Need PS1-2 RPGs (and any other title YOU think is awesome).

[pizzapicante27]

Like it says, I just got an old PS2 the fat type, problem is, its library isnt exactly small, I have several friends with MASSIVE PS1-2 game collections (the PS2 fat IS compatible with PS1 right?) so getting the games is no big deal, problem is I have to start somewhere, so Im askeing the huge community here for help, I need people to dig deep into your dusty memories, and give me some names, here are the rules:
- No games that have a PC version, chances are I have it and have already played it or have a way to get it, only console exlusives.
- If they are western RPGS, give them to me, I dont care, I want them, Champions of Norrath, Baldurs Gate, X men, whathever just shoot.
- If they are JRPGs a few rules:
1. They MUST have a romance sub-plot or main plot, no, I dont wanna hear it, dont care how great the combat system is or how awesome the world is or how awe-inspiring are the characters, if it doesnt have a good (or at least semi-present) romance I cant stomach the JRPGs and it MUST have a conclusion either in the sequel or in the game proper, no, to be continued.. endings please (optimal references, Persona series, Ar Tonelico, The tales series to some extent).
2. No repeating names, I dont want 15 different posts that start with: "Definitely: Kingdom Hearts, The Tales Series, Final Fantasy #, Persona #", if I wanted that I would go to Gamespot alright? please do try to add variety, and in that note:
3. Avoid the following series: Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Persona (Shin Megami Tensei, YES, Persona, NO), The Tales Series, Ar Tonelico, I already know about them, I dont need 15 posts of people recommending or fighting over what numeral is the correct one.
- Any other non-RPG game that you are sure I must absolutely play before diying and leading an fly rebellion in my next life.

Thank you beforehand for your help and please, please, give me THOSE names, NOW!!!

 

[Dr.Susse]

Sorry I'm a JRPG fanboy so my view might be a bit warped.

Grandia is a great PS1 Rpg, With a romance side story. Even though it's your standard "Children set out on an adventure and become powerful warriors in a short time" Type of Rpg it's well enough paced and put together that I didn't seem to mind.

You'll have to bear with it for five or so hours before it really kicks in but trust me it's not Stockholm syndrome and it's worth it!

 

[pizzapicante27]

There are several Grandia, are they not?, if its a series could the ones that post pick the ones you think are worth it (if all, well, say ALL of them), and thanks, one name less I have to hunt down.

 

[EricKei]

Xenogears definitely qualifies on several counts -- long; great battle system (sorry, but it is quite good in that respect); psychologically flawed, interesting characters on both "sides" (lessee, drug addict, psychopathic killer(s), hidden agendas...and that's just your party!); overt romance story that actually gets consummated in-game. Theme is small guy gets caught up in worldwide conflict for a very good reason; starts out as revenge, but expands over time. (NOTE: Using Texture smoothing will screw up some backgrounds; Fastload will FUBAR the disc 1 Disc 2 transition (there will be a number of anime cutscenes at the beginning, then none at all for 20+ hours of gameplay; when they resume in earnest, you're nearing the disc swap))

Grandia is indeed a fine series as well -- my only caveat is that, imho, as the series progresses (G1, G2, Xtreme, G3), the story itself gets lower in quality even as the already-amazing combat system gets polished to a mirror shine. Romance subplots in the sense of "X likes Y" proceeding to "they grow closer over time", moreso in 1 and 2. Theme is exploration and adventure, seeking out the ruins of ancient civilizations...and of course the bad guys want whatever's there, too. (Texture smoothing will screw up some backgrounds)

Wild Arms is a solid series, they just each had the misfortune to be released within a month or so of that year's Final Fantasy games, and so got overshadowed. All are PS1/PS2 (the PSP game is something different), tho I recommend "Alter Code F" over the original WA1; ACF is an expanded remake of WA1 in the WA3 engine. Romance is less blatant, but still in there somewhere. Theme is very much Old West in a world that was once dominated by high tech that nobody knows how to use anymore.

Note that the texture smoothing issue applies to ANY game that uses tiled backgrounds; quite often for sky scenes and other repeated effects. The main visual problem is that you will be able to see the "borders" between the tiles. Smoothing makes anything polygon-based (the characters in all of the games I mentioned) look better, though.

 

[Dr.Susse]

There are several Grandia, are they not?, if its a series could the ones that post pick the ones you think are worth it (if all, well, say ALL of them), and thanks, one name less I have to hunt down.

I've only got to play the first and it was great.
The rest look alright but I'm not in a hurry to check them out.


Also I just remembered Alundra an old school Zelda esque type game. No romance but the story is about a guy who can dive into peoples nightmares and fight them. It's surprisingly dark and a great game.

Stay well clear of the second one though!

 

[robert01]

Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2 were both pretty decent. They are for PS2. There really isn't a romance in the plot that I can remember, but it is a good series none the less!

Legend of Dragoon. A must!

There is more but I fried my memory lol!

 

[Siyano_v1legacy]

(without renaming the one you already named such Champions of Norrath
or naming Final Fantasy, Suikoden, Dragon Quest, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona)

Dark Cloud 1-2
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (upgraded version of x-men legends)
Jade Cocoon 1-2
Xenosaga
Chrono Cross

that about it, other than that most have score below 7.5 so I don't know

 

[jacobythehedgehog]

Xenosaga is amazing but it is PS-2.

Umm have you played Parasite Eve, those games are really good. Brave Fencer Musashi was quite a delight as well. there is no real PS-1 title that holds its value as much as CastleVania: Symphony of the Night.

Actually CastleVania: Symphony of the Night, is the best PS-1 game in my opinion. I highly recommend you try it out.

 

[pizzapicante27]

(without renaming the one you already named such Champions of Norrath
or naming Final Fantasy, Suikoden, Dragon Quest, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona)

Dark Cloud 1-2
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (upgraded version of x-men legends)
Jade Cocoon 1-2
Xenosaga
Chrono Cross

that about it, other than that most have score below 7.5 so I don't know

Oh, thanks you..Chrono Cross, wasnt it kinda despised by the Trigger fans because of its story?

Xenosaga is amazing but it is PS-2.
.

?? I AM looking for PS2 games, its just that the PS2 IS compatible with PS1 titles right? also, does Brave Fencer has a romance sub-plot, as Im looking for that when talking about JRPGs, and thanks for reminding me of Symphony

 

[jacobythehedgehog]

Oh man, ok Think PS2 I have a lot

Shadow Hearts: Covenant is amazing. Probably one of the best examples of dramatic story telling in a PS2 besides final fantasy X

Radiata Stories was really good as well, and it was a cute little game

There was a game for the PS2 called .hack now those are some good JRPG's. They just had a core game element to them and a great story.

I guess the last one I have is Persona series. I have persona 4 and Persona 3 Portable. And I must say they are amazing games. Persona 3 Portable being the best handheld game I have ever played, EVER. Persona 3 is also on the PS2. So try it out

 

[pizzapicante27]

Radiata Stories.. ben trying to remember that name for a week now, thanks.

 

[robert01]

Radiata Stories.. ben trying to remember that name for a week now, thanks.

Holy shit I totally forgot about that game. It was fucking decent.

Oh, thanks you..Chrono Cross, wasnt it kinda despised by the Trigger fans because of its story?

It was probably despised because they couldn't see the connection between the two games, which is I will admit kinda washed in the story, but if you actually see the connection the way the two stories blend together is pure genius.

 

[dmase]

Dragon warrior 7(US) and dragon quest 8, made by enix. The series sells far better than Final Fantasy in Japan but not in America because most Americans won't give it a chance. If you go look at the reviews there games are always top tier. Dragon quest 8 has a pretty big romantic sub plot/triangle, 7 has a very unique one but there are various romantic sub plots. Also the characters are less bitchy, there are a couple weird ones but they add spice to the game.

Chrono cross like someone else said. I don't have my ps1 and ps2 collection with me so I can't look at what I have but there are a ton.

 

[EricKei]

Musashi (the PSX one) is an action/adventure game (and a really good one!), but I don't see much of a romantic subplot in it at all beyond your obligation to save the Princess. If you've not seen it before, the power-up scheme is straight out of MegaMan/RockMan, save that you can only retain knowledge of one "stolen power" at a time, though most EVERY enemy has a power to steal.

Chrono Cross -- multiple romanticish subplots depending upon whom you recruit. I enjoyed it, tho understanding the details of the plot simply cannot be done without some outside reading. See also Xenosaga for the latter.

Another vote for Parasite Eve, even tho it doesn't really fulfill any of your requirements ~_~ Survival Horror with RPG elements, very creepy without having to throw it in your face nearly as much as some games. A nice touch is that, while yer character is a cop/whatever, she has a specific storyline reason to get mixed up in the games' events; she's not just some random passer-by. Squaresoft game, so the cinematics are suitably as gorgeous as they are 'WTF?!'

 

[RaikuFA]

Shadow Hearts is a good series from what I hear but I dunno about the romance part.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Well, only #2 has a romance subplot, but I'd still recommend the Kessen series. They aren't RPGs though, they're RTS.

 

[pizzapicante27]

Where they good being RTS's? I kinda thought that was a (mostly) PC (my native space) thing.

 

[Toy Master Typhus]

Breath of Fire 4, PS1 JRPG with a romance sub plot

 

[darkcalling]

The Shadow Hearts series would be my first choice. Covenant is the best one but play the first one to get the most out of the romance. The third one (From the New World) embraced the goofiness of the series a bit too much but it's still fun.

 

[Ando85]

I'd recommend Sakura Wars ~So Long my Love~ for the PS2. It is a tactical rpg with Japanese style mechs and also a dating sim.