Gamasutra's 20 essential JRPGs

**Crazyswordsman** · 03-21-2008, 01:40 PM

Gamasutra - A Japanese RPG Primer: The Essential 20

Here's what they listed
1. Valkyrie Profile
2. Final Fantasies IV, VI, and VII (grouped together because, according to them, they're the least radical ones)
3. Xenogears
4. Chrono Trigger
5. Shadow Hearts: Covenant
6. Persona 3
7. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
8. Final Fantasy VIII
9. Earthbound
10. Grandia
11. Final Fantasy XII
12. Dragon Quest V
13. Panzer Dragoon Saga
14. Final Fantasy X
15. Skies of Arcadia
16. Chrono Cross
17. Phantasy Star: The End of the Millenium
18. Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
19. Suidoken II
20. Final Fantasy V

-CSM

***ZeldaGirl*** · 03-21-2008, 02:15 PM

They say in the article that FF7 defined the Japanese RPG... and then say it's one of the least radical ones. At least be consistent.

***Ace Mercury*** · 03-21-2008, 03:50 PM

Um... aren't the ones that make the definition the least radical ones? =\

Anyways, I love reading articles like this; I eat stuff like this up. For example, I read a review on Earthbound and it really made me feel like playing it again.

**Booyakasha** · 03-22-2008, 03:53 PM

So how is 'Panzer Dragoon Saga' an RPG again? Because it clearly isn't one at all.

Auron · 03-23-2008, 06:57 PM

And I thought Dragon Quarter was the worst BoF game in the series.

**Crazyswordsman** · 03-23-2008, 08:07 PM

^I did, too. Not only did it have NO plot whatsoever (other than get to the surface), the battle system SUCKED. I think it might be the second or third worst game of all time. -CSM

Chunky Kong12345 · 03-23-2008, 08:20 PM

Chrono Cross? Jay's gonna have a fit.

Also, where the hell is SMRPG?

Auron · 03-23-2008, 09:32 PM

Star Ocean and the Tales of series are also missing. This list is actually very disappointing.

**Wyborn** · 03-23-2008, 11:16 PM

Where the Ogre Battle at

***Ace Mercury*** · 03-23-2008, 11:43 PM

That's more like an turn-based strategy, though =/

**Wyborn** · 03-24-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace Mercury

That's more like an turn-based strategy, though =/

Ogre Battle or Tactics Ogre?

Both of them are RPGs! Both are Japanese! Both are better than most of the games on this list!

Shenanigans! SHENANIGANS!

celebi134 · 03-24-2008, 07:17 AM

Well... at least FF5 got on the list. And Earthbound. Hmm.

**BEARD BURGER MASTER** · 03-24-2008, 08:28 AM

How the hell did none of the Tales of games make it? The PS2 version of Tales of Destiny and Tales of Destiny 2 were considered a huge success in Japan. Also, shouldn't Kingdom Hearts be up there considering how much crap was added in the FINAL PLUS TO THE MAX MIX! versions?

Yeah, and considering there isn't a Dragon Quest game on there until 12, I say this list is full of horse, bull, and mule ****.

Erdawn Il Deus · 03-25-2008, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyborn

Ogre Battle or Tactics Ogre?

Both of them are RPGs! Both are Japanese! Both are better than most of the games on this list!

Shenanigans! SHENANIGANS!

I'm sorry I was too busy playing Final Fantasy Tactics.

Also, here's an excellent review/essay on Earthbound: Editorial #8

Galefore · 03-26-2008, 10:23 PM

Where the hell is FFIX and Radiata Stories? I mean, they may not be the games every human has played, but they're damn good!

Also, why in the hell isn't either Dark Cloud game, a Tales Of game, or a Star Ocean game on there? This list is putrid and wrong, and I refuse to humor it.

**Crazyswordsman** · 03-26-2008, 10:58 PM

I'd like to see SO1 on there. Because I want to play SO1. -CSM

03-21-2008, 01:40 PM	#1
Crazyswordsman RPG Mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 8,584 Thanks: 633 Thanked 471 Times in 311 Posts Points: 167,240.15 Bank: 77,775.54 Total Points: 245,015.69 Donate	Gamasutra's 20 essential JRPGs Gamasutra - A Japanese RPG Primer: The Essential 20 Here's what they listed 1. Valkyrie Profile 2. Final Fantasies IV, VI, and VII (grouped together because, according to them, they're the least radical ones) 3. Xenogears 4. Chrono Trigger 5. Shadow Hearts: Covenant 6. Persona 3 7. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne 8. Final Fantasy VIII 9. Earthbound 10. Grandia 11. Final Fantasy XII 12. Dragon Quest V 13. Panzer Dragoon Saga 14. Final Fantasy X 15. Skies of Arcadia 16. Chrono Cross 17. Phantasy Star: The End of the Millenium 18. Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter 19. Suidoken II 20. Final Fantasy V -CSM

03-22-2008, 03:53 PM	#4
Booyakasha Mod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 7,132 Thanks: 92 Thanked 524 Times in 288 Posts Points: 17,071.98 Bank: 55,546.50 Total Points: 72,618.48 Donate	So how is 'Panzer Dragoon Saga' an RPG again? Because it clearly isn't one at all. __________________ Boo--beware, he lives

03-21-2008, 02:15 PM	#2
*ZeldaGirl* Venting SuperMod Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Why do YOU want to know...? Gender: Posts: 12,595 Thanks: 573 Thanked 962 Times in 648 Posts Points: 39,841.95 Bank: 927,566.32 Total Points: 967,408.27 Donate	They say in the article that FF7 defined the Japanese RPG... and then say it's one of the least radical ones. At least be consistent.

03-21-2008, 03:50 PM	#3
*Ace Mercury* Marshmallow Knight ☆ Supermod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Southern Ontario Gender: Posts: 19,173 Thanks: 379 Thanked 1,657 Times in 837 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Points: 115,281.71 Bank: 31,567,564.03 Total Points: 31,682,845.74 Donate	Um... aren't the ones that make the definition the least radical ones? =\ Anyways, I love reading articles like this; I eat stuff like this up. For example, I read a review on Earthbound and it really made me feel like playing it again.

03-23-2008, 06:57 PM	#5
Auron Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I don't know. Where do I live? Gender: Posts: 5,834 Thanks: 6 Thanked 204 Times in 131 Posts Points: 4,913.66 Bank: 526,045.47 Total Points: 530,959.13 Donate	And I thought Dragon Quarter was the worst BoF game in the series.

03-23-2008, 08:07 PM	#6
Crazyswordsman RPG Mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 8,584 Thanks: 633 Thanked 471 Times in 311 Posts Points: 167,240.15 Bank: 77,775.54 Total Points: 245,015.69 Donate	^I did, too. Not only did it have NO plot whatsoever (other than get to the surface), the battle system SUCKED. I think it might be the second or third worst game of all time. -CSM

03-23-2008, 08:20 PM	#7
Chunky Kong12345 HIKARI NI NARA!!! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: ogmftwbqq Gender: Posts: 17,429 Thanks: 79 Thanked 364 Times in 264 Posts Points: 462.42 Bank: 278,943.04 Total Points: 279,405.46 Donate	Chrono Cross? Jay's gonna have a fit. Also, where the hell is SMRPG?

03-23-2008, 09:32 PM	#8
Auron Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I don't know. Where do I live? Gender: Posts: 5,834 Thanks: 6 Thanked 204 Times in 131 Posts Points: 4,913.66 Bank: 526,045.47 Total Points: 530,959.13 Donate	Star Ocean and the Tales of series are also missing. This list is actually very disappointing.

03-23-2008, 11:16 PM	#9
Wyborn Zelda Mod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: All over the place Gender: Posts: 12,333 Thanks: 86 Thanked 456 Times in 274 Posts Points: 21,306.80 Bank: 88,927.77 Total Points: 110,234.57 Donate	Where the Ogre Battle at

03-23-2008, 11:43 PM	#10
*Ace Mercury* Marshmallow Knight ☆ Supermod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Southern Ontario Gender: Posts: 19,173 Thanks: 379 Thanked 1,657 Times in 837 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Points: 115,281.71 Bank: 31,567,564.03 Total Points: 31,682,845.74 Donate	That's more like an turn-based strategy, though =/

03-24-2008, 07:17 AM	#12
celebi134 Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tygex World, An Alternate Reality Gender: Posts: 1,829 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 3,698.00 Bank: 520.20 Total Points: 4,218.20 Donate	Well... at least FF5 got on the list. And Earthbound. Hmm.

03-24-2008, 08:28 AM	#13
BEARD BURGER MASTER ZAT'S RIGHT! I'M IN ZEE HOUSE! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Farmerland. Gender: Posts: 7,622 Thanks: 105 Thanked 402 Times in 222 Posts Points: 2,453.29 Bank: 43,417.49 Total Points: 45,870.78 Donate	How the hell did none of the Tales of games make it? The PS2 version of Tales of Destiny and Tales of Destiny 2 were considered a huge success in Japan. Also, shouldn't Kingdom Hearts be up there considering how much crap was added in the FINAL PLUS TO THE MAX MIX! versions? Yeah, and considering there isn't a Dragon Quest game on there until 12, I say this list is full of horse, bull, and mule ****.

03-26-2008, 10:23 PM	#15
Galefore Gunjinkeeper Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ha ha ha ha ha... Gender: Posts: 6,091 Thanks: 757 Thanked 453 Times in 328 Posts Blog Entries: 3 Points: 1,008.26 Bank: 30,891.85 Total Points: 31,900.11 Donate	Where the hell is FFIX and Radiata Stories? I mean, they may not be the games every human has played, but they're damn good! Also, why in the hell isn't either Dark Cloud game, a Tales Of game, or a Star Ocean game on there? This list is putrid and wrong, and I refuse to humor it.

03-26-2008, 10:58 PM	#16
Crazyswordsman RPG Mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 8,584 Thanks: 633 Thanked 471 Times in 311 Posts Points: 167,240.15 Bank: 77,775.54 Total Points: 245,015.69 Donate	I'd like to see SO1 on there. Because I want to play SO1. -CSM