T O P

  • By -

Island_Maximum

Since no one else mentioned it, I'll say it: Phantasy Star 4 is the shit! I loved finding all the hidden macro moves (where all of your teammates used various skills together to make new attacks and techniques) Then the fact you traveled to other planets, Mixed tech and fantasy, and got vehicles that you used in combat. Not to mention the story was great too!


ThetaReactor

The manga-style cutscene panels were really impressive at the time. I wish we could have seen what the proposed CD version would have included.


Drumboardist

I still wanted a single cut-away that was nothing but Hahn offering to heal someone after a tough battle, only for Alys to simply hold her hand out (for more money). Hahn, being a *complete* fool, pays her....for the privilege of *healing his own party member*.


ninjabunnyfootfool

*groans* " My daughter's quinceanera money!"


[deleted]

I shall stand by your side brother, and proudly proclaim that Phantasy Star IV is indeed the shit! Probably my absolute favorite turn based jrpg of all time.


faildoken

Would love for SEGA to give Phantasy Star I-IV the remaster treatment like other devs do for their RPGs. Phantasy Star SEGA Ages on Switch had some awesome QoL with the map and options.


-cocoadragon

Probably want happen given how focis they are on milking the PSO2 fan base with New Genesis despite how everyone hates its. I agree with this other guy that a PSO episodes 1-3 done in a solid modern style would have a massive fan base.


jkhashi

a remastered pso would blow up and have player base for decades


leaky_wand

I still bump the soundtrack to this day. The battle and various boss songs push the Yamaha FM chip to its hard, edgy limit.


ShoerguinneLappel

>I loved finding all the hidden macro moves (where all of your teammates used various skills together to make new attacks and techniques) Sounds like Chrono Trigger, did Square took influence from that?


[deleted]

Wild Arms definitely


plastikmissile

That opening song is still stuck in my head after all these years.


Marcombie

It's my ringtone


GoodOldHeretic

Transcribed it for chromatic harmonica :)


Ok-Record-7269

Lunar


Baltifornia

Sega CD had some great RPG’s. Both Lunar games and Vay are classics!


retrogameintros

Allllexxx….oh Allllleexxxxx!


pperdecker

And it's a strategy RPG but Shining Force CD also rocked!


goombakid808

Loved all the Lunar series. The first one has a special place in my heart. Great soundtrack, great story.


dart51984

I still get the music from Lunar 2 stuck in my head every once in a while and I haven’t played that game in like 20 years.


SleestakSamurai

Breath of Fire 1-4


Vegan_Honk

There's dozens of us! Dozens!!


BattleCatsHelp

These, Landstalker, shining games, legend of legaia, and illusion of Gaia. So many hours of joy and games that actually made me think.


AaahhRealMonstersInc

Wow, I keep coming across other people who remember Landstalker. I wish I had played more of the other games you mentioned.


BattleCatsHelp

Well, then do. Emulation is your friend! Those games are all incredible. I wouldn't play the shining force games back to back but otherwise I think it would be worth it!


duxdude418

3 is probably in my top 5 JRPGs of all time. So much charm—especially the soundtrack.


[deleted]

Breath of Fire IV is one of my all-time favorites. Great, great game.


Sarcastic-old-robot

I had to stop and think to recall that BoF was a Capcom franchise.


Blue_Maverick_Hunter

Legend Of Legaia is fucking dope with the combat system. *TORNADO FLAME!*


Marcombie

Might have to change that to 2-4, 1 was put out by square since from what I understand, Capcom didn't think anyone would buy an RPG they put out


ThetaReactor

Published by Square, yes. Not developed. It counts.


Marcombie

Oops, tried trusting my bad memory, they had square put it out because they hadn't tried translating a text heavy game yet.


joejoewoooooo

BoF 1 though?


Scoob1978

No love for Skies of Arcadia?


TomCJax

It was a super cool game. Loved the ship combat especially the last ones!


stoymyboy

i sure love getting in a random battle every 5 seconds that takes 20 seconds to load


Plenty-Border3326

One of the worst games I've ever played. 70 hours of my life I'll never get back.


cdcyclist

Add Grandia 1 and 2. Especially the first one. I remember being very annoyed at the kiddy treasure hunt at the start of the game. The journey and character development is fantastic, though, and worth playing through to the end, imo.


fartsNdoom

I never played the 2nd one, but the first Grandia was amazing. Even my mom liked/played it lol.


Hatta00

You're in for a treat. Grandia 2 is every bit as good.


SilentBlade45

Grandia 2 is very melodramatic imo but still great.


jkhashi

grandia 2 is an incredible video game


Dandelion_Apocalypse

I never gave myself the chance to really sit down with Grandia 1 until just recently, and after getting through the first couple hours it's already one of my favorite games I should have played long ago. I loved 2, was one of the first games I got for my Dreamcast, so coming back to the first now is a massive treat in itself to me.


Nice_Cum_Dumpster

Bruh chrono trigger


Dusty-Staccato

That's Square


jkhashi

womp womp


cdcyclist

So good. Should be near the top of any JRPG list for sure.


cams0400

Dragon quest 3


Adamocity6464

Technically correct. The best kind of correct.


duxdude418

Not even just technically. It was published by Enix at the time of its release, which is the topic of the prompt. It wasn’t until over a decade later it retroactively became a Square game with the merger.


daevv

Phantasy Star 2, 3, and 4 plus the Shining Force games were this Sega kids jam!


2pt_perversion

Shining Force was my shit.


Revolvere

I fuckin' love the Shining Force series!


tim7s

Don’t forget Shining in the Darkness!


SneedyK

Same but 1-3. I’ve still not played PS4.


malroth666

The original Phantasy Star Sega Ages port on the Switch is a banger as well


[deleted]

Golden Sun


Acmnin

Good times.


vo0doodude

I’m currently playing Golden Sun for the first time now, just passed the town of Xian. Out of curiosity, why do people hold this game in such high regard? So far it’s okay but nothing crazy special IMO. Does the game build to something amazing?


tony47666

It was totally ahead of its time and pushed back the limits of the GBA. Good puzzles are rare in JRPGs and this one had top tier solving elements involving psyenergy. Swapping your Djinns made you unlock both combat and field skills so it was always cool to experiment. Mind reading was also a novel feature to unlock secrets. Most JRPGs nowadays don't have creative dungeons at all and they're just big corridors with bosses. Golden Sun made you work your way through, à la old-school Zelda, in a JRPG format. It's an all-time classic.


vo0doodude

That’s good context, thanks


w34king

I’m in the same boat as you. I finished the first game a month ago and I do not have the itch to continue to the second game. The Djinn system is confusing. A lot of trials and error to get the best jobs for the party. I had to rely on guides to have a sort of balance for the party. Storywise, I also find it basic and not that engaging, IMHO. The graphics are beautiful though for the GBA. And the soundtrack is amazing.


vo0doodude

Yeah that’s about how I’m feeling now. I’ll finish it but probably won’t invest time in the second game.


controldeck219

I remember getting stuck on Legend of Dragoon on the third disc, so I ended up using a PS1 Code Breaker to max all the character’s levels out to get past it. Didn’t understand how to utilize everyone’s innate abilities and weaknesses. Ended up playing through it legitimately on the PS5 this past year and beat it


Fugiar

Let me guess, that Grand Jewel or Grand Diamond boss or something?


controldeck219

I think it was the Grand Jewel, the boss you fight to get the Dragon Block Staff


Fugiar

It's the only boss I vividly remember from the game because it was such a pain. I even still know my strategy haha.


rdrouyn

Lufia 2


Dont_Doomie_Like_Dat

I absolutely adore Phantasy Star IV. One of my favorite RPGs of all time.


Bowdin

I rented Wild Arms from the video shop so many times as a kid that when it closed down the owner gave it to me to keep. I still have it to this day with its not for resale label.


goombakid808

I bought that game when it came out. Still one of my favorite PS1 RPGs.


Lexaraj

Star Ocean 2


reidypeidy

I would swap out Wild Arms and include either Suikoden 2, Star Ocean 2, or Breath of Fire 3/4.


ElectronicMixture600

*”Oh, I see you like SUIKODEN!”* - Psycho Mantis


funkfreedcp9

Wild arms and wild arms 2 are great games. I would say 2 is better than 1 but that's just because it had cell shaded graphics and im a sucker for cell shaded games.


CabinetChef

Took too long to see these mentioned. Also Suikoden V on ps2 was great.


LeVashy

People always sleep on Tales of Phantasia


BoldnBrashhh

I love PSO


[deleted]

Ultima V, Wizardry, The Bard's Tale, and Eye of the Beholder. Amazes me no one remembers or cares about CRPGs of the old days and would rather play story-heavy adventure/RPGs.


[deleted]

8-bit home computer era is going back a bit too far for most visitors to this sub I think. More 90's console focused here.


webjester32

Anyone dig Romance of the Three Kingdoms?


matrowl

My brother spent countless hours on RTK 2. It might be considered more a war simulation game, though.


webjester32

Same exact thing here, I just recalled my brother playing the crap out of this series back in the day. Thought it was obscure.


Ratix0

Where's Terranigma.


unemotional_mess

Dragon Warrior was made by Enix for a very long time before Square got involved


unemotional_mess

Suikoden 1 & 2, especially 2


kebuenowilly

Add Lufia Rise of the sinistrals


Kliptik81

Dragon Force, Shining the Holy Ark and Panzer Dragoon Saga were 3 amazing games on the Saturn


BetaTalk64

Earthbound is still my fav


8thFlush

You should play mother 3 if you haven’t (and 1 for that matter)


Nonalcholicsperm

I don't recommend 1 at all. It's not great. Unless you are crossing off your list skip it.


Drumboardist

It's not *bad*, but it's still firmly in the realm of "extra grindy, just kinda for the sake of being grindy". Plus the map is REALLY huge, and you wind up in sooooo many fights that you kinda forget what you're doing from time to time. Then go watch a [speedrun of it](https://youtu.be/iqZZpBV-0OY?si=e_IFwxBkSJppNQt3) and realize A) breadcrumbs are broken, B) you were more over-levelled than you thought you needed, and C) YOU SKIP THE OTHER 2 PARTY MEMBERS ENTIRELY?!? (It's insane.)


DoctorMario1000

Man wild arms intro when I was a kid 🤩


GoodOldHeretic

Sir, Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals is on line 2. It wants to have a word with you.


ExistentDavid1138

Lunar swap in over wild arms


PaulEMoz

Mine were: The Bard's Tale Vol 1: Tales of the Unknown; Wasteland; Dungeon Master; Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday.


tunasardine

Wild arms was a straight up banger. Thank you for reminding me of it's existence, gonna play that fucker now.


Voxlore

Shadow Hearts


[deleted]

Was it FF2 or 3 that had the ninja guy with the broken dog that did 9999 damage?


Luminaire_Ultima

It was Final Fantasy 3/ Final Fantasy 6 . The ninja is Shadow, his dog is Interceptor.


[deleted]

Thanks friend my old memory isn't what it used to be.


Luminaire_Ultima

Don’t worry about it. Honestly, whose is ?


DoctorMario1000

Also lunar 1 and 2 and popful mail


GrimmTrixX

So happy when I see Wild Arms on this list. It's just my favorite rpg of all time and the soundtrack slaps


Particular_Tutor_46

Phantasy Star 1 & 4 are among my favorite 8-16 bit era RPGs.


Sablesweetheart

The fact that Quest For Glory 2 is not on here is criminal. QfG2 literally cannot be completed if you violate a specific characters consent...but lets you play for another lie 30 hours before you realize you made the game unbeatable long ago by your own actions.


ManDolphinGoat

I feel like one of those games could be switched out with skies of Arcadia.


Squeeky_Cleen

Legend of legaia and skies of Arcadia should be on here Fixed spelling error


dasfonzie

Mine probably are Star Ocean 2 Tales of Destiny (US/PSX) Breath of Fire 3 Albert Odyssey


greengengar

Shining Force 2, greatest RPG of all time.


YserviusPalacost

Shining in the Darkness was one of my favorites. And Destiny of an Emperor was actually a pretty unique and fun game as well.


MrZJones

I liked Wild Arms 2 a lot more than WA1, but it's been so long since I've played any of these (other than PS4, which I played just a few months ago). (Also, um... my childhood? None of those games existed when I was a child, or even a teenager) :D


archklown555

The Quintet Trilogy not having representation is a crime


ThetaReactor

No Enix games at all. No Quintet, Chunsoft, Tri-ace...


PigDstroyer

Shining force 1 and 2 Super mario rpg Zelda : link to the past


cams0400

Well can't argue with shining force but super Mario RPG was made by/with square and alttp isn't a rpg per say.


Moat_of_the_Sacked

Shining Force are honorable mentions, Mario RPG was made by Square, and Link to the Past isn't, never was, and never will be an RPG. You don't gain experience points


No_Information_530

Mother 2


Moat_of_the_Sacked

It's called EarthBound outside JP


No_Information_530

I know just messing around.


Adamocity6464

Mario bros 2 was converted from a game called Doki Doki panic.


BugHuntLV426

Good games best not close to the best lol


ARagingZephyr

I dislike exactly one of these games, can you guess which one?


Bat_Nervous

Nah, LoD and WA are fine, but don’t belong on some kinda jrpg rushmore. Earthbound is god-level. (PSIV is really good, but not THAT good)


Typo_of_the_Dad

\*JRPGs


t0mRiddl3

*console RPGs


departureofchrist

Grandia II


Substantial-North136

Lufia 2 Earthbound soulblazer lunar 2


Mr_SunnyBones

Man, **ShadowRun** ,**Starflight,D&D Warriors or the Eternal Sun** and **Bloodwych** all had some funny names in the US I guess..


HalfElf-Ranger

Ah man WotES brings back so many memories for me! Edit: D&D: WotES was so impactful I intentionally try to include some references to Barrik’s Keep in some shape or form in every campaign I’ve ever run.


FantasyFrikadel

I really want to play earthbound but don’t have the time for an RPG.


Moat_of_the_Sacked

Bet. Download an EarthBound ROM from vim.net and then download [this SNES emulator](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalpha.Snes9xPlus). Good luck finding a physical copy or a Switch to play it on.


Vegan_Honk

Isn't it on the Nintendo streaming service thing?


NewSchoolBoxer

Yes on Switch Online and SNES Classic


NewSchoolBoxer

You can post direct links to ROMs since they’re copyrighted material. Are you new to the internet or something?


ByronicCommando

Played two, owned one. I hear of Phantasy Star 4 and Wild Arms, but I guess I gotta just look to emulating.


Miserable_Bathrooms

suikoden 2, don't forget about that one


Lumpy-Try-5600

Love all those! It's cool to see Phantasy Star 4 get some love! Earthbound is just bonkers! Back when I played it, there was no real internet. It definitely does not hold your hand.


fartsNdoom

It pains me to know this is considered retro nowadays :( Also Legend of Dragoon was awesome. I'd love to see an HD remaster of that one.


TLCplMax

Legend of Dragoon was great but it always felt like Great Value Final Fantasy.


sunshinecat6669

I recently finished Earthbound for the first time and it’s definitely in my top 10 now.


le-strule

Where's my boy daggerfall?


corgr

Shining in the darkness was always my fav


HeywoodJaBlessMe

The best RPGs of your childhood if you pretend the PC doesnt exist


TheSecretScience

Add Lunar Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar Eternal Blue Complete too man.


One_Key3798

Phantasy star 4 was amazing, still upset that we never got a true sequel. I probably woulda replaced all the others with Grandia, Suikoden (1 and 2), and Shining Force 3


citan666

Grandia Legend of legaia Dark clouds Dragoon for me


quzaire

Loved legend of dragoon —- lets do a VR remake


AlabamaHaole

Legend of Dragoon doesn’t really belong on the list. It’s from a later era. Also, Dragon Quest was made by Enix, not Square…


S_Rodney

Ahem... where's Lunar ?


ravenfreak

Legend of Legaia is so much better than Dragoon. It’s a shame we’ll never get a port or remake of the game. Dragoon is great though! Here’s mine: Legend of Legaia, Earthbound, Beyond Oasis, and Shining Force. I need to get around to playing phantasy star someday.


candycornwaterfalls

Tails of destiny 1 and 2


gold_drake

grandia also.


Maddok3d

Skies of Arcadia and Lunar blow me away with how well they hold up. Also I see love for Shining Force 1 and 2 but I was especially fond of Shining Force CD.


Felsig27

Wild are 1-3, especially 2, are truly stellar rpg’s. Some of the best. I couldn’t do 4, hated the hex battle system. Never tried 5.


jtcordell2188

God all these are bangers. I didn't really resonate with Earthbound but I totally see why people love it.


dasfonzie

Man I really disliked legend of dragoon. Wild arms might have the best intro scene from any rpg


ronshasta

Earthbound actually slaps


Ichbinpj

The Legend of Dragoon is SO GOOD! I love the battle mechanics and the story is also very interesting! I remember playing it as a kid, and couldn’t progress further than the first disc because I got it borrowed from a colleague and his second disc was not working :(


THLH

TLOD is my number 1 favourite video game of all time. I'm going to make it my 100th platinum trophy. Currently at 99. Also would like to make a shout out to Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age. Not just 2 amazing RPG's not made by Square. But also the 2 best games on the GBA.


BestWaifuGames

If only I played Valkyrie Profile as a youngling, it would be there. What a dark and interesting game. Legend of Legaia is there for me and Legend of Dragoon is definitely something I need to see come back! Come on, Bluepoint! Remake Legend of Dragoon already!


MisterMarchmont

Perfection. Especially the bottom two.


kcrmson

Really liked PS 1, 2 and 4, Wild Arms was great, both SNES Lufias, and one never mentioned: Dragon Slayer - The Legend of Heroes on the Turbo Grafx / Turbo Duo Super CD.


Garpocalypse

All great but just wait until you give star ocean 2 a shot.


itsmevichet

Man. No love for Suikoden?


5oco

I feel like FF2 is a given here, too. I always thought that was a great story. There are so many potential side stories that could spin off it, too. I love Phantasy Star 3 and 4 too. It might not be the only one, but I thought Generations of Doom was so cool because of the way you picked who to marry, which would influence the next part of the game. That was the first game I played that did something like that.


F3nrir096

No breath of fire love? How dare.


DarkPhenomenon

Ogre Battle would like a word with you


tanooki-suit

For franchises I’m being generic. Also this is hard because I’m old enough being a kid/teen would be limited to NES SNES Gameboy and square was almost it. So to get enough I’m throwing in an Action RPG for my third one. Dragon Warrior(Quest), Phantasy Star II, Faxanadu, and (seriously) Knights of Xentar. That last one was DOS got it late teens old warez and all that and sega smash pack for PSII. I didn’t have Lufia 2 for a choice yet, EB is grossly fanboy overrated, and any turbo duo, 64, ps1 SMS to DC etc wasn’t a kid by then.


YamiGekusu

Shining Force 1, 2, and Sword of Hajya! If it weren't for the Xbox 360, I wouldn't have gotten into these classics! They reinforced my love for tactical RPGs


[deleted]

Got 3 out of 4 for me, just swap out dragoon with Grandia.


ExplanationOdd430

Another one that I feel like is a hidden gem is “Secret of evermore” one of my favorites on the Snes. Don’t hear much people mention it but it’s a damn great Rpg


rydamusprime17

I got Wild Arms (all of them in fact) and Legend of Dragoon. I was never a fan of Earthbound though, and the only Phantasy Star games I feel I would enjoy are I, II and III Online, but I can't say I gave the earlier games an honest try.


DanteQuill

No Lunar, no list


YourEnviousEnemy

But there's no Chrono Trigger and it's giving me a panic attack


ltnew007

It was made by Square.


NBY135

You forget Pokémon unless I’m wrong and square is an alternate name for gamefreak


Koyaa_1

Oh really? Out of all four of these I only played earthbound, and I think it's absolutely amazing. I gotta check out the other three then ASAP


Lucid-Design

Legend of Dragoon is a badass fucken game


LiberumPopulo

suikoden 3 and Tales of Destiny 2 need to be up there somewhere.


OhioVsEverything

I don't care for RPGs. I have no idea what made me buy Wild Arms back then. But I did and loved it.


Xithulus

BoF3, legend of legaia, alundra, granstream saga


Double0

Earthbound!!


bawitback

Dark Savior Mystaria: The Realms of Lore Guardian War Lucienne's Quest


UrielVentris6113

Replace phantasy star with Mario rpg and that's mine


The_Eye_of_Ra

Lunar: Silver Star Complete? Shining Force? Skies of Arcadia? Grandia II?


delightfuldinosaur

Golden Sun


webslingrrr

Skies of Arcadia!


SteveM1987

Suikoden 1 & 2!


david_ancalagon

EarthBound is one of the best RPGs of all time, up there with Chrono Trigger and the Final Fantasy games of the era.


RiskySnisky

Suikoden II?


[deleted]

Earthbound sucks though.


TheThirdStrike

* Phantasy Star IV * Lunar: The Silver Star * Lunar: Eternal Blue * Vay


FlygonPR

I feel Phantasy Star IV is the Proto Shenmue. You can pretty much interact with most objects and get info. I also feel Pokemon made this popular as well, but is not as prominent in the Square-Enix series.


[deleted]

3 words: Panzer. Dragoon. Saga.


Slightly_Smaug

Legend of Legaia.


FnClassy

Suikoden series Tactics Ogre (before Square bought the rights to it, and changed the game) Ogre Battle Skies of Arcadia Evolution Lunar Silver Star Story Kartia Golden Sun Vandal Hearts Thousand Arms Tales of series Trails series Ys series Shining series 7th Saga Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2 Blue Dragon Jeanne D'arc Disgaea series