JRPGs With The Best Stories

[Forsaken Lover]

It's a bit of a generalization that people play JRP Gs more for story and characters than actual gameplay but it certainly holds true for me. I can tolerate bad combat and terrible dungeons so long as the plot interests me.

As it stands I have many, many JRP Gs to play. I'm a complete novice in the genre to be honest, even if I have beaten most Final Fantasy's.

So my question to you all is which Japanese role-playing games have the most fascinating or well-done narratives?

[Spuuky]

Well, time to divide some opinions. I like Xenosaga.

[Sephiroth]

Not counting Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts:

Nier. However, Nier Gestalt since I think this version is way more fitting.

[Bolivar]

Xenogears
Dragon Quest V
Tactics Ogre & Final Fantasy Tactics
I'll suggest Final Fantasy IX on this one.

[Forsaken Lover]

Let's see...some games I usually hear brandied about as BEST VIDEO GAME STORY EVER

Persona 3 and 4 - and 2 if you are an old gamer
Tales of Symphonia - seems to be the most popular Tales game in terms of Plot as far as I can tell

[Pete for President]

FFX, Vagrant Story, FF Tactics and Dark Souls (if that counts) all done the trick for me.

[Ayen]

Well, time to divide some opinions. I like Xenosaga.

I second this. Played it for hours.

I want to add Legend of Dragoon and Legend of Legaia but it's been ages since I played either.

[Del Murder]

Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI are probably my favorite stories. Xenogears is good too.

[Madame Adequate]

The Suikoden series is pretty much the best of all, and II the best within the series.

I think FFs VI and VII are amazing, but X is best of all from that series.

I do like Legend of Legaia and Legend of Dragoon's stories but like ToriJ it's been a longass time since I played them (need to change that) so I might be offbase.
Front Mission 3.
Grandia.

[Del Murder]

Xenoblade Chronicles also has a very cool story. It's a must-have if you own a Wii.

[Carl the Llama]

Final Fantasy VII

That's right I went there.