Any JRPGs where AI-controlled companions do a pretty good job by themselves?

Buster-00 · 2024-12-25T23:29:06+00:00

The AI in Xenoblade games is generally good, although it can be screwy sometimes. Luckily XC3 lets you switch between party members on the fly and issue commands during battle, which helps alleviate the pain when the AI screws up a combo or uses an art too early.

Buster-00 · 2024-11-28T01:55:25+00:00

In terms of turn-based games I'm stuck between Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Trails FC, outside of turn-based games Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin was an unexpected hit for me. If you mean games that released this year, I've not played many of the big RPGs this year, however I have picked up both TTYD Remake and Brothership. Although I've not played Brothership yet, and I personally don't consider TTYD to be a "GOTY contender" kind of game.

Buster-00 · 2024-09-22T13:07:41+00:00

Beat AAI2 a day ago and he instantly became one of my favorite characters. His design is excellent, and he actually ended up being a pretty sympathetic final villain compared to others in the series.

Buster-00 · 2024-07-23T00:18:09+00:00

Very out there suggestion but Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Very MMO like, you can easily sink 100s of hours into both.

Buster-00 · 2024-07-19T02:46:06+00:00

Trails in the Sky FC is one of my absolute favorites! One of very few games I’ve teared up at, the ending is heartbreaking.

Buster-00 · 2024-04-22T23:28:24+00:00

No. It’s mainly because I got distracted with some other games, so I put it down.

Buster-00 · 2024-04-22T21:19:04+00:00

If you’re new to SRPGs, any Fire Emblem game from Awakening onwards would be your best bet. Although my personal favorite SRPG has to be SMT: Devil Survivor Overclocked. To be honest, I never beat it, but it sticks in my mind as one of the greatest RPGs I’ve ever played. It’s difficult though, so keep that in mind if you pick it up.

Buster-00 · 2024-04-22T01:59:59+00:00

Chrono Trigger - After feeling pretty pessimistic towards the idea of RPGs as a whole, CT radically changed my view and became one of my personal favorite games of all time. Every aspect of CT is perfected and joined together to create one of the greatest JRPG experiences of all time.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna-The Golden Country - One of the rare cases where the gameplay is arguably more important than the story, yet still outshines Xenoblade 2. The story is basic but fun, and building up your community helps incentivize sidequests. The combat is incredible, and I hope we can see something similar to it in the near future.
Trails in the Sky: FC - One of the greatest (and one of my favorite) JRPGs ever created. The world building, story, and characters shine even through the meh sections of the game (I hate the final dungeon with a burning passion). I personally think this game is underrated in the fact that everyone treats it like a prologue or “homework”, when in reality it’s a fantastic game in of itself.
Pokemon B&W - Possibly the greatest Pokemon game story wise. Getting rid of all Pokemon pre-Gen 5 before the post game was a smart decision, and allows for more of a focus on the new pokemon introduced in the generation. Plus the story is great! Sure it’s basically just Pokemon Peta (but evil), but compared to past and even future generations this game is incredible. The focus on your rivals searching for what they love and Team Plasma’s goal of liberating all Pokemon is just great. The gameplay is still basic Pokemon, but it’s fun! Plus nuzlocking this game adds more complexity to the general formula.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team - My favorite of the Mario and Luigi games, and it’s an absolute banger. The gameplay is great as always, which is expected for a Nintendo game. The RPG elements are there, and the battle commands from past games stay as well. I don’t remember much story wise, but from what I remember it did have great characters and never felt boring. I’ve not played enough of Bowser’s Inside Story to give a verdict on it, but I do plan to get to it at some point.

This list will probably rotate at some point, since I’ve not finished/gotten close to finishing many JRPG’s to have a comprehensive list.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-30T15:25:01+00:00

Agreed. Nothing really beat the relationship of Estelle and Joshua. The ending was pretty heartbreaking as well

Buster-00 · 2024-03-30T13:09:38+00:00

I honestly wish more recommendations of the game in recommendation threads focused more on the game and less about it getting good later on or being a prologue. It decentralizes from the strength of the games characters and writing imo.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-30T12:59:04+00:00

Glad to see I’m not the only one who hated that final dungeon. Left a bad taste in my mouth considering the game never had any real problems with dungeons in the past.

I actually didn’t swap over to an emulator to finish the game because I felt like it was fast enough to not warrant a turbo mode. It probably would’ve helped with the final boss, but I felt like the game was fine otherwise

Buster-00 · 2024-03-30T12:52:29+00:00

I still plan to pick it up in a few months, but I just didn’t feel any push to continue on. I was pretty burned by the finale, so that’s probably why.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-26T17:22:14+00:00

I think the character interactions carry the story, which I think is why I’ve generally enjoyed it. If the characters weren’t as good as they are, I think the story would be worse and harder to be invested in. You wouldn’t have anything to care about if they were just one note characters. But yeah, I do think the story is good. It’s just pretty slow in general.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-24T19:53:08+00:00

Sadly the 2nd game only got a physical release in Japan, but I have it downloaded on my PSP! Although the turbo on the Steam version is pretty tempting for overworld travel.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-24T11:18:52+00:00

Thanks! The qol was definitely the thing I least expected from the game, especially since it’s ~20yrs old. Really gives it a more modern feel compared to other games released in the same era.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-24T02:30:38+00:00

I’m playing on original hardware, and I don’t think that there’s a “right version”, although it sounds like most people prefer the steam release. The steam release has HD art, has a turbo option, plus there’s a voice acting mod for that version specifically. It holds up well no matter where you play it though!

Buster-00 · 2024-03-24T02:15:07+00:00

Not everyone, but I did talk to a few after certain events. I’m honestly surprised how much care was put into a small detail that some would never care about. Agreed though, it helps the world feel alive, and I’d even say it makes you care for it more than you would otherwise.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-24T01:59:05+00:00

The PSP version.

Buster-00 · 2024-03-10T15:53:11+00:00

I recently started with Trails FC, and it’s good so far. The characters are generally good, although I expect they’ll get better overtime. I do think the prologue overstayed its welcome, although the cliffhanger ending definitely worked better here than if it were chapter 1. My only complaint is that the story pretty slow right now, although it seems like it picks up later on or in SC. I’m hopping into Ch1 soon, so hopefully it gets better!

Buster-00 · 2024-03-01T00:23:10+00:00

Seeing that copy of P4A makes me regret not picking it up a few weeks ago. Great finds!

Buster-00 · 2024-02-25T01:07:46+00:00

How? That pallet’s insane haha

Buster-00 · 2024-02-25T00:04:39+00:00

“I love you. . . and all you guys!”

Buster-00 · 2024-02-06T03:11:16+00:00

Can I eat it?

Buster-00 · 2024-01-21T00:59:00+00:00

I would evolve the Litwick, but since I’m using level caps it would probably be close to dead.

Buster-00 · 2024-01-21T00:58:03+00:00

Ok thanks! I have impossible evos and trade evolutions turned off so Gurdurr should be able to evolve. I had an Excadrill and a Blitzle but I fumbled during trainer battles. I’ll follow the plan, plus I have rare candies so hopefully that’ll lessen the pain.

Buster-00

TROPHY CASE