411 Top 5 Games Edition 09.15.06: Week 8
Posted by Steve McHugh on 09.15.2006
Top 5 Japanese RPGs
Once again welcome to another edition of Top 5. This week it's the Top 5 Japanese RPGs.
Our very own Vincent Chiucchi has something to say about Earthbound.
A note to Joe Resowski about Earthbound sequels: Earthbound was technically already a sequel because in Japan it's known as Mother 2, and a GBA sequel, Mother 3, is in development for Japan (or already released, I'm not sure).
To continue this I've looked it up and indeed Mother 3 was released not too long ago 10 years after Mother 2. No word on a release outside of Japan though.
And now on with the show.
Steve Mchugh
5 FF9
Yes that's right I prefer this to FF7. FF9 is funny and interesting with some amazing graphics and cut scenes (the destruction of the city being a favorite of mine). The battle system is impressive and Vivi is just about one of the best Final Fantasy characters ever. In fact without Vivi and the beautiful score this may have slipped down a place.
4 Skies of Arcadia
Okay there are too many battles, but with a battle system as good as this who cares. A wonderful story and graphics that were bright and cheerful made for a game that I have a soft spot for. Also the ship battles kick ass.
3 Golden Sun 1/2
I couldn't pick just one because the story carried over. This is by the guys who did the Shining Force games on the Megadrive and it shows. Okay the characters are nothing overly special but its amazing what can be done to get this much beauty out of the GBA. The best handheld RPG's ever.
2 Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2 in the USA)
The game that never ends. Well not literally, but the story is quite the lengthy journey just by itself. On top of that you have to build a town, take photos, go fishing and cook. Never have I played a game where there is just so much you can do. It may get a little over whelming at times but you will never get bored.
1 Shadow Hearts Covenant
This game probably has the best turn based battle system in any RPG in the Judgement Ring, which is both unique and interesting. The characters aren't exactly your usual ROG fare either with some of the good guys being thoroughly unpleasant. Oh and it has the weirdest side quest ever in finding cards with picture of gay men on it. It's great to look at and play and easily outclasses anything the Square-soft have done in years. This is how you make JRPG.
Hon mentions –
Grandia 2 –
Grandia 2's battle system is awesome. And that's why its here. The story is the usual fluff and the characters can be a little one dimensional but it looks fantastic and that battle system is awesome. (Yeah I said it twice but it deserves it.)
Phantasy Star 4 -
My favorite of the Phantasy Star Games as it blended Sci-fi and Fantasy with wonderful anime style graphics. The fact that during battle you could combine attacks between characters gave it a more tactical edge. It's a magical game and one of the best 16 bit RPG's.
Sean McCabe
Honorable mentions: Final Fantasy IX, Golden Sun, Stella Deus, Disgaea
5. Final Fantasy VII
Still a great game but my opinion of Square-Enix's shameless milking of this games name has lowered my own view of this game. Whilst it had wonderful music and an interesting world, the story that seemed great at the time doesn't look so hot right now. The cast of characters was still very solid though.
4. Grandia 2
this is pretty much here because the dialogue in the English translation was great and the battle system owned all. Plot wasn't uber special but it did take some pot shots at organised religion that hit home. Great game all in all.
3. Tales of Symphonia
Okay, so why is this game great? Because it's plot is an amalgam of all that is wrong with RPGs these days. It's a parody both of itself and many other RPGs, and its fun to play to boot. Very enjoyable game and I found Collette's antics to be cute rather than annoying (Unlike the great majority of people)
2. Skies of Arcadia
The epitome of why pirates rock, and Air Pirates no less. The sense of adventure in this game is unparalleled, the size of the word is very impressive, the ship battles broke things up nicely and all in all, this was just about a lovable rogue and his merry band taking names, kicking ass and saving the world. Magnificent.
1. Shadow Hearts/Shadow Hearts Covenant
These two need to go together. Class from start to finish, the scripting of these games make most other RPGs look amateur. The use of mythology and history is very interesting and the story is emotive. Yuri is also more badass than Cloud, Sephiroph and Vincent put together. Yeah, he is.
Vincent Chiucchi
5. Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Simple and at some points really hilarious, it reminded a lot of how good the original Mario RPG was.
4. Skies of Arcadia
Most underrated RPG of all time. It had plenty of original ideas, easy to get into, and had an anime look and feel to it.
3. Final Fantasy (series)
It brought RPG games into the mainstream with Final Fantasy VII, and besides that it was always a fun game to play. The reason it's at #3 though is that because the games fell really long winded, especially when 8 and 9 had FOUR discs to go through and I'd never get around to beating them.
2. Dragon Quest
It's the reason Final Fantasy is even around to begin with! When Squaresoft needed a game to make them stay alive, they looked at THIS GAME for inspiration. While it isn't as worldly popular as Final Fantasy (heck I haven't really played DQ games), if DQ had better marketing here in America, I bet it would've been on the same level as FF is today.
1. Earthbound
Unlike every other Japanese RPG, this one took place in a modern time setting and had just about the weirdest enemies you can face. Seriously, the "Annoying Old Party Man"? And instead of attacking, he would complain about today's youth? The weirdness alone is enough to play this game, not to mention its still fun anyway.
Ramon A.
5. Final Fantasy Series
4. Mother Series
3. Golden Sun Series
2. Oblivion
1. Super Mario RPG
As per usual please feel free to send any comments or questions about what we did or didn't pick. To continue the RPG theme next weeks Top 5 will be Top 5 non-Japanese RPG's.
