Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced. Sure it's turn-based, but it's badass, the class system is very reminiscent of FFV (my personal favorite of the entire series) and the story is at least mildly compelling.
x434343 said:
PC I'd highly recommend either Morrowind or Oblivion.
This person speaks truth.
NeutralDrow said:
Assuming you want to avoid Strategy RPGs (otherwise, I'd recommend FE
ath of Radiance for Gamecube or Disgaea for PS2), and turn-based...
Tales of Symphonia for Gamecube, Tales of the Abyss for PS2, or Tales of Vesperia for Xbox 360. All with very good stories, and all with <url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz38e5-wXgs>real-time combat.
So does this one, if you are looking into buying a console.1 In truth, almost any of the Tales series of games would be a good pick for what you have in mind. They're like Gundam: mostly unrelated stories all tied together by some common elements. Oh and really fucking good.
Also, Squeenix's Kingdom Hearts titles are very good, the main titles especially (for the PS2)...see Susan's review of Re: Chain of Memories if you want to know something about the interim title (which is pretty damn good, even on the GBA, it's just frustrating as hell.)
Atlus also does some interesting titles beyond Disgaea such as Yggdra Union and Riviera, not to mention Shin Megami Tensei. The Devil May Cry series by Capcom may also interest you.2
1PS2 or 360 is my recommendation at the moment, Wii is too gimicky and doesn't have many games like the ones you're describing (Hey, I just said we should quit bitching about it, not that it was my system of choice.) and the PS3, even with the expected price drop, is a lot of cash to drop for a system with such a small games library. You can get a brand-spankin' new PS2 for $80 almost anywhere and it's game lineup is still top-notch. Graphics are last-gen, but they're still damn good and you don't strike me as a graphics whore. 360 has got some good titles, but they're mostly drowned in shooters (Unreal Tournament is badass though), you have to hunt a bit.
2You'll have to forgive me, I'm a Atlus and Capcom whore. I have yet to play a game by either company that left me with anything but warm feelings inside. I simply adore their work.
