Top 5 PS2/Xbox/Gamecube RPGs

[Yuna]

Top 5 PS2/Xbox/Gamecube RPGs

Well, with the release of Persona 4 I assume the last gen is finally getting to an end. Being the RPG lover that I am, I thought about we share our interests about these games.
A good way is to list our top favorites, maybe tell a little why we choose a particular game in place of another.
I hope this way we get to give a chance to some games we may have not played.

1.   Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
2.   Final Fantasy X
3.   Valkyrie Profile 2 : Silmeria
4.   Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
5.   Xenosaga Episode 1

Persona 3
   What a game, it took me about 115 hours to finish it, but I must say it was so good that I’d do it all over again. If you’ve heard about it, you know this game isn’t your typical “save the world” game. It has a darker mood in dungeons and stuff, but also really light we it comes to all the people you interact with. All the customization and choices you can make, not to mention the awesome story, make this my number one game.

Final Fantasy X
   My first rpg last gen game (if we do not count the dreamcast), and what a game! Loved all characters, except Kimari. The plot is simple, but good; and the love part is also really good. Gameplay wise, it’s great, with lot’s of extras and things to do.

Valkyrie Profile 2 : Silmeria
   I had a lot of good memories from VP1, and this one is not disappointing. From point one, the graphics are a blessing. Even though your movements are platform like, all the scenarios are 3D rended. The main characters are nice, the story get’s great, especially combining parts of VP1 with this one.
The combat is great, it uses something of real time, and turn based at the same time, not to mention the combos you can make to achieve the divine attacks.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
   One of the best games I’ve played in years, not hard to guess why it got the Game of the year award from almost everywhere. The high points for me were, the music, plot, and how customizable your team can be. Not to mention that unlike it’s sequel (which is also good, just not as good) the characters seems to really interact with each other, and make comments during scenes. The robot, HK-47, was the funniest thing in the game.

Xenosaga Episode 1
   I love space themes, maybe that’s why I loved this game so much. Sad I still haven’t played Eps 2 and 3. I guess it’s because they changed the voice for KOSMOS in Ep2 and I got mad at it and stopped playing in the beginning. But this one is great. Sure, the combat isn’t that great, but I think the story makes up for it. But that comes with a price, sometimes you have to endure about 1 hour long cut-scene before playing again, I don’t mind it, but it’s not for everyone.

Honorable mentions: Dragon Quest VIII, Final Fantasy XII, Jade Empire
PS: I still haven’t played Persona 4, once I do, I may have to update this list.

If you guys don’t feel like writing a lot, like I did, just put a top 5 list, maybe a small commentary, it’s all good !

[Tuffty]

Nice topic Yuna! It's never too late to play great games.

1.Final Fantasy XII

It's just got everything you could want in an RPG IMO. If it weren't for the inclusion of crystals/moogles/chocobos you'd be hard pressed to think of it as a Final Fantasy game at all. A mature, political story, a great setting in Ivalice, has some of the best characters in a FF game to date, (Balthier ) fantastic graphics, sound and a different gameplay system entirely from the turn-based battles of old. Who says Square-Enix don't try anything new?

Add to this tons of side-quests, hidden items, weapons and summon monsters, just gives it tons of depth. It's close, but it just maybe my favourite FF game.

2.Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES

Great for all the reasons Yuna listed. I thought the time scheduling might hamper my time with it or restrict me in some way, but it's far from it, and keeps things rolling at a good pace. Haven't even completed the main story, but if it keeps up like this, it may be one of my all-time favourites.

3.Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Oh why couldn't the latest film efforts be more like this?! I still remember training as a Jedi on a snowy February morning. Bioware shows why they're the best Western RPG developer around with this classic.

4.Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 1/2

The shortest RPG's I've played (around 30hrs for each), but the setting and story makes up for it. Part sci-fi & part horror with a really oppressive atmosphere in the Junkyard. What other JRPG's have you played where cannibalism is a main focus of the game? Some of the most mature characters in an RPG yet and gameplay that sees you on alert at all times, as even the most lowly enemies can seriously hurt you if they exploit your weaknesses. Sadly short on side-quests though and any optional bosses in the game take ultra hardcore level grinding to have any hope against. As an example even at your max Level cap of 99, the most powerful optional boss can hand your ass back to you.

5.Dragon Quest VIII

Who says you can't save the world and have a laugh along the way? Deliciously retro gameplay in a beautiful looking game.

[Yuna]

I think the reason I couldn't put FFXII on a better position was the lack of character interaction ... As you said, Tuffty, the game is great. But there were some minor things that bothered me:
a. the last 2 dungeons were soooooo long. I remeber that tower you have to climb, and when you think it's over, there cames another dungeon right after that. That wouldn't be a problem if there were some talking in between, but the talking was like 20 seconds talking ...
b. again the characters, I felt like like characters didn't belong there, I'm sure yo know what I mean. Vaan, Penelo and Fran. Don't get me wrong, I liked the characters, they're all enjoyable in their own way, but maybe they could have been better used, since the story focus the rest of the party.

But the good parts

Fantasy game at all. A mature, political story, a great setting in Ivalice, has some of the best characters in a FF game to date, (Balthier ) fantastic graphics, sound and a different gameplay system entirely from the turn-based battles of old. Who says Square-Enix don't try anything new?

I guess you've pointed them out !

But I have to say again, the graphics are spetacular. I dare say they look better even than some current gen RPGs. Maybe, and just maybe not in a straight comparisson, but in level of details and all, I gotta say, nothing beats this game to date.
I've finished it only once, but I'll surely do it again, especially because for a long time I was asking for a challenging Final Fantasy. FF7 was challenging to easy, but the rest were a walk in the park (even though they were great).

Overall, this game is a must play!

[SomethingWild]

+1 for FFXII. I didn't like any of the other FF games, but XII is just awesome. The political story, the characters, the setting all appeal to me. The game play is also more fluent. I prefer characters like Penelo and Vaan, because they seem more 'down to earth', which suits the political storyline. I still haven't finished it, I'm stuck at a certain boss.

And of course the best game ever: Okami for PS2! Amazing graphics, awesome gameplay, humor. A bit easy, but still very enjoyable.

[Ayabie]

Big RPG fan myself, though an old school one, so I'm just going to ahead and sneak in some of them oldies.

#1. Suikoden II
As far as I see it the most underrated RPG series for PS. While I love the whole thing (minus IV maybe), I've played through II at least 10 times over the past 10 years, and I'm still not bored of it. If I were to rank my favorite points about it, the order would be Story -> Music -> Characters. Putting music before characters took me a while, but the soundtrack really is that epic. Actually, making myself write anything further about this game would spoil it, so if anyone manages to get your hands on it, good for you.

- Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Let's face it, most recent RPGs are many pieces of cakes, but I can't blame them. Nocturne on the other hand will make you throw your controller very far, for so many frustrating reasons. That's exactly one of the reasons why this game takes a spot in this list. Apart from the challenge, the dark-natured almost religiously controversial storyline is what's been keeping me playing. I actually haven't fully completed this yet because of the SMT-familiar fusing creatures taking up time, game secrets and whatnot. Personally though, you can't say you're an SMT fan without even having touched Nocturne, and met the infamous Matador.

- Phantasy Star IV
The last real star of the series. If you got into the series after Online, take your time and emulate this. I don't think I've ever played a game with this many jokes yet keeping the storyline strict and serious.

- Shining Force II
Aside from RPGs, I'm a big fan of strategic games, so combining the two genres you get this beauty. This was actually my all-time favorite game for a while until Suikoden II showed up. From time to time I wake up in the middle of the night wishing I had a Sega Genesis...

The last spot is still in consideration as of now. I've taken a long break playing Persona 3: FES so I think I might pick it up again, and while finishing that I plan to start on 4. Generally I'm really not fond of the newer RPGs, though.

[Yuna]

- Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Let's face it, most recent RPGs are many pieces of cakes, but I can't blame them. Nocturne on the other hand will make you throw your controller very far, for so many frustrating reasons. That's exactly one of the reasons why this game takes a spot in this list.

I've started playing this game in my thirst for SMT before Persona 4 came out. And I gotta say, I was surprised at how good it is, too bad Istill haven't had time to finish it.
But like Ayabie said, man this game is hard. I'd say 97% of the time I don't use cheats obn RPGs ... But this game is in those 3%. It's one of those games that ANY enemy could wipe you out. I think this game is much more frustrating than hard itself, that's why I'm using cheats in this one. And I don't mind battleling the same boss numerous times (one in P3 took me about 10 tries), but in this game it's everywhere.

But I loved the mood of it, that apocalyptic world and all. I think I'll get back to it once I finish Mass Effect and Persona 4.

[SomethingWild]

I also want to add Little Big Adventure 2. I played this on PC, but it is definitely in my top 3 best RPGs ever. The style is quite unique and the music fitted the scenery perfectly.

[winner]

JRPGs FTW!
darn. what RPGs came out on the PS2/XBOX...

Final Fantasy X - I bought my PS2 for it. And I wasn't disappointed.
Crazy graphics, romance (that water scene is easily one of my most memorable moments in gaming, now if only they let me control the character when they're doing it ), fast action, large world, great characters. And voice acting!
Only thing I would take out of the game is that bloody ice puzzle (or most of the last ones, in general). Who the hell thought being stuck in a puzzle room for 3-4 hours was fun. I literally dozed off a bunch of times doing that puzzle.
As for why I didn't choose XII. Story didn't feel as epic, and therefore less memorable (but its voicework was top-notch).
Disgaea - Really great story and colourful characters. Laughed till my tummy started to hurt. Dood!!
Dragon Quest VIII - It's classic style hooked me in. I wished the monster arena was made better, and not just into a DS game or an arcade game I'll never play. Finished it. loved it.
Kingdom Hearts - There's RPG in ARPG, hehe. Disney x FF. need i say more.
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne - I liked it more than Persona 3... weird. maybe cos it used traditional exploration, and not-day to-day and random levels. Stopped playing with the same problem (too busy mixing the monsters, think I'll never finish it.

my all-time 5 would be like:
FF IV
Chrono Trigger
FF VII
Breath of Fire
Tales of Phantasia

So for me, RPG's weren't that good in the PS2/xbox/gamecube generation.