I need a good RPG.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I think Vyce's friend needs to go for either therapy, drug rehab, or both.

[AndrewTS 0]

Flik, Vyce: Those are precisely the folks I mean.

 

Those folks are who I'm talking about, and yes, as I've said before--not only are there folks who think Xenogears is the greatest RPG, nay, game of all time (we all know that's FFVII in both cases, though...), but they think it's a work of art deserving universal praise and acclaim. They're the type that Trekkies would point at and laugh and call *insert some insult in the language of those aliens with big-ass wrinkled foreheads that means "loser"*"

 

They're a bunch of sad, pathetic nerds who need some mainstream acceptance of their hobby and latch onto anything that seems to validate their hobby as something worthwhile. I can accept that my gameplaying time is a whole lot of wasted time and it's not going to make me a better human being, teach me valuable skills, or change my life.

[Guest wildpegasus]

Lord knows I certainly don't agree with everything Andrew has said in this thread, but I'm with him on Xenogears.

 

I knew a kid in college who was so annoyingly infatuated with that game that I once got into an argument with him over which was a better work of fiction:  Xenogears the game, for the entire works of Shakespeare. 

 

He chose the game, and he was NOT joking in the least.

 

I don't know what sort of crazy fucking subliminal shit the creators snuck into that game, but it's got some weird-ass fans.

Xenogears is an alright game. It was building up quite nicely in the first disc, but fell quite flat as you got closer to the end. Although, I do believe that I fought with Andrew on the subject of Xenogears, but I'm not about to blame anyone for not liking it.

 

I do not know how anyone can claim that any RPG is a better work than Shakespeare. The man was a gifted writer that no RPG's story can actually stack up to. Considering I've played pretty much all RPGs, I can say that with absoluteness.

 

I think the kid you were dealing with doesn't understand how exactly Shakespeare worked. I mean, I didn't really care for Shakespeare either, when I was in Grade 10 (that's like 5 years ago). It wasn't till I actually took part in our classes daily play, and had MacBeth's role that I began to understand the significance of Shakespeare's work. So he's probably like I was, ignorant. Honestly, how you could compare Xenogear's story to MacBeth is insane.

 

I will admit the Xeno-Cultists (as I call them) are a little nuts.

I'm a big Xenogears fan. It works for me.

 

Not interested in comparing it to Shakespeare but I am interested in this comment

 

 

I mean, I didn't really care for Shakespeare either, when I was in Grade 10 (that's like 5 years ago). It wasn't till I actually took part in our classes daily play, and had MacBeth's role that I began to understand the significance of Shakespeare's work. So he's probably like I was, ignorant.

 

A touch off topic but I'd be interested in what you have to say here. If you could elaborate please.

[Star Ocean 3 0]

To the guy who asked about Star Ocean 3, (which is much than FFVII, but I'll assume the FFVII is the greatest game ever comment was a joke) most of it is a big improvement over SO2. Item creation sorta sucks now, I wasn't really into it in SO3 because it's unecessarily complicated, I enjoyed it more in previous games. The difference in the battle system, though, is like going from Grandia to Grandia 2. They are a lot more deeper, with various normal attacks, combos, and the evolution of special moves (the more you use them, the better they get). Music is awesome, the composer used an orchestra for some tracks, and the synth band for other ones.

 

And the US version is the Japanese Director's Cut, so there are more characters than the original and even more bonus dungeons. You can still recruit different characters, and have different difficulty levels, but there aren't 80+ endings. And there's a "battle collection," too, which is like voice collection but instead, you fulfill requirements during battle to unlock stuff. Easier requirements are things like win a boss battle in less than a minute, but they get insane.

[chaosrage 0]

To the guy who asked about Star Ocean 3, (which is much than FFVII, but I'll assume the FFVII is the greatest game ever comment was a joke) most of it is a big improvement over SO2. Item creation sorta sucks now, I wasn't really into it in SO3 because it's unecessarily complicated, I enjoyed it more in previous games. The difference in the battle system, though, is like going from Grandia to Grandia 2. They are a lot more deeper, with various normal attacks, combos, and the evolution of special moves (the more you use them, the better they get). Music is awesome, the composer used an orchestra for some tracks, and the synth band for other ones.

 

And the US version is the Japanese Director's Cut, so there are more characters than the original and even more bonus dungeons. You can still recruit different characters, and have different difficulty levels, but there aren't 80+ endings. And there's a "battle collection," too, which is like voice collection but instead, you fulfill requirements during battle to unlock stuff. Easier requirements are things like win a boss battle in less than a minute, but they get insane.

Ok. I've never played any SO. And I've played Grandia 1 but not Grandia 2. I would ask if you thought I should play SO2 instead of SO3 but I guess that would be kind of hard to find, so I won't. What game would you say feels the closest to SO? How's the story?

[Damaramu 0]

Flik, Vyce:  Those are precisely the folks I mean.

 

Those folks are who I'm talking about, and yes, as I've said before--not only are there folks who think Xenogears is the greatest RPG, nay, game of all time (we all know that's FFVII in both cases, though...), but they think it's a work of art deserving universal praise and acclaim.  They're the type that Trekkies would point at and laugh and call *insert some insult in the language of those aliens with big-ass wrinkled foreheads that means "loser"*"

 

They're a bunch of sad, pathetic nerds who need some mainstream acceptance of their hobby and latch onto anything that seems to validate their hobby as something worthwhile.  I can accept that my gameplaying time is a whole lot of wasted time and it's not going to make me a better human being, teach me valuable skills, or change my life.

Well I like Xenogears and am nothing like what you just described.

But you feel the need to get on my case anytime I mention that I like the game and explain to me why you don't like it when I KNOW that you don't like it!

[Star Ocean 3 0]

I reccomend So2, actually. I think it's better to play before SO3. There's not much that really feels like Star Ocean, the Tales games, as usual, come close because they have real time battles. Valkyrie Profile was made by the same people as SO so that's a good choice, but maybe harder to find than SO2.

 

Story in SO3 was inspired by a Star Trek episode, I think. At first it's a philisophical sort of struggle, but, of course, the story involves the whole universe, basically. It gets sort of odd.

[Lightning Flik 0]

I mean, I didn't really care for Shakespeare either, when I was in Grade 10 (that's like 5 years ago). It wasn't till I actually took part in our classes daily play, and had MacBeth's role that I began to understand the significance of Shakespeare's work. So he's probably like I was, ignorant.

 

A touch off topic but I'd be interested in what you have to say here. If you could elaborate please.

I didn't care for Shakespeare because I could not for the life of me understand anything he had written. Sure it was in English, but to me, the way things were worded didn't make sense. It was as if it was an alien scripture of English that I just could not decifier if my life depended on it.

 

I told my teacher exactly this thought. He asked how many felt the same way and most of the class were like I (or more, just not wanting to do the work, same difference really). My teacher then decided that we would in fact read the book, but as part of an in class play. Because I opened up my fat mouth, I had to play the part of MacBeth. Of course, if you were apart of the play you needed to memorize your lines before you walked into class.

 

Our teacher said that there was only one rule we need to follow during each session of acting, was that we needed to play the character, not just spit out our lines. We were left to our own devices on why exactly we moved or acted the way we did. After the session, we had to explain why we felt the need to act out the way we had.

 

At first, it wasn't that easy. The first time, I just read my lines and pretty much sat down, because I wasn't really in it at all. But the more I inventest my time to MacBeth (the story as a whole), the more I began to comprehend exactly how magnificant Shakespeare's works are. Not because of really studying the material (in fact, other than knowing my lines, I didn't study), but more because I was left to my own devices to figure out the meanings behind the words and the actions. I wasn't always right with how I reacted to the words, but my teacher said that was pretty much what Shakespeare wanted with his writings.

 

But as I studied Shakespeare's work, I began finding myself get it with the more I understood the mastery he had. Shakespare took cultural references, slags, and mixed local myths into his pieces to give them a bit more appeal to his general audience. But he did everything in such a fashion that you had to keep yourself fully in rapt of the story, or you would miss the entire point of what was being said. Everything was chosen specifically to keep the reader's attention and never letting it leave. He had to manipulate the language into a tool that could convey to his his readers (or watcher, depending) the feelings in those words, get a meaning out of the context and syntax of what was there and have it imprinted upon that person. Shakespeare could and can make people laugh, cry, feel joy and sorrow, and not miss a bit. You invest yourself into the characters, may even feel the justifications of the villian or anti-hero (MacBeth), or feel the righteousness of the hero's (Hamlet) sacrifice to do what is right.

 

No RPG's story has fully been able to make people totally invest into a story like Shakespeare's works. RPGs might be able to get some of the things, but not the whole parcell and package. Maybe someday RPGs will succeed in all aspects, but not currently.

 

Story in SO3 was inspired by a Star Trek episode, I think. At first it's a philisophical sort of struggle, but, of course, the story involves the whole universe, basically. It gets sort of odd.

Let's put it this way to save time SO3.

 

Star Trek Episode Base Off Of > SO3 Story.

 

I'd elaborate better on this, but I've used up that time on the Shakespeare explanation and I need to get to school.

[AndrewTS 0]

Well I like Xenogears and am nothing like what you just described.

But you feel the need to get on my case anytime I mention that I like the game and explain to me why you don't like it when I KNOW that you don't like it!

La-de-freakin'-da. We were talking about "those Xeno-Cultists." Don't be so paranoid and defensive. I said nothing about people who merely like it.

[chaosrage 0]

I reccomend So2, actually. I think it's better to play before SO3. There's not much that really feels like Star Ocean, the Tales games, as usual, come close because they have real time battles. Valkyrie Profile was made by the same people as SO so that's a good choice, but maybe harder to find than SO2.

 

Story in SO3 was inspired by a Star Trek episode, I think. At first it's a philisophical sort of struggle, but, of course, the story involves the whole universe, basically. It gets sort of odd.

Well maybe I could try Ebay. What do you think of the Tales games? I have to say I didn't really like any of them. Real Time 2D battles sounded like it would be a good idea at first. But in the end, you're just winning every battle by pressing attack over and over. The other characters only make it confusing with too much shit happening on the screen so I tended to not even worry about them. After awhile of playing it, I stopped paying attention to the battles completely and each time I got in one, my eyes would drift to the TV and I would just keep pressing attack and left and right on the controls. I don't know if that's just because it was too easy or what. Then there's a battle every 4 steps. And the story, well.. they barely have one. And the small bit they do have is just typical RPG cliche.

 

I've never played Valkyrie Profile either.

[Damaramu 0]

Well I like Xenogears and am nothing like what you just described.

But you feel the need to get on my case anytime I mention that I like the game and explain to me why you don't like it when I KNOW that you don't like it!

La-de-freakin'-da. We were talking about "those Xeno-Cultists." Don't be so paranoid and defensive. I said nothing about people who merely like it.

Well we KNOW how you feel about Xeno-cultists! You bring it up anytime the game is mentioned in passing.

[Slayer 0]

This is one reason why I don't play console RPGs anymore

[Star Ocean 3 0]

I haven't played the most recent, Tales of Symphonia. The earlier ones I have are alright. I never really got into the intracacies of the battles, with combos and chaining attacks and all that. The only one I've finished it Tales of Eternia.

 

But you should play Valkyrie Profile. And Grandia 2. They're brilliant.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Hey I play D&D in real life so you know I love all those video games.

Then go get Baldur's Gate, hippie. The Second one (Shadows of Amn) and its expansion pack are better than the first game, but if you play the first one you'll appreciate SOA more.

 

Not only is it a fun game, it's hella cheap now...

It's damn fun taking one character all the way through BG1, BG2, and Throne of Bhaal. Really really cheap, too. Great humor, fun gameplay, brilliant voice acting. Highly recommended.

[chaosrage 0]

I haven't played the most recent, Tales of Symphonia. The earlier ones I have are alright. I never really got into the intracacies of the battles, with combos and chaining attacks and all that. The only one I've finished it Tales of Eternia.

 

But you should play Valkyrie Profile. And Grandia 2. They're brilliant.

Heh. Can you order those for me from best to worst? S02, SO3, VP, Grandia 2. And throw in Disgaea. And since I haven't finished it yet, throw in DW7. I played about 40 hours, then some new games came out, and I never went back. Now I'll have to start back over from the beginning.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I actually need a new RPG too. Shin Megumi Tensei or Shadow Hearts: Covenant? Or are there other good new PS2 RPGs?

[AndrewTS 0]

Dragon Quest (Warrior) VIII's coming out early next year to the States, LPM, but I haven't heard of a definite release date.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Heh.  Can you order those for me from best to worst?

Disgaea, VP, Grandia 2, DW7, SO2, SO3

 

I actually need a new RPG too. Shin Megumi Tensei or Shadow Hearts: Covenant? Or are there other good new PS2 RPGs?

If it was between those two, its pretty much based on whether you like playing an Pokemonish RPG (Nocturne) or a total outlandish RPG (Covenant).

 

Dragon Quest (Warrior) VIII's coming out early next year to the States, LPM, but I haven't heard of a definite release date.

Square-Enix stated that March-April would be more or less when they decide to bring it out. Got that info off of RPGamer.com

Edited December 4, 2004 by Lightning Flik

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I think Covenant seems like the better choice for me then.

 

I just read a review of Growlanser Generations over at IGN. Anyone play it? Looks like it could be cool.

[Star Ocean 3 0]

I haven't played the most recent, Tales of Symphonia. The earlier ones I have are alright. I never really got into the intracacies of the battles, with combos and chaining attacks and all that. The only one I've finished it Tales of Eternia.

 

But you should play Valkyrie Profile. And Grandia 2. They're brilliant.

Heh. Can you order those for me from best to worst? S02, SO3, VP, Grandia 2. And throw in Disgaea. And since I haven't finished it yet, throw in DW7. I played about 40 hours, then some new games came out, and I never went back. Now I'll have to start back over from the beginning.

Just pick one. Ordering is no good because they're all excellent.

[Guest wildpegasus]

I mean, I didn't really care for Shakespeare either, when I was in Grade 10 (that's like 5 years ago). It wasn't till I actually took part in our classes daily play, and had MacBeth's role that I began to understand the significance of Shakespeare's work. So he's probably like I was, ignorant.

 

A touch off topic but I'd be interested in what you have to say here. If you could elaborate please.

I didn't care for Shakespeare because I could not for the life of me understand anything he had written. Sure it was in English, but to me, the way things were worded didn't make sense. It was as if it was an alien scripture of English that I just could not decifier if my life depended on it.

 

I told my teacher exactly this thought. He asked how many felt the same way and most of the class were like I (or more, just not wanting to do the work, same difference really). My teacher then decided that we would in fact read the book, but as part of an in class play. Because I opened up my fat mouth, I had to play the part of MacBeth. Of course, if you were apart of the play you needed to memorize your lines before you walked into class.

 

Our teacher said that there was only one rule we need to follow during each session of acting, was that we needed to play the character, not just spit out our lines. We were left to our own devices on why exactly we moved or acted the way we did. After the session, we had to explain why we felt the need to act out the way we had.

 

At first, it wasn't that easy. The first time, I just read my lines and pretty much sat down, because I wasn't really in it at all. But the more I inventest my time to MacBeth (the story as a whole), the more I began to comprehend exactly how magnificant Shakespeare's works are. Not because of really studying the material (in fact, other than knowing my lines, I didn't study), but more because I was left to my own devices to figure out the meanings behind the words and the actions. I wasn't always right with how I reacted to the words, but my teacher said that was pretty much what Shakespeare wanted with his writings.

 

But as I studied Shakespeare's work, I began finding myself get it with the more I understood the mastery he had. Shakespare took cultural references, slags, and mixed local myths into his pieces to give them a bit more appeal to his general audience. But he did everything in such a fashion that you had to keep yourself fully in rapt of the story, or you would miss the entire point of what was being said. Everything was chosen specifically to keep the reader's attention and never letting it leave. He had to manipulate the language into a tool that could convey to his his readers (or watcher, depending) the feelings in those words, get a meaning out of the context and syntax of what was there and have it imprinted upon that person. Shakespeare could and can make people laugh, cry, feel joy and sorrow, and not miss a bit. You invest yourself into the characters, may even feel the justifications of the villian or anti-hero (MacBeth), or feel the righteousness of the hero's (Hamlet) sacrifice to do what is right.

 

No RPG's story has fully been able to make people totally invest into a story like Shakespeare's works. RPGs might be able to get some of the things, but not the whole parcell and package. Maybe someday RPGs will succeed in all aspects, but not currently.

 

Story in SO3 was inspired by a Star Trek episode, I think. At first it's a philisophical sort of struggle, but, of course, the story involves the whole universe, basically. It gets sort of odd.

Let's put it this way to save time SO3.

 

Star Trek Episode Base Off Of > SO3 Story.

 

I'd elaborate better on this, but I've used up that time on the Shakespeare explanation and I need to get to school.

Thanks.

[chaosrage 0]

Just pick one. Ordering is no good because they're all excellent.

Yeah, I know they're all excellent, but I might not have time to play them all. I'm going to try to but just in case I only get to play one or two, I want to play the best. Come on, order them.

[Lightning Flik 0]

I think Covenant seems like the better choice for me then.

 

I just read a review of Growlanser Generations over at IGN. Anyone play it? Looks like it could be cool.

Growlanser Generations is quite an epical experience by the account of my friend. Sadly up here in Canada you only get the choice of buying it (or at least in the Edmonton area), so I can't head over to Microplay to test it.

[Damaramu 0]

So I went to my local blockbuster and they didn't have most of these games! Bastards! The selection at blockbuster has been dwindling lately.

[Lightning Flik 0]

So I went to my local blockbuster and they didn't have most of these games! Bastards! The selection at blockbuster has been dwindling lately.

Word of advice:

 

RPGs and Blockbuster do not mix. Unless its touted with a huge ass commerical, Blockbuster doesn't have it for rent.

 

That's why I love my Microplay. Always have the games I want for rental and buying.

[Star Ocean 3 0]

Just pick one. Ordering is no good because they're all excellent.

Yeah, I know they're all excellent, but I might not have time to play them all. I'm going to try to but just in case I only get to play one or two, I want to play the best. Come on, order them.

Actually, you should throw Skies of Arcadia in there, assuming you have a Gamecube. And it makes sense since its Dreamcast brethren Grandia 2 is on the list. But now it's even harder to put in order!

[Rendclaw 0]

I love the hell out of the Baldur's Gate series, and ain;t ashamed of it.

 

 

I played part 1 of the .hack series, and I didn;t like it very much. I'm just glad I only spent 12 bucks on it.

 

I do prefer action RPGs, and as much as I have a fear and mild loathing for Evercrack, Champions of Norrath is a damn good game. It strikes me more as a deeper, more difficult Baldur's Gate. Right now I am heavily into Knights of the Old Republic.

[chaosrage 0]

Disgaea, VP, Grandia 2, DW7, SO2, SO3

Ok, I'm going by your order since SO3 is being a beeyatch and won't give me one.

 

30 minutes into Disgaea..... Characters can't gain exp without killing the enemy? Then how can I make my cleric gain levels?

 

The instruction book is way too small for a game like this.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Give your cleric a mage pupil, have the cleric learn magic. Also, make sure the cleric has a good chance to get in on combo attacks, especially with whoever she is pupil to (higher chance of combo working).

[chaosrage 0]

Give your cleric a mage pupil, have the cleric learn magic. Also, make sure the cleric has a good chance to get in on combo attacks, especially with whoever she is pupil to (higher chance of combo working).

Do the pupils give the mentors exp? I didn't know they got exp from combo attacks. Is it the same amount as if one person would have killed the enemy or do they divide it up?