Recommend the two best JRPG's in history.

[Voulan]

It's got to be something from Pokemon and Kingdom Hearts, both iconic franchises. Pokemon because of its world-wide acknowledgement as one of the best game series around that many, many people have played at some stage and inspired one of the most recognizable and popular anime shows of all time (whether you like anime or not), and Kingdom Hearts for combining two of the most well-known franchises together in a way both nostalgic and joyful, as well as dark and complex - Final Fantasy and Walt Disney.

If I had to choose which from those two, I guess I'd pick Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal and Kingdom Hearts II.

 

[dogenzakaminion]

Tales of Symphonia for sure, my second is harder tho, played a lot of good JRPG's. Golden Sun is a good one, interesting puzzle solving mechanics. Haven't played Persona 4 yet, waiting for Golden to be released here in Europe in FUCKING MARCH! Persona 3 was great though.

 

[jebara]

Persona 4 and Persona 3

 

[Sacman]

Well there's only 2 Jrpgs that I've ever legtitimately liked...<.<

Final Fantasy 12 and Persona 4...<.<

 

[KefkaCultist]

Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger are my two favorites.

Final Fantasy XI and Person 4 are very close runner ups though.

 

[flying_whimsy]

Final Fantasy VIII and Xenogears are my personal favorites. (Yes, you read that right.)

My backup two would be Illusion of Gaia and probably Earthbound; I miss the Squaresoft of old.

 

[iwinatlife]

Final fantasy VII and Final Fantasy Tactics ate my childhood

 

[sb666]

My vote goes to Final Fantasy IX and Chrono Trigger.

 

[Chairman Miaow]

Chrono trigger and Chrono trigger. Oh, and don't forget Chrono trigger. At a push, maybe Chrono Cross.

 

[L4Y Duke]

My recommendations are Suikoden (I, II or V) and Wild ARMs (1 or 3).

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

Wild ARMs 1 and Grandia 1 get my votes. Mainly because they tie in storytelling and themes about life in general.

My next two would be Final Fantasy 6 (US FF3) and Chrono Trigger. For the same reasons as above, but the stories from the top two are told much better than FF6 and CT, IMO. It's just that FF6 and CT were better overall games.

Hell with it - play all four. Then decide for yourself. That'd be my suggestion.

 

[if_then_else]

Chrono Trigger.

Chrono Cross.

That is all.

 

[MadBlueWinnie]

This may not be the opinion of many people but I am going to say Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
It can be classed as an RPG, it's from Japan. So... JRPG?

My other vote is Final Fantasy IX. Traditional awesome JRPG goodness.

 

[JayRPG]

Well both my picks have already been.. picked.

Tales of Symphonia and Final Fantasy IX

Both had fantastic stories with a heap of character development, almost everyone in those games got their character progressed (not just the main one).

Big open worlds, great art design, fun gameplay.

Both of them made me want to keep playing them indefinately.

 

[Akytalusia]

FFVI and xenogears. sadly, only one of those will get a lot of votes. the other just isn't popular enough despite it's top class merit.

 

[Elois]

Final Fantasy Tactics is amazing. I spent so much time playing it.

Persona 3 or 4 are also very good.

 

[Wadderz]

If I had to pick, then I would recommed Persona 3 and Persona 4. Nocturne, Final Fantasy VI-IX, Dragon Quest VIII, Chrono Trigger and Star Ocean 3 all had interesting gameplay / story elements as well.

 

[Arqus_Zed]

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. Though that really isn't the most accessible game in the series and you're better off playing Persona 3 or 4 as your first game (which might end up being recommended to you here anyway). I still consider it one of the best JRPGs I've ever played based on the atmosphere and challenging difficulty.

Final Fantasy 9, great freedom to explore the world once you get the SS.Narcissus, and total freedom once you obtain the Hilde Garde 3. Exploring lost continents, hunting for buried treasure, unraveling secrets buried lovingly in the game world (there are literally optional cities that you can miss). There is no jrpg that comes even remotely close to giving you the depth and freedom that final fantasy IX does. None that I've played anyway.

Oh, for the love of...

Fuck.
You.
Guys.

Here I am, trying to nominate some good JRPG titles while there's still only one page of comments - and literally the first two replies on this thread say already everything I had to say.

Screw it, I'll just add a "third best JRPG in history": I nominate Shadow Hearts: Covenant.
Why?

- Colorful characters; including a pro-wrestling vampire who fights crime in his spare time (under the alias Grand Papillon) and who may or may not be gay.

- An amazing story that knows how to combine serious and intense moments with genuinely funny moments.

- Four character combat.

- the Judgement Ring system adds an extra layer of skill to the battles.

- Yoshitaka Hirota who provides some of the best music in any game ever.

- An ability accrual system that combines the best from both worlds: personal skills (each having their own conditions to be acquired) and a materia-esque magic system (based on the Lesser Key of Solomon).

- Some of the best directed CG-movies ever. Not the most detailed or flashy, but literally: best directed. The angles, the sound, the pacing... Damn... The intro movie alone is chiseled forever into my memories.

- Tons of added value: an explanation and visual representation of every item, a bestiary, a unique sidequest and dungeon for every character and a gallery to watch the CG-movies.

- In short, probably the best direct sequel to any RPG ever.

 

[Razentsu]

Persona 4 and Chrono Trigger would be my top picks.

Those would be my top picks as well.