I've never really gotten into JRPGs, but I'd like to. Where do I start?

[LazerStallion]

I've played my share of WRPGs (Oblivion, Mass Effect, Fallout, The Witcher), but I've never really gotten into JRPGs. I've played the Pokemon games (and loved them), and I'm in the middle of FF1, but that's about it. Oh, and Demon's Souls, but that feels like a WRPG to me. So where do I start? I have a PS3 and 360, and a gaming PC. I also have a DS, and there's a lot of JRPGs out for that, right? Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

well for jrpg's, especially since you have a ps3, i would check out one of the three

ff7
ff8
ff9

they are all different and amazing in their own right, so i would do a little bit of research on each and see which one you think you would like the most

BUT imo

(ff9>ff7>ff8)

the persona games are really good, but they are only on ps2 and psp so you can't play them. (unless you have a backwards compatible ps3, which is doubtful)

also for your ds, i would highly recommend picking up ff6 advance for the gameboy advance (if your ds has the slot for gameboy games) as its a great jrpg and you can obviously play it on the go!

beyond that i can't give too many recommendations...

escapsist ------> s69-5 (he is the wisdom god of jrpg's, he has played more than anyone i know)

 

[Snork Maiden]

What kind of DS? If you can play Advance games on it get Golden Sun 1 and 2. Dark Dawn is alright, but not particularly great. While we're on the DS you might want to give Final Fantasy III and IV (and which ever others are on it) a go, and Dragon Quest is also good. If you have a PC then you may as well grab an emulator and go play through the SNES library, especially Chrono Trigger. Lots of people like Secret of Mana but I never really got into it, and again lots of people love Final Fantasy VI - it's not my favourite, but it's certainly a great game.

I think you can get Final Fantasy IX on PS3 now? Because I'd recommend that too - it's aged a fair bit better than either VII or VIII but still has pretty much the same gameplay.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

Valkyria Chronicles is awesome

Eternal Sonata - I enjoyed greatly

Resonance of Fate is a interesting game with a fun and different combat system. It has some flaws though.

Tales of Vesperia & Lost Odyssey are supposed to be really good, I haven't played them myself since they're both on 360 only.

Nier is supposed to be a great hidden gem. I just picked up a copy, but I haven't gotten the chance to play it yet.

check out RPGFan.com for really in-depth RPG reviews to get a good feel for how the game will play and what to expect from the game.

 

[ecoho]

I've played my share of WRPGs (Oblivion, Mass Effect, Fallout, The Witcher), but I've never really gotten into JRPGs. I've played the Pokemon games (and loved them), and I'm in the middle of FF1, but that's about it. Oh, and Demon's Souls, but that feels like a WRPG to me. So where do I start? I have a PS3 and 360, and a gaming PC. I also have a DS, and there's a lot of JRPGs out for that, right? Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it.

if you have an older ds the first 2 golden suns are great starter games.(they are GBA games though so if you have a newer ds im afrain you soled ) theres blue dragon for the 360, star ocean the last hope which is for both ps3 and 360, and then theres tales of vesperia for the 360(there are other tales games and they're all pretty good) the most important thing to remember about these games is they take time to get good all jrpgs do so be ready to devote 5 to 6 hours of play time at the very least. GL and have fun

 

[RA92]

I've played my share of WRPGs (Oblivion, Mass Effect, Fallout, The Witcher), but I've never really gotten into JRPGs. I've played the Pokemon games (and loved them), and I'm in the middle of FF1, but that's about it. Oh, and Demon's Souls, but that feels like a WRPG to me. So where do I start? I have a PS3 and 360, and a gaming PC. I also have a DS, and there's a lot of JRPGs out for that, right? Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it.

You can always try out the Shin Megami Tensei series. They have a numerous titles on the PS3 and DS. I personally love the Persona series (though it makes you grind like a *****).

The last DS title I tried out was Infinite Space. An excellent title, but you have to check out whether it's your kinda thing. Also, you may want to check out Golden Sun and, if it was ported to the DS in English, Mother 3.

Apart from these, the PS3 title that I'm rather interested in in terms of gameplay is Resonance of Fate - brings some really nice strategic twists to the turn-based gameplay. And of course, because of my love for Atlus, can't wait for Catherine!

Uh, okay, primarily I'm a WRPG-guy like you, so I'm not exactly the perfect guy to be answering your questions...

 

[Ace of Spades]

If you have a Gamecube, I highly recommend Skies of Arcadia: Legends. That was one of the few JRPGs that I can say I really enjoyed without any qualifying statements.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Shame. you odnt hav ea ps2, which means now Persona 3 Fes or Persona 4.

Well, SMT games are good. Go check them out if you can find them.

 

[AlternatePFG]

I'd very much recommend Tales of Vesperia for the 360. While I personally don't like many JRPGs, I love the the Tales series and I'd definitely recommend them.

 

[setting_son]

Final Fantasy VII.

It's the only one I ever enjoyed. Recently picked up Final Fantasy XIII and found it incredibly dull, repetitive and restrictive in a way that other RPGs aren't.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

The JRPGs I've enjoyed the most include:
Chrono Trigger, Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, and Final Fantasy VI.
Final Fantasy VII is alright, but I think it's highly overrated. I also think it was better before all the spin-offs and sequels and whatever.

 

[Defense]

Play NieR, it's one of the best JRPGs out there. Lost Odyssey is also fantastic if you have a 360.
The earlier Final Fantasy games(IV, V, and VI) are also pretty good, and Chrono Trigger is in its own league when it comes to quality.

I honestly want to suggest Persona, but only if you can stand walking through the shit known as the gameplay. The battle system is really horrible. Dragon Quest is the same somewhat, but it's archaic, not horrible.

Most JRPGs are a pile of crap. They can be fun and visually appealing, but I'm someone who is very hardcore about aspects of character development, atmosphere, effective storytelling, etc. Most JRPGs feature the same bland cut-copy-pastes of successful characters from other games.

Don't try to say it like a game is bad because it features cliche characters. It's about execution more than it is about concept.

And seriously, "the sexy assassin female with a dark past"? Most of what you talked about sounds like you pulled it out of your ass. And I bet if I tried mixing random nouns and adverbs, I could find some WRPG cliches.

So, for games that break that mold... Golden Sun. The GBA versions are better than the DS, but the DS game is still incredibly well done. But after playing it, you will be spoiled for all other JRPGs.

Golden Sun, out of every JRPG, will spoil him? Haha, alright then.

 

[Justanothergamer300]

Try Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire 2 of my favorites on the DS
plus you can never go wrong with the Mario RPGs

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Resonance of Fate is one of the best JRPGs I've ever played.

 

[Slycne]

If you have a PC then you may as well grab an emulator and go play through the SNES library, especially Chrono Trigger.

Chrono Trigger is available for the DS.

And because no one has mentioned it yet and it's probably in my top 5 favorite games, Xenogears.

 

[Mortons4ck]

Hands down, Chrono Trigger is one of (if not the best) of the genre. I'd start there, then maybe try on to Final Fantasy IV. 16-bit is where its at.

 

[Ladette]

I normally can't stand JRPG's, but I love Final Fantasy X to death. Make of that what you will.

I also enjoyed Infinite Undiscovery somewhat, but the first few hours are tough to get through. Lost Odyssey is another game that i'm torn on, there's things that just make me bang my head in frustration, but at the same time there's some pretty awesome stuff. Both are pretty cheap for the 360.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

Try Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire 2 of my favorites on the DS
plus you can never go wrong with the Mario RPGs

Those...aren't really what I'd call JRPG's.
Chrono Trigger is on the DS... GET IT NOW. Never mind it being one of the best JRPGS, it's one of the best games, period. The DS version adds cool cutscenes by Akira Toriyama.

 

[MetallicMonkey]

Play Chrono Trigger. It's still amazing. If you want to try an SRPG, Final Fantasy Tactics is pretty good, as is Fire Emblem if your DS has a GBA slot.

Also, I second Valkyria Chronicles.