Which PSX JRPG should I play?

I've gotten into playing PSX games recently. For some reason this console has slipped off my radar all my life, and it's a real shame, as I just found out about it's incredible jrpg library. I'm playing through metal gear solid right now. But I'm looking for a jrpg to play after.

I'm looking for something mature with a good plot and gameplay.

I went on a lot of forrums and read about it but im tied between a few of them.

FF IX
Suikoden II
Grandia
Xenogears
Legend of Dragoon (a lot of people seem to praise it, although the ratings are not too high...)
Chrono Cross
Vagrant Story

From the PSX library i think all i played was FF VII and chrono trigger. (on ps3, and DS)

I know many will tell me all those titles are must play. But I have to start somewhere. Which one should I choose first?

Thanks

If you're looking for mature, then it probably gets no better than Xenogears. This is my personal favorite rpg for the PSX, but I'll admit it isn't for everyone. Story-wise, it is great, though disc 2 you can tell that the game designers had to rush the game a little. Still If you like complex stories that make you think, I would definitely pick that game up.

If you're looking for mature, then it probably gets no better than Xenogears. This is my personal favorite rpg for the PSX, but I'll admit it isn't for everyone. Story-wise, it is great, though disc 2 you can tell that the game designers had to rush the game a little. Still If you like complex stories that make you think, I would definitely pick that game up.

The_Last_Paladi

If you planned to play an FF game after Metal Gears I suggest FF 8 (for it's love story) cause the 9 is really, and by far, one of the worst FF ever! But you could added it after the 8 and you should realy check into Final Fantasy Tactics for it's great Story and by the same producer Vagrant Story is really good also

My top games is...

1: Xenogears

2: Final Fantasy 9

3: Suikoden V

Suikoden 1 and 2 are way good. I'd play 1 first, as it's much cheaper than 2, and also because you might be lost as to who some of the people are in 2. They're both pretty easy as far as gameplay goes which is actually kind of nice, considering you get 108 characters. Suikoden is all about its' story. Suikoden 2 is pretty expensive but I think it's worth every penny.

Xenogears may very well be my favorite game ever made. It's got everything. I've seen someone describe it as the best book they've ever read, the best movie they've ever seen, and the best game they've ever played.

A couple other favorites:

Wild Arms 1 & 2 - Solid games.
Vagrant Story - Kind of difficult actually. If you liked Final Fantasy 12, you can kinda see where they refined some of the ideas from this game.
Saga Frontier - This one might be hit or miss. I like it though.

I hear a lot of good things about Chrono Cross but unfortunately I haven't played that one. I'm gonna get it though.

I've gotten into playing PSX games recently. For some reason this console has slipped off my radar all my life, and it's a real shame, as I just found out about it's incredible jrpg library. I'm playing through metal gear solid right now. But I'm looking for a jrpg to play after.

I'm looking for something mature with a good plot and gameplay.

I went on a lot of forrums and read about it but im tied between a few of them.

FF IX
Suikoden II
Grandia
Xenogears
Legend of Dragoon (a lot of people seem to praise it, although the ratings are not too high...)
Chrono Cross
Vagrant Story

From the PSX library i think all i played was FF VII and chrono trigger. (on ps3, and DS)

I know many will tell me all those titles are must play. But I have to start somewhere. Which one should I choose first?

Thanks

Keaze_

If you are downloading the PS1 classic there are some pretty good ones for cheap,

FF7, FF9, Arc the Lad 2 and 3, Breath of Fire 4, the FF5, FF6 and Chrono Trigger rereleases, if you like tactics games imo Front Mission 3 is probably one of the best ever and definitly the best on PSX, Legend of Dragoon, Legend of Mana, Parasite Eve, Suikoden, Wild Arms 1 and 2, Xenogears

Personally I would stay away from Chrono Cross and FF8, I remember playing them back when they came out and they were good but recently I downloaded both and couldn't even get through them

If you are getting discs or roms somewhere there is a ton of other good ones too, Suikoden 2, Saga Frontier 1 and 2, Vandal Hearts, Lunar, Breath of Fire 3 and 5, and definitly a hundred more I forget,

In my mind the PSX was the best era for RPG's followed by SNES

Suikoden II first, then FF IX, Legend of the Dragoon, Chrono Cross

I'm looking for something mature with a good plot and gameplay.

Keaze_

Persona 2 is what you want then,though it will have to be Eternal Punishment since the PSX version of Innocent Sin(the best part of the P2 duology) never got a western release,there´s a revised version available since last year for the PSP,but toned down from the original,sadly.

Innocent sin has a pretty good fan translation though,so if you´re interested look for that,that´s what most people do to play IS in english.

Following everyone's replies, I played Xenogears through and through. I finished it last week. Wow. I have to say I enjoyed the second disc just as much as the first one. It was an appreciated change of pace. All in all, great game. Thank you for all the suggestions. I'm not sure which one to play next though. Right now I'm playing Farcry 3 and have Dishonored on the backburner. After that, I'll check back this forum and take a pick. I'm leaning towards FF9, or maybe Chrono Cross. Not sure yet. Thanks again for the suggestions! Don't hesitate to pitch in some more, this thread is very helpful!

I've gotten into playing PSX games recently. For some reason this console has slipped off my radar all my life, and it's a real shame, as I just found out about it's incredible jrpg library. I'm playing through metal gear solid right now. But I'm looking for a jrpg to play after.

I'm looking for something mature with a good plot and gameplay.

I went on a lot of forrums and read about it but im tied between a few of them.

FF IX
Suikoden II
Grandia
Xenogears
Legend of Dragoon (a lot of people seem to praise it, although the ratings are not too high...)
Chrono Cross
Vagrant Story

From the PSX library i think all i played was FF VII and chrono trigger. (on ps3, and DS)

I know many will tell me all those titles are must play. But I have to start somewhere. Which one should I choose first?

Thanks

Keaze_

Dude, play Vagrant Story. You won´t regret it. Like someone said is very short, but the "short" it´s just consequence of how hard the game is. 

If you want something more mature, then I would recommend:

• Alundra
• Chrono Cross
• Final Fantasy VIII
• Final Fantasy Tactics
• Vagrant Story
• Parasite Eve
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2
• Suikoden II
• Tactics Ogre
• Xenogears