RPG newcomer, what would you recommend?

[DJ]

So yeah, I never got into the RPG genre, outside of playing the original Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy back in the day.

I'd like to explore this genre, but really don't know where to start. What are some good "starter" RPG's out there? I'm looking for something that has a good story but isn't overly complicated in terms of upgrading characters or figuring out where to go next.

I still have my PS2, so feel free to recommend games for that system. In fact, I'd kind of prefer PS2-era games and then work my way up to the 360/PS3.

[bcruise]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

So yeah, I never got into the RPG genre, outside of playing the original Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy back in the day. I'd like to explore this genre, but really don't know where to start. What are some good "starter" RPG's out there? I'm looking for something that has a good story but isn't overly complicated in terms of upgrading characters or figuring out where to go next. I still have my PS2, so feel free to recommend games for that system. In fact, I'd kind of prefer PS2-era games and then work my way up to the 360/PS3.

If you're talking more about JRPG's (Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, Kingdom Hearts, etc.) than Western Style ones (think Mass Effect, Skyrim, etc.), I'd recommend FFX. I know some people have issues with its protagonist (really, you could say that about a lot of the FF's), but the game does a good job of breaking a new player in, as most of the later FF's do.

The battle system itself is pretty newbie-friendly since it's turn-based instead of the active-time battles that many JRPG's use. That means you won't get attacked while it's your turn and can think about your next move.

There isn't a whole lot of customization until probably about 10-15 hours in (and you start acquiring key spheres which let you break off a character's designed growth path), Even then, your party members won't ever go way outside of their defined classes (in other words, your spellcasters won't be doing 9999 worth of physical damage). You have to play to their roles to be successful in this game. And you're not going to screw yourself by building the wrong attributes - the leveling and growth system simply doesn't allow it by design.

One thing though - this game is slated for an HD re-release, probably sometime this year. It might be worth your while to wait for that.

[goh]

Chrono Trigger,Shadow Hearts 1-3,Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 1 & 2 and Dark Cloud 2.

[bcruise]

Quote: Originally Posted by goh

Chrono Trigger,Shadow Hearts 1-3,Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 1 & 2 and Dark Cloud 2.

I just remembered several of the classic JRPG's got PSN re-releases, which sort of does make them this-gen...lol. Yeah, Trigger is a must for any RPG fan - a timeless classic. Dated though it is with the SNES-era graphics, it's still an amazing game.

And if there is any classic RPG that beats it out, it would have to be Final Fantasy 6, which is also now on the PSN store.

[DJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by bcruise

If you're talking more about JRPG's (Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, Kingdom Hearts, etc.) than Western Style ones (think Mass Effect, Skyrim, etc.), I'd recommend FFX. I know some people have issues with its protagonist (really, you could say that about a lot of the FF's), but the game does a good job of breaking a new player in, as most of the later FF's do. The battle system itself is pretty newbie-friendly since it's turn-based instead of the active-time battles that many JRPG's use. That means you won't get attacked while it's your turn and can think about your next move. There isn't a whole lot of customization until probably about 10-15 hours in (and you start acquiring key spheres which let you break off a character's designed growth path), Even then, your party members won't ever go way outside of their defined classes (in other words, your spellcasters won't be doing 9999 worth of physical damage). You have to play to their roles to be successful in this game. And you're not going to screw yourself by building the wrong attributes - the leveling and growth system simply doesn't allow it by design. One thing though - this game is slated for an HD re-release, probably sometime this year. It might be worth your while to wait for that.

Western or JRPG's are fine to recommend.

Mass Effect was a game I had my eye on.

How's Kingdom Hearts?

[BaylorBearBryant]

Diablo III

[trobinson97]

Castle Crashers.

[ps3veron]

Now I am hardly a fan of RPGs and I don't really see the point of linear RPGs (I am thinking, they are "role playing", so you should be able to create whatever role you want and just wander!).

Hence, allow me to introduce you to one of the most amazing games of all time: Oblivion!

Like I said, I am hardly an RPG fan nor am I good at any of them, but with Oblivion, you can get started and spend hours into just doing exactly what you wanted to do!

And its more approachable than the other RPGs I tried.