Favorite RPG?

[Paper Geno]

I dont know why iam starting really stupid topics lately, iam just trying to get to know TZ members better,

Any who Thorugh out my school and online friends babiling on for what the best RPG of all time is i decided to make a poll to see what TZ's favorite rpg is. (note iam only putting the ones that get the most fuss)

[Chrono1995]

I can't vote...

To be perfectly honest, both the Chrono games are easily in my Top 5 RPGs of all time. I might even go with some controversy and say Chrono Cross is better than CT, but I'm afraid I might get lynched. Plot holes and dead 1-D characters aside (besides, Break will hopefully fix that), CC was the best RPG on PS1.

More favorites of the FF variety are FF6, FF9 and FF Tactics. FF6 for the sheer amount of great moments, FF9 for the animation, mini-games, and sheer enjoyment, and FF Tactics for the best battle system ever designed.

I also greatly enjoyed Tales of Phantasia and Phantasy Star II...these were truly great games. Disgaea I'm rapidly warming up to, as well...although I will always be in love with Earthbound, Seiken Densetsu 3, and Rudra No Hihou.

But how could I forget Super Mario RPG? I've never met anyone who completely hated the game. It's the most fun I've ever had played any game. Ever.

[Paper Geno]

Oh man I completly forgot abour Sukodien (sorry about spelling) Damn, oh well.

[NachoHat]

Chrono Trigger.


That is all.

[Paper Geno]

Considering I cant change the poll.......... To the lower regions of HECK with pokemon, Its now gonna be Sukudien....... SO pretend Pokemon is sukodien ( Zawwy abooooot Spewing)

[Sigma]

Chrono Trigger is the greatest game of all time.

I was really disapointed in Chrono Cross. Not that it was a bad game because that isn't the case Cross was a great RPG, but compaired to Chrono Trigger it just didn't live up to those standards set by Trigger IMO.

[Chrono1995]

Chrono Trigger is the greatest game of all time.

I was really disapointed in Chrono Cross. Not that it was a bad game because that isn't the case Cross was a great RPG, but compaired to Chrono Trigger it just didn't live up to those standards set by Trigger IMO.

Hey, great is great. Trigger and Cross were both wonderful, but trying to put the two plots together is like putting Super Mario RPG and Xenogears together. Even still, I love both of them.

[Jade_GL]

I can't vote. My faves aren't on the list.

Kingdom Hearts, Arcanum (although that could have been better), Secret of Mana, Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Sailor Moon: Another Story are some of my favorites.

I have played Final Fantasy, but never really got as into them as I could have. Again, I was more into other stuff at that time.

[ohmrbill]

Xenogears has always been my personal favorite.

[Shawn Hopkins]

I'd have to go with Fallout, but from the list I would pick Lunar: Silver Star Story, maybe Suikoden.

[Bubblegum Girl]

Chrono Trigger, FF6, FF5, FF4, Legend of Mana, Super Mario RPG, and Kingdom Hearts are my favorite RPGs.

[Mynd Hed]

I can't vote. My faves aren't on the list.

Kingdom Hearts, Arcanum (although that could have been better), Secret of Mana, Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Sailor Moon: Another Story are some of my favorites.

I wouldn't consider LoZ: LttP to be an RPG. No level-gaining, and more importantly, no playing of roles. (Link is the man and all, but when the only playable character never talks, it's kinda hard to consider it an RPG.) I'd categorize it more as a straight-up adventure title.
Now, Secret of Mana, on the other hand, is definitely an RPG and rules to boot. SD3 (aka SoM 2) was even better, why it never got an American release is beyond me, since SoM supposedly had incredible sales in the U.S.

[Jade_GL]

I wouldn't consider LoZ: LttP to be an RPG. No level-gaining, and more importantly, no playing of roles. (Link is the man and all, but when the only playable character never talks, it's kinda hard to consider it an RPG.) I'd categorize it more as a straight-up adventure title.
Now, Secret of Mana, on the other hand, is definitely an RPG and rules to boot. SD3 (aka SoM 2) was even better, why it never got an American release is beyond me, since SoM supposedly had incredible sales in the U.S.

Yeah, you're right about Zelda, but I always thought it was kind of an Action/RPG. I mean, no level gaining, but a long involved story with lots of stuff to collect. It uses some elements and discards others. But there isn't that usual level gaining and whatnot.

And SD3 was even better than SoM, but I had completely forgot to mention it because it wasn't released in the US. I always liked is a bit better. I found it easier to play and I really enjoyed the story more.

[Tanooki]

...we need a legend of zelda rpg...what? oh. er hmm!

it was a huge toss up between my top three (super mario rpg, earthbound, and ff:6). i like them all deeply, but i voted for ff:6 as its storyline is a whole lot more enthralling. earthbound and smrpg have humor, but can't go wrong with a long, touching storyline that really gets to you. poor locke...

Falcon

[TacoHunter]

There is no such thing as action/RPG...well...I guess the of Mana series would fall under that...but SHUT UP! I don't believe in hybrid genres. They are silly. Zelda is an Adventure game. Zelda's emphases is on exploration and problem solving with items, classic trade marks of the adventure genre. While RPGs are about "growing" a character, and random number generation (such as a throw of some dice or getting that critical hit every so often), none of which are in Zelda.

Also, it seems kind of odd to have Pokemon on the list. I love Pokemon and all, but its not really story intensive. Your character is 1D, so that the character can be you. After that, what are you going to do? Role play the Pokemon? Thinking it over, Pokemon is more of a really odd strategy game, then it is an RPG.

[Animation Otaku]

Earthbound. Without a doubt. Best RPG ever. Closely followed by Paper Mario.

[Joe Mama]

I like all the Final Fantasy games, so I voted for Final Fantasy VII.

[Jade_GL]

There is no such thing as action/RPG...well...I guess the of Mana series would fall under that...but SHUT UP! I don't believe in hybrid genres. They are silly. Zelda is an Adventure game. Zelda's emphases is on exploration and problem solving with items, classic trade marks of the adventure genre. While RPGs are about "growing" a character, and random number generation (such as a throw of some dice or getting that critical hit every so often), none of which are in Zelda.

Also, it seems kind of odd to have Pokemon on the list. I love Pokemon and all, but its not really story intensive. Your character is 1D, so that the character can be you. After that, what are you going to do? Role play the Pokemon? Thinking it over, Pokemon is more of a really odd strategy game, then it is an RPG.

Wow, I admitted I was wrong and I get a "shut up". I was just saying that it has elements of both, not that it is or isn't.

There are hybrid games, get over it. Diablo has level gaining but it also has the hack and slash of an adventure type. Does that mean it's one, or the other, or a dreaded hybrid? Am I going to let my head implode at the notion? Nah, I don't care.

[Courage]

My All time Favorite? Final Fantasy Tactics. Just Damn. Deep battle system, a wonderful story (I had spent about 90 hours on it before I actually understood EVERYTHING!) and the great music..just Awesome...

Some of my other favorites being Vagrant Story(loosely linked with FFT BTW), Chrono Trigger (I hated Cross. Then again, it's hard to top a great game.), Super Mario RPG (8 bit mario was one of the funniest in-game jokes I've ever seen!), Grandia 1 and 2 (1 was better. You may commence throwing rocks at me now.), Brave Fencer Musashi(Short Samurai POWAAA!) and Lastly, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Biggoran Sword BABY!).

Shush about the Hybrid thing. It's only the next logical step for most kinds of sorts of games. You want to invigorate a genre of games...pump an element from something else in it! And I enjoy it pretty much, so I don't complain.

[blee337]

Final Fantasy 4. Nothing can beat the Dark Knight's quest for redemption and the discovery of his lineage.

[Jowy Blight]

Mine has always been Suikoden, followed closely by Xenogears and the Lunar games.

Just gotta love the wonderfully told war storys of the Gate Rune, Dunan Unification, and........uh......Luc's war against fate.

[Duke Psychology]

Chrono Trigger.

-insert something witty or informative about why this is the favorite here-

[James]

Final Fantasy 7 - I think we all know the reasons, I don't think I have much else I can add which you've all never heard - so I'll leave it at that! :)

[Shawn Hopkins]

[QUOTE=Mynd Hed]I wouldn't consider LoZ: LttP to be an RPG. No level-gaining, and more importantly, no playing of roles. (Link is the man and all, but when the only playable character never talks, it's kinda hard to consider it an RPG.) [QUOTE]

I agree that LttP isn't really an RPG, but you can't use "playable character never talks" as a criteria. That disqualifies a huge chunk of Square, Enix and other RPG companies' output, including Chrono Trigger.

Besides, I think the muteness is actually a device intended to emphasize role playing in true RPGs. Its sometimes annoying, but it lets you think about what the character would be saying in your own voice, instead of having his/her personality handed to you. Since Japanese RPGs are often more like interactive storybooks than open ended D&D type role-playing, I can see how developers felt this technique might help the player better pretend the main character was "you." During the 16 bit era, for a personal example, I usually gave main characters my name. As RPG heroes started getting more vocal and whinier in the 32 bit era, they started getting names like Chester. :)

[painaxl]

Voted Earthbound, my favorite 16-bit RPG by far.

However, had you added a choice for Skies of Arcadia, I just might have changed my mind.

[Paper Geno]

Sorry Guys and Gals I couldent put every thing, :-(, i tried um i guess kind of my best ^_^. I dont think i put my favorite or did? Anywho I put Mario RPG loss, It was the first RPG i ever had and i rember it well. :-)

[Mynd Hed]

I agree that LttP isn't really an RPG, but you can't use "playable character never talks" as a criteria. That disqualifies a huge chunk of Square, Enix and other RPG companies' output, including Chrono Trigger.

That's why I made sure to say "when the ONLY playable character never talks." Sure, Crono in Chrono Trigger doesn't talk, but plenty of the other PCs do.

[Misato Tanaka]

Star ocean: second story in a far first

some other fav.s are FFIX, xenogears, super mario rpg, and the dbz rpg series(w/ the cards)

[FinalDragoon]

What?! No Golden Sun, Star Ocean, or Legend of Dragoon....for shame on this poll. I know that was a little harsh, but you need to pay respect to the lesser known rpgs as well because few know of their greatness. If you have no clue what I am talking about, then by all means ask.

[Eidan]

Eh, that list sucks. My personal top 3 RPGs are (in order), Skies of Arcadia, Xenogears, and Grandia II.

[Skiptastic]

KOTOR and Skies of Arcadia. Where be they?

[Tanooki]

What?! No Golden Sun, Star Ocean, or Legend of Dragoon....for shame on this poll. I know that was a little harsh, but you need to pay respect to the lesser known rpgs as well because few know of their greatness. If you have no clue what I am talking about, then by all means ask.
i am ashamed of myself...

as one of the biggest golden sun fans out there, i forgot all about them. my top five now goes as follows...

1. final fantasy VI
2. golden sun
3. super mario rpg
4. golden sun: the lost age
5. earthbound

Falcon

[zig973]

Here's my list:

FF6 (great story, well-developed characters)
Chrono Trigger (see FF6)
Super Mario RPG (one of the few SNES games i haven't sold on ebay yet)
FFIX (excellent animation with a good story, although a little short and too easy)
Xenogears (This is what you get when you cross giant robots with an anime with a game :D)

[JohnCrichton]

KOTOR and Skies of Arcadia. Where be they?

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Skip.

Two best ever made have been left out of the loop!

[Matthan]

Well, I'm a PC gamer, so these choices seem awfull limiting to me. I can list off a few of my favorites though. Planescape: Torment is an amazing experience full of depth and questions. What can change the nature of a man? That made for an amazing gaming experience. I echo the mention of Arcanum. Troika's freshman release invited you to an imaginative world of technology and magic. The adventure linked together well and was memorable. It could have been better, but was most notable for it's method of dealing with tech and magic. Definately high on the fun factor. The Elder Scroll Series (Arena, Daggerfall, and Morrowind), also rate high on the fun factor, but due to the sheer freedom size and freedom tend to fall short on a really moving or thought provoking story. Morrowind came close in dealing with the nature of diety, but didn't follow through enough. For sheer fun in the hybrid division, the Quest for Glory series ranks high in my estimation. Trial by Fire was incredibly fun despite the dated graphics (EGA, baby!). Shadows of Darkness also managed to convey an intense atmosphere and keep it fun. The Baldur's Gate series deserves an honorable mention for the sheer scope. Taken as a whole, the series provides an interesting moral question of how power changes people.
If I had to rate them,
1. Planescape: Torment
2. Arcanum
3. The Quest for Glory series
4. The Baldur's Gate series
5. The Elder Scroll series

A few games that will probably make the list that I haven't played yet are Knights of the Old Republic, Lionheart, and Temple of Elemental Evil.

~Matthan

[Web Head]

The choices in this poll only support my belief that the days of SNES were the golden age for RPG's. Or maybe it's just that my favorite video games EVER are all on this list...

1) Final Fantasy VI - the king of the greatest console RPG series EVER. This game was so deep, with such a great story and so many characters...I mean how many other games could give so much time and character development to twelve characters? And the best RPG control to boot!

2) Chrono Trigger - time hopping fun indeed! You've got some great characters, a nice twist and turn story, and some great fights thrown in too boot. A sweet game that really endears, and one that has a TON of replay value

3) Final Fantasy IV - the gateway drug. This game got me hooked on RPG's, and as such will always hold a spot in my heart.

[Captain Harlock]

I voted for FFVI. Its a constant battle between which is my favorite - Chrono Trigger or FFVI. But today I'll give the nod to FFVI.

[Paper Geno]

Eh, that list sucks. My personal top 3 RPGs are (in order), Skies of Arcadia, Xenogears, and Grandia II.

Dude.....its just a friegen online pole...........

[Robo G]

I hate to say this and being the onlyto vote for it but it is my favorite and thats what counts sure the sprites were not great and non of the fancy 3D stuff but it had it where it counted (at least for me ) there was no real complicated done up stroy line or anything like that it was a plain good old boy save girl but with a unique twist. The music was great and to this day i still claim its some of the best to grace a console RPG ( and u know it PAPER GENO ). This is acually the first time in a rpg that i acually loved all the carecters becuase of there unique design (yeah yeah i no nash was kinda stupid thats my opinion) and lunar both one and 2 had some thing most of those games up there didnt humor and a whole lot of it i mean whats better than a guy getting locked up because he is wasted. so thats y i picked lunar

[Chosen Raven]

It's not on the list, but....the original Grandia. Not only my favorite RPG of all time, but my favorite game of all time. Bar none.

[Yojimbo]

Loved Chrono Trigger and Xenogears but you can't best the FF series.

[Tallaid]

I voted FFIV Even though my favorite RPG by a LONG shot is Xenogears. I love Xenogears at a level where it's probably unhealthy, as can be seen by that off topic sentence I just finihsed writing. My second favorite would have to be Final Fantasy Tactics. I voted FFIV though, because It was my first true RPG. I had a US SNES when I lived in Germany so I wasn't able to get games until I came here every summer so I never actually came upon RPG's until I bought FFIV, which began an addiction to RPG's which continues to this day.

[SlyBoy]

The Legend of Zelda. It's the only RPG I like because I find turn-based RPGs unfair and really boring.

[Jade_GL]

The Legend of Zelda. It's the only RPG I like because I find turn-based RPGs unfair and really boring.

Yeah, all the RPGS I mentioned have real time fighting, not turnbased stuff. Well, except for Sailormoon: Another Story. Everything else, Arcanum, Diablo, Diablo II, Kingdom Hearts, Secret of Mana, etc, all eschew turn based fighting.

I don't like it much either, I like seeing the immediate results of what I do, not waiting five or ten minutes to know I am royally screwed in a fight. :D That happened a few times in the Another Story game. :D:D:D

[Dark Spider]

I picked FF7 for reasons everyone should know or at least heard about by know. (credit to SJJ for the idea I've stolen... :) )

[Crimson_lynx]

1.) FF7
2.) Hello fn' Kitty
3.) FF9
4.) Chrono Trigger
5.) KoToR

FAKKU...(Fantasy attack klu klux unicorns)What did you think it was???
By the way...i have a chinpoko

[NeueZielZeon]

Final Fantasy Tactics, Knights of the Old Republic, the entire Super Robot Wars series, FFVI, Crono Trigger (as much as I've pretty much grown out of any type of turn based RPG, these two deserve to be on the list, because frankly, they did it right), and if the game keeps being amazing, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (only got it yesterday, but I'm already loving it). An honorable mention goes to the Tactics Ogre series.
I'm also waiting to try Disgaea, I've heard good things.


Strategy RPGs > Turn based RPGs

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Baldur's Gate II and its expansion pack, Throne of Bhaal, is my personal favourite video game RPG experience of all time.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Well, I'm a PC gamer, so these choices seem awfull limiting to me. I can list off a few of my favorites though. Planescape: Torment is an amazing experience full of depth and questions. What can change the nature of a man? That made for an amazing gaming experience. I echo the mention of Arcanum. Troika's freshman release invited you to an imaginative world of technology and magic. The adventure linked together well and was memorable. It could have been better, but was most notable for it's method of dealing with tech and magic. Definately high on the fun factor. The Elder Scroll Series (Arena, Daggerfall, and Morrowind), also rate high on the fun factor, but due to the sheer freedom size and freedom tend to fall short on a really moving or thought provoking story. Morrowind came close in dealing with the nature of diety, but didn't follow through enough. For sheer fun in the hybrid division, the Quest for Glory series ranks high in my estimation. Trial by Fire was incredibly fun despite the dated graphics (EGA, baby!). Shadows of Darkness also managed to convey an intense atmosphere and keep it fun. The Baldur's Gate series deserves an honorable mention for the sheer scope. Taken as a whole, the series provides an interesting moral question of how power changes people.
If I had to rate them,
1. Planescape: Torment
2. Arcanum
3. The Quest for Glory series
4. The Baldur's Gate series
5. The Elder Scroll series

A few games that will probably make the list that I haven't played yet are Knights of the Old Republic, Lionheart, and Temple of Elemental Evil.
~Matthan

Good list there. I really, really liked Planescape Torment, but the rather set-in-stone main character (no matter what, he is a man, and always looks the same) kinda knocked it down my list a bit since I like more control over the aesthetic look of my characters. Hence, I put Baldur's Gate II a bit above it because of that. I do like Planescape's social aspect a bit more than the BG series, but I felt BG balanced out the action and philosophy more to my personal tastes, since I DO like fighting. Plus, BG's ever-wide assortment of colourful costumes satisfied the inner fashion designer in me, as I shamefully had a great time playing around with my characters' fashions...

I'm surprised you didn't put the Ultima series there. Dated though it may be, I believe every RPG on your list was strongly influenced by the Ultima games. Ultima IV in particular was a definite influence on Planescape Torment.

Boy, the Planescape world is seriously underrated. I'm surprised more people don't use this world as a breeding ground for stories.

[Matthan]

Torment set the characters in stone to hardwire the story a bit. I like the occasional rpg like that if they are going to set up a story with the same scope as Planescape Torment did. Planescape as a setting is dripping with ideas, but I think the learning curve throws people off.

As for the Ultima series, I can honestly say that I've just never had the opportunity to play them. Well, I can remember playing one at one point, but I didn't get far. I guess when I was still learning to love games, the people showing me what to play just didn't lead me there. I've heard good things though.

I do have to say that BG 2 w/ Throne of Bhaal is a nice experience. That has to be one of the best expansion packs that I've ever played. That felt like another complete game.

~Matthan

[Tanooki]

The Legend of Zelda. It's the only RPG I like because I find turn-based RPGs unfair and really boring.
this would be a good answer if LoZ was actually an rpg. i'm sorry, but LoZ is strictly an adventure game. some people would argue that it's an rpg because of all the item collecting. true, there is item collecting in rpgs. but in the LoZ games, all the items are necessary in order to continue on. such as getting a hookshot in order to access the forest temple. in rpgs, a lot of the item collecting is done on a separate note or a "side-quest". such as collecting cards, discovering rare weapons, etc. but is it necessary to collect these items to finish the game? no

Falcon

[Jade_GL]

this would be a good answer if LoZ was actually an rpg. i'm sorry, but LoZ is strictly an adventure game. some people would argue that it's an rpg because of all the item collecting. true, there is item collecting in rpgs. but in the LoZ games, all the items are necessary in order to continue on. such as getting a hookshot in order to access the forest temple. in rpgs, a lot of the item collecting is done on a separate note or a "side-quest". such as collecting cards, discovering rare weapons, etc

Falcon

I would argue that point, especially since a lot of RPGs I like are a mix of RPG (stat building, etc) and action (killing crap in real time).

Frankly, the lines in the games I play, are pretty blurred. Turnbased does not equal RPG in a lot of cases now. Plus, turnbased can be pretty dang boring when compared to the immediate gratification that say Diablo II or Arcanum brings when you kill the baddy.

I consider Zelda to have elements of both, though it's mostly an adventure game. Still, I think it paved the way for these games that try to amalgamate the stat building and epic story elements of an RPG with the more adventure type of collecting items to proceed and killing tons of monsters. :)

[Dark Spider]

I would argue that point, especially since a lot of RPGs I like are a mix of RPG (stat building, etc) and action (killing crap in real time).

Frankly, the lines in the games I play, are pretty blurred. Turnbased does not equal RPG in a lot of cases now. Plus, turnbased can be pretty dang boring when compared to the immediate gratification that say Diablo II or Arcanum brings when you kill the baddy.

I consider Zelda to have elements of both, though it's mostly an adventure game. Still, I think it paved the way for these games that try to amalgamate the stat building and epic story elements of an RPG with the more adventure type of collecting items to proceed and killing tons of monsters. :)

It times like this, its time to do a hybrid genre sort of thing...

Traditional RPG- Menu based battles, leveling up a character or a party, decision making on the character's behalf (Final Fantasy)

Adventure RPG- An adventure game with RPG elements such as decision making on a character's behalf, making a character/party stronger, etc (Legend of Zelda)

Strategy RPG- Total menu based combat/exploration system, need a heightened sense of strategy to complete battles, leveling up a character or usually a party, the main focus is ususally just battling/warfare. (Final Fantasy Tactics)

Action RPG- A traditional RPG but with real time battles rather than menu based battles. (Kingdom Hearts)

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I do have to say that BG 2 w/ Throne of Bhaal is a nice experience. That has to be one of the best expansion packs that I've ever played. That felt like another complete game.

~Matthan

Yeah, Throne of Bhaal was pretty nice. I personally still include it with BG2 because I did feel it went by a little quickly. It felt more like the inevitable slide towards the conclusion rather than another "climax" you'd expect from a separate game. But I really like it because it kind of gives you a chance to flex your muscles and see how far you've come since the first game. You get to fight battles where you take on 300 bad guys at once and come out without a scratch, a far cry from the first Baldur's Gate where you even had trouble taking on one hobgoblin with a stick. Which is in keeping with the theme of power so prevalent in the story.

[hyprlynx]

Can't vote for any of them since you didn't include any pc rpg's.

Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 and their expansions get my vote(s) for favorite rpg's of all time.

[The Landstander]

I'd have to go with Fallout, but from the list I would pick Lunar: Silver Star Story, maybe Suikoden.Another Fallout fan? I thought I was alone in my love for that game series. =D

Out of the list...eh, Super Mario RPG, though that's probably based purely on nostalgia value.

[Invader_Spooch]

The one thing that really depresses me when discussing RPGs with people (esp. online) is the lack of knowledge of the existence of one of the greastest (in my opinion) and most underrated RPGs of all time.

Valkyrie Profile(Playstation)
Release Date:August 29, 2000
Developer:Tri-Ace
Publisher: Enix

http://www.mobygames.com/game/covers/gameCoverId,6796/gameId,3860/

http://www.avalancheonline.com/images/ValkyrieProfile/vp37+.jpg

What its about"Ragnarok, the end of the world, is coming. The forces of evil are gathering. You are the Valkyrie, one of the three goddesses who oversee the fates of men after death. Odin, lord of the gods, has ordered you to find suitable human souls to serve as his warriors, his Einherjar, for the upcoming apocalyptic war. Are you up to the challenge?" -From the VP site.

What makes it underrated"Valkyrie Profile is an Enix game that came out in 1999 to very little consumer interest, but a large amount of critic word-of-mouth. Almost every review I've encountered on it has been a shining endorsement, and yet gamers barely know of its existence. VP is based on Norse mythology, and is the story of a valkyrie sent to collect human souls for a heavenly war. Lenneth, the valkyrie in question, doesn't realize she was human once, too, and not only must she struggle with her place as a death-goddess, but with the fact that she was once in love with a human boy.

There are so many reasons to like Valkyrie Profile, the real challenge is to name some reasons not to. Tri-Ace has created a game that excels in almost every category, and stumbles in very few. The sad thing about the game is that it's very much an underdog, having come out amidst Chrono Cross and FFIX, and was crushed by Square's marketing juggernaut. It's sad because behind the slightly dated graphics, and the unorthodox game setup, is a very well made game that tugs at your curiousity, and eventually at your emotions. The area design is fantastic, with the towering cathedral-like buildings of Gerabellum, and the living monstrosity that bleeds and breathes with you in it, the Black Dream Tower. Every locale in the game is well-rendered, has a story, and feels like a city in Midgard. The dungeon-crawling is fun, complete with a little side-scroller platform jumping and active participation, the battle system, similar to Tales of Destiny, another vastly underrated game, is great and never gets old, and the characters are fleshed-out, interesting, and involving.

That brings me to the real stand-outs in VP: the story, and the characters. The story seems simple at first, but as you progress through the game and follow the A-Ending course, you find yourself in the middle of Lenneth's identity crisis and a stuggle for Valhalla. The characters are equally interesting. The game's system requires that you recruit Einherjar, the fallen warriors of Midgard, and that means that Lenneth must listen in on their last living thoughts as they die, the idea being that the most important moment in someone's life is when it ends. Each character's death scene is tragic and well-done, the theme being love and death, with all the great components of a Victorian tragedy, from the star-crossed lovers to unrequited love, to the classic master falling in love with the slave. Every character has a story, and all of them are at the very least interesting. All of this is accompanied by some good voice-acting, *a lot* of it, and also by the game's incredible artwork. The art in this game is so exceptional, I highly recommend spending the $60 on the Valkyrie Profile Material Collection. The music, last but not least, is also the best work of (acquired taste) Motoi Sakuraba. All three of the available OSTs are great, particularly the Voice Mix Arrange, a monument to the fantastic Japanese voice-acting and the best songs from the game.

In conclusion, VP is interesting, epic, and emotionally charged, making you seriously wonder how this game got missed."
-Brought to you by my lovely and talented fiance, Kaophyre. underrated RPGs ever. Valkyrie Profile.

[Nick Biped]

Of those on the list, I'd have to go with FFVI. It just did stuff that very few RPGs before (if any) did, like the opera scene, optional bits like the Coliseum, and bonus characters like Umaro and Gogo. Also, I found the graphics and sound amazing for its time. It's been a while since I played it, but the last time I did, I still found it fun.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Another Fallout fan? I thought I was alone in my love for that game series. =D

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Ahh, yes. That game. The most frustrating thing about the first game was trying (and inevitably failing) to keep Dogmeat alive throughout the whole game. He was as stupid as Santa's Little Helper, but dammit, I loved that pup.