JRPG's, where to begin....

Teki187 · 24 Jun 2009 at 10:55

Now please bare in mind, i haven't played a JRPG since Final Fantasy 7 and i generally hate nearly all of there concepts, but i feel like I'm missing out on some of the "better" games.

So i was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on where would be a good start.

Thanks.

Widge · 24 Jun 2009 at 10:56

Tell me what the concepts are that you hate, so I know what you want to avoid

Streeteh · 24 Jun 2009 at 10:59

Also, which consoles have you got?

Teki187 · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:08

I have a 360.

Concepts that i hate mainly are the transsexual main characters (I.e Final fantasy 10), swords with guns attached to them, i don't mind the whole Final Fantasy 7 style menu system, as long as its not an excel spreadsheet and it takes me 10 hours to learn how to equip a imba weapon, i hate the cliche'd super corperation of doom story lines and i completely hate anime style graphics.

Streeteh · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:11

Sounds like Lost Odyssey avoids most of those clichés

Shador · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:13

Streeteh said:
Sounds like Lost Odyssey avoids most of those clichés

I thought the main character was a spitting image of "Dina International" !

(I think thats that the Transvestite who won European song test is called?)

Phatjayunoi · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:14

Teki187 said:
i completely hate anime style graphics.

You may as well just not bother then.

Streeteh · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:15

Shador said:
I thought the main character was a spitting image of "Dina International" !

Hence why i said most

Widge · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:16

To be honest, the best non-generic jRPG is:

a) on the PS3
b) has anime graphics

so I can't help.

I would say get Mass Effect if you don't have it already, I'm enjoying it (aside from the bugs). Its lightyears ahead of the atrocious Knights Of The Old Republic.

Streeteh · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:19

Widge said:
Its lightyears ahead of the atrocious Knights Of The Old Republic.

How dare you!?!

... unless you're talking about KotoR 2, then yeah, i'll let you have that one.

Teki187 · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:21

Phatjayunoi said:
You may as well just not bother then.

Anime graphics as in the games that are graphically styled like that i.e. pencil style.

Widge · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:24

I really didn't like KOTOR... I was really looking forward it, great review etc.... just hated every second bar getting a lightsaber for the first time. One of only a few games I've sold in disgust.

Phatjayunoi · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:28

Teki187 said:
Anime graphics as in the games that are graphically styled like that i.e. pencil style.

Well you will be missing out on quite a few games then.

But the ones that come on top of my mind in this case would be Lost Odyssey, The Last Remnant and maybe Star Ocean: The Last Hope (If you can stomach the wierd non-cel shaded but 3D look).

orderoftheflame · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:29

I first Jap RPG I really enjoyed since I played FF7 was Eternal sonata.

meths · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:39

orderoftheflame said:
I first Jap RPG I really enjoyed since I played FF7 was Eternal sonata.

Anime graphics has it not?

I've got that on my shelf unopened for my PS3. Waiting until I've completed other games before starting it.

Deep · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:39

You should give FFX a try.

I am a HUGE fan of FF7, 8 and 9 were pretty good as well.
I tried playing FFX a few years ago and found it boring, recently i gave it another crack, and honestly the game is fantastic! It has an immense story and you begin to feel for the characters!

Try to play it again, I am sure you will enjoy it!

wannabedamned · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:46

Sounds to me like you're destined to not play JRPGs

eggyoke · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:47

If you hate anime style and JP character designs, then... well, theres no JRPG availible for you to play on the 360 or on most consoles.

Also there is NO better JRPG than FFVII. People may mention other JRPGs (there has been other great ones) but non can combine such an immense story, gameplay, character development and combat system that FFVII did.

Xenogears was superior than FFVII in story, depth and scale and while I have a love for the game, I cant deny that FFVII was the greater overall JRPG. It simply had everything the genre is loved for.

Personally I wouldn't bother if I where you. I dont think it'll be worth your time.

orderoftheflame · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:54

Meths said:
Anime graphics has it not?

The fail is with the OPs tastes, not my offering.

If you don't like Jap drawing styles, or stories, are any of the remaining JRPGs going to be worth it?

Sareth · 24 Jun 2009 at 11:55

Shame you're looking at 360, if was ps2 I would recommend tracking down shadow hearts and shadow hearts 2. Twitch element added to standard jrpg gameplay in the form of the judgement ring (or was it wheel ?) , main character is an ass rather than emo, very weird enemies for the most part, main characters abilities are at once simple but also probably the best in terms of variety and depth I've seen in a jrpg.
Also antagonist is an individual not an organisation.

Number 2 introduces a battle area that your characters move around in as they attack as well removing the "lining up against one another" jrpg cliche but keeping the turn based system.