Ever an RPG better than Grandia II?

['Press Start']

Ok. Try Terranigma also. Fantastic game.

I concur!

You should also add these to your list (no random battles):-

• Vagrant Story - PS1/PSN
• Kingdom Hearts - PS3 (HD remake)
• Star Ocean - The Second Story - PS1 (okay this has random battles)
• Valkyrie Profile - PS1/PSP
• Valkyrie Profile 2 - PS2

But if I was to play any RPG mentioned in this thread next it would be Chrono Trigger.

[nakamura]

Yeah Chrono is a landmark title. Both games are so awesome.

[Asura]

I was a huge fan of Vagrant Story back in the day.

That being said, I've tried to get into it 3 times and never finished it, getting about 6, 10 and 15 hours in on each attempt, so I suppose it can't be all that.

Maybe it's more interesting than good, per se.

[nakamura]

Great game, really hard.

[S3M]

Grandia - Saturn, Playstation.
Grandia II - Dreamcast, Playstation 2, PC.
Grandia Xtreme - Playstation 2.
Grandia III - Playstation 2.

With the original game, I guess the Playstation version is the way to go - you can get this on PSN. The Saturn version is marginally better, but is Japanese only. With Grandia 2, Dreamcast or PC. The PS2 port is 'adequate', but has issues. Skip Xtreme. III is okay.

Shakey getting forgetful in your old age I see.

Grandia Digital Museum - Saturn (Bonus adventure based on the first game includes ton of content, not much story.)

I third what Shakey and Nakamura say about the first game being the best, I'm also the resident RPG nut. What style of RPG you like depends on what's best to recommend.

My top suggests of RPG's in English with no random battles are:

SNES
Terranigma, Illusion of Gaia/Time, Soul Blazer (Enix, Trilogy very good)
Secret of Mana (Classic)
Secret of Evermore (Ok, worth a play if you like mana)
Shadowrun (Great Cyberpunk RPG)
Robotrek (Nice battle game)
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen, Tatics Ogre (Great war series, also released on PlayStation and Saturn)
Twisted Tales of Spike Mcfang
Front Mission (Got a English DS release great series)
Chrono Trigger

Saturn
Shining Force III Scenario 1, 2 and 3 (Epic trilogy only first part in English)
Dark Savior (Semi sequel to Landstalkers on the Megadrive)

Shining Wisdom
The Story of Thor 2/Legend of Oasis (Great Zelda clone, sequel to the Megadrive game)

Mystaria the realms of lore (Graphics are rubbish gameplay is ace and very indepth)

Shining the Holy Ark (Made by Camelot who also did the Golden Sun games, the game mechanics for Sun were taken from Holy Ark, great story too and is a prequel to Shining Force III)

I'll leave it at that for now and won't cover any more platforms.

[ShadowDancer]

Lunar Silver Star Story is supposed to be a bit special. Its one I've been meaning to play for years.

[nakamura]

To be fair I tried not to drown him in choices!!

[S3M]

Yeah I guessed as much, I'm been quite reserved also as otherwise the list would take up an entire page of the thread.....

[nakamura]

I can't disagree with any of your choices though!

[J0e Musashi]

Final Fantasy IV.

[Sketcz]

I hate all the Grandia games. Especially the second - that whiny kid made me put my DC off in disgust and sell the game on eBay that evening. Infuriating.

Suikoden I & II these beautiful games are forever in my heart.

This. A million times this. Suikoden I & II. The two RPGs by which I judge all other RPGs. None have ever come close. Story, battle system, the gotta-recruit-them-all set up.

I wish I could mention but one story event that moved me, but to do so would spoil it.

OK. I will spoil it.

->Open Spoiler<-

TEXT REMOVED

I had to put the game down for a while after that. It's like the finest literature. So good.

['Press Start']

Spoiler the above. It might be a retro game but the story should be kept spoiler free for those who are yet to play.

During my clear out this week I found Suikoden II PAL. Amazing games.

[nakamura]

It still shows for me. Just remove the spoiler altogether. All that have played it knows what happened.

[Sketcz]

REMOVED!

[Dogg Thang]

I've played it twice and had forgotten that. Although I forget most things. Wonderful games though. The first two Suikodens really are very special. I remember importing the second because it wasn't coming out here (may have eventually) and it was like having access to some hidden treasure.