RPG/JRPG What are you playing now?

[Sasquatch421]

Been replaying Star Ocean: The Last Hope to get my Meracle fix... Best character of the game to me. Star Ocean 2 is still the best game of the series to me though, even if I haven't got most of the endings.

[Oreo]

My fave Star Ocean character is Arumat. I hope the new Integrity and Faithlessness lives up to expectations.

[Revelation]

I haven't started playing yet, but I just grabbed it for my PS4.

It has a lot of unique things going for it and is by far my favorite of the series. Tons of optional content, unique setting, unique characters, all of it is quite fantastic.

[Mathim]

Thanks to the Wii U Virtual Console's unique feature of being able to create instantaneous save points that can be reloaded ad infinitem, I decided to download an old favorite, one I consider an absolute gem: Megaman Battle Network (#2 in the series in this case, of 6 if you don't count the fact that every number from 3 onward is offered as two distinct versions, though with only minor differences). It and every other volume was released for Gameboy Advance, although #5 was re-released on the DS where both versions are playable (though that was probably my least favorite of them due to a massive change-up in how the overall mechanics worked).

It's not quite the same platforming Megaman you're used to, he's merely a Tron-like internet persona among a host of other standard or unique 'Net Navi' (navigator) avatars for people of all ages in a technologically-advanced world. Evil Navis and other threats, mainly computer viruses personified in different ways, are the main adversaries and, like Pokemon, simply defeating someone's Navi will cow their full-grown adult operator into surrendering to Megaman's operator, an elementary school student. Exploration makes it feel like a true RPG in a 3D world reminiscent of a variable Game Grid, again, like something out of Tron, and battling is amazingly challenging even if the underlying principles are very easy to pick up on. I can't recommend this game enough, it's much better than the first (though I did like how in the first game, your HP was automatically restored after each battle even if that reduced the level of challenge), and better than the third game, though I did like the 3rd better than the first. I never played versions 4 or 6 but I suspect they'd be roughly equal to my enjoyment of part 3 as long as they did not share the divergence in how things worked in part 5.

The main reason the instantaneous save points appealed to me are somewhat like the reasons they appeal for playing older Zelda titles; if you're not sure if going down a certain path will simply force you to retrace your steps because you went out the 'quick exit' by mistake, this can help you avoid having to trek all the way back up. Also in a difficult fight or boss fight, you can ensure your health doesn't run out by giving yourself a second chance to dodge an attack or tackle the boss with the benefit of now having a better idea of their tactics and capabilities. But mainly, every time you find a randomly-generated treasure gem, you can reset instantly to have another chance of getting the absolute best possibly prize which, when money is as hard to come by early on as it is, really, REALLY helps. Anyway, if you can get the Wii U downloadable version, I'd highly recommend that over the original. At first I was worried because the game pad is bulkier than a Gameboy Advance (and especially more than a Gameboy Advance SP), but the controls are remarkably easy to adjust to since, apart from start, select, top L and top R, there are only A and B to be used.)

There's a lot to do and collect if you want to get your money's worth (for $7.99 on the virtual console, it's well worth it and then some); there's a ton of stuff to do in a New Game+ and collecting all possible codes for all battle chips is challenging but possible, as is scoring the highest rank in battle against the most challenging foes, as well as creating the most unbeatable battle folder full of your best and strongest chips. I wish they'd remake the series in this style instead of the Megaman Star Force style they've gone with for the DS generation (not that that series doesn't have its charm). I think giving the Battle Network approach a 3DS makeover would be amazing.

[Csharynn]

A couple of weeks ago I finished Infinite Undiscovery which I wasn't able to do when I first got it but seeing how terrible it was I didn't miss much. I tried Lost Odyssey, its a good game just the leveling up is a bit tiresome. Currently I am waiting for Star Ocean integrity and faithlessness as well as Final Fantasy XV.

[Oreo]

Same here, Kono, but I did like the character interplay with Infinite Undiscovery. I still have to go after the last chain.

Waiting on pins and needles for Star Ocean.

[Revelation]

Same here, Kono, but I did like the character interplay with Infinite Undiscovery. I still have to go after the last chain.

Waiting on pins and needles for Star Ocean.

A friend of mine imported it and.... His review was not exactly glamorous, which has made me put off on getting it. He and I are of almost alike minds when it comes to JRPG's.

However the Odin sphere remake is coming out and the demo is already out. I'm super excited for that since the demo is fun and the reviews i've read are nothing short of illustrious for it.

[Formless]

I haven't started playing yet, but I just grabbed it for my PS4.

You're in for a delightful experience.

2 advices though.

- Talk with everyone to find 'hints' about various locations. Even mandatory scenes are not enough to trigger the next location on the world map.

- Some of the seemingly hardest battles can be the easiest if you weigh your options.

Good luck.

[Twisted Crow]

Trying to get back into Shadowrun: Returns. I've been craving something turn-based. Something that rewards strategy over random luck. And something story-rich.

So I'm teetering back and forth between the various Shadowrun titles from Harebrained Schemes. 

Rock and roll, chummers!~ 

Edit: While more of an action RPG, I am really missing an old game called King's Field. I wouldn't be surprised if people haven't heard of this game, it was basically "Dark Souls before Dark Souls" if that makes any sense to people.

[Csharynn]

Same here, Kono, but I did like the character interplay with Infinite Undiscovery. I still have to go after the last chain.

Waiting on pins and needles for Star Ocean.

Good luck! I felt like there were things missing, so many, they could have done better.
Oh yeah. I can't wait. I have old school games to keep me company for the time being.

[The Dark Raven]

Currently playing Payday 2.

[Sasquatch421]

My fave Star Ocean character is Arumat. I hope the new Integrity and Faithlessness lives up to expectations.

I like him for game play reasons... He's a good replacement for Edge.(My god those names! Edge Maverick, Fayt Leingod, Maxwell Cougar, Rex Power Colt! Where does it end?)

I mean Arumat has slower basic attacks, but toss in MP Boost and Critical Hit into his Battle Skills before maxing both out and watch the damage fly! Pair him up with Meracle and outside the healer the other mage has nothing to do! Now get into the storyline and then I'm a little less keen on Arumat. (Still better then the emo kid though...) My party usually consists of Arumat and Meracle in front with Sarah healing and then I'll rotate the last spot trying to keep the levels even. After I finish The Last Hope, I should probably dig out the PSP to mess with Star Ocean: The First Departure...

As for Integrity and Faithlessness? I'll still get it since I'm a huge Star Ocean fan, but it'll likely be a PS3 copy later on (If they keep it for the PS3 anyways.) The reviews I've seen for those that imported the Japanese version are kind of mixed. Oh yeah and the only way Rex Power Colt gets the save with the names, simply because he's voiced by Michael Biehn.

[Drake Valentine]

Valkyrie Chronicles Remastered for PS4

A lot seems different with this game, maybe it is because I haven't played it in long time.

For starters the story, lots of what has been going on had me confused, but maybe cause they animated it more? Hard to say here. I sure as hell don't remember Welkin being a playable character for combat other than tank, at least in starting missions.
Combat. Okay, this I do believe is different. Remember how AI would fire at you when you moved? They still do, but I don't have the foggiest of the same being true if it was their turn and moving and you stood still or crouched or whatever. If it was redone in that manner, than yes, now your guys will idly shoot at enemy if they are in your allies line of sight till the enemy goes into combat phase and you return said fire.

Not sure what else is new, it is still  technically DLing so could only play up to chapter 2 or 3 so far till it finishes.

[AtlannnianSpy]

I've been playing Fire Emblem Fates, kinda getting my butt kicked to be honest.

I went conquest first, which is supposed to be the harder of the two routes, basically cause I played and beat seven and eight on the GBA years back and figured I could handle it. I may have over estimated my capability, I ended up lowering the difficulty and ended up breaking down and buying the DLC that lets you grind for EXP which has made it a lot easier.

I probably wouldn't have bought it if the game didn't share Awakening's child mechanic, it makes it hard to only focus on the units you want to actually use when you have to get supports up to S for a bunch of people to unlock a bunch of really strong characters.

I don't think the writing is as good as Awakening's either, especially the support conversations.

[Mathim]

Started playing Megaman Star Force again, starting with the first in the trilogy. Lot easier than I remember, I guess I'm just more experienced now.

[Oreo]

Having a hard time with games the past few weeks, so I am replaying Tales of Xillia 2 until Star Ocean arrives.

[Twisted Crow]

I feel like I'm in the minority of the world with RPGs these days, but I really miss turn-based gameplay. Granted, there are still games that provide it... but I have trouble finding some that tickle my fancy.

It feels like Final Fantasy VII, Shadowrun, Divinity: Original Sin and Wasteland are my options today. The wallet is empty, but I am looking around for others that I haven't tried. Maybe when I get money, I can expand my turn-based action list.

[Oniya]

I feel like I'm in the minority of the world with RPGs these days, but I really miss turn-based gameplay. Granted, there are still games that provide it... but I have trouble finding some that tickle my fancy.

It feels like Final Fantasy VII, Shadowrun, Divinity: Original Sin and Wasteland are my options today. The wallet is empty, but I am looking around for others that I haven't tried. Maybe when I get money, I can expand my turn-based action list.

Some of the free gaming sites like Armor and Kongregate have turn-based games.

[Twisted Crow]

Really? I should check that out, then. Thanks! 

[Oreo]

I feel like I'm in the minority of the world with RPGs these days, but I really miss turn-based gameplay. Granted, there are still games that provide it... but I have trouble finding some that tickle my fancy.

It feels like Final Fantasy VII, Shadowrun, Divinity: Original Sin and Wasteland are my options today. The wallet is empty, but I am looking around for others that I haven't tried. Maybe when I get money, I can expand my turn-based action list.

I don't know if any of the games listed in SAS Exchange are turn based, but they are free.

[AmandaKD]

I play Dragon Age Inquisition once in a while but I feel like it's time consuming. Lstele I really don't like the loading times but the story is interesting.

[Trigon]

Does Pokemon count? 

[Oreo]

Yes.

[Drake Valentine]

Grand Kingdom.

Bit different than some of Nis RPGs, but least this one that branch off compared to many other random NIS ones that weren't of Disgaea(sp) series didn't suck.

Grand Kingdom and Soul Nomad are the only two other NIS games I can think of, and I played a few of their off the wall ones, that wasn't horrible.

Grand Kingdom has you make a party of four(or three if you make a Dragon Mage.) It is a turn base strategy RPG. You make your PARTY. In the beginning it is tutorial with you playing as a party, but so far there hasn't been any other characters, the only characters are those you make and lead into battles. There is extent of character customization options. Each class has obvious weaknesses and strengths. Though Dragon Mages are a bit OP in MHO, despite them requiring to be two unit slots instead of one.

It does have a campaign story mode. It has free roam to level up. Campaign story has set levels, where other missions scale to your character level in whatever party you are using. Think you can have up to six or so parties, but you can only take one on a map(unless you are doing War mode where things get more complicated.)

Online mode is live time, there are four competing nations, Fiel(who I aligned with, a neutral nation,) Magnion a war loving nation. Landreath a nation of knights and there was one other whose name is eluding me, nation of mages. Basically all are competing against one another where you can sign contracts to serve one of them. Of course in war modes, most units are NPC generated of player teams competing, though there is point system acting too and I believe all actions are being tallied at a certain amount of minutes cause there are pauses and changes in the battle involving participants. There are still reward bonuses for participation and money/income which I have lot of already. Earning money in game is no problem if you compete in wars.  Of course, also in war mode you can switch out your squads, though not sure how level scaling works. I fought level 6 and under teams with my 20+, I also face teams five or so levels higher than mine. Though still having multiple squads in war mode is recommend since when you switch them out the ones not active are regaining their HP and morale back.

So far one of only things I can't figure out is how to rank up faster. Right now my squad rank is C, read you can go into gather quests and leave and reenter, but I dunno, that hasn't done much for me. ;/ Don't think those really count. Higher rank means you can hire units that may have higher scaling for stats in turns of leveling up.

[Loina]

286th playthrough of Mass Effect 1-3

It's my favourite game series of all times, yes the options are illusions (the only way to fail is in ME2 having all your squad-mates die which leads to you dieing and in ME3 2 of the options can be argued to be a loss) but it has character I haven't seen in games for a long time, the Asari are long living sensual badasses, the humans are the bullies of the galaxy though the Turians give them a run for their money for that title. The Quarians are nomads, forced off their planet by their own creation and their own mistakes in how they treated the discovery of synthetic life, the Salarians? They used to eat flies.


Oh and the Normandy is 110% ship porn and I love it. #me2hasbestnormandy