Recommend an RPG for the poster above you.

[Wolf Kanno]

What it says on the tin, recommend an RPG for the poster above you.

[Karifean]

You get Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. Not sure if you're the kind of person who puts value in going through a series from the start as this is kinda doing it backwards, but I typically find it better to start with a good hook, and while our tastes diverge in a lot of ways, Ys VIII is a game I can easily see you enjoying a whole lot.

[maybee]

Suikoden II, because that's a good underrated JRPG, and you seem like a diamond in the rough.

[Fynn]

Golden Sun - both the first game and The Lost Age, since they’re a continuous story. They’re pretty cute with a classic system and very interesting world design. I feel you could get behind a wholesome RPG like this!

EDIT: and of course, how could I forget the Zelda-esque puzzles?

[WarZidane]

Tra--oh fine, I won't do the obvious, I'll subvert your expectations

Considering all the things I know you like and dislike, try:
The Alliance Alive for 3DS.

[Skyblade]

Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator

It's a steal at the price, and even more so on Steam (currently on the weekly sale, actually, thanks for pointing that out, WZ!):

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2...Septerra_Core/

[Wolf Kanno]

You should play Lufia 2:Rise of the Sinistrals, because I'm pretty sure the devs at Camelot Software Planning were big fans when they made Golden Sun.

[Fynn]

Wolf Kanno gets the Witcher 3. Of course, the ideal way to get into this is by first reading the books, and then the first two games (one of which is excellent and the other still great), but the game can really stand on its own if you’re pressed for time as well. But this game does so many things right, including the open world that feels lived in and side quests that are not throwaway tasks but actual meaningful little storylines that are very memorable for the most part. I feel you’ll mostly enjoy the subversive nature of the stories found within, the complex morality, the way the game had tons of quiet moments that’s just so rare in modern triple A game’s, and I heard the battle system designers were fans of the Souks series, so there’s that. Much like it’s protagonist, this may look like a typical western power fantasy kinda deal, but it’s really much more in line with what you’d expect from someone like Matsumoto in some ways.

[Vermachtnis]

Brave Story: New Traveler (PSP)

The premise is: this kid Tatsuya's friend falls sick and he falls into an RPG world to gather gems to save her. It like one of those Isakai's before they were a thing. It sounds cliché and it kind of is. The cast and setting are incredibly charming. It has a battle system a lot like Chrono Trigger, with the double and triple techs. And there's a mechanic where the mobs can become frenzied and get all sorts of power boosts and new skills.

And it's based of a novel as well.

[Wolf Kanno]

The Last Story - Okay the main characters are drags, but the dungeon design and customization options in this game are really cool with different ways to modify armor set-ups and color them how you feel. Weapons have pretty snazzy evolutions, and the side characters are all hilarious and make the story bearable. Underrated Wii RPG, but I feel it has its perks.

[WarZidane]

Trails in the Sky - yeah, couldn't stop myself anymore.

Judging by what I've seen you say about other games in your top 10s and the "Top something or other" thread I really do think you'd like it though. A cast full of likable protagonists and antagonists, a slow-burn story that takes its time to set up the world and its history, great music and a combat system that starts out serviceable but grows more and more enjoyable not only over the course of the series, but also the game itself.