PS3 - Any JRPG you can recommend?

[Delsana]

Hello Escapists, as the thread titles says; I want people to recommend me a JRPG to get; but when it comes to titles I barely know one or two.

For starters, I got Valkyria Chronicles, and Resonance of fate, and I have to say, that I really enjoyed both of them, for different reasons, I don't regret buying them at all. I'm really fan of the SNES era JRPGs, Breath of Fire, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy 6 or 3 however you want to call it. I also enjoyed most JRPGs on PSX pre FF VII like Wild Arms and Breath of Fire 3 (Though I don't recall if the late is pre or post, but you catch my drift).

I'm really looking for something that got a little of that old school JRPGs, great characters, a story that fitted them and a combat system that doesn't requires to read a bible-like book to learn.

I got to say, in my country there are practically no titles, I went to a game store, and they shrugged when I asked the same I'm asking to you. They're all up to get imports if I name titles, so that's why I'm asking, to get a little feedback of what's cooking for JRPGs on PS3, and also, why not having a discussion about it? I'm attached to the titles mentioned above, and I kinda reject anything FF like, after the seventh, mostly because everyone tried to imitate it so much it had no substance whatsoever, but I know these games sold quite well, then at least something good about them can be said, so if you're into them, feel free to discuss about it.

I hated that Valkyria continued on the PSP, and Resonance while entertaining, the combat system was either too easy, or too hard, I timed how long can a battle last, and it wasn't much, some people might say it's dynamic, but it was most a race against time, if a battle lasted longer than it should, the one in troubles would always be the player, with that scramble thinga-majigger, and one hit cheap kills. Still, it was fun, frustrations aside.

So, what is there to look for and why would you say "check this one out"?

PS: English is not my native language, so I might be expressing myself wrongly, have my apologies beforehand. =)

Tales of Vesperia? But... but the PS3 version isn't out is it?

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

It has been for a while, it's just only out in Japan and prolly won't be getting a US release. PS3s are region free though so you can import it like normal.

 

[Austin Howe]

Star Ocean: The Last Hope International has the best variation on teh series rightly-venerated battle system.

 

[Earthfield]

Well, thanks again for your feedback, into the replies:

Legion: I promise to look further into your recomendations; I found a local retailer that has Cross Edge, though it's charging twice the price, I'm waiting a reply for the people I get my imports to give me some numbers to compare.
I can't promise to buy all of them right away, but I've been itching for some JRPG for a while, so I'm sure all of them will have a full research at least.

Also, have you heard of something called "Hyperdimension Neptunia"? I've seen a retailer who got a collector edition. Being such, it's really expensive, but if the game it's good, I don't mind that much putting an extra cash on it. Of course, reviews have been really harsh with it, but that's no news at all in this genre.

From what I've seen and researched, this is the list of games you mentioned in order of what got me more interested:

White Knight Chronicles
Demon's Souls
Cross Edge
Disgaea
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Eternal Sonata
Trinity Universe
Agarest series

Also have anyone heard of Folklore? I haven't notice this game before, but it seems it's available at my local retailer and it's really cheap, so, is it any good?

Wow, considering the average length of any JRPG, I'm seeing about 300 hours of gaming, minumum, holy cow =D Thanks a bunch for the amazing feedback, like I said, I won't promise to get all of them, but I'm sure I'll ve getting some of 'em and researching a lot.

Also, on a side note, I loved Tales of Destiny and Tales of Eternia; but for no particular reason, I have no longer played any of the series again. When I got a PS2 I got sort of disconnected with the genre, except for Persona series, and some FFs. Vesperia seems ok, but I'm not that desperate to get it in Japanese only, not while I have a lot of titles already recommended, if you were to suggest me to get it while I can't find another title, I'll be up for it =D Let's hope for a international release someday... perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

 

[The Eupho Guy_v1legacy]

Also, have you heard of something called "Hyperdimension Neptunia"? I've seen a retailer who got a collector edition. Being such, it's really expensive, but if the game it's good, I don't mind that much putting an extra cash on it. Of course, reviews have been really harsh with it, but that's no news at all in this genre.

From what I've seen and researched, this is the list of games you mentioned in order of what got me more interested:

White Knight Chronicles
Demon's Souls
Cross Edge
Disgaea
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Eternal Sonata
Trinity Universe
Agarest series

Neptunia is alright. It has a pretty interesting story but the combat and mission structure can get a bit repetitive after a while, though.

Of the other games, I own White Knight, Disgaea 3, Star Ocean and Eternal Sonata. White Knight I enjoyed more than I thought I would, as when I first saw my friend playing it, the combat looked sound, but it seemed a bit MMO-ish for me.

The one major complaint about Star Ocean is that the English VAs are terrible. Its fixable with the International version, which has the original Japanese VAs as an option, as well a few other options.

I quite enjoyed Eternal Sonata, though I'm not entirely sure why. Could be all the musical references. *shrugs*

Disgaea can get kinda grind-heavy, just as a word of warning. You don't really need to for the main story, but the post-game stuff is ridiculous. I find it entertaining, in its own way, but its not for everyone

 

[Earthfield]

Yes, the MMO-ish combat system seems like a let down, but it has good graphics and while MMO-ish, it's rather dynamic, unlike turn based combats, for a change, that seems interesting.

As for the others, nothing you say Eupho seems like a let down to me, well, maybe the VA of Star Ocean, but I think I can get the International version, so it's not a problem to me =)

How much I'd love a new Breath of Fire that makes me forget Dragon Quarter... but Crapcom seems more busy milking RE and SF to care about other IPs Q_Q

 

[Tallim]

You could try Nier. The combat has a lot of intricacies but for the most part you can get away with just using the basics. Interesting story and characters. Fantastic music.

I'm not sure you would count Valkyria Chronicles..........

 

[Earthfield]

I'm not sure you would count Valkyria Chronicles..........

I sure did, I think it is, in its own way, but it is one, no doubt about it.

Like I said, too bad the sequels were PSP exclusives, because I really liked it, it felt like a spiritual sequel to Sakura Taisen, which is great for me.

Now that I think about it, I had to conform myself with spiritual sequels for SEGA games...

Sakura Taisen / Valkyria Chronicles
Shenmue / Yakuza 3 & 4

Sigh... I want Streets of Rage 4, but they still think they can milk Sonic a bit more... I'm sorry I disgress.

Nier will be added to my list, but I'll have to look later for any gameplay video, I have Youtube Blocked at work, so I'll have to wait to go home, thanks for your two cents, chap.

 

[Gylukios]

Also, on a side note, I loved Tales of Destiny and Tales of Eternia; but for no particular reason, I have no longer played any of the series again. When I got a PS2 I got sort of disconnected with the genre, except for Persona series, and some FFs. Vesperia seems ok, but I'm not that desperate to get it in Japanese only, not while I have a lot of titles already recommended, if you were to suggest me to get it while I can't find another title, I'll be up for it =D Let's hope for a international release someday... perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Well, if you want to get on a Tales game (I know I can never stay away from them), you can wait for the "enhanced" version of the Wii-exclusive-until-Bandai-figured-they'd-make-a-lot-more-money-if-they-rereleased-it Tales of Graces, which is supposed to be released in North America as Tales of Graces f (the 'F' stands for what Bandai did to everyone who bought it before) in February.

 

[seraphy]

There is not very good jrpgs in ps3 honestly.

PS2 have persona series that you definitely should try to play, persona 3 and 4 are very very good, assuming you have ps 2 of course.

 

[ABLb0y]

Don't listen to what people say, FF13 is one of the best jrpgs ever made.

Yakuza 4 is technically a jrpg, if you think about it.

 

[Earthfield]

I know Ablboy, but my thoughts on FF XIII came mostly from my own impressions, I admit not going all the way down with it, but i wasn't enjoying it, so I quitted.

Yakuza 4 is one of the best JRPGs I played, I loved the series as a whole, but 4 to me was the best by far, I forgot to count it as played I think.

To Seraphy: I got a PS2, I just need a Component video cable to be able to use it again, but even if I get it to work, I already played Persona 3 and 4 and THEY WERE AMAZING! for real, chap, it didn't feel as classic as other titles, but it sure felt refreshing.

 

[thepsychogamer]

Lets see

Cross edge was complete crap, it was over loaded with characters, the story was boring, and the mechanics where overly complcated, and unsatisfying, The side scrolling parts coulg get unnecessarily frustrating to. But it did give a challange.

Trinity Universe was a lot better. the cast wasn't to big and the characters actually had some personalities, The combat was simple and satisfying (It was a lot like Legaia 2) The refences where funny a lot of time, Personally I had a lot of ffun with this game.

Ar Tonelico Qoga. The game play was enjoyable, and it had the most focused story in the series, but they went way off the deep end with it induwindos, to the point where it became just disturbing. (I highly Recomend AT2 and the rest of Gust's PS2 games though).

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

Final Fantasy XIII.

No, fucking seriously. It's different, but different isn't inherently bad like the fanboys of most series claim. The series took an interesting deviation, but it's one that works.

Oh wait...you already answered. Well, I suppose my input could be useful to other viewers.

 

[Aardvark Soup]

Final Fantasy XIII.

No, fucking seriously. It's different, but different isn't inherently bad like the fanboys of most series claim. The series took an interesting deviation, but it's one that works.

Oh wait...you already answered. Well, I suppose my input could be useful to other viewers.

I disagree. I quite like some of the Final Fantasy games (particularly parts VI, VII and IX) but this game was insultingly dull. About every aspect that made previous entries in the series interesting were removed, leaving only a long, long tube in which you do nothing but moving forward, fighting the same battle 20 times (you completely heal after each battle and often encounter the same monsters, meaning that once you know the 'strategy' to beat them you'll just keep doing that over and over again), watch a cutscene, move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, watch a cutscene, move forward, take a branching path, find out it immediately leads to a dead end, go back and keep moving forward, fight the same battle 20 times, watch a cutscene, move forward,fight the same battle 20 times, watch a cutscene, move forward, watch a cutscene... Hey! Look! It's a boss! And all you have to do beat it is occasionally do a 'pardigm shift' to healing mode when your HP is low and change back when its restored!

And then you've beaten the boss and are rewarded with another uninteresting cutscene and the chance to once again move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward, fight the same battle 19 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward, accidentally engage in battle with a special kind of enemy with ridiculously high defense that takes half an hour to beat and you can't run from (I wish I was kidding), move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward, fight the same battle 20 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, slowly lose your sanity, move forward, fight the same battle 21 times, move forward, watch a cutscene, move forward...


Well, you can probably imagine how this continues. Eventually, after a long, long time you reach the first and only 'non-linear' part of the game, which is basically a large field where you have to walk to a dot on the mini-map, walk to another dot on the mini-map, defeat a monster, walk to a dot on the mini-map, walk to another dot on the mini-map, defeat a monster, walk to a dot on the mini-map, walk to another dot on the mini-map, defeat a monster and... Well, then finally I stopped played and had three epiphanies:

1. Final Fantasy XIII is a failed experiment and all-out awful game.
2. If you find out after two hours you find a game incredibly dull it probably isn't going to get any better later, so you'd have to be an idiot to keep playing it for another 20 hours.
3. I am an idiot.

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

snip

Long post, much, bro?

I can see where you're coming from. The general consensus is that the game sucks. I agree that it was linear. I agree that it was a grindfest. I, however, enjoyed it, being able to look past those aspects. That's just my thought on the game.

To each his own, I suppose.

 

[Tallim]

I know Ablboy, but my thoughts on FF XIII came mostly from my own impressions, I admit not going all the way down with it, but i wasn't enjoying it, so I quitted.

Yakuza 4 is one of the best JRPGs I played, I loved the series as a whole, but 4 to me was the best by far, I forgot to count it as played I think.

To Seraphy: I got a PS2, I just need a Component video cable to be able to use it again, but even if I get it to work, I already played Persona 3 and 4 and THEY WERE AMAZING! for real, chap, it didn't feel as classic as other titles, but it sure felt refreshing.

Only other ones I would recommend on PS2 are Shin Megami Tensei Nocture (Lucifer's Call if your European) and Soul Nomad & The World Eaters. Suikoden 5 also, it's the nearest they got to recapturing Suikoden 2 in feeling.

Sadly the 2 best JRPG's this gen (discounting Demon's Souls because it's awesome and not a classic jrpg) have been on the 360. Lost Odyssey and Last Remnant. Last Remnant has a PC release if you have a good enough machine though and it's supposedly much nicer to play than the 360 one.

 

[Tallim]

On a side note given the conversation about FFXIII, I feel if a game starts to feel like work rather than fun then it's crossed a line. I kind of liked FFXIII but a lot of it did feel like work rather than entertainment.

 

[Earthfield]

Only other ones I would recommend on PS2 are Shin Megami Tensei Nocture (Lucifer's Call if your European) and Soul Nomad & The World Eaters. Suikoden 5 also, it's the nearest they got to recapturing Suikoden 2 in feeling.

Sadly the 2 best JRPG's this gen (discounting Demon's Souls because it's awesome and not a classic jrpg) have been on the 360. Lost Odyssey and Last Remnant. Last Remnant has a PC release if you have a good enough machine though and it's supposedly much nicer to play than the 360 one.

I still don't have a PS2 component cable, or any video cable at all; but I'll see what I can do, getting PS2 games in my country is getting harder as they're more expensive than PS3 titles on retail day. =/

I got a fine PC, so I think I'll manage, the last game I got for it was Battlefield Bad Company 2 and I could run it flawlessly with the settings on high.

To TLS14: I find little people that liked the game, personally, I don't think it's that different from, let's say FFX, but what I want it's to have fun playing it, and I admit I didn't. I made a grind-fest in Breath of Fire 3 until I got every single character to LV 60, and I had fun doing it, so the grinding is not an issue.
The linearity might be its biggest flaw, and I do enjoy linear games, but JRPGs shouldn't be one of them, but grabbing the players of their nose and telling them where to go, didn't make it any better.

It's good to find people who like it, I read most of the reasoning in their opinions are pretty similar, which is something to take on consideration, I don't want you to think we bash FF XIII just for fun, personally, the changes they made made it far accessible to average players and people who never played a JRPG, it didn't feel like a game someone who played almost every single FF could enjoy, but that's just me.