saying you're only now just experiencing with JRPG's? A good example, eh?

Just get Chrono Trigger and be done with it.  

[Rendakor]

IIRC Unlimited Saga was quite awful.

[Cyrrex]

We discussed it briefly in some other thread (which I cannot be bothered to find), but I received the God of War Collector's edition for Christmas and have been playing through the first one quite a bit.  For the 2% of you who, like me, had never played GoW before, rest assured that it is awesome.  I don't generally go for these action-y hack-n-slash titles, but this is a clear exception.  Outstanding game, and with the upgrade to HD graphics it holds up well enough.

[HaemishM]

Wait.. Are you saying you're only now just experiencing with JRPG's? A good example, eh?

The last JRPG I did was Final Fantasy 2 on the SNES (and later on an emu). I loved it, but not sure if I would like that type of game after the years of enhancements to the RPG. But it was essentially a free game, and they didn't have much else available.

[Yegolev]

The last JRPG I did was Final Fantasy 2 on the SNES (and later on an emu). I loved it, but not sure if I would like that type of game after the years of enhancements to the RPG. But it was essentially a free game, and they didn't have much else available.

Shit, you nearly peaked, although you might want a recent version of FFIV that is not the dummied-up-for-whitey US-SNES version.  Now play FFVI and ChronoTrigger and you'll be done with JRPGs.  Although I do like FFXII a great deal, but that one is apparently controversial.  There is also Shadow Hearts 1+2 and select Shin Megami Tensei titles, for something less adolescent.  Even Rasix likes Shadow Hearts.

[stray]

Wait.. Are you saying you're only now just experiencing with JRPG's? A good example, eh?

The last JRPG I did was Final Fantasy 2 on the SNES (and later on an emu). I loved it, but not sure if I would like that type of game after the years of enhancements to the RPG. But it was essentially a free game, and they didn't have much else available.

Hmm, well by enhancements, if you just mean like in graphics or something.. But something that is a still typical JRPG, then Dragon Quest 8. It doesn't get any more standard than that.. Pretty old school. If you mean enhancements in a bigger way, FF12.. Which should be easier to find than anything. I don't really dig the combat myself, but it is different.

Some games go off the beaten path, but still maintain the core feel of a JRPG, like the Shin Megami series. I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here suggesting Persona.. Seems like it keeps getting brought up.

[edit] Well, basically what Yeg already said.  

[Rasix]

Even Rasix likes Shadow Hearts.

 

Yeg does make good recommendations even if he's taunting me in a way I don't fully understand.

Avoid:
Anything on the 360.
Anything on the PS3 (Valk isn't a JRPG).
Shadow Hearts 3.
Chrono Cross (There's a French clown if you need something to scare you away).
FF8, 9.

There's also the Persona games, but they're very, very Japanese. Also odd to the point of almost being their own category. 

[stray]

Also, and I hate to give a "pedestrian" recommendation, but it wouldn't hurt checking out FF10 too. It's fairly standard. Knowing you, you'll probably want to kill Titus, but I think Auron and Lulu might prevent it. I, for one, think it's one of the best FF games.

[Ingmar]

Also, and I hate to give a "pedestrian" recommendation, but it wouldn't hurt checking out FF10 too. It's fairly standard. Knowing you, you'll probably want to kill Titus, but I think Auron and Lulu might prevent it. I, for one, think it's one of the best FF games.

The plot is so laughably awful that I can't think of words to describe it. If story is your thing at all, STAY AWAY.

[stray]

The more I think about it, I hold it's the perfect game to make or break him on JRPG's.  

[edit] Argh.. Not really. There is variety.. They are not all the same, but damnit if that isn't a example of a JRPG, then what is..

[HaemishM]

Ok, so I have a $25 Gamestop gift card coming to me, and they have both Persona 3 and Persona 4 (as well as FFX or FFXII) for cheap enough. Recommendations?

[schild]

The idea of you playing a JRPG fucks with my psyche too much for me to be able to make a sound recommendation.

[stray]

Nice.. They're not easy to find anymore. Hmm..  Just get 4. It's overall more refined game, has even more quirky features (like the importance of weather), has a cool detective story thing going on, better chicks heh.. umm, it's longer (granted, it probably starts off a bit slow too), and it's harder imo. It's not a direct storyline sequel, so you won't be clueless or anything.

[schild]

Fah. I say Shadow Hearts 2. I made those jokers buy it anyway.

Otherwise: http://wiki.f13.net/index.php/Recommendations:_PS2

Edit: If you see one of the boxes in a store and the cover is too anime for you, then skip it. You'll just bitch and moan anyway. I'd rather not endorse that being the result.

[Yegolev]

you'll probably want to kill Titus,

Tidus.  You know, like tide, as in water.

FFX is no good.  Look, Haem, I'm trying to help here.  You won't be able to take the weeaboo in a modern FF game.  You might not even like Persona 4 due to a Scrappy-Doo element, so I'm going to again suggest the first and second Shadow Hearts.  Roger Bacon!  If you can't find that, maybe the Digital Devil Saga duo if you like combat... a lot.

[Rasix]

Ok, so I have a $25 Gamestop gift card coming to me, and they have both Persona 3 and Persona 4 (as well as FFX or FFXII) for cheap enough. Recommendations?

Persona 4 has a fully controllable party and more fleshed out mechanics (relationships, stat building, items, optional bosses etc).  More interesting stuff to do.

Persona 3 has a more engaging story, better voice acting and honestly a better plot.  

4 is a better game but I thought 3 is a better narrative.  4 might be easier to play for you.  Use this information and make your own decision, but just remember they are about as Japanese as it gets.

Shadow Hearts: Covenant is still the best JPRG you'll ever play.  How can you go wrong when a main character is a gay, professional wrestling vampire who uses giant poles as weapons? Game gets a bit   and   in spots, but that's just part of the charm.  Yuri is also one of the biggest badasses to ever grace gaming.   Shadow Hearts 1 is great also, but it looks a bit dated and the game play is nowhere near as polished as its sequel.  Also, it takes a bit of work to get the good ending (which 2 promptly ignores).

[HaemishM]

I forgot that I tried Baroque for the Wii not long ago - that was my last JRPG experience. Holy fuck did that game suck in that "What the fuck am I supposed to be doing in this game?" way. Although, I'm not sure that counts as a JRPG.

[stray]

Persona only gets really weird Japanese-y if you like working in hospitals. :P

Otherwise, it's normal, I tell you! Not too weird. Or maybe I'm just too close for comfort. There are weirder games out there I won't touch, I know that.

[Rasix]

I forgot that I tried Baroque for the Wii not long ago - that was my last JRPG experience. Holy fuck did that game suck in that "What the fuck am I supposed to be doing in this game?" way. Although, I'm not sure that counts as a JRPG.

Baroque is more like a graphical nethack combined with a lot of weirdness.  Not a JRPG at all.

I think Tales of Symphonia is the only available Wii JRPG.

[schild]

There's like 12 regular RPGs for the Wii, Tales not being one of them since it's an action RPG.

[stray]

Rune Factory is one of the games I wish I still had a Wii for. [edit] Maybe not an RPG either though.

[Yegolev]

Baroque and Rune Factory are not JRPGs.  That said, Baroque is cool if you get into it.