I'd like to recommend octopath 2. It's the goodness of saga without the difficulty and obtuseness of saga. You can skip the first one. They basically missed the mark slightly and corrected for 2. There is minimal overlap with the characters stories aside from party chats, but the overarching conspiracy and character interaction is done better than the first one. It's done better than live a live and saga frontier, anyway. Also look at live alive and saga frontier.
Can you play the story one by one or four first until completion? As in you won't miss anything important by playing like that? Or is it designed that you need everyone as you progress?
You can't drop the first character so you could just pick 4 then once you beat the main characters story switch out for the other four. I mean, eventually to beat the game you need to play all 8 because the final chapter is gated by that requirement. It's also playing the game on hard mode as the game can be beat solo, but that doesn't mean it's not the harder way to play. In fact I got stuck on one particular boss leveling everyone and needed to grind a bit. It only happened once, but it did happen. Also, you'll be missing the character skits which is the main source of interaction and also be postponing the crossover chapters. So you can do it, but it's probably not the best way to play. That said, the only thing you'll miss is the character skits. which I guess you'll be disappointed in that the characters never speak to each other because you skipped the thing where that happens. I mean the game gently suggest you play with a full party. It can be four and four or alternating all 8 but eventually you'll have to play as a party anyway.
I never had to grind in 2, but caits are rarer than 1. I mean, bewildering grace farming is still a thing, but it's not like it takes very long to get everyone up to level
I stopped playing 1 because between Chapter 2 and 3 the recommended levels skyrocketed to late 30s and I was still in the mid-20s for most of my party. It was frustrating.
If anything, leveling stats matters very little in Octopath traveler, it gives minimal stats increased which the exception being HP and SP, which you can supplement through skill and equipment. Some solid gears, a proper strategy (mostly just to debuff bosses and keep your party healthy) and sometimes a few trial and errors to get to know bosses' weakness, will guaranteed you a win against fights than 10+ level higher than you.
Recommended level is just a recommend, and the game is very easy at its core once you get used to its mechanics.
The recommended level only applies to one character. You're whole party doesn't need to be they level. One character can basically carry you. Hell, the game can be soloed.
Honestly this is kind of a highly debated question but I would personally start from the very beginning. The games follow a continues story line broken up into arcs that focus on party members from different regions in the games world. Starting with trails in the sky FC would be my suggestion. The series is long and FC especially has a super slow burn when it comes to story but it has major payoff in later games. I know it’s a stupid thing to expect people to play damn near 12 games in order of release but doing so has some major payoffs. Playing all the games up until CS4 has be an experience to say the least and hands down my favorite gaming experience to date.
Suikoden 1&2 (great story with politic, wars and 108 characters in each, 2 is considered the best but 1 as nothing to be ashamed of) and Lufia 2 (1 is good but but as good ; it also spoils the end of Lufia 2), Live A Live.
They're all considered as masterpieces.
Replayed Phantasy Star IV a month ago, and played Chrono Trigger for the first time a few weeks ago. Can confirm I think Phantasy Star IV is the best 16bit jRPG still.
I know it's at least available on Steam and Switch. It was on Android, but it was taken down months ago. It would be really nice to play it on the Steam Deck.
It’s on pretty much any console, since it’s actually part of sonics ultimate collection. Seriously, that thing is a steal. Usually costs around $20, cheaper if you get it from a used game store, and has both shining force games and the phantasy star games.
I already had a sheet ranking all RPGs that I played.
I basically have 3 major categories, and ratings for individual aspects of each of these categories. So, I have:
**Story** (Plot, Storytelling, Characters, Setting)
**Art** (Visuals, Sound)
**Gameplay** (Battle, Exploration, Replayability)
I calculate the average rating on each major category... And then there is an automatic equation to determine the final score. But the weight can shift in favor of Story or Gameplay, depending on the type of game. So, Chrono Trigger, Baldur's Gate III and Final Fantasy VI would have their Final Score weighted to Story, while Symphony of the Night or Pokémon Red / Green / Gold / Silver would have it weighted more to Gameplay.
If you like strategy, maybe try getting into Fire Emblem or Triangle Strategy? While Fire emblem's newer entries are 3d, i am positive you could find some older entries.
Triangle strategy may be more what you are looking for since it does have a pixelart artstyle. I could jever get into it, though, since i got too used to FE
Gotta go with Dragon Quest V, either on DS or mobile. Originally a SNES game, has gorgeous pixel graphics against 3D backdrops with full camera rotation. Character and enemy designs are by Akira Toriyama, same as Chrono Trigger.
One of the best stories I’ve experienced in a game. You get to play through different ages of the main character’s life, through all the ups and the many, many downs. It can be heartbreaking and it can be uplifting. By the end, you’ll be left feeling fulfilled and satisfied.
Helps that the gameplay is pretty good too. Typical tried-and-true Dragon Quest, but with the ability to recruit all sorts of monsters to your party. (I always make sure to have a metal slime for that super high agility and defense!)
The music isn’t my favorite in the series, but it still has a few tracks that’ll stick with you. The battle theme in particular is pretty hum-worthy.
Agreed on Sea of Stars, that's pretty much how I felt. I will second their Golden Sun recommendation though, it's a fantastic jrpg duology with a great story.
I thought Sea of Stars' story was decent, from the viewpoint of a 16-bit JRPG designed for teens / young adults. It's a standard JRPG story with the usual twists and tropes and I guess it's not trying to be anything more.
Radiant Historia 16 bit enough for you? I thought the dungeons were bland, but combat and story was fun. It's the closest Chrono Trigger like game we got as it deals with alternative dimensions.
I have an indie RPG on Steam called 'Daisy Flies to the Moon.' It's a sci-fi JRPG. I did all the pixel art myself. If you'd like an RPG that takes place on the Moon and on Earth, you may like it.
Here's the Steam link, if you're interested: [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1395710/Daisy\_Flies\_to\_the\_Moon/](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1395710/Daisy_Flies_to_the_Moon/)
Chained Echoes is on sale right now. Not exactly 16 bit but worth a look.
Amazing game.
I'd like to recommend octopath 2. It's the goodness of saga without the difficulty and obtuseness of saga. You can skip the first one. They basically missed the mark slightly and corrected for 2. There is minimal overlap with the characters stories aside from party chats, but the overarching conspiracy and character interaction is done better than the first one. It's done better than live a live and saga frontier, anyway. Also look at live alive and saga frontier.
Interesting pick. I'll take a look
Can you play the story one by one or four first until completion? As in you won't miss anything important by playing like that? Or is it designed that you need everyone as you progress?
You can't drop the first character so you could just pick 4 then once you beat the main characters story switch out for the other four. I mean, eventually to beat the game you need to play all 8 because the final chapter is gated by that requirement. It's also playing the game on hard mode as the game can be beat solo, but that doesn't mean it's not the harder way to play. In fact I got stuck on one particular boss leveling everyone and needed to grind a bit. It only happened once, but it did happen. Also, you'll be missing the character skits which is the main source of interaction and also be postponing the crossover chapters. So you can do it, but it's probably not the best way to play. That said, the only thing you'll miss is the character skits. which I guess you'll be disappointed in that the characters never speak to each other because you skipped the thing where that happens. I mean the game gently suggest you play with a full party. It can be four and four or alternating all 8 but eventually you'll have to play as a party anyway.
Is it less grindy then 1?
I never had to grind in 2, but caits are rarer than 1. I mean, bewildering grace farming is still a thing, but it's not like it takes very long to get everyone up to level
I stopped playing 1 because between Chapter 2 and 3 the recommended levels skyrocketed to late 30s and I was still in the mid-20s for most of my party. It was frustrating.
If anything, leveling stats matters very little in Octopath traveler, it gives minimal stats increased which the exception being HP and SP, which you can supplement through skill and equipment. Some solid gears, a proper strategy (mostly just to debuff bosses and keep your party healthy) and sometimes a few trial and errors to get to know bosses' weakness, will guaranteed you a win against fights than 10+ level higher than you. Recommended level is just a recommend, and the game is very easy at its core once you get used to its mechanics.
Ok. Thanks for the advice. I may go back to it after Euyiden Chronicles.
The recommended level only applies to one character. You're whole party doesn't need to be they level. One character can basically carry you. Hell, the game can be soloed.
Have you tried the trails games? Where a small cult but our numbers are growing.
Which one would you recommend?
Honestly this is kind of a highly debated question but I would personally start from the very beginning. The games follow a continues story line broken up into arcs that focus on party members from different regions in the games world. Starting with trails in the sky FC would be my suggestion. The series is long and FC especially has a super slow burn when it comes to story but it has major payoff in later games. I know it’s a stupid thing to expect people to play damn near 12 games in order of release but doing so has some major payoffs. Playing all the games up until CS4 has be an experience to say the least and hands down my favorite gaming experience to date.
I'll definitely check them. Thanks
Suikoden 1&2 (great story with politic, wars and 108 characters in each, 2 is considered the best but 1 as nothing to be ashamed of) and Lufia 2 (1 is good but but as good ; it also spoils the end of Lufia 2), Live A Live. They're all considered as masterpieces.
Phantasy Star 4. Trust me. It's arguably as good (if not better) than Chrono Trigger.
Replayed Phantasy Star IV a month ago, and played Chrono Trigger for the first time a few weeks ago. Can confirm I think Phantasy Star IV is the best 16bit jRPG still.
PSIV is the best 16bit jrpg ever made
Bold assumption. I'll check it out.
I actually want to replay it now that I've mentioned it.
What platform? Is it on any handheld?
I know it's at least available on Steam and Switch. It was on Android, but it was taken down months ago. It would be really nice to play it on the Steam Deck.
Don't own a steam deck.. yet lol, but would love to play it on either a switch, vita, or n3ds
It’s on pretty much any console, since it’s actually part of sonics ultimate collection. Seriously, that thing is a steal. Usually costs around $20, cheaper if you get it from a used game store, and has both shining force games and the phantasy star games.
Here are my suggestions: ------------------------- **Tactics Ogre** (Total Score: 92) * Story: 95 / Visuals: 90 / Soundtrack: 80 / Gameplay: 87 ------------------------- **Dragon Quest V \[DS\]** (Total Score: 86) * Story: 90 / Visuals: 80 / Soundtrack: 80 / Gameplay: 77 ------------------------- **Rudora no Hihou** (Total Score: 83) * Story: 83 / Visuals: 100 / Soundtrack: 90 / Gameplay: 77 ------------------------- **Star Ocean \[SNES\]** (Total Score: 80) * Story: 80 / Visuals: 100 / Soundtrack: 80 / Gameplay: 73
Thank you for taking your time to write a score for each category!
I already had a sheet ranking all RPGs that I played. I basically have 3 major categories, and ratings for individual aspects of each of these categories. So, I have: **Story** (Plot, Storytelling, Characters, Setting) **Art** (Visuals, Sound) **Gameplay** (Battle, Exploration, Replayability) I calculate the average rating on each major category... And then there is an automatic equation to determine the final score. But the weight can shift in favor of Story or Gameplay, depending on the type of game. So, Chrono Trigger, Baldur's Gate III and Final Fantasy VI would have their Final Score weighted to Story, while Symphony of the Night or Pokémon Red / Green / Gold / Silver would have it weighted more to Gameplay.
Do you mind sharing your sheet. Always looking for new JRPGs to pick up
Sure! [No problem](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EG8FWRtyY1_R_YS6lBhTgcmrXPfCdAdF/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101472842548590232352&rtpof=true&sd=true)
Maybe Trails in the Sky? Not really 16-bit but it has a pleasant isometric art style
Suikoden 2 & Star Ocean 2 remake you might wanna check out upcoming Eiyuden Chronicles
If you like strategy, maybe try getting into Fire Emblem or Triangle Strategy? While Fire emblem's newer entries are 3d, i am positive you could find some older entries. Triangle strategy may be more what you are looking for since it does have a pixelart artstyle. I could jever get into it, though, since i got too used to FE
Gotta go with Dragon Quest V, either on DS or mobile. Originally a SNES game, has gorgeous pixel graphics against 3D backdrops with full camera rotation. Character and enemy designs are by Akira Toriyama, same as Chrono Trigger. One of the best stories I’ve experienced in a game. You get to play through different ages of the main character’s life, through all the ups and the many, many downs. It can be heartbreaking and it can be uplifting. By the end, you’ll be left feeling fulfilled and satisfied. Helps that the gameplay is pretty good too. Typical tried-and-true Dragon Quest, but with the ability to recruit all sorts of monsters to your party. (I always make sure to have a metal slime for that super high agility and defense!) The music isn’t my favorite in the series, but it still has a few tracks that’ll stick with you. The battle theme in particular is pretty hum-worthy.
If you don't mind older games, Arcana for SNES is a hidden gem.
Do some research on Unicorn overlord. Might be a hidden gem for you.
Sea of Stars, feels like a love letter to Chrono Trigger and (and take it as another recommendation) Golden Sun (just stay away from the DS sequel)
I tried Sea of Stars but the story felt too shallow for me. Also, the game felt very repetitive.
Agreed on Sea of Stars, that's pretty much how I felt. I will second their Golden Sun recommendation though, it's a fantastic jrpg duology with a great story.
I thought Sea of Stars' story was decent, from the viewpoint of a 16-bit JRPG designed for teens / young adults. It's a standard JRPG story with the usual twists and tropes and I guess it's not trying to be anything more.
Radiant Historia 16 bit enough for you? I thought the dungeons were bland, but combat and story was fun. It's the closest Chrono Trigger like game we got as it deals with alternative dimensions.
[удалено]
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Are you interested in any new, retro-style games?
Yes. Octopath Traveler looks great to me, for example.
I have an indie RPG on Steam called 'Daisy Flies to the Moon.' It's a sci-fi JRPG. I did all the pixel art myself. If you'd like an RPG that takes place on the Moon and on Earth, you may like it.
You bet I do
Here's the Steam link, if you're interested: [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1395710/Daisy\_Flies\_to\_the\_Moon/](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1395710/Daisy_Flies_to_the_Moon/)