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A Quest to Play and Rate Huge Numbers of Console and PC RPG’s
by Ronald Wartow
Introduction
Surely, every RPG’er dreams of turning over their life to playing or replaying a huge number of current and classic console and PC RPG‘s. I lived that dream, and spent large gobs of time playing exactly 52 RPG’s on 11 platforms, my version of RPG Paradise, from November 12, 2002 to today, February 11, 2003.
What splendid RPG’s I played or replayed! Some completely through again, others for several hours, while a few ended up deserving less than an hour of my time:
Dreamcast (DC): 2 games, Evolution I and II
Gameboy Advance(GBA): 3 games, Golden Sun and Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
Gamecube (GC): 4 games, including Skies of Arcadia
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): 1 game, Final Fantasy
Personal Computer (PC): 10 games, including Neverwinter Nights, Divine Divinity, Icewindale II
Playstation (PSX): 15 games, Dragon Warrior VII, Arc the Lad Collection , Final Fantasy VII
Playstation 2 (PS2): 9 games, including Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy X, Wild Arms 3, Suikoden III
Sega Genesis (SG): 2 games, Phantasy Star II, Shining in the Darkness
Sega Master System (SMS): 1 game, Phantasy Star
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES): 3 games, including Chrono Trigger
Xbox (Xbox): 2 games, including Morrowind
The Mechanics of Living the Dream
How was this possible? Am I a millionaire? Do I have a job? The answers to the three questions, respectively, are No Problemo, Definitely No, and No (Retired). As for the substantial cost involved, using eBay and local retail outlets like EB Games and GameStop, I was able to buy and sell every system and every game, some new, most used. Despite the heavy upfront cash outlay, in the end, the entire quest cost less than $300, my net loss from all the auctions and sales.
Total Cost for 11 Game Platforms: $1600
Total Cost for 52 Games: $1300
Total Cost for Accessories (Memory Cards, Gameboy Backlight, e.g.): $200
Not bad for the chance to play over 4 dozen games on 11 systems. I know, there’s no Nintendo 64 or Sega Saturn section. The N64 simply had no traditional RPG‘s to play. Those games dubbed RPG‘s, like the Zeldas, are, in my view, action adventures. I passed on the Sega Saturn. Though the system was available for less than $40, its stellar RPG‘s, available only through auction, were knocking down (a cool auction term), in some cases, for over $100. Paying such premium prices would have sullied the mission.
After this incredible flurry of consumer mayhem, what remains in my possession is not a single game, but two platforms, the PS2 and PC. After all, my odyssey ended none too soon, for, over the next 2 weeks, four highly-anticipated RPG’s for the PS2 will be released. (.hack: Infection, Dark Cloud 2, Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter (V), and Xenosaga: Episode I). And, everyone needs a PC.
Realizing the Dream
Some RPG’s were seminal play or replay experiences. Others were downright awful, the games abandoned after as little as an hour. Many fell below greatness, but provided very satisfying and rewarding gameplay over many hours. Still, with all these nifty new and classic consoles at my disposal, I decided to play a few highly-touted non-RPG’s, with slight RPG elements, like the Xbox’s Halo and Grand Theft Auto III for the PS2.
You will find extremely concise blurbs on every RPG and the few non-RPG’s played, some just a line or two. I will rank the games, as well. You may be surprised at my low rankings of some of the so-called blockbuster, bestseller RPG’s. The games with no numerical ranking are labeled “Boycott”, and deserve your own personal embargo, in my opinion. And, really, that’s what this article is all about, my opinion. If you do not agree with me, I salute your position and will defend to the death your right to assert it. Each listing indicates whether the game is exclusive to that system, or on what other systems the game is available.
My Background and Possible Unconscious Biases
I have had a long career of playing, designing, testing, and writing about computer and console videogames since 1979. I was the first Contributing Editor of Questbusters, the Adventurer's Journal in the mid-80‘s, and my gaming exploits have been chronicled in Personal Computing, MacWorld, and Dragon. I am the author or coauthor of over a dozen published strategy guides for Sybex, Brady, and Prima, including The Official Xenogears Strategy Guide, two Final Fantasy VII and one Final Fantasy Tactics guides, and The Official Daggerfall Strategy Guide. Currently, I have no contract or affiliation with any game company or book publisher.
Personal Computer
Before there were consoles, there were computers, from the Atari 400, and one of the greatest games ever, Star Raiders, to the Apple II, and eventually to the PC. RPG’s flourished on computers from the start.
1. Freedom Force Rating 4 Exclusive
Though RPG’s are my passion, many lack originality. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and many RPG’s execute the genre so well, you don’t notice the innovation void. This game puts you in the role of many diverse super heroes (unlicensed). Mission based, you need some action skills to succeed in jumping tall buildings, though not like Superman in a single bound, and lifting large objects to hurl at your opponents. Very clever and campy, but the camera can be unsteady at times.
2. Baldur’s Gate I Rating 4.5 Exclusive
3. Baldur's Gate II Rating 4.5 Exclusive
My brief revisit with these games simply reinforced my prior conclusion that the Baldur’s Gate series is the premier RPG PC experience of recent years. With a tip of the hat to the Ultima, Wizardry, and Might and Magic series from earlier years, Baldur’s Gate has it all - lengthy gameplay, terrific stories, all the D&D complicated rules, real-time or turn-based combat, character attachment, and especially great endings. Each game has a very playable sequel, but the main games are the attraction for me.
4. Icewindale I Rating 4.0 Exclusive
5. Icewindale II Rating 4.0 Exclusive
Ranked slightly below Baldur’s Gate, even though it uses the same game engine. I found the back stories a bit strange, and, for some reason, had trouble identifying with my characters. But, that shouldn’t discourage anyone from checking these out. The first game is priced at deep discount now as further incentive. I would pass on the short Heart of Winter expansion to I.
6. Arx Fatalis Rating 3.5 Exclusive
Remember Ultima Underground, the first 3D dungeon crawl from way back when? The developers admittedly used that great game as a benchmark for Arx Fatalis, which means “Dead Ark“. (Actually, I have no clue what it means, and tried my childish best to be humorous.) If only this game’s story matched its “parent”. Too many camera angle problems to hold my attention.
7. Morrowind Rating 4.5 Also Available: Xbox (See Blurb Below)
8. Dungeon Siege Rating 3.5 Exclusive
An action RPG that became very popular. Unfortunately, I draw pleasure from some semblance of a plot. Here, there was little excuse for all the monster bashing, though the game had gorgeous and varied visual environments.
9. Neverwinter Nights Rating 4.0 Exclusive
A boffo game package. You can play the 40-hour single player campaign, a groundbreaking Dungeon Master Client, a toolset for making entirely new games, and online play. Though the single player campaign has taken justifiable heat for not being very inspired, the only reason the game did not rate a perfect 5, almost 2000 users have created entirely new games for others to play, including some very professional efforts. I’m anticipating the, not one but two, expansions within the next year.
10. Divine Divinity Rating 4.0 Exclusive
Paraphrasing a Chubby Checker hit, Divine Divinity should be subtitled “Questing the Night Away”. Side quests aplenty. Forget about the main quest for awhile. Just have fun satisfying the land’s denizens, all of whom seem to need something from an adventuring soul like yourself. My partial replay of this was extremely agreeable.
Playstation 2
The PS2 follows in the impressive RPG footsteps of the venerable Playstation. This system features a robust lineup of RPG’s, many worth playing.
11. Kingdom Hearts Rating 4.5 Exclusive
Take Final Fantasy concepts, mix in some Disney stuff, stir with characters from both, and you get the action-packed RPG, Kingdom Hearts. Despite some valid criticism about camera angles, and nothing much to do with the Final Fantasy characters, this is one of the few games I played through again. How could an action RPG with you as the hero accompanied the Goofy, a valiant warrior, and Donald Duck, a Merlin-type magician, trying to find a missing King Mickey Mouse, be bad?
One of my single greatest gaming moments occurs in this game. While it is no secret that Final Fantasy VII’s Cloud makes an appearance, when he does so, it is such an impressive and surprising shock, that my jaw dropped. A decisive gameplay moment for me.
12. Suikoden 3 Rating 4.0 Exclusive
Similar to the much-maligned Pokemon, one of the entertaining features of this game and its predecessors is the task of finding and recruiting all 108 possible characters, called the Stars of Destiny. What also makes this game stand out is that you play the game from three different character viewpoints and storylines, all crashing leads to a terrific conclusion.
13. Final Fantasy X Rating 3.0 Exclusive
This average rating pained me deeply. I had played every numbered Final Fantasy previously released, plus Tactics, Mystic Quest, even the Gameboy Final Fantasy’s. This game was a landmark in graphics. The opening sequences are stunning, as are other game sequences, at least the few hours I played before giving up.
Great graphics alone do not make for a terrific game, just as mediocre graphics do not make for a lousy game. Despite its graphical superiority, and enhanced gameplay features, I tired of this game. The source of the problem? Far too many story interludes and cut scenes that deprived me of good old-fashioned exploration and RPG combat. While I recognize that cut scenes and story interludes are helpful, even crucial, to story development, the game creators here went way overboard. I found myself trying to keep awake. When I did get to actually play the game, sure enough, within minutes, another cut scene or story interlude triggered my snooze mechanism.
14. Legaia 2: Duel Saga Rating 3.0 Exclusive
When sequels just slightly improve a several-year-old combat system, my eyes start to glaze over. Fun enough to play, but nothing earth-shaking here.
15. Forever Kingdom Rating Boycott Exclusive
Your clothing style is a pivotal feature of this lackluster RPG! Released early in the PS2’s life, the game sadly shows it age, and uninspired gameplay is the norm. Actually, its biggest drawback is your three-character party has a single life bar, so there’s no real difference in character strengths. When one falls, they all do. Strange.
16. Wild Arms 3 Rating 4.0 Exclusive
I took great pleasure from this game. I had enjoyed its PSX predecessors. Here, you have an RPG with a unique slant, a Wild West theme. Somehow, anime looking characters straight out of traditional RPG’s firing Colt 45’s (the gun not the beer) at monsters was a blast, pardon the pun. I must warn you, the arid, western, desert-type landscapes made me as thirsty as when watching “Lawrence of Arabia”.
17. Dual Hearts Rating Boycott Exclusive
For some reason this game comes up under the RPG column in game lists and magazines. Be warned. It’s more of a platform game that bored me within 15 minutes of play beginning. Avoid at all cost if you’re looking for an true RPG experience.
18. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Rating 4.0 Also Available: Xbox, Gamecube
With Diablo-type combat, this game adheres strictly to D&D conventions, On the short side, 10-12 hours, the game has your teensy-weensy character trolling through assorted dark and dank environments. Plenty of chances to upgrade your chosen character, weapons, armor, and magic. Very quest oriented, which, for me, is a good thing.
19. Grand Theft Auto III Rating 5.0 Also Available: PC
Unlike its grittier and darker successor (GTA Vice City), this action adventure, with miniscule RPG elements, simply rocks. In its own way, this game is very funny and sends-up organized crime, with no trace of the “respect” shown in the Godfather movies. Even an action-challenged gamer like myself had a tremendous time doing the incredible number of missions and side quests available.
Xbox
Along with the Gamecube, this console currently is RPG deprived, but for one shining star, Morrowind, also a hit on the PC. If I owned an Xbox, and I did, it would languish, except for Morrowind, and a shooter, so good, I felt it justified my system purchase -- the fabulous Halo.
20. Metal Dungeon Rating 2.0 Exclusive
Much heralded as the next great RPG, next to the Xbox’s Morrowind, this game falls flat on its face. Except for some decent combat graphics, the dungeon environments (that’s all there is, except for a static graphic “Camp” mostly text screen) are all drab, grey and look alike. What‘s worse, for me, is many dungeons are randomly generated. On the plus side, which clearly justifies a rental, is this game is a throwback to games like the original Wizardry from 1980, where you cannot save in the dungeon. Your frantic trips back to “Camp“ can be very compelling. Combat is an unusual modified real-time setup where you can change preset combat commands on the fly.
21. Halo Rating 5++++ Exclusive
No game has found me glued to the any platform for hours on end like my playing of Halo. Normally, I steer clear of first-person shooters, Many of the great ones, like Quake and Half-Life, take place in narrow hallways. Whizzing down them in 3D makes me a bit light-headed and uncomfortable. So, it was with trepidation that I purchased the much-praised and highly-rated Halo. Fortunately the game takes place mainly in huge outdoor spaces and large indoor complexes with wide hallways and open areas.
Just download a Halo demo, and you’ll know what mesmerized me.
Already Numbered (7) Morrowind Rating 4.5 Also Available: PC
Have your recent games been too short? That will not be a problem with Morrowind, a VERY long play RPG. Getting through the main plot takes upwards of 40 hours. Performing all the side quests, be prepared to spend over 100 hours. But, what a place to spend those hours! A gigantic, beautifully-drawn, 3D world of gorgeous outdoors, and creepy dungeons and crypts. You will encounter hundreds of colorful NPC's needing your help, a compelling plot, and tons of real-time combat. Impossible to play for just a half hour!
Gamecube
Along with the Xbox, this system is RPG deprived, except for one shining star, the recently-released Skies of Arcadia.
22. Evolution Worlds Rating 1.0 Exclusive
Basically a slightly-improved combination of Evolution I and II that appeared originally on the DC (See Blurb Below). Random dungeon setup with the same drab interiors for hours on end annoyed me greatly.
23. Skies of Arcadia Rating 4.5 Also Available: Dreamcast
Step into the shoes of the Blue Rogues, Robin Hood-type sky pirates. This long play romp, released just 2 weeks ago debuted on the DC. There is terrific combat, even strategic ship to ship battles. A nice, elaborate story with interesting and well-drawn characters. Finally, this platform has a second RPG of merit!
24. Lost Kingdoms Rating 2.0 Exclusive
Perhaps my bias is unfounded, but I am not fond of RPG games that feature “card” battles for combat. If I want to play cards, I’ll find some mates, and play poker.
25. Phantasy Star Online: Episode I and II Rating 4.5 Also Available: Dreamcast
Wildly popular, this game is fabulous online and quite enjoyable offline. I played mostly offline. Episode I is about 30 quests wrapped around a great adventure. Episode II is a new adventure, but there are no quests on the game CD, and Sega has made none available for download. The real joy is trying to upgrade your character and finding those special items called “Rares”. Very consuming stuff.
Dreamcast
26. Evolution I Rating 1.0 Exclusive
27. Evolution 2 Rating 1.0 Exclusive
A series of two games that goes the random dungeon route. Very few games do this, and for good reason. One likes to feel that the environment is finitely explorable, not some open-ended hodgepodge of shifting levels, all with the same graphic background. Makes for tedious dungeon crawling, and that is the heart of these games.
Playstation (PSX)
The Playstation still heads the RPG numbers list, and contains a true treasure trove of RPG’s. There’s no way I could play them all, but I did the best I could.
28. Xenogears Rating 4.5 Exclusive
An incredible long-play RPG from the Final Fantasy people, Squaresoft. Two equally pleasurable combat modes, normal party fighting, and inside the huge bodies of mechs. The story is particularly compelling. I played this one completely through again.
29. Dragon Warrior VII Rating 4.5 Exclusive
Called Dragon Quest in Japan, this latest installment would have been rated 5, but for its lousy graphics. The plot and RPG game features are outstanding. I did not have time for a 50+ hour replay, but spent a few happy hours with this old friend. BTW, Dragon Warrior VIII for the PS2 will sport acceptable modern 3D graphics, according to some early screenshots.
30. Suikoden I Rating 4.5 Exclusive
31. Suikoden II Rating 4.5 Exclusive
My brief time with these 2 classics was rewarding. Terrific plot, looking for those 108 recruits, and all-around fantastic gaming. Be warned though, eBay prices for these games has skyrocketed, with Suikoden II going for over $100.
32. Final Fantasy V Rating 4.5 Exclusive (in Final Fantasy Anthology)
33. Final Fantasy VI Rating 4.5 Exclusive (in Final Fantasy Anothology)
These games obviously predated the groundbreaking Final Fantasy VII. Wonderfully convoluting RPG gaming devices, with vast stores, this combo package is well worth the $40 price tag. All the things that make this series great is included in these games. Many rate VI as their favorite RPG ever.
34. Final Fantasy VIII Rating 4.0 Also Available: PC
Another long play, convoluted story, gorgeous result from Squaresoft. This game continued the science fiction theme of Final Fantasy VII. Though a pleasurable experience on replay for about 5 hours, I grew weary of the science fiction aspects and the excessively brooding hero.
35. Wild Arms II Rating 4 Exclusive
A great old school RPG. the sequel to one of the PSX’s masterful early RPG’s.
36. Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth Rating 4 Exclusive
This tactical RPG plays much like Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Ogre. However, fresh wrinkles in the system make this very playable. Over 40 missions, each slightly more difficult. Hard to find.
37. Legend of Legaia Rating 3.5 Exclusive
Another old school classic that will have you returning time and time again.
38. Grandia II Rating 3.5 Also Available: Dreamcast, PS2
Unlike many others, the Grandia series, typical RPG’s, does not inspire me to the long play required to finish the game. Chalk this up, perhaps, to senility. I abandoned my effort within an hour or two.
39. Final Fantasy VII Rating 4.5 Also Available: PC
This game heads many Top Ten lists, and is definitely on mine. When released in 1997, this game created a sensation with its length, gripping story, eye-popping visuals, and terrific combat and magic systems. Why, you could even breed strange chicken-like creatures called chocobos for riding and exploring. Replaying the game resulted in a fresh experience, despite my familiarity with it from writing two books on the game. Now, one of Sony’s PSX Greatest Hits, you can pick it up for a song, $14.99.
40.41.42. Arc the Lad Collection Rating 4.5 Exclusive
Finally! These terrific series of games finally made it to our shores relatively recently. The developer is famous for its out-of-sight packaging. (Remember Star Ocean: Silver Star Story Complete?) This bonanza comes with 4 RPG’s, Arc the Lad, plus II and III, and Arc the Lad Master Tournament. (5 CD’s). A sixth CD contains a “Making of” video. The manual for the games is encased in a 150 striking leatherette binder. The manual also serves as a terrific art book. On top of that, you get something called an Omake Black Box with, believe it or not, thumb covers with game characters for your PS2, game standees, and other stuff.
OK, so I’m going overboard on the packaging. The games are strategy or tactical RPG‘s, and play much like Final Fantasy Tactics, but not as complicated. Each game is better than the last. A good 80+ hours for your bucks!
Sega Genesis
43. Shining in the Darkness Rating 4 Also Available: Sega Saturn
A colorful 3D dungeon crawl with limited save ability. The monsters were programmed to do outrageous things, which made combat a real pleasure. One monster, I encountered this time around, emerged when you crashed into a wall more than once. Suddenly, two monstrous hands reach out from the wall to grab you. A real RPG moment!
44. Phantasy Star II
Extremely long, but a leap forward over the original game, a classic in and of itself. You’ll be wandering around the Solar System trying to handle Mother Brain, who has not comported herself with dignity. This game alone would be worth the price of a Sega Genesis, both combined can be had for about $35, $15 less than the price of even mediocre new games.
Nintendo Entertainment System
Amidst the Zeldas, Marios, Donkeys, and whatnot is the classic beginning to the enduring Final Fantasy series.
45. Final Fantasy Rating: 4.5 Available Soon in Final Fantasy Origins (PSX)
For its time, and even today, this game endures. With a foldout map, thick manual, and quest-oriented gameplay, this game is a keeper. Another one of the few I replayed completely.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
This system contains many of the early games in classic series, still active today. The original Breath of Fire, the fifth installment soon to be released on the PS2, appeared here first.
46. Final Fantasy II Rating: 3 Also Available: PSX (Final Fantasy Chronicles)
Final Fantasy IV in Japan, this fabulous game helped launch the SNES, and is one of the first games to be the subject of a TV commercial onslaught.
47. Chrono Trigger Rating: 5 Also Available: PSX (Final Fantasy Chronicles)
This game tops many an RPG Top Ten List. In my opinion, far better than it fairly recent sequel, Chrono Cross, you travel to several time periods in the hopes of restoring, what else, world order. Memorable characters and a time machine. What else do you want?
48. Legend of Mana
One of the first action RPG’s, and a Squaresoft product. Not too much thinking is involved as you go bashing monster after monster. Fun plot.
Gameboy Advance
Many gaming snobs look down their noses at the Gameboy, and its successors. Nevertheless, this platform contains lots of RPG’s, including some excellent RPG’s exclusively. The new SP comes out in late March, with a decent backlight.
49. Final Fantasy Adventure Rating: 3.5 Exclusive
Check out this early Gameboy action adventure and the two Final Fantasy Legends. Even on a screen so small, my ancient eyes squint continually, the greatness of the series pops through. :I did not spend much time with this, but remember them fondly.
50. Golden Sun Rating: 4.0 Exclusive
A premier RPG in its own right. My rating is a bit lower because of some action puzzle sequences that turn the game into Donkey Kong.
51. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis Rating: 4.5 Exclusive
A strategy-RPG very similar to the very popular Final Fantasy Tactics. Leisurely turn-based combat for the real-time-challenged gamer, a terrific story unfolds. Lots of strategy factors to consider, even the weather. Changing classes is especially interesting “work”.
Sega Master System
52. Phantasy Star Rating: 5.0 Also Available: Gameboy (in Phantasy Star Collection)
For all its games aimed at the toddler set, few remember that one of the first great multi-character party, long-play, dungeon crawling RPG on a console, the phenomenal Phantasy Star appeared here first. (I rank this game right up there with Final Fantasy I!) Though it was tough, I managed to cadge a Sega Master System and bought the game for peanuts off of eBay (All sold since then!). The $30 this venture cost me was well worth playing this single game, still fresh and smart, so many years after it was released.
Final Thoughts
When I started this journey, I anticipated that the end would sour me on RPG’s for a long time. Quite the contrary. I am still jacked to replay some of my favorite classics, missed this time. Perhaps, I will replay the first games of some enduring series, like PSX Wild Arms and Vandal Hearts, Sega Genesis Vermillion, PC Ultimas IV and VII, just to name a few. Certainly, now that this article is finished, I‘m diving into Xenosaga, and the other new RPG‘s of February.
Down the road, there are many potentially stellar RPG’s to consider: PC and Xbox Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Gladius, Xbox Fable, PS2 Dragon Warrior VIII and Final Fantasy X-2, to name a few.
I hope you gained something from my experience. If this work did nothing, I hope it encouraged you to search for the many hidden RPG treasures from the past and present. Scour eBay or other auction sites. You would be surprised how economical this hobby can be.
Copyright, Exclusivity Statement, and Comments Solicitation
Copyright Ronald Wartow 2003. All Rights Reserved.
Prepared exclusively for Just RPG, and posted there and on my personal website only.
Comments are welcome by the author at rwartow@yahoo.com.
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