The RPG Roadmap: JRPGs

Sorry that I am running a tad late with the next part of the feature. With GamesCom going on, I had to sweep this to the side for a few days, but I am ready to go on part 2 now.

This week we are going to be starting the actual feature with the JRPG. Most JRPGs are more traditional to the RPG formula. You travel your journey, partake in turn-based fighting, leveling up the whole way and eventually overcoming a final encounter that wraps the story up. While the first JRPGs really did not have the most interesting characters, over time this has changed drastically.


1. Final Fantasy – I would recommend starting off with the king of the JRPG realm, Final Fantasy. There are plenty of great games in this series. This series contains many well loved characters, and it is host to Final Fantasy VII, which many gamers consider the greatest RPG ever created (Personally, I think VI was the best ^_^). The games play very naturally and are perfect for anyone who wants to build an interest in RPGs. Also, with so many remakes of games in the Final Fantasy series, you can play most of the older games on your DS, PSP, or Playstation 2/3.

Final Fantasy is a great starter, since you don’t really have to strategize quite as much. You could just power level a strong attacker and dominate most things that come your way, but you can also play Final Fantasy games in such a way where you can utilize each class to its fullest and really play each class how it should be played. Final Fantasy is definitely the perfect starter.

2. Dragon Warrior – Another great franchise here as well. Dragon Warrior is a little slower to play than Final Fantasy, but the stories really hold up to the roots of the RPG. This series features battles that are truly turn-based. Unlike Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior does not include the ATB. Although the NES version have some extremely archaic features, there were remakes for the first 3 on Gameboy Color, if you can find them.

Dragon Warrior is definitely the best way to really desensitize yourself to the grind. This game requires moderate grinding in order to defeat bosses. Since the boss fights aren’t overly difficult, over leveling is not necessary. The only downside is that the games have always had very slow battle systems. This archaic battle system may be the biggest turn off to a modern gamer.

3. Eternal Sonata – This game may be a better starter for younger gamers, since it is a current-gen multi-platform title. Eternal Sonata is a game that gains slight difficulty as the player progresses through the story. The story adds refreshing elements to an RPG cliché, which makes the story an experience to be had. The fighting style uses a countdown for each character’s attacking phase, and the player combos attacks to unleash powerful enders. A very good learning game in the genre.

As you progress, you also gain new ways to make the battles more interesting. This includes the ability to counter attack and to chain combo enders.

Recommendations

Earthbound – I would have to recommend this game to any gamer. Earthbound is one of the quirkiest video games to ever come into fruition. Enemies range from stray animals to tapioca-eating robots. The game follows the Dragon Warrior system of play, and could be considered a replica in some aspects. The protagonist is known in the Nintendo community due to his appearance in Super Smash Brothers Brawl and Melee. This is one of the most enjoyable JRPG experiences that I have ever had in my entire life as an RPG gamer.

Super Mario RPG – This was another JRPG for the SNES, and the father of the Paper Mario series. This was a collaboration between Nintendo and Square. The battle system in this game was very innovative and extremely intuitive. Timing was key in causing critical strikes, comboing moves, and blocking. There are many humorous plot points that will always keep a smile on your face, but the game does not lack dramatic scenes. Who wouldn’t love to play as their favorite Mario characters and a few new additions. The game was an overall enjoyable experience and is definitely recommended to anyone who enjoys a good JRPG.