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[StreetsofBeige]

Only played a handful of JRPGs in my life. I think only PS2 and PS4 on Genesis.

Never played PS1 on SMS or PS3.

PS4 has much better production values, but PS2 is much better and harder. PS4 was easy as hell. Though these grindy old school JRPGs were both easy when you level up enough and know what to do in each fight to efficiency kill enemies since attacks and magic all worked 99% of the time in a predictable ranged amount of damage. Your characters rarely miss an attack.

Edit: I played Shining in Darkness too. Definitely not as good as PS games. But I remember the final fight hard as hell. Much harder than PS bosses. Then again, maybe I didn't level up enough. If I remember correctly, there was a checkpoint before the final boss but way back. So you had to slog through a slew of fights to get to him. If you die, you had to repeat the whole process again.

 

[DetectiveBananas]

I’m about 3 hours into Chrono Trigger and enjoying the hell out of it!!!
Wish i could’ve played it when it released

 

[Ozzie666]

All the usual square suspects from SNES and shining force series. Golden Sun on GBA and Lufia. Phantasy Star.

Guilty pleasure for Spike McFang on SNES too.

Currently playing Lunar so far so good.

 

[existensmaximum]

Grandia 2
Miracle Warriors
Phantasy Star
Lufia 2

 

[Vaquilla]

An epic setting, likeable characters, engaging story, and a killer soundtrack.
The sequels are brilliant too.

 

[Efren is G.O.A.T.]

FF7 Remake+Rebirth

 

[Traxtech]

Xenogears.

 

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Phantasy Star 4 and Lufia 2 will always be favorites of mine because those were the first JRPG's that I played and finished.

Alundra and Secret of Evermore, not JRPG's, but were both amazing and desperately need remasters. Alundra was just oozing that fantasy atmosphere and also very challenging. SoE I probably put in 250+ hours as a young kid. Amazing games.

Tales of the Abyss is probably my favorite from that series because of the story and characters. Tales of Destiny 1 is also great (and could use a remaster).

FF 7, 8, and 9. It's really tough to pick from those three because they are all close to perfect (for me) for different reasons.

 

[kevboard]

Xbox 360 - Resonance of Fate.

because it had a unique and fun combat system, a unique and fun world map system, a unique and fun gear leveling system, and a cool setting.


Wii - The Last Story.

because the combat was fun, I liked the characters and it had very little filler.

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

Xbox 360 - Resonance of Fate.

because it had a unique and fun combat system, a unique and fun world map system, a unique and fun gear leveling system, and a cool setting.


Wii - The Last Story.

because the combat was fun, I liked the characters and it had very little filler.

The Last Story was great. All 3 of the Operation Rainfall games were cool.

 

[Vaquilla]

I third The Last Story being awesome; it kinda got overshadowed by Xenoblade back in the day but its a really good game in its own right with one of my favourite battle systems in the genre, a sweeping Uematsu score, and a really charming cast.

 

[SpiceRacz]

I cannot recommend Breath of Fire III enough. It's probably my favorite RPG of that generation and easily the best in the series. From the outside, it just kind of looks like a mostly unremarkable RPG, but the game is a perfect example of "greater than the sum of it's parts". It has gorgeous sprites and battle animation, a really fun dragon gene combat system, actually unique and memorable characters, and a cozy, jazz soundtrack that wasn't really like anything else I can remember at the time. Give it a shot. You'll probably love it.

 

[mèx]

I will mention just one: Xenoblade 2.

It's a grand journey with a cast of likeable characters and a fantastic setting.

It has character arcs that are actually meaningful, excellent villains and a great combat system (once you get it).

The story has many layers and it remains interesting from start to end. The full ending section (starting from Chapter 6-7) is just all around incredible. Add a killer soundtrack and you have a must play.

It's not perfect obviously: the performance is dogshit on Switch, and there is a lot of menu-ing to be done during the playthrough. The best side quests are locked behind Blade affinities.

Play it on an emulator if you can. It's best played after Xenoblade 1.

 

[Holammer]

First Grandia on the PS1/Saturn or the recent HD Remaster.
It's so quintessentially 90's anime with story, art and music.

Crossworlds is more of an action RPG, but the story and world building are top notch. It feels like a forgotten Saturn game.

 

[Hyet]

I

I don't think these have been mentioned?

 

[Fbh]

I will mention just one: Xenoblade 2.

It's a grand journey with a cast of likeable characters and a fantastic setting.

It has character arcs that are actually meaningful, excellent villains and a great combat system (once you get it).

The story has many layers and it remains interesting from start to end. The full ending section (starting from Chapter 6-7) is just all around incredible. Add a killer soundtrack and you have a must play.

It's not perfect obviously: the performance is dogshit on Switch, and there is a lot of menu-ing to be done during the playthrough. The best side quests are locked behind Blade affinities.

Play it on an emulator if you can. It's best played after Xenoblade 1.

I hope Nintendo release a remaster on Switch 2. The game deserves to playable on console with decent resolution and framerate.

Despite the technical issues, cringy character designs and the completely unnecessary and annoying gacha mechanics, 2 is still my favorite of the 3. I think it's the best blanced one in terms of story and gameplay.
I like the world and story in 1 slightly more but the combat never clicked with me, and I like the progression and side content in 3 more but the story completely falls apart in the last third IMO. 2, on the other hand, was consistently fun to play, with a much improved combat system and a story that kept me engaged all the way through.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

You posted a lot of bangers already, OP, so it’s not easy to give you suggestions.

I totally recommend Xenogears, possibly the most amazing story I’ve seen in a game, and with what is possibly the most charismatic party of characters ever seen. The gameplay isn’t the best, but it’s worth the ride and then some.

I love Chrono Cross for the same reasons, the story and its main characters. Just don’t get into it expecting Chrono Trigger 2 and you may like it a lot.

I second the recommendations for Ys VIII. A fantastic action RPG, a pleasant surprise for a complete novice of the series like me.

Final Fantasy 6 for me is surpassed in many ways by 7, which is still a defining game for the genre. But it’s still a classic.

If you liked the first Xenoblade, then the second game may definitely be for you.

 

[Oberstein]

Vandal Hearts.

I know it's looked down on compared to the other great T-RPG, but I've always loved Vandal Hearts 1. It brings back such good memories and the OST is so symbolic of 90s heroic fantasy.

And then there's Clint, spilling the inconvenient truths in the Republic of Ishtaria. Vote Clint.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Chrono trigger

 

[Krathoon]

There was a cool game that came out last year by the father of Final Fantasy.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension

 

[Woopah]

Have you played Octopath II? It improves on the original in pretty much every way.

 

[Krathoon]

The annoying thing about Square Enix games is that they don't really drop in price.
I had to go to a keyshop for FANTASIAN Neo Dimension.

 

[Krathoon]

The Octopath games are also on Gamepass.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Play Star Ocean 2 Remake.

 

[ienjoyrawfish]

Chrono Trigger at the top of the list.

Then Panzer Dragoon Saga.

Final Fantasy IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX and X.

You have great taste.

Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI and Panzer Dragoon Saga are the three greatest JRPGs ever made, there's absolutely no doubt about it in my mind.

 

[Krathoon]

How do you feel about the Chrono Cross remaster? I kind of liked it. They reworked some of the artwork.