JRPGs (mainly PS2)

[topper]

I have a few on the shelf sitting gathering dust, and I might actually be in a position to play one soon. But now I can see the time coming when I can start a new game (going to finish Uncharted soon), I'm not even sure that I'll enjoy a JRPG and I'd like some appropriate recommendations. Let me bore you all with my thoughts on the subject.

I'm all for a good story but I don't relate to the generic fantasy scenarios e.g. the Flargs have taken over Planet Minsk, and I have to defeat the evil emperor Thorax. I've always been a big Nintendo fan but not big on otaku in general. From what I can tell without spending hours getting into a game, lots of JRPG scenarios seem shallow, cold, childlike, full of androgynous emo figures with big hair in pastel colours.

I don't know why, but Nintendo Zelda / Mario stuff has always been an exception - perhaps because I grew up on it, perhaps because it was seminal.

The ironic thing is that I also don't like games that try to be too real (although Forza Motorsport is starting to convince me otherwise). I think gaming is a good excuse for a good yarn, but it has to be actually interesting / captivating. That's why Phoenix Wright and Hotel Dusk were great to me, even though they are barely "games".

I did start Paper Mario Thousand Year Door a couple of years ago, and I was really enjoying it. I'd go back to that and finish it if my Wii wasn't sitting in a box, but I'm not sure how "typical" that game is in the JRPG world - I expect not very.

In general I don't relish the idea of turn-based battles, although I suppose anything can be good if you "get why". I have definitely never been interested in D&D-type board games. Also, I don't see the point of grinding. If I'm going to put in ridiculous hours on a single game, I'd at least like to not feel like I'm wasting my life too much.

I've got a few big guns on the shelf to choose from:
Dark Cloud 2
Disgaea
Dragon Quest VIII
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
Phantom Brave
Valkyrie Profile 2

Anyone want to recommend a good starting point for the above or should I just add them to my sale thread and go and start Ico, SOTC, Devil May Cry, or Onimusha?

NB Not intending to start a flame war, I know lots of people here are otaku'd up, and that's cool if it works for you.

[Golgo]

Seems those are some very different types of game. Personally I struggle too with JRPGs which rely on random encounters, although I can live with turn-based battles. To that end I couldn't even get on with DQ VIII, even though I admired it's obvious quality. FF XII I thought was ingenious with its elimination of random encounters and programmable AI that got rid (or rather, appeared to get rid) of the turn based system. That's probably my fave, although I know alot of people think these new systems and lack of a very personal story mean it's not a proper JRPG. And Disgaea is a strategy RPG played out on a 'board' so somewhat different again. Dark Cloud 2 (aka Dark Chronicle) is a bizarre but charming mish mash of random dungeons (which are not very exciting), exploration, fishing, golf and - of all things - city-building. Can't comment on the others, although maybe you should get a Persona (3/4) as well to round off the collection? Damn, whichever you choose be sure to have a lot of time to spare - lol!

ps. : FF XII takes the grind out of grinding by having a very fair curve and offering lots of very addictive hunts, not too dissimilar really to Monster Hunter.

[Flabio]

From that lot? FF12 first.

[Golgo]

...and last?

[moonwhistle]

I hate the RPG genre but Disgaea was a rare exception that I was willing to sit through. The dialogue is actually pretty entertaining for a change and the gameplay is solid and addictive. Not just a case of mashing the X button for 20 hours then.

[topper]

Oh, that's interesting, because in my mind FFXII was last on the list as FF is one of the biggest proponents of the generic boring emos with spiky pastel hair. I am *trying* not to judge the book by the cover, I swear!

I should point out that I also have FFX - I'll edit my OP. Would it be beneficial to get into FFX first from a story or other point of view, or could I play XII first then X later and enjoy it just as much?

Flabio - thanks for the recommendation, I'd love to hear some thoughts on *why*.

Golgo - the fact that it may not be regarded by some as a "proper JRPG" may be a Good Thing for me...

[topper]

I hate the RPG genre but Disgaea was a rare exception that I was willing to sit through. The dialogue is actually pretty entertaining for a change and the gameplay is solid and addictive. Not just a case of mashing the X button for 20 hours then.

Which brings up the other question, I suppose. How long (ballpark) do I need to give something like FFXII or Disgaea before I decide it's not happening? I know some of them can be slow-burning.

Or put another way, given that you dislike RPGs as well, what made you want to play Disgaea?

[Darwock]

It sounds like you will absolutely hate the 'main' character in FFXII (I certainly did) but in reality he is not an important character at all, and the others that make up your eventual group are a lot better. You just have to put up with him a lot in the early stages.

If you're not enjoying FFXII by the time you get out of the city properly then you likely never will. In my opinion though it's worth doing everything just to hear the music.

The only question I have from reading your original post is why are you even bothering with this? You sound a bit like you've already got a lot of disdain for the genre so what was the point in even buying those games?

[Golgo]

Yeah, there is no real 'main' character in FFXII, although the one you start out with - him on the box - is your typical half-dressed, big haired emo-ponce, although not quite as whiny as the worst of em. His 'story' is a tiny part of the whole clash-of-empires thing, and you can always swap him out of the party for much cooler characters...

[topper]

The only question I have from reading your original post is why are you even bothering with this? You sound a bit like you've already got a lot of disdain for the genre so what was the point in even buying those games?

Well, I like to have a few on the shelf for a rainy day, it's part of collecting I suppose. My "disdain" for the genre is admittedly based on my perceptions, that's the point of the thread. Better to have a go than judge a book by its cover, I'm old enough to know that outward impressions aren't always valid.

I can see that this type of thing might be a nice way to chill out as opposed to twitch / action gaming, I'm just trying to find the least objectionable entry point so that I can give myself the best chance.

It's a bit like, if someone was getting into the band Yes, I'd say start with the Yes Album not Relayer...

Also, I'm seeing a new girl, and it would be nice to find a game that I could play with her. She knows nothing about games at all. I was thinking something like Katamari Damancy, but I suppose FFXII might suit her girl-geek personality.

[C']

Everyone who plays XII knows that Vaan isn't the the leading man anyway.

[Golgo]

^ Nice ref. Heh.

But indeed, Vaan is not the maan.

[moonwhistle]

Which brings up the other question, I suppose. How long (ballpark) do I need to give something like FFXII or Disgaea before I decide it's not happening? I know some of them can be slow-burning.

Or put another way, given that you dislike RPGs as well, what made you want to play Disgaea?

I just happened to buy it for a couple of quid in a preowned multibuy offer so thought it might be worth a punt. I stuck with it because of the silly dialogue and it being recommended as an RPG for non RPG fans. I seem to remember it getting a glowing review in edge magazine, back when it was worth reading.

[Flabio]

Why FF12? Cause it's better than FF13, having been developed by a team that actually decided to take a few risks and break from the formula.

[topper]

Why FF12? Cause it's better than FF13, having been developed by a team that actually decided to take a few risks and break from the formula.

Yes, but FFXIII wasn't even on my list, as I don't own it. I meant why XII over and above the others on my list?

Edit: Maybe your last clause explains it...