Final Fantasy XII (Collector's Edition) has ruined everything!!
 

I know it's an old game, but even after finishing this game last summer, I have failed to find anything that even measures up to the depth, character development, or storyline of this game. They all seem cookie cutter and hopelessly lame.

Every other RPG is now insignificant and meaningless. Damn you Square Enix!!!!

Have you tried Lost Odyssey for 360 yet? I've been hearing good things about it, though I haven't played it myself.

Maybe someone that has played it could give you some insight.

Final Fantasy Tactics, Star Ocean: Second Story.

I guess that doesn't help though, since they are both made by either Square or Enix...

I thought FFX had better character development than FFXII. I did absolutely love FFXII though, I beat it December 2006 I believe. Great game. I just wish more of the story revolved around Vaan and Balthier and co. instead of the Archades shit storm.

I'll never understand the FFXII love. Yes, the combat system was neat and different. The setting wasn't bad nor the music. However, the plot dead panned about halfway in. Main character was flat and stale. (I call Vaan the main b/c cause he's who you run around as 90% of the game.)

Anyway, if you want a good RPG try the following:

Console - "Epic" Plots

• Lost Odyssey (360)
• Mass Effect (360)
• Rogue Galaxy (PS2)
• Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (PS2)
• Xenosaga Episode I, II, III (PS2)
• Suikoden III (PS2)
• Star Ocean III (PS2)

Console - not "Epic" but still fun

• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (PS2)
• Shadow Hearts (PS2)
• Shadow Hearts: Covenant aka SH II (PS2)
• Shadow Hearts: From the New World aka SH III (PS2)

PC games

• Planescape: Torment (My personal favorite out of all the games listed.)
• The Witcher
• Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer (it's an expansion)
• Baldur's Gate Series (Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword coast, Baldur's Gate II: Shadow of Amn, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Baal)

No 360, but if any of these games are good enough, I might pick one up.

I've played all 3 Xenosaga games. 1 was good, 2 had the best graphics, 3 was just horrible, with an insanely confusing storyline (Wilheim's grand conspiracy has too many plots and twists, and is contorted beyond rational belief), and the time between all three releases was so long that I forgot what the hell the story was about to begin with.

Rogue Galaxy is what inspired me to write this post. The combat system was decent (but I so hate random unavoidable encounters with beasts) and I thought the story was worse than Xenosaga. The cell-shading graphics were good, though.

If I find the other three games, I'll give them a shot. I've been trying to get into Phantasy Star Unlimited, but it doesn't look like it holds much promise either.

I still stick by my Final Fantasy Tactics and Star Ocean: The Second Story for epic games with epic storylines. Awesome sprite graphics. Though, they are PSX games and not PS2 games.

In Rogue Galaxy I mostly liked for the combat and the invent system. The story wasn't great, but it had pirates. That earned brownie points.

I think the problem with most JRPGs is that they rehash stories an awful lot.

I am perhaps the only one who found FFX to be one of the most incredibly playable games ever made. I would even say it is my favorite FF game (I love tactics but find you get trapped in situations where if you aren't prepared, you have to start all over again.) Hated FFXII though, no story, hated the combat system, the summons sucked out loud. Plus I'm very anti-make them anything you want, when it comes to characters. I like set out characters, otherwise you'll get lost in trying to make everyone well rounded. I'm really looking forward to the two upcoming FF titles. Seperate universes, two totally different feels. Looks great!

FFX is my favorite so far as well.

I have FFXII but haven't played it yet...I'm looking forward to it.

Where can I find news about upcoming FF titles?!?!?!

Wow, this is so nice to hear. I always get berated from my friends about not liking FFVII better.

My favorite is FFX then FFXII. FFVII is still good, but I think the other two are by far better and superior.

FFX had a story line where you connected with the characters on a whole new level. I don't admit this very often, but at the end of the game, I actually shed a tear. It was heart breaking to see what happened. No other game has EVER touched me like the character development in FFX.

FFXII still was a good game, but it was more fun to play, rather than fun do to the characters.

Just IMO.

Btw, FFX-2 = Crap......i'm just throwing that out there.

FFX-2 was certainly different... I'm curious, do all of you FF fans only play console RPGs or do you guys branch into PC fandom?

I know several people that play console RPGs but loathe them on the PC. I still believe PC RPGs > Console RPGs, though that gap is closing.

I'm quite interested in playing some PC RPGs, but I haven't gotten around to it for the same reasons I haven't played FFXII yet :/

Give some examples of Good RPG PC games. I've played quite a few, but what do you consider to be good ones?

I mostly play console games. I moved away from the whole PC game thing. I used to play a lot of them, but I have more fun and am more relaxed playing my PS2, Wii, etc.

I've installed Baldur's Gate again and I'm taking a character all the way through. Doing BG2 solo, too. Good fun. I've just bought The Witcher as well, which is pretty cool.

PC games
 

I listed some of these earlier, but I'll do it again listing by age and 2D/3D.
I know there are tons of fun RPGs pre-90s but I'm ignoring those. (sorry Ultima fans) Most games that old are freeware, shareware and/or abandonware by now. I'm also ignoring games I know are console to PC ports like Final Fantasy VIII and Jade Empire even though most of them are solid ports.


Old school (2D graphics - 3D person Isometric View)

• Arcanum: of Steamworks & Magick Obscura - steampunk RPG using the Fallout Engine
  
• Baldur's Gate Series (Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword coast, Baldur's Gate II: Shadow of Amn, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Baal) - truly epic in every sense of the word.
  
• Fallout I & II - everyone's favorite post-nuclear-war RPG and it's sequel
  
• Icewind Dale Ultimate Collection - Pure D&D Dugeon Crawling
  
• Planescape: Torment (My personal favorite out of all the games listed.) The best story out of the Black Isle era.
  

Recent (3D graphics - free cam)

• Deus Ex - An FPS RPG for a lack of a better term.
  
• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - Huge world, amazing music, lots of running around.... If the older graphics bother you, the web has tons of texture and model updates.
  
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - see above.
  
• Freedom Force - I'm not sure if it's an RPG or a RTS. Either way it's about super heroes. Wonderfully campy and unique.
  
• Gothic - fun game, it's older, so look for patches and the like.
  
• Neverwinter Nights Diamond Edition - Includes the original game, both expansions, and some extra modules.
  
• Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer - (it's an expansion) NwN2 was okay, but I loved the expansion storyline.
  
• System Shock 2 - I figured if I can include Deus Ex & Freedom Force, I can include this.
  
• Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines - Not bad once it's patched, but it falls in the love it or leave it category. And yes you do want the fan made patches.
  
• The Witcher - haven't played it but I've heard great things about it.
  
  

I've heard good things about The Witcher but those who haven't got it yet should consider waiting until May. There's an enhanced version coming, supposedly without all the bugs and first release issues of the original game. The new version comes with some cool extras like a music CD, making of DVD, a short story and some other stuff I can't remember. Current owners can upgrade to that version for free but if you don't already have it, it might be worth the wait to get the extras since it costs the same as the standard edition.

I found FFXII to be an enormous let down. The plot is extremely cliche and once I finally begin to get into it, it abruptly ends. The hero is a complete tool, though I'm used to that from FFX. The world travel mechanism is still completely off. In all, I haven't played a worse FF game since Mystic Quest!

About damn time someone mentioned these gifts from the Gods of Black Isle.

Also, though doesn't really have a great storyline or anything, X-Com: UFO Defense is the best strategy game ever.


As for Final Fantasy Tactics, it's just a shame that its amazing story got so badly translated. :(