RPG Summer Insanity Tour '05

Discussion in 'General Gaming' started by mairsil, Jun 17, 2005.

  1. mairsil

    mairsil Officer at Arms

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    Ok, I have already started on my "research" (see thread: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5146). I shouldn't have any problems playing through all these games in the next month and a half:

    (* = completed/documented)

    NES:
    *Final Fantasy
    *Dragon Warrior
    *Dragon Warrior 2
    *Dragon Warrior 3
    *Dragon Warrior 4
    *Swords and Serpents

    SNES:
    *Final Fantasy 4
    *Final Fantasy 6
    *Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
    *Chrono Trigger
    *7th Saga
    *Lufia 2

    SMS:
    *Phantasy Star

    GEN:
    *Phantasy Star 2
    *Phantasy Star 3
    *Phantasy Star 4

    PSX:
    *Chrono Cross
    *Star Ocean 2
    *Dragon Warrior 7
    *Final Fantasy Origins
    *Final Fantasy Anthology
    *Final Fantasy 7
    *Final Fantasy 8
    *Final Fantasy 9
    *Wild Arms 2
    *Parasite Eve
    *Vagrant Story

    PS2:
    *Final Fantasy 10
    *Final Fantasy 10-2
    *Star Ocean 3
    *Xenosaga Episode I
    *Xenosaga Episode II
    *Suikoden 3
    *Suikoden 4
    *.hack
    *Wild Arms 3
    *Atelier Iris

    GC:
    *Tales of Symphonia

    XBOX:
    *Star Wars: KOTOR
    *Star Wars: KOTOR II

    Still considering:
    Nothing

    I think I may be commited before I get to them. Am I missing any glaringly obvious console RPG with turn based or pseudo-turn based play? I swear, if someone mentions Mystic Quest...
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2005
  2. Blur2040

    Blur2040 Game Genie

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    Man...I'd shoot myself.

    Play Super Mario RPG then Earthbound. Then be done playing RPGs. Play a nice shooter.
     
  3. Fabrizo

    Fabrizo Resolute Member

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    Im sort of wondering why you plan on playing Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger, then playing Final Fantasy Chronicles (FF4+Chrono Trigger compilation)?

    I also don't think Xenosaga is a very good contender for the type of study your doing, as in many ways its got an overly simplified user interface (particularly in the battle system, which when configured properly only requires two different buttons per-character to ever be used for winning fights).

    As for omissions from your list, you might want to include Panzer Dragoon Saga, Grandia (1 - 2), and Jade Empire.
     
  4. GaijinPunch

    GaijinPunch Lemon Party Organizer and Promoter

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    That's is nuts. You'll play all of those in one summer? Will you play/do anything else? Eat? Sleep?
     
  5. mairsil

    mairsil Officer at Arms

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    As few as they are, it is mainly to discuss the differences. The remakes I do not plan to go through from start to finish. In particular, I am more interested in the complete remakes (FF 1's menu system for instance) than the simple re-releases.

    The simplified user interface is one of the reasons that I am heavily considering it even as time consuming as it would be. It provides a different approach to the turn based RPG scheme, though I think that Xenosaga I/II should fit in just as well in this case. This is the main reason that I am including Star Ocean and KOTOR even though they are not your "traditional" turn based RPG's but instead have elements of them.

    Well, PDS is a PITA to find complete (all games that I am looking at have to have the manual too), plus I don't have a Saturn sitting around to play it on. Not to mention the cost is too much even if I did find it. This is why I don't plan on covering Suikoden II (though I forgot to list 3 and 4). Jade Empire is a little too much action oriented for the topic and its control is close enough to KOTOR that I feel I can omit it. I appreciate the suggestions though.

    Except for Suikoden 3, PS1/2, SO3 and all the DW's, I have played all of these games through from start to finish previously. Some of them I have done recently enough that I will only need a refresher (KOTOR, FFX/X-2). Others, I haven't played in years (PS3/4, CT). Sleeping is overrated and I could afford to lose a few pounds... :D
     
  6. mairsil

    mairsil Officer at Arms

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    I had forgotten SMRPG. I think that Earthbound is a little too obscure for the topic audience. I do intend to try to get this published in a refereed venue related to human-computer interaction such as SIGCHI or UIST (if that doesn't make sense, don't worry about it), so I have to make my choices carefully.

    Screw shooters, give me a good gun game. I feel ashamed that my Area 51/Maximum Force arcade machine is collecting dust...
     
  7. Mr. Casual

    Mr. Casual Champion of the Forum

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    That is insane. I sometimes pull "Marathon runs" in gaming as well (14-16 hours a day), but U only di that to beat RPGs and stuff I really like. I beat Super Mario RPG in 3 or 4 days, Lunar 1 in 1 or 2 days, and many more. Your list is insane in the amount of gaming, that you do. I thought I was the only one that played their games a lot!:D

    BTW, I got Snowblind a few days ago, and am almost finished with it. Best $30 I ever spent.
     
  8. A. Snow

    A. Snow Old School Member

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    While your list gives a good history of RPG games it isn't exactly well rounded. IF you were to strip many of those games to their bare essentials you really couldn't tell them apart If you want to do a good paper on the evolution of RPG's you need to add some that tried to break the mold or added something different.

    Some games or series I'd recommend

    Revelations: Persona, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
    Parasite Eve 1&2
    Front Mission Series
    Saga Frontier Series
    Vagrant Story
    Secret of Mana
    Shadowrun (Genesis version)
    Final Fantasy Tactics
    .Hack series
     
  9. madhatter256

    madhatter256 Illustrious Member

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    If you succeed you will be rewarded the "I have no life" reward. GOOD LUCK
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2005
  10. mairsil

    mairsil Officer at Arms

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    I agree that the core interfaces are very similar when you take away some of the quirks and minor differences, but that is the point that I am trying to emphasize: the interface for the typical turn-based RPG has remained similar over the years, but it has been refined to an almost standardized component. Right now, I am trying to focus on the high profile, multiple sequel games (as sacrilegious as that may be to the RPG fanatic) in an effort to minimize the scope of my planned paper. Since I cannot afford to conduct market research or conduct extensive surveys, I have to use the popularity and sales records for the games as a point of user interface "acceptance" while keeping in mind that the interface is still only a portion of the consideration given to a game buying decision.

    I do plan to at least mention a LOT of other RPG's for their unique interfaces or counter points; I just do not intend to (or will be physically able to) play them as thoroughly. I am definitely trying to avoid the RTS games (FFT, FM) and the Zelda-esque (SoM). To be honest, KOTOR and Star Ocean may have to be put aside in the end.

    I appreciate all the *constructive* comments (I do have a life dammit) as they are helping me further refine the focus and domain of the topic.

    And Parasite Eve 2 barely classifies as a game, let alone a role playing one. :p
     
  11. Mr. Casual

    Mr. Casual Champion of the Forum

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    I hear that Xenosaga isnt a game, its a movie.
     
  12. A. Snow

    A. Snow Old School Member

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    Two quick questions mairsil. Why not games like FFT and FM? Also how can you consider a like Parasite Eve series not an RPG and the KOTOR series to be one? If you really think about it they're very similar in terms of how they operate.

    Well they did manage to make a pretty decent movie out of the cut scenes as a preorder item.
     
  13. mairsil

    mairsil Officer at Arms

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    While strategy games like Tactics definitely have a traditional RPG element, it's because of the design of the battle system that I have to exclude them. I thought that Shining Force 1 and 2 were excellent games, but they just don't quite fit in with the discussion of the other games. KOTOR fits because it can be customized so that it is almost exactly a turn based battle system (complete with pausing between rounds).

    I never said that Parasite Eve 1 wasn't an RPG (I find it quite an enjoyable one that I plan to discuss due to its rare "modern day" setting); it's PE2 that I have problems with. Yes, I know it is fundamentally the same, but the control is worse than Resident Evil. Agghh, the control! The control, the pain!! Make it go away, please PLEASE make it go away!!!
     
  14. blackzc

    blackzc Spirited Member

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    I just started playing runscape. that game is awesome, its not the prettiest but its deep as can be, i put in 14 hours the other day,

    thats somthing i havent done in 5 years since a skirmish (yes 1) with a friend on command and conquer.
     
  15. A. Snow

    A. Snow Old School Member

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    Sorry, You called FFT an RTS in an earlier post so I thought you were confused since it isn't one. I 100% agree on PE2's control. A shame too since aside from that I found it too be a good game.
     
  16. karsten

    karsten Member of The Cult Of Kefka

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    you should add tales of phantasia, saga frontier 1 (and i really mean _1_) and final fantasy tactics. anyway i don't think you'll get too much fun playing that much in such a small time just finishing saga frontier with all 7 chars takes an incredible amount of time, and if you want ot get fun you sghould do all the silly things that aren't necessary. same for FFT; i've far broken 1000 hours of play so far and still i ca't tell i've finished or tried everything (or made a good shares of challenges [head for gamefaqs for more infos]). lastly ToP is just a nice and fun game. you should try it out.

    ah, i forgot, if you like strategy growlanser 3-4 are really fun and great games with multiple endings.

    if you have questions about a rpg game, ask, i've finished too much of them ;)

    ps keep dragon warrior 7 for last. it puts to shame 90% of the other rpgs...

    pps i was about to forget legend of mana! OMG... i should change my nick in rpg maniac...

    pps youHAVE TO PLAY FF5 FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAr better than FF4 and still one of the best in the whole ff series

    now i'll cut it off
     
  17. XerdoPwerko

    XerdoPwerko Galaxy Angel Fanatic Extreme - Mediocre collector.

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    Ah, come on, you're forgetting Breath of Fire IV and V (PSX and PS2) which are so absolutely great!
    I think most of the people I know already realize I'm a huge fan of BOFV - and I consider it the best 128 bit RPG. You shouldn't miss out on it.

    And tales of Eternia (Destiny 2 in the US) is also a Great RPG to play.

    Please consider them. They rock.

    I had my own literal "insanity tour" of sorts back in the summer of 2001 - in the middle of some depressive crisis (after a series of mental episodes)

    I chipped the PSX and locked myself up in my room went through FF8, FF7, Chrono Trigger, FF6, FFT, Chrono Cross, Wild Arms, Wild Arms 2, Xenogears, Threads of Fate, Lunar, and Grandia. I think it was this one that finally made me snap off whatever was wrong with stuff. Many I had beaten before, some others were new. I played more stuff - if I recall correctly. I also played many non-rpgs like Mega Man X4.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2005
  18. Mr. Casual

    Mr. Casual Champion of the Forum

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    Arc the lad collection was my "RPG insanity tour" of sorts during 2002. I beat all 3 of them and played through Arc Arena as well. Good times...

    Playing Arc through Arc the lad 1 and 2 during with maybe a pause of 15 minutes between each game, and keeping the original story intact in your memory for the most part, was some of the best times in gaming that I can remember. I highly recommend it.

    I played the translated ROM of Tales of Phantasia and it is awesome as well. I need to get more into the tales series, but I like what I have seen so far. You can tell from my sig that I like it a lot!:D

    I have millions of RPGs I should be playing that I have gotten over the years, but I havent even put Growlanser generations in the PS2 yet, and I got it at Christmas!! I have had FFX-2 for about 2 years and havent even played it, either. I will one day finish my games.
     
  19. Alien Workshop

    Alien Workshop Site Soldier

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    What? I thought the .Hack series was boring.
     
  20. Mr. Casual

    Mr. Casual Champion of the Forum

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    And Gamespot thinks its boring too.
     
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