PS1 RPGs worth playing today

I haven't touched my PS1 in a long time, and i've ben having this itch to play a few JRPGs. I've always ben intimidated by the gigantic list of JRPGs on it, so i need a few recommandations on the absolute cream of the crop to dig into. What i've played is Xenogears, FFVII n' VIII, Chrono Cross, Persona 2 and Vagrant Story.

It doesn't need to be a classic, or a 'must own'. Just the cream of the crop for someone that never played them before. Graphics aren't a problem. A good - great story/characters and a good combat system is all i need

The Breath of Fire games are pretty good

I'm in the middle of Legend of Legaia right now, and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Good storyline that keeps the game moving. Nice amount of polish for a PS1 RPG (thought not quite FF level). But best of all is the unique battle systems which uses this cross-command menu that you can use to pull off combos which unlocks special moves. There's also a really cool magic system where you absorb enemy's abilities to gain magic spells. Both of these unique systems make you really want to keep grinding and seeking out more random-encounters so you can either discover new combos in the attack system or absorb new spells from enemies (while still gaining traditional experience points for level-ups), rather than random-encounters getting repetitive and boring.

Cross battle-system I described:

I'm in the middle of Legend of Legaia right now, and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Good storyline that keeps the game moving. Nice amount of polish for a PS1 RPG (thought not quite FF level). But best of all is the unique battle systems which uses this cross-command menu that you can use to pull off combos which unlocks special moves. There's also a really cool magic system where you absorb enemy's abilities to gain magic spells. Both of these unique systems make you really want to keep grinding and seeking out more random-encounters so you can either discover new combos in the attack system or absorb new spells from enemies (while still gaining traditional experience points for level-ups), rather than random-encounters getting repetitive and boring.

Cross battle-system I described:

Emerald_Warrior

I came here to post this! Great game!

I'm in the middle of Legend of Legaia right now, and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Good storyline that keeps the game moving. Nice amount of polish for a PS1 RPG (thought not quite FF level). But best of all is the unique battle systems which uses this cross-command menu that you can use to pull off combos which unlocks special moves. There's also a really cool magic system where you absorb enemy's abilities to gain magic spells. Both of these unique systems make you really want to keep grinding and seeking out more random-encounters so you can either discover new combos in the attack system or absorb new spells from enemies (while still gaining traditional experience points for level-ups), rather than random-encounters getting repetitive and boring.

Cross battle-system I described:

Emerald_Warrior

Final Fantasy IX and Legend of Dragoon are good options.

It'll cost you, but Valkyrie Profile is awesome. You can get it on the PSP for much cheaper as well.

Breath of Fire III & IV Suikoden I & II Final Fantasy IX Star Ocean I & II Parasite Eve I & IID3dr0_0

Tales of destiny 1 & 2

Saga Frontier 1

Xenogears

Parasite Eve, as has been suggested, is very good. It's a unique blend of horror and RPG, as well as a unique blend of action-RPG elements and traditional JRPG elements battle-system. And the story is quite unique as well, and will keep you interested. And it was a real graphics pleaser when it came out.

Final Fantasy IX

Valkyrie Profile

Breath of Fire 3 and 4

Tactics Ogre

Final Fantasy Tactics

Wild Arms

Suikoden series

Grandia

Did you enjoy FFVII and FFVIII? If you did, you absolutely need to play FFIX, which is the best FF game IMO. It's a perfect mix of the old and the new.

Many people are reccomending Star Ocean: Second Story and I would reccomend it as well since it's a great game with alot to do and extremely fun combat, but the story is pretty darn trite (it's decent enough but not the game's strong suit), especially if you're a fan of Xenogears (I remember you being a huge Xenogears fan, tho I might be mixing you up with someone else). Also, the talking scenes move very slooooooooooooowly.

Parasite Eve, as has been suggested, is very good. It's a unique blend of horror and RPG, as well as a unique blend of action-RPG elements and traditional JRPG elements battle-system. And the story is quite unique as well, and will keep you interested. And it was a real graphics pleaser when it came out.

Emerald_Warrior

These recommandations are awesome, a lot of interesting games that i've never played before. Thanks a bunch, this is going to take me forever, hah.

Did you enjoy FFVII and FFVIII? If you did, you absolutely need to play FFIX, which is the best FF game IMO. It's a perfect mix of the old and the new.

Many people are reccomending Star Ocean: Second Story and I would reccomend it as well since it's a great game with alot to do and extremely fun combat, but the story is pretty darn trite (it's decent enough but not the game's strong suit), especially if you're a fan of Xenogears (I remember you being a huge Xenogears fan, tho I might be mixing you up with someone else). Also, the talking scenes move very slooooooooooooowly.

GreySeal9

I enjoyed FFVII, but VIII not so much. Damn, i was put off FFIX because of the strange character design of the main protagonist.. but so many people speak of FFIX in a greatly positive light. I gotta give it a go soon enough. Eh, i'm a huge fan, yeah, but i gave up finding something similar to Xenogears a long time ago.

These recommandations are awesome, a lot of interesting games that i've never played before. Thanks a bunch, this is going to take me forever, hah.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Did you enjoy FFVII and FFVIII? If you did, you absolutely need to play FFIX, which is the best FF game IMO. It's a perfect mix of the old and the new.

Many people are reccomending Star Ocean: Second Story and I would reccomend it as well since it's a great game with alot to do and extremely fun combat, but the story is pretty darn trite (it's decent enough but not the game's strong suit), especially if you're a fan of Xenogears (I remember you being a huge Xenogears fan, tho I might be mixing you up with someone else). Also, the talking scenes move very slooooooooooooowly.

Lucianu

I enjoyed FFVII, but VIII not so much. Damn, i was put off FFIX because of the strange character design of the main protagonist.. but so many people speak of FFIX in a greatly positive light. I gotta give it a go soon enough. Eh, i'm a huge fan, yeah, but i gave up finding something similar to Xenogears a long time ago.

The closest you're going to get to Xenogears is Xenosaga Ep 1-3, but it really doesn't have the same feel.

But yeah, if you liked FFVII and didn't like FFVIII, I'd say there's a high chance you'll like FFIX. I assume one of your issues with FFVIII was the junction system and drawing magic, so FFIX will give you a much more traditional and polished experience. Not to mention that FFIX is easily the best looking of the three PS1 FF games. The story is not quite as original as some of the other FFs, but its a very high quality tale with highly endearing characters.

I haven't touched my PS1 in a long time, and i've ben having this itch to play a few JRPGs. I've always ben intimidated by the gigantic list of JRPGs on it, so i need a few recommandations on the absolute cream of the crop to dig into. What i've played is Xenogears, FFVII n' VIII, Chrono Cross, Persona 2 and Vagrant Story.

It doesn't need to be a classic, or a 'must own'. Just the cream of the crop for someone that never played them before. Graphics aren't a problem. A good - great story/characters and a good combat system is all i need

Lucianu

Besides the ones you've played...

Alundra

Breath of Fire III & IV

Final Fantasy Chronicles & Anthology

Final Fantasy IX & Tactics

Grandia

Lunar 1 & 2

Star Ocean: The Second Story

Tactics Ogre

Tales of Phantasia & Tales of Destiny

Wild Arms

Grandia

Parasite Eve

Valkyrie Profile

Legend of Dragoon

Some of the ones you guys mentioned look like crap,and NOT playable today.

The Tales games. Destiny 1&2 as is titled in the West. The battle system is addictive.

Parasite Eve 1 is a ton better than its sequel. If only it had 2's visuals it would've been the defining Square PSX RPG.

Some of the ones you guys mentioned look like crap,and NOT playable today.

GreekGameManiac

Oh, this is gonna be rich. Please, tell us which ones you speak of?

As others have recommended and I'm playing right now, Final Fantasy IX is a great choice.

Oh, this is gonna be rich. Please, tell us which ones you speak of?

Emerald_Warrior

Don't waste your time, man. I stopped caring. It'll just derail the discussion.

[QUOTE="GreekGameManiac"]

Some of the ones you guys mentioned look like crap,and NOT playable today.

Emerald_Warrior

Oh, this is gonna be rich. Please, tell us which ones you speak of?

Grandia,FFVII(come on,are you one of those ppl that say that it has aged well?),FF Anthology,FF Origins,Kartia(wtf?).

Satisfied? for me,those aren't exactly a playable as they WERE.

What's with you,EW? i can't have an opinion?

What's with you,EW? i can't have an opinion?

GreekGameManiac

OP never asked for the critique of games. He's asking for options which he'll then filter and decide for himself. Your opinions are your opinions but you take it another level and make this place like an SW forum. It's like someone asking for one option on which joint to eat lunch at today. Most people get the idea that all he wants is options, not a debate. All would give their opinions and he'd decide for himself later on. But you come up and say: "Sorry, but you guy's options suck" and not bother giving your own options. Simply adding nothing of value to the inquiry and instigating a pointless discussion.

Most people would be civil enough to ignore the pointless jab. But some people will call you out simply because they're curious or for the laugh. It has nothing to do with your notion that people disregard your opinion. It's basically pointless for this thread.

Final Fantasy IX.

What's with you,EW? i can't have an opinion?

GreekGameManiac

I'm not the one that came out and called our opinions crap, you are. And yeah, pretty much all those games you named are great RPGS.

Don't listen to Greek, he's just a resident troll.

whathever you do, do NOT play the Legend of Dragoon rilpas

firstly, disregard the above statement completely, Legend of Dragoon, while not the best PS1 rpg, is certainly worth playing.

secondly, the "worth playing today" part seems somewhat...subjective
to me, the "today" part is irrelevant; if a game was worth playing then, its worth playing now.

my personal favorites that weren't on your "already played" list:

Suikoden
Suikoden II
Lunar Silver Star Story
Lunar Eternal Blue
Valkyrie Profile
Star Ocean Second Story
Tales of Destiny
Tales of Destiny II
Alundra

nice to see Legend of Dragoon getting some love.Allicrombie

[QUOTE="GreekGameManiac"]

What's with you,EW? i can't have an opinion?

Emerald_Warrior

I'm not the one that came out and called our opinions crap, you are. And yeah, pretty much all those games you named are great RPGS.

Don't listen to Greek, he's just a resident troll.

Yeah,i'm suuuch a troll.

>_>

OR.you're oversensitive,touchy,and can't READ.

I never expected this from you,EW.

Are you happy? when the f*ck did i say your opinions are crap?

Grow up,cause this time you're on the completely wrong side.

I had respect for you,but if you go as far as call me a troll,when i didn't say anything bad,i'ma lose it,apparently.

[QUOTE="Emerald_Warrior"]

[QUOTE="GreekGameManiac"]

What's with you,EW? i can't have an opinion?

GreekGameManiac

I'm not the one that came out and called our opinions crap, you are. And yeah, pretty much all those games you named are great RPGS.

Don't listen to Greek, he's just a resident troll.

Yeah,i'm suuuch a troll.

>_>

OR.you're oversensitive,touchy,and can't READ.

I never expected this from you,EW.

Are you happy? when the f*ck did i say your opinions are crap?

Grow up,cause this time you're on the completely wrong side.

I had respect for you,but if you go as far as call me a troll,when i didn't say anything bad,i'ma lose it,apparently.

Really? You even used the word crap. And then you asked why "you can't have an opinion", but I'm sensitive. Yeah, I'm so butt-hurt that I lost your respect of all people.

Really? You even used the word crap. And then you asked why "you can't have an opinion", but I'm sensitive. Yeah, I'm so butt-hurt that I lost your respect of all people.

Emerald_Warrior

Sorry EW,i'm not byuing it.

And i never said your opinion is crap,i said the GRAPHICS of SOME games are crap.

Reading skills is the key here.

As for the whole respect thing,i'm surprised you'd think THAT badly of me,only because i disagree with you on the "old games vs new games" thing.

[QUOTE="GreekGameManiac"]

[QUOTE="Emerald_Warrior"]

I'm not the one that came out and called our opinions crap, you are. And yeah, pretty much all those games you named are great RPGS.

Don't listen to Greek, he's just a resident troll.

Emerald_Warrior

Yeah,i'm suuuch a troll.

>_>

OR.you're oversensitive,touchy,and can't READ.

I never expected this from you,EW.

Are you happy? when the f*ck did i say your opinions are crap?

Grow up,cause this time you're on the completely wrong side.

I had respect for you,but if you go as far as call me a troll,when i didn't say anything bad,i'ma lose it,apparently.

Really? You even used the word crap. And then you asked why "you can't have an opinion", but I'm sensitive. Yeah, I'm so butt-hurt that I lost your respect of all people.

Chrono Chross is the best RPG on the PS1. I play it every Summer.LittleMac19

I agree, but I'd go as far as to say Chrono Cross is the best RPG I've ever played.

[QUOTE="LittleMac19"]Chrono Chross is the best RPG on the PS1. I play it every Summer.GreySeal9

I agree, but I'd go as far as to say Chrono Cross is the best RPG I've ever played.

[QUOTE="Emerald_Warrior"]

Really? You even used the word crap. And then you asked why "you can't have an opinion", but I'm sensitive. Yeah, I'm so butt-hurt that I lost your respect of all people.

GreekGameManiac

Sorry EW,i'm not byuing it.

And i never said your opinion is crap,i said the GRAPHICS of SOME games are crap.

Reading skills is the key here.

As for the whole respect thing,i'm surprised you'd think THAT badly of me,only because i disagree with you on the "old games vs new games" thing.

Some of the games people have suggest do look a bit rough (like Legend of Legaia for instance), but the TC specifically said that graphics are not an issue.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="LittleMac19"]Chrono Chross is the best RPG on the PS1. I play it every Summer.DerveCreaves

I agree, but I'd go as far as to say Chrono Cross is the best RPG I've ever played.

Well, here's my full review, but it's a bit long, so if you don't want to read it, here's a short little review:

Chrono Cross might rub people who were expecting another Chrono Trigger the wrong way, but it is a superb RPG in its own right. It has a really unique combat system that has way more depth than Chrono Trigger's (you have to get used to it, but once you do, it's very rewarding), it has breathtakingly gorgeous aesthetics (everything has a beautiful, lush tropical look and the game's atmosphere is heavily tied to the ocean; the same goes for the music), the story, tho a little hard to understand, is very interesting and eerie, there are alot of really interesting moments where the game throws something unexpected at you, you don't have to grind and the game really makes everything convenient for the player, etc. It's just a really beautiful game.

Just realized that I had the wrong link for the full review. I fixed it, so if you want to read the review, the link works properly now.

[QUOTE="DerveCreaves"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

I agree, but I'd go as far as to say Chrono Cross is the best RPG I've ever played.

GreySeal9

Well, here's my full review, but it's a bit long, so if you don't want to read it, here's a short little review:

Chrono Cross might rub people who were expecting another Chrono Trigger the wrong way, but it is a superb RPG in its own right. It has a really unique combat system that has way more depth than Chrono Trigger's (you have to get used to it, but once you do, it's very rewarding), it has breathtakingly gorgeous aesthetics (everything has a beautiful, lush tropical look and the game's atmosphere is heavily tied to the ocean; the same goes for the music), the story, tho a little hard to understand, is very interesting and eerie, there are alot of really interesting moments where the game throws something unexpected at you, you don't have to grind and the game really makes everything convenient for the player, etc. It's just a really beautiful game.

Just realized that I had the wrong link for the full review. I fixed it, so if you want to read the review, the link works properly now.

GreySeal9