10 RPG's to play before you die

NGR writes - It’s no surprise, role playing games are my favorite. They have always captivated me and sucked me into their fantastical worlds. From ancient kingdoms to futuristic wastelands, I’ve always found myself drawn to the allure of character customization and micromanagement that most role playing games allow. I’ve compiled a list of 10 games that I feel everyone should play before their time on this earth is cut short, or you just get too old to play games or something. Now this list is not the definitive 10 best role playing games ever made, that’s up for debate. I simply want to shed light on games that I feel deserve a playthrough.

[Warprincess116]

I stopped reading at Pokemon and why isn't Xenosaga on that list.

[Xulap]

So, you just said you stopped reading at Pokémon, which is number 4 in the list and you're questioning yourself why isn't a game there, when you missed 60% of the list?

Anyway, I think this is a great list and Pokémon are great games. Probably because I grew up with them.

[fredfenster]

"So, you just said you stopped reading at Pokémon, which is number 4 in the list and you're questioning yourself why isn't a game there, when you missed 60% of the list?"

lol

[RedDead]

Warprincess, Pokemon. It's actually a really good game. Go and play it again, just because pokemon is for kids doesn't make it bad. It's really good. Catching new pokemon and stuff creates something, elements aswell creates the strategy.

Catching legendary is the side quests to me. Listen, look up pokemon Prism. It's a hack fr Pokemon gold. It's WAY better than the current pokemon games I think. You can catch pokemon from all regions. It takes the *iss out of Pokemon games aswell. For exaple, your rival stabs some guys pokemon. That's how you meet him.

[truehunter]

Xenosaga wasnt realy finish thanx to Namcrap Bandie. Im more of jrpg tho the list itself isnt bad but it still missing great rpg.

[McLuvn]

good question
@Warprincess116

[Myze]

The Xenosaga games were ok, but definitely nowhere close to a top 10 (although some on this list don't deserve to be there either), especially if you compare them to Xenogears.

Overall, it's a pretty unique list. However, Arcanum, Strange Journey and Pokemon (the first one, anyway) wouldn't even be in my top 50, not even close.

Also, it's pretty strange to see FFIV on the list, and his apparent love of steampunk games, yet he leaves off FFVI (by far the best FF, along with Tactics, in my opinion), which has a good bit of steampunk in it, at least for a JRPG. Don't get me wrong though, FFIV is awesome and would come close to making my top 10 as well (would be at the bottom though).

Xenogears is my favorite game, period, so I'm glad to see it on the list.

Persona 3 and 4 are about equal in my opinion, and probably the best two RPGs released on the ps2, which is saying a lot(along with Dark Cloud 2 and Dragon Quest 8). Although If he's gonna put Persona 3, I would put Persona 3: FES. It has everything of the original, plus about 30+ hours more content (granted the stuff after the main storyline is superfluous, it doesn't take away from the main part).

Planescape is an amazing game (despite the insane amount of bugs it released with), and is definitely one of my favorite WRPGs (as is BG2, which is on the list), but I prefer JRPGs, so it probably wouldn't make my top 10.

For the most part though, a good list. The original Pokemon just didn't age well considering how repetitive the game is (great at the time and lead to some great games in the series). I guess he could mean the entire series though, which is strange, since he lists specific entries of other games from a series. Arcanum was an ok game, but ridiculous to put it in any top 10 list, especially when you have the much superior games from the same playstyle/category (BG1 and 2, Fallout 1 and 2, Icewind Dale to a lesser extent).

Just for the sake of it, my top 10:

1. Xenogears
2. Final Fantasy VI
3. Final Fantasy Tactics (ps1 or psp version, not the Advanced crap)
4. Chrono Trigger
5. Suikoden 2
6. Secret of Mana
7. Dark Cloud 2
8. Persona 3/4
9. Baulder's Gate 2
10. Final Fantasy IV

Honorable Mentions (some of many): FFVII-X, Chrono Cross, Seiken Densetsu 3, Dragon Quest 8, Grandia 1 and 2, Valkyria Chronicles (close to making the list, and may one day), Demon's Souls, Planescape: Torment, BG1, Mass Effect 1 and 2, Persona 1 and 2, SMT: Devil Summoner 1 and 2 (ps2 versions), SMT: Nocturne, Suikoden 1 and 3, Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, Terranigma, etc. (I'm sure I missed several that I will kick myself over if someone mentions them.)

If action/adventure style RPGs count, LoZ: A Link to the Past and Castlevania: SotN would both probably make it into my top 10.

[kingdavid]

Strange Journey as well was a bizarre choice. I found it boring and used old gameplay mechanics.

[jnatalzia]

It is on there...

[MajestieBeast]

Missing Chrono Trigger.

[DEagle-izer]

Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy VII

But this list is atrocious! so many important ones missing.

[Quagmire]

10 RPGS before I die? So you want me to play 10 rpgs before end of next year?

Better get started then

[Infernostew]

Not a very good list...

[Izanagi-no-Okami]

I would choose Persona 4 over 3

[Tikicobra]

Why was this primarily old/handheld RPG's? I'm not disagreeing with Pokemon, but why did you leave out games like Dragon Age, Fallout 3, or even Demon's Souls?

[Infernostew]

Not to defend this guy's list or anything but no current gen rpgs would make my top 10 list.

@below: While I do agree that they don't have to all be old/handhelds, the newest game that would be in my top 10 is Shadow Hearts Covenant which came out in 2004. I'm not denying that there are great rpgs this gen, Valkyria Chronicles and Demons Souls are 2 of my fav games this gen, but there are just too many other rpgs that top them.

[Tikicobra]

It's all about opinions. Although I, and a lot of other people, think that there are tons of great current generation RPG's. They don't all have to be fifteen years old.

[kevnb]

because baldurs gate > dragon age. Morrowind/fallout 2 > fallout 3, and demons souls isnt that impressive to folks who grew up with pc rpgs.

[Myze]

The only RPGs released this generation (not counting Persona 4, which was released during this generation on an older system) that I would consider worthy of being with previous generation RPGs are Mass Effect 1 and 2 and Valkyria Chronicles.

That's not to say the games you mentioned are good/great, but they won't stand out in 10 years. Mass Effect series will. VC may not (in the US), sadly, but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve it.

[Tikicobra]

I was going to mention Mass Effect, but that's more of a shooter than an RPG.

[HINDERIZATION]

LEGEND OF DRAGOON

[CaptainGreece]

This and VAGRANT STORY.

[HINDERIZATION]

god yes

[kevnb]

best most well rounded list Ive ever seen for a top 10 rpgs. Planescape Torment is something not nearly enough people have played.

[kanetheking]

pokemon the only game i ever use a gameboy/ds.one of my first games that made me love gameing.

[RyuCloudStrife]

i hit the link it said: welcome N4G user your comment would look better here then on N4G.. lol

[Redempteur]

arcanaum ??? REALLY swap this with chrono trigger ... NOW !!

[midgard227]

and ok list, xenosaga was amazing although listfails for not having valkyrie profile 1

[Ponurasky]

Not so bad selection of some (Fallout, Xeno, Planescape, Strange Journey) But where is Vagrant Story? Where is Persona 2 (much better than P3)? Where is FFVI (much better than FFIV)? Where is Panzer Dragoon Saga? Where is Chrono Trigger? Where is Phantasy Star 2 or 4? Where is Valkyrie Profile 1? Those game should be on the list.

Now it looks more of a "RPGs I played and liked" rather than "RPGs to play before you die"

[Capt-FuzzyPants]

FF4 four was pretty good. I understand that the story wasnt super strong but chances are if you play four you will get hooked and play more just like i did.

[Ponurasky]

I don't say FFIV is bad, it's just not as good as FFVI which is far more polished.

[Jio]

Where is Demons Souls?

[iNMyFiN4LH0uR]

heres some of mine:
-elder scrolls iv: oblivion
-final fantasy xii
-demon souls
-lost odyssey
-dragon quest viii
-final fantasy viii
-mass effect 2 (if it counts)
-star ocean 3 or 4

[HINDERIZATION]

someone's still new to gaming...

[Azianphil88]

Suikoden II

[Ponurasky]

Damn! I forgot about that game. Thanks for reminding.

[StitchJones]

All personal views. No one is going to agree 100% so why bother trying.

[Capt-FuzzyPants]

Well said. Bubbles up for you logical person.

[EXID]

people make fun of pokemon NOW but chances are if you owned ANY gameboy variant in the past 10 years, you were playing that sh!t at some point lol glad to see xenogears made the list too =P my favie rpg EVER.

[Capt-FuzzyPants]

Im shocked that there is no FF6 FF7 or Chrono Trigger. There sshould be at least one of those. They should have also put FF Tactics. I loved the gameplay in that. I havent playe Tactics Ogre but I want it.

[rayzorn]

top 10 list. i might not agree on the whole list but the only ones i do not agree with are the ones that i have not played. but the ones on that list that i have played would def be in my top 10. so i might look into some of these other games.

the games i have played

morrowind. way better then oblivion i liked dagger fall better then oblivion also. while i dont want all the new people to gaming to hate me that never played the others. oblivion was a decent game i enjoyed it. but it was to repetitive all the gates looked the same no variety at all.
if you liked oblivion give morrowing a chance it can be bought cheap and play on almost any pc.

fallout 2, i liked 1 and 2 way better then the newer ones but i still like the new ones also just in a difrent way

boulders gate 2. i loved all the boulders gates for pc and icewind dales. im glad bdg2 shadow of amn was the one picked it was my favorite of them all for me.

planescape tournament just a good story and same gameplay as bg2 so a win win in my book

alot of the rest i have been wanting to play i have heard good things on that steamworks game. and the persona series. i have played alot of final fantasy's i just never played iv

just my 2 cents

[Megaton]

No Chrono Trigger? No Final Fantasy VI? Lern2RPG.