I posted this on another website...so its copy and paste-----------------------I am going to use the very earliest release date of the game to represent that year, so many times it is the Japanese release date. I am going to try to have one winner per year, but in years with multiple great RPGs, there will be honorable mentions. 1990 - Dragon Quest IV The fourth installment of the Dragon Quest series introduced chapter-based storylines with the main hero introduced in the final one, as well as many memorable moments. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of the third Dragon Quest, it is still an amazing game and one of the top RPGs. 1991 - Final Fantasy IV One of the greatest RPGs ever made, and one of the most important as well. This game captured the hearts of millions and helped put console RPGs on the map when it was released here in the US as Final Fantasy II. Introduced the Active Time Battle system which became a staple of the franchise and helped popularize cinematic storytelling. While this game shows its age, it is still highly respected and popular today, as you can see with its DS remake as well as its sequel, The After Years. 1992 - Ultima VII: The Black Gate Along with Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar, this is the best game in the series (even Richard Garriot who designed the Ultima series agrees). This game was darker than the Ultima Enlightment trilogy (IV, V, and VI), the game opened up with a grisly murder and a taunt by the evil entity known as the Guardian. Being only half of the game, Part Two: The Serpent Isle was released the following year and took a risk, it left Britannia and introduced a new virtue system. That game was also stellar. While they haven't aged well, Ultima VII still is a good experience. 1993 - Secret of Mana One of the most belovedgames of all time, it holds up today as well as being as popular as ever. It has a great story for its time, memorable characters (oh Sprite), and epic boss fights. It's soundtrack is one of the greatest of all time as well, with 'Angel's Fear' 'Oracle' and 'Spirit of the Night' being the highlights. Honorable Mention - Betrayal at Krondor One of the most important WRPGs, but also one of the most overlooked. It had a linear storyline (and a good one), but it allowed you some freedom. It is on many best PC games of all time lists. Too bad its sequel was a letdown. 1994 - Final Fantasy VI One of, if not the, best console RPG ever released. This game still amazes, it holds up just as well today as it did back in 1994. This game was revolutionary in its storytelling, no longer was it about a hero that defeats a great evil entity, but about dealing with what it meant to be human and the happiness and the sadness that comes with it. It deals with more mature themes that were not touched on before in console RPGs such as the heartbreak of losing a loved one. The villain, Kefka Palazzo, is one of the most memorable characters in gaming (as well as one of the most vile and despicable), as well as the two strong female protagonists and their friends and allies. The soundtrack may be the best ever composed with the legendary Terra's Theme, Aria Di Mezzo Carattere, and the epic final boss theme, Dancing Mad. And who can forget the Opera?????? This game is essential. Its not only the best game in the Final Fantasy series, but one of the best of all time. Honorable Mention: Earthbound This quirky JRPG has attained the status of a cult hit. Its silly world and characters, along with a strong story, make this game one of a kind. And who can forget the final boss fight, one of the craziest in gaming.1995 - Chrono Trigger Another legendary masterpiece, it is one of the most beloved games of all time. It was fresh and new and the gameplay was top notch. The characters were excellent and the theme of second chances made the story memorable. Its soundtrack is one of the best and the removal of random battles was a huge step foreward. The combo attack system and the uniqueness of the characters really set this game's gameplay system above all others in the world of console RPGs. This game amazes, like FFVI before it, in how it stands the test of time. Honorable Mention: Seiken Densetsu 3 It has a much better gameplay system than its predecessor, Secret of Mana, although the story isn't as good. But it still has the Mana charm, as well as replayability as there are 6 different beginnings and three final dungeons and bosses. The team combos you can do are endless. 1996 - Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars This was a risky project, I was skeptical in how Mario would fit into an RPG. I was wrong, as this became not only one of the best RPGs, but spawned a whole bunch of great Mario RPG games like the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series. It was also memorable for being a great Nintendo-Square colloboration, in which the relationship fell apart soon afterwards. 1997 - Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game This game was released in the same month as FFVII, and while FFVII captured the hearts of millions, Fallout quietly became the best RPG of that year, and not only that, it was one of the most revolutionary RPGs ever made. First, it took the RPG out of the doldrums of high fantasy and fit it into an apocolyptic wasteland, with a unique 1950'sworld. Second, it had excellent writing with memorbale characters. Third, it is you that tells the story. The time limit gives you a since of urgency, as your vault is dying ...
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