Want to get my feet wet in the jrpg world

[Batman]

I've just realized that I've never played a jrpg in my life. This is an intolerable gap in my gaming experience which must be immediately remedied.
SO escapists hit me with your suggestions. Remember I am completely alien to jrpgs (not a big fan of anime either, though I did love the avatar series)

I'll list some stuff I'm looking for in a game I would enjoy:

* No angsty characters. Characters (excluding the villains of course) must be cheerful, especially the protagonist(tragic past is fine as long as he/she doesn't brood)
* Companions are not required but Very welcome, as long as it doesn't get too crowded
* A globe trotting adventure with a well structured narrative
* Gameplay isn't really an issue. I wouldn't mind if it was purely text based like the pokemon games

I really don't want to post any more than that in case I come off as too fussy (I probably do already).

ps. I don't really care if the story or the characters are mature or not, actually the sillier the better. It'd be nice if it was a charming world capable of eliciting a few giggles

pps. eh I should have mentioned this earlier. I play on a pc, so unfortunately console and hand helds are out of the picture. Feel dumb for not stating this beforehand.

 

[hazabaza1]

Persona 3+4. Do it.
Disgaea is also a really great SRPG series, fun gameplay, and the characters actually get really endearing.

Other than that... Dragon Quest? Only played 9 but it was alright,

 

[Sutter Cane]

Sounds like you should try the paper mario series. In fact everyone who hasn't should try the paper mario series.

 

[chocolatekeith]

Tales of symphonia is a popular one among many people new to JRPGs. Get that for your gamecube/wii (or emulate it if you have a ballin PC)

 

[Batman]

@chocolatekeith
Thank ye very much, this seems like the kind of game I might enjoy.

@Hazabaza1
Disgaea seems fun not sure about persona though. From what I've read it seems to be slightly too serious.

@SutterCane
Paper mario eh? hmm... can't really tell what the game would be like. Guess its gonna go on my list too

Please keep the suggestions rolling

 

[Baralak]

I'd really recommend Rogue Galaxy, Final Fantasy X/X-2 and Grandia II on PS2 for your needs. I would recommend more, but you wanted more positive protagonists.

Also, Paper Mario plays just like Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars did on the SNES, if you ever played that, but going off the original post, I don't think you did.

 

[hazabaza1]

@Hazabaza1
Disgaea seems fun not sure about persona though. From what I've read it seems to be slightly too serious.

It's serious at times when shit gets real, but both games have a lot of jokes and fun moments in them. Persona 4 more so, but I recommend checking out 3 first because otherwise going to 3 after 4 drags the experience down because of all the better gameplay in 4.

Also, protip: use the quote button to respond to people. Sends them a message that you responded.

 

[Fappy]

@Hazabaza1
Disgaea seems fun not sure about persona though. From what I've read it seems to be slightly too serious.

It's serious at times when shit gets real, but both games have a lot of jokes and fun moments in them. Persona 4 more so, but I recommend checking out 3 first because otherwise going to 3 after 4 drags the experience down because of all the better gameplay in 4.

Also, protip: use the quote button to respond to people. Sends them a message that you responded.

Yeah Persona 4 is fucking hilarious so far.

Spoiler

Just saved Kanji

Yosuke found my secret stash DX

 

[Scarim Coral]

Do you own the Wii?

If you do then you simply must buy Xenoblade Chronicle ASAP!! Also it fit your requirement althought does the 7 party team size is too much for you? In saying so however only three appear in the screen and during battle which normally most JRPG is 4.

 

[chocolatekeith]

Also, make sure you buy a controller for your emulation needs. I found playing a lot of JRPGs with a keyboard to be pretty unbearable.

 

[TehCookie]

I'm going to second Persona 3 and 4, if you are allergic to seriousness go with 4. All the MCs are blank slates so they're only as angsty as you make them. None of the characters dwell on their tragic past if they have one, it becomes a part of them they use to be a better person. Which makes for amazing storytelling compared to most games.

Wait on PC? uhh... the Ys series is good from what I've heard...

 

[hazabaza1]

@Hazabaza1
Disgaea seems fun not sure about persona though. From what I've read it seems to be slightly too serious.

It's serious at times when shit gets real, but both games have a lot of jokes and fun moments in them. Persona 4 more so, but I recommend checking out 3 first because otherwise going to 3 after 4 drags the experience down because of all the better gameplay in 4.

Also, protip: use the quote button to respond to people. Sends them a message that you responded.

Yeah Persona 4 is fucking hilarious so far.

Spoiler

Just saved Kanji

Yosuke found my secret stash DX

Haha, that's a good bit.
Under the mattress, eh?

 

[Fappy]

@Hazabaza1
Disgaea seems fun not sure about persona though. From what I've read it seems to be slightly too serious.

It's serious at times when shit gets real, but both games have a lot of jokes and fun moments in them. Persona 4 more so, but I recommend checking out 3 first because otherwise going to 3 after 4 drags the experience down because of all the better gameplay in 4.

Also, protip: use the quote button to respond to people. Sends them a message that you responded.

Yeah Persona 4 is fucking hilarious so far.

Spoiler

Just saved Kanji

Yosuke found my secret stash DX

Haha, that's a good bit.
Under the mattress, eh?

Yeah, apparently he has a better hiding spot than me.

Then again, Yosuke is far more skeezy than I am

 

[recruit00]

As Scarim said, Xenoblade is probably one of the best JRPG's to come out in years. Both good gameplay and good storyline. The characters are also all admirable and interesting.

 

[hazabaza1]

@Hazabaza1
Disgaea seems fun not sure about persona though. From what I've read it seems to be slightly too serious.

It's serious at times when shit gets real, but both games have a lot of jokes and fun moments in them. Persona 4 more so, but I recommend checking out 3 first because otherwise going to 3 after 4 drags the experience down because of all the better gameplay in 4.

Also, protip: use the quote button to respond to people. Sends them a message that you responded.

Yeah Persona 4 is fucking hilarious so far.

Spoiler

Just saved Kanji

Yosuke found my secret stash DX

Haha, that's a good bit.
Under the mattress, eh?

Yeah, apparently he has a better hiding spot than me.

Then again, Yosuke is far more skeezy than I am

Yosuke is more skeezy than anybody.
Bloody skeezer.
Skeezin'.

 

[krazykidd]

Lost odessey , if you don't shed tears , your not human .

Persona 4 . Great story/characters/gameplay . I wouldn't suggest 3 until you get a few Jrpgs under your belt .

Final fantasy 6 . If you can tolerate snes graphics . DO IT NOW . Best jrpg EVER imo .

Breath of fire 3 . So much charm in this game .

Legend of legaia . My personal favorite game , it's where my avatar comes from .

 

[chocolatekeith]

Yosuke is more skeezy than anybody.
Bloody skeezer.
Skeezin'.

Are you forgetting Junpei?

 

[Batman]

Ask and thou shalt receive... Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'll try and give most of these games a try if I can manage to get them running. I've always assumed Xenoblade chronicles would be available for pc for some reason and most of these games seem to be console exclusive, (grr grr *shake fist*).
Ill probably try the persona games once I've finished the tales of symphonia.

 

[Slash Dementia]

I'm not into JRPGs at all, and I have a really hard time enjoying them, but these are a few that I've actually really like.

Legend of Mana
Lost Odyssey
Final Fantasy IX
Nier
Parasite Eve