The Best RPG...

[Wolf Kanno]

Ff3cover.jpg

Nintendo: Final Fantasy III - Compared to most other games on the market, FFIII offers a challenging experience along with a deep and flexible customization system with several cool twists and turns in the story and one of the most grueling final segments in gaming next to DQII. My second choice would be DQIII.

800x600-wall2.jpg

Super Nintendo: Chrono Trigger - One of the best games on the system let alone the best RPG, CT had a great story and cast that is combined with an awesome time travel mechanic and multiple endings to give the game better longevity than most games on the system. Having one of the best OST's by SE is nice as well. My second choice would be FFVI.

525dbd56ce1f7ab3dc230463b70e469f.jpg

Wii: Xenoblade Chronicles - Just an awesome and ambitious title with one of the coolest most Japanese world designs ever. Gameplay is pretty fun with a great cast of characters and gorgeous soundtrack. Second choice would be The Last Story.

Xenogears Logo.jpg

PlayStation: Xenogears - One of the most thought provoking and ambitious storytelling games on the console market. Xenogears has one of my favorite plots in gaming and the cast is top notch. Gameplay hasn't aged as well, but it's still serviceable and I love Kung-Fu robots! Second choice would be Suikoden II or FFTactics depending on my mood.

1384930657582.jpg

PlayStation 2: Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne - Easily one of the best installments of the MegaTen franchise. It has one of the best turn based RPG experiences ever imho. The plot and setting are also distinct and interesting but SMTIII still has the most solid gameplay of any MegaTen title including Persona. Second Choice would be Persona 3.

Chosen_undead_artwork.jpg

PlayStation 3: Dark Souls - It took me a long time to find any worthy RPG for this console and even just a game I really loved, but my goodness did I ejoy this little gem of a title with it's challenging gameplay, deep customization, and interesting lore. Though not thought of as one, I would argue that DS is one of the shiny examples of how an RPG should do Open World. Second choice would be Demon's Souls for most of the same reasons as stated above.


PlayStation 4: This one is a toss up between Bloodborne and Persona 5. I may have to come back to this one.

tumblr_mbpp361ALT1rxps68o1_1349930666_cover.png.jpg

Gameboy/Color: Dragon Quest III - The GBC version is based off the really well done SF Remake which adds in several cool mini-games, and optional dungeon or two, a new class, and the funky personality system which adds a huge layer of depth to this solid classic of a title. My second choice would probably be SaGa 2 or Pokemon Red/Blue.

ffta2(brian_welliver).jpg

Gameboy Advance: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance - FFT Lite for my circle of friends, FFTA is a great title with an engaging and controversial story merged with the awesome Race system and Law mechanics which give a lot more depth to this streamlined FFTactics. Second choice would be Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories or Final Fantasy V Advance.

The_World_Ends_With_You.jpg

DS: The World Ends With You - Built for the DS, this game will pretty much show you how awesome this system is and likewise, the game itself is just a fun and engaging romp through Shibuya. Quirky mechanics and an incredibly robust customization system, TWEWY is a cult classic for this great RPG system. My second choice would be SMT: Strange Journey or Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride.

1404624845075.jpg

3DS: Shin Megami Tensei IV: A worthy successor to the PS2 cult hit, SMTIV tries to marry the best qualities of both the mainline franchise with some of the more character driven elements of Persona to create an engaging and interesting world where you'll see the best and worst of humanity and the forces they worship.

1000px-Persona2promoart.jpg

PSP: Persona 2: Innocent Sin - A game I long awaited for to see a Western release, the P2 Duology is one of the most underrated entries within the Persona franchise and while this is more lighthearted and wacky compared to Eternal Punishment, the strong cast of characters combined with the revamped interface create an engaging game with lots of customization, secrets and depth. Second choice would be Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions or Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together.

top-100-rpgs_skies-of-arcadia.jpg

Gamecube: Skies of Arcadia: This a fun romp saved from the dying Dreamcast which features some interesting gameplay mechanics and a fun cast of characters who don't take anything too seriously.

battletech_infocom_d7.jpg

PC (1980s): Battletech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception - My first RPG and my intro to the fun world of Battletech/Mechwarrior. This game is surprisingly user friendly for a first time RPG player, largely because it's more narrative focused than gameplay focused. It even has Macross mecha in it back before the whole Harmony Gold lawsuit.

maxresdefault.jpg

Mobile: Terra Battle - Hey, here's a concept, let's make a gatcha RPG mobile title that actually has a unique battle system and completely downplays all the annoying "buy yourself to victory" nonsense of other gatcha mobile games. Combine it with an interesting narrative and awesome music and artwork by Nobuo Uematsu and Kimihiko Fujisaka. Second choice would be Final Fantasy Record Keeper.