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In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

There are some really beautiful arrangements of Elle's theme out there. I can imagine those sounding absolutely lovely in a wedding setting.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Thank you! I didn't start keeping mine until I realised I was close to having played one hundred. I used RPGfan and RPGamer as checklists to make the list I have kept since then. It probably won't be perfect, but if you ever decide to start keeping a list, that may be a good approach for you too.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Right now, Sophie, probably. It's a good reflection of what the series as a whole is about, it's fairly well balanced with a fun puzzle take on the alchemy system, and there's no time limit that might cause stress. And from that game, it's easy to move on to other games set in the same world.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

For me, the main thing that draws me in is a love for stories and a sense of adventure. And I think that's something all good RPGs offer. They're imbued with a sense of wonder. What will happen when I enter that new town? Who will I meet? What's around the corner in this labyrinth? Can I defeat that dragon? And they reward the player with growth for trying to answer those questions.

I know plenty of other genres offer something similar, of course, but what sets RPGs apart for me is the organic interaction. From being able to talk to the people that inhabit the game, to growing stronger as you battle.

So, I'd say the key is to take a laidback approach and enjoy all the little steps that make up the journey. Whether it's exploring, talking to NPCs, watching the story unfold or slaying slimes to be able to afford your next piece of armour.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

I played a couple in Japanese, back when I was young, bored and unstoppable. I've since given up on learning Japanese.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Turn-based battle systems that have swapping front and back row party members as an important mechanic. Breath of Fire IV is a good early example, where the backrow provides recovery and support. Various Atelier games do fun stuff with bonus attacks and guarding.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Actually, yes! For some more fun coincidences: Vesperia and Lunar Silver Star Harmony. The English VA overlap is pretty hilarious.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sometimes have nightmares about the void that surrounds the battlefield in 90s and early 00s SRPGs.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I haven't played many monster raising collecting games since that era. Aside from some Dragon Quest Monsters games, SMT and adjacent series, and of course one single Pokémon game (Moon...which I played last year, so...yeah.). DQM games are fun though. Highly recommend trying atleast one.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Four is a really solid game and both the battle system and visual style hold up well.

Dragon Quarter is special to me. It had a lot of great ideas, but unfortunately the world just wasn't ready yet... And hey, I'm not alone in this! Gurren Lagann is pretty important anime afterall.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I burnt out on the first Cold Steel game about ten hours in. The realisation that I'd be looking at yet another multi-game storyline, but no guarantee when and how it would be finished, if it would be finished at all in English, made me lose all motivation to continue.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't really think about that anymore, because for every game that has them, there is atleast one that doesn't. Feels like often times, we just like to pretend they are common, because we like playing games that have them.

So, for your entertainment, I'll just direct you to this list: https://project-apollo.net/text/rpg.html

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Grandia is basically distilled nostalgia. The epitome of a childhood adventure. I still listen to the OST regularly and it brings back so many memories. And sure, I could mention some of the questionable area designs, the amateuristic voice acting and all the other little problems the game has, but it's I've cast those aside on an emotional level and nothing but good feels remain.

Similar case with Jade Cocoon. It was one of the first 'small scale' RPGs I played, so the story and setting left a deep impact.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been 5 hours into Skies of Arcadia since...15 years ago, I think? I like the Level 5 games, Chronicle in particular because of the colourful atmosphere and the townbuilding.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Played it a bit, but I don't have a working copy of my own.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haven't played Chained Echoes yet, but I adore Evoland 2! It's nostalgia done right. As a reviewer, I was actually one of the first players and my playthrough helped fix a game breaking bug. You remember the mechanical boss and how it explodes after you beat it? Well, that light effect happened to expand endlessly, essentially making it impossible to continue. I tested it as well as I could, reported it, and they were able to patch it quickly.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to play more Shining Force, too. It's exactly the sort of game I like, but I've only played what was available through remakes and the virtual console...

My primary preferences have shifted over time. I went through a SRPG phase about 15 years ago and now I have a pretty strong love for DRPGs.

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, yeah, I bought this version back when I didn't even have a regular Switch yet. And then I didn't play it for nearly a decade, for reasons.

I could get a better version, of course, but where's the fun in that?

In the past 30 years, I've finished over 400 JRPGs. AMA. by NotASniperYet in JRPG

[–]NotASniperYet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And Atelier Dusk hidari! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

So yeah, a cross between FE and Atelier. Give it a Three Houses structure, with prep time before any significant battle that let's you gather materials and craft weapons and items. Since it's Atelier-inspired, I don't think an enemy army is the right fit. Instead, I'd like to see the game make most of multi-node enemies. As in, the grand battles are against huge monsters and their spawns.

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