For a Christmas present for my brother (age 20). He’s always liked the role-playing type games. He also has multiple game systems, including the PC and the PS2, plus any number of older systems. Knowing him, he’ll do everything in his power to get the other two that are coming out soon (but as far as I know he’s not getting either for Christmas).
He always like the Final Fantasy games. I’ve looked at Black & White and others in the store, but I’m really not sure what’s good anymore-my game playing is limited to The Sims and Snood just lately.
There haven’t been any fantastic role-playing games released for the PS2 yet in my opinion. Summoner was decent, but nothing special. Dark Cloud was pretty bad and not really much of an RPG anyway. Nothing else worth mentioning really as far as PS2 RPGs.
As for the PC, I agree with the previous poster in that Deus Ex is a fantastic game. It is sort of a first-person action/adventure game with role-playing elements. It has an excellent and suspenseful story and interesting characters. I don’t think your brother would be disappointed with it. This is not, however, a role-playing game in the traditional sense.
There is an RPG for the PC called Planescape: Torment that is absolutely fantastic. One of the best games I’ve ever played, period. It has an excellent story with a very complex and surprising plot. The game is huge too, I think it comes on four CDs. If its an RPG he’s looking for and he hasn’t played Torment, I don’t think you could go wrong with it. It came out about 2 years ago I think.
“Baldur’s Gate : Dark Alliance” for PS2 supposedly features a rocksolid roleplaying experience.
I´d get him that one.(If he doesn´t like it he can always give it to me )
Final Fantasy X is being released on Dec. 26th. The day AFTER Christmas…though, this could just be a shipping date, and not an actual “in-store” date. I’ve been burned by that before.
As for RPG’s, well, it depends on his taste. There are many types out there. Some are classic Dungeon and Dragon types…others are modern, with RPG elements.
You need to find what he likes. RPGs are not all the same. Dark Cloud is more like a blend of Zelda and RPG elements. Okage Shadow King is a comedy about RPGs. With PlayStation 2, you also have backwards compatibility to the entire Playstaion 1 library…which has plenty of RPGs that are STILL very good. It all depends what he’s into.
Some people dismiss the older RPGs because they lack “state-of-the-art” graphics. Or, they think it’s just not cool to buy older games. But the gamer needs to define their goals. Are they into what’s “hot”, or what they “want”. If you’re looking for a good story and interesting characters then you have no excuse. ANY good RPG will do.
Final Fantasy series (the mainstream RPG)
XenoGears (anime inspired goodness)
Wild Arms 1 & 2 (classic style)
Dark Cloud (a blend of many genres)
Vagrant Story (good battle system - story)
Threads of Fate (light hearted side scrolling adventure RPG)
Legend of Legaia (RPG and fighting blend)
Okage Shadow King (Comedy ABOUT RPGs)
ChronoCross/Chronotrigger (mainstream style RPG)
Summoner (standard swords and sorcery)
Parasite Eve 1 & 2 (Modern adventure w/ RPG elements)
Deus Ex (sci-fi adventure with RPG elements)
Breath of Fire 1-2-3-4 (classic “spite” based RPG)
Grandstream Saga (anime inspired sword combat RPG)
And the list goes on…
Don’t just get anything, find out what game he has liked the best IN THE PAST, and find one similar to that. If he’s investing in XBox, and GameCube it won’t matter, both new systems don’t have RPGs yet. Give them a bit of time.
I assume Final Fantasy X will be the one everyone will want at the end of this month. It features full voice talent, so (unlike ALL RPGs) you don’t have to read all the text. Plus, the graphics are stunning.
Just because nobody else mentioned it… Max Payne. Perhaps THE greatest 3rd-person shooter I’ve ever played. A great storyline, GREAT action… it’s just great.
The Legend of Dragoon wasn’t a half bad RPG for the PS1. It was rather easy to beat but fun none the less. It was a good time consumer for the 2 weeks it took to beat it.
You’re right. Metal Gear Solid is exclusive to the PlayStation, true. However, there is only Metal Gear Solid 2, so far. Also, MGS1, and 2, are considered action/adventure (or actually, espionge simulation). It’s not an RPG, but it’s still a damn good game. It came out last month.
Amazing Tiki God,
I forgot Legend of Dragoon…though I admit, I never beat it, since it wasn’t my own copy (a friend loaned it to me). There has been much debate in the gaming community over this game…creating divided loyalties. I didn’t see what all the fuss was about. It seemed like decent game to me. You have a good point. And the battle system was cool…pressing buttons in sequence, and timing, to create combos…it sure kept me awake, and prevented ho-hum button mashing.
As for the original question, I still recommend finding out what specifics this person likes in an RPG. Not all RPGs are the same.
I really don’t have anything to say, except what I said here
I beat it in a week, and that was the result.
As for the game to get, I personally enjoyed Arcanum (pc) for a while, though the original release was pretty buggy. Also, all the old Final Fantasy games came out for the PS1 a while back, in two collections. Those are fun to play here and there.
Otherwise, I’d go with Deus Ex (pc) or Final Fantasy X (ps2) if you’re not sure about what kinds of RPGs he likes, as those will probably appeal to most lovers of video games.
Thanks, y’all. I’ve not made a decision yet, but at least now I can go to the store with some ideas. I’ll also be sure to pick someplace he can do an exchange if necessary.
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