RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

[DonkeyJote]

Super Mario RPG. It's older (Super Nintendo), but it's a great intro into RPG's.

[bcruise]

Quote: Originally Posted by DonkeyJote

Super Mario RPG. It's older (Super Nintendo), but it's a great intro into RPG's.

This and Earthbound were my "Gateway RPG's", so to speak. Earthbound because of its modern setting (you could order pizzas for delivery!), and SMRPG because, well, it was Mario.

Both games introduced me to the genre, although I didn't come back and finish Earthbound until years later (and as such, I didn't have nightmares about the final boss). I played Mario RPG all the way to completion though, and I give it most of the credit for truly introducing me to the genre and its basic concepts. It wasn't until I played Final Fantasy VII that I was truly hooked on RPG's, though. When that happened I went back and played all the games I had missed, including the earlier FF's and Chrono Trigger.

[DonkeyJote]

Quote: Originally Posted by bcruise

This and Earthbound were my "Gateway RPG's", so to speak. Earthbound because of its modern setting (you could order pizzas for delivery!), and SMRPG because, well, it was Mario. Both games introduced me to the genre, although I didn't come back and finish Earthbound until years later (and as such, I didn't have nightmares about the final boss). I played Mario RPG all the way to completion though, and I give it most of the credit for truly introducing me to the genre and its basic concepts. It wasn't until I played Final Fantasy VII that I was truly hooked on RPG's, though. When that happened I went back and played all the games I had missed, including the earlier FF's and Chrono Trigger.

For me, it was Mario RPG, and then Might and Magic VI.

[MachoMyers]

Yeah I had a reading week during college and I devoted it to Final Fantasy VII. I played all the other ones and while I loved X it was all about VII for me. Still have it too.

[RJTurneR]

I know this is some debate over whether it is a real RPG or not, but Fallout is always worth a go. Keeps me entertained for hours. Adding to the First Person RPG, Borderlands is also very good.

[Feared]

If you have a Nintendo DS, or Gameboy Advanced. There was this RPG series I played way back in the day, it was one of my favorites. It was called Golden Sun, and it had a sequel.


After some searching I found it:




I spent days playing those games as a kid. They are fairly old so it might be hard finding them, but I'm sure a local Game store might have a few used copies.

[TheNumber35]

Quote: Originally Posted by Feared

If you have a Nintendo DS, or Gameboy Advanced. There was this RPG series I played way back in the day, it was one of my favorites. It was called Golden Sun, and it had a sequel. After some searching I found it: I spent days playing those games as a kid. They are fairly old so it might be hard finding them, but I'm sure a local Game store might have a few used copies.

I remember Golden Sun. Solid games, not necessarily the game I'd chose for newcomers to RPGs though. The Dijin (sp?) and amount of customization character wise that you can do in those games is ridiculous for what the game itself entails. I did love them though

[Feared]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheNumber35

I remember Golden Sun. Solid games, not necessarily the game I'd chose for newcomers to RPGs though. The Dijin (sp?) and amount of customization character wise that you can do in those games is ridiculous for what the game itself entails. I did love them though

It does have some more advanced game mechanics than most basic RPGs. The Djinn system, allowed you to control magical creatures based on the 4 main elements which you could then harvest their powers, and change your Classes by having different characters equip them.

Also using Psynergy (the games version of Magic) is a little different twist, and you also need to use it in the Overworld with interactive environments, and puzzles.

However I don't feel that it would be too difficult for a newcomer to play. The first game eases you in slowly, and explains the nuances in depth, and deep down all the core RPG mechanics are still there: random encounters, turn based battle system, with physical attacks based on weapon, armor stats, and also a magic casting system. (Psynergy)

Now that I think of it, these games were way ahead of their time in the GBA era..and had some pretty good graphics to boot for being on a portable. With some really unique ideas, I wish Camelot/Nintendo would bring this series to Console.