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What JRPG are you playing right now?
- Thread starter Deleted member 279
- Start date
Starting with Blue. Still at the start though, at the part where Blackx dudes attack at the playground. Also trying to not cheat but turned on Max money lol. Gonna do normal items though, wanna enjoy the game but not grind.
Just finished platinuming NieR: Automata yesterday night. That was a thoroughly depressing story, just as you might expect from Yoko Taro's games, but it ended on a surprisingly hopeful note.
Took me this long because I was initially a bit disappointed with Route/Ending A (Becoming Gods just before the final segment was pretty great but the absolute ending just fell a little short of anything satisfactory) so I didn't feel like an alternative POV (that I could somewhat predict what it could be about based on Taro's storytelling quirks and first NieR) or slightly extended sequence would bring anything too exciting to the experience to warrant an immediate replay/chase of the other endings. I feel the OG NieR's first route was more satisfying as a story of its own and less in need of any additions, though the additional route's made it even better. Little did I know route A and B are essentially the lengthy prologue in Automata, lol.
Wasn't quite as enthralled with the characters as the OG NieR's ones but a certain character's corruption segment and another's memory wipe hit me harder than I would have thought they would.
The endings C and D were a bit too light on closure in my opinion (I guess I would have loved a more meaty epilogue than ending the whole thing with a 30 second fight and maybe 2-3 minutes of cutscenes) but everything that preceded that was a real treat. The two shifting view points during the climb up was awesomely done.
Sidequests were much like OG NieR's. Kind of fluff fetch quests and not the most exciting things to do from a gameplay POV, but the small little stories tied to them were interesting and tied nicely to the themes and narratives of the whole. Loved the existential angst of the robots and trying to ape humanities silly, dumb and vain little habits leading to even more despair.
Combat I was a bit disappointed by. It was responsive & ok fun and at best of times just the epicness of what was happening on screen made it more exciting than the combat system otherwise was, but it was so poorly balanced and there were a few too many simplifications vs. Platinum's best combat systems that it was hard not to be a bit disappointed there wasn't more to the combat than there was.
While I don't mind being OP in my action games or RPGs, that OPness is more fun when it's earned through learning the depths and intricacies of a system or at least beating challenging optional content that gives access to OP equipment or such rather than being really untouchable from (almost) the beginning.
Took me this long because I was initially a bit disappointed with Route/Ending A (Becoming Gods just before the final segment was pretty great but the absolute ending just fell a little short of anything satisfactory) so I didn't feel like an alternative POV (that I could somewhat predict what it could be about based on Taro's storytelling quirks and first NieR) or slightly extended sequence would bring anything too exciting to the experience to warrant an immediate replay/chase of the other endings. I feel the OG NieR's first route was more satisfying as a story of its own and less in need of any additions, though the additional route's made it even better. Little did I know route A and B are essentially the lengthy prologue in Automata, lol.
Wasn't quite as enthralled with the characters as the OG NieR's ones but a certain character's corruption segment and another's memory wipe hit me harder than I would have thought they would.
The endings C and D were a bit too light on closure in my opinion (I guess I would have loved a more meaty epilogue than ending the whole thing with a 30 second fight and maybe 2-3 minutes of cutscenes) but everything that preceded that was a real treat. The two shifting view points during the climb up was awesomely done.
Sidequests were much like OG NieR's. Kind of fluff fetch quests and not the most exciting things to do from a gameplay POV, but the small little stories tied to them were interesting and tied nicely to the themes and narratives of the whole. Loved the existential angst of the robots and trying to ape humanities silly, dumb and vain little habits leading to even more despair.
Combat I was a bit disappointed by. It was responsive & ok fun and at best of times just the epicness of what was happening on screen made it more exciting than the combat system otherwise was, but it was so poorly balanced and there were a few too many simplifications vs. Platinum's best combat systems that it was hard not to be a bit disappointed there wasn't more to the combat than there was.
While I don't mind being OP in my action games or RPGs, that OPness is more fun when it's earned through learning the depths and intricacies of a system or at least beating challenging optional content that gives access to OP equipment or such rather than being really untouchable from (almost) the beginning.
Trails in the Sky SC - In chapter 3, loving this game, the characters and writing are just perfect.
Dragon Quest XI - Just got Jade and Rab. Very good so far, I absolutely despise the mute mc though and his absolute lack of reaction to anything, especially events near ish the start. He's a pointless brick. I really like the rest of the cast though and most the voice acting is superb.
Dragon Quest XI - Just got Jade and Rab. Very good so far, I absolutely despise the mute mc though and his absolute lack of reaction to anything, especially events near ish the start. He's a pointless brick. I really like the rest of the cast though and most the voice acting is superb.
DQ 8 & 9 were similar, with the games going fully 3D, I do not mind a silent protagonist, but make them feel emotion better
Basically. I prefer not a silent mc but if they do at least give them more personality than a rock in their reactions. I'm just feeling nothing for him at all and it's such a horrible contrast from Veronica, Sylvando, Jade etc who are pretty outspoken and likeable.
What is wild is
when he went back in time to see his grandpa there was him as a child who had full voice acting lol, and when he spoke to the MC, the MC just stood there blank stare and all haha.
I hated the new pokemon games because of the reasons you mentioned too.
I'd actually forgotten that lol.
I really hated that whole sequence though because Gemma appears to have been killed along with his foster mum and the main character barely seems to care and it hasn't come up since in the next 30 hours I've played. I really liked Gemma :(
Pokémon count? If so, I'm going back and trying to finish Ultra Moon. About half way through atm.
Yeah that was stupid. You are not that far into the game, so I won't spoil anything for you.
Almost 100 hours into DQXI now, one thing i really like about this gen is alot of JRPGs have an easy way to get to max level.
FFXV has bank notes that you can use to make spells that give you tons of XP when you cast, i went from level 50 to 100 in 30 minutes
Nier Automata has that statue that you hack and fight, went from level 50 to 100 in a couple of hours
World of Final Fantasy has some normal enemies that give so much xp that you get max level in a few hours by fighting them
DQXI has pep powers that give you lots of xp and summon metal slimes, went from level 60 to 100 in a couple of hours
Zodiac Age has that switch you pull to drop like 30 enemies that you can beat and cause you to gain tons of XP, with the 4x speed on you level up like crazy
I'd like this gen to continue, level normally until you beat the main story, then make an easy way to max level in the post game.
FFXV has bank notes that you can use to make spells that give you tons of XP when you cast, i went from level 50 to 100 in 30 minutes
Nier Automata has that statue that you hack and fight, went from level 50 to 100 in a couple of hours
World of Final Fantasy has some normal enemies that give so much xp that you get max level in a few hours by fighting them
DQXI has pep powers that give you lots of xp and summon metal slimes, went from level 60 to 100 in a couple of hours
Zodiac Age has that switch you pull to drop like 30 enemies that you can beat and cause you to gain tons of XP, with the 4x speed on you level up like crazy
I'd like this gen to continue, level normally until you beat the main story, then make an easy way to max level in the post game.
In the 14 years I've been playing Jrpgs pretty much exclusively, I have to say that DQ XI is unmatched in so many regards.
I'll be bummed when it ends!! It's near perfect.
I'll be bummed when it ends!! It's near perfect.
It's a solid 8 from me, it's great and I'm having fun but it has a few things about it I really don't like.
Worst thing about it for me are the lackluster sidequests. I'ts a 9.5 from me otherwise.
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I have a few things:
- The silent protagonist. I find it really hard to get invested when the lead character is so uninvolved. Like near the start when Cobblestone is attacked and Gemma is (seemingly) killed. The lead character doesn't seem to care at all....
- I'm in the second half of the game and it feels like a rehash of the first half having to recollect my party and open up all the fast travel again. This feels like a cheap way to pad out the game and is uninspiring.
- The story seems a bit...meandering? Especially at the point I'm at now.
- midi quality music is kind of grating.
- The silent protagonist. I find it really hard to get invested when the lead character is so uninvolved. Like near the start when Cobblestone is attacked and Gemma is (seemingly) killed. The lead character doesn't seem to care at all....
- I'm in the second half of the game and it feels like a rehash of the first half having to recollect my party and open up all the fast travel again. This feels like a cheap way to pad out the game and is uninspiring.
- The story seems a bit...meandering? Especially at the point I'm at now.
- midi quality music is kind of grating.
I don't want to sound negative though, as I really do like it, it's just things I noticed. On the bright side the voice acting is top notch, it's gorgeous, some of the characters are great (Veronica especially) the crafting is pretty good etc.
What was your favorite JRPG before this out of curiosity?
I finally finished Ys8. Overall I really enjoyed it even though the beginning chapters drug on a bit. DQ11 will be my next jrpg but it won't be for some time.
Looking forward to starting that at some point. Got it in a PSN sale recently now the translation patch is out.
Those are all valid points. Here are my thoughts.
I'm so used to the silent protagonist now that I understand that whatever happens to those related to him is supposed to make me care, though it won't show on his face.
The second half, which I'm currently in, feels like it was pulled right out of FF VI, and I dig it. Really doesn't bother me as I've grown attached to this world in the past 64 hours of the first half.
Story definitely lives in it's moments, and chooses not to rush. This also, for some reason, does not bother me. I like sprawling narratives.
Music, and I'm not kidding, doesn't bother me. In fact, I like the score. Overworld theme is background noise to me at this point.
The second half, which I'm currently in, feels like it was pulled right out of FF VI, and I dig it. Really doesn't bother me as I've grown attached to this world in the past 64 hours of the first half.
Story definitely lives in it's moments, and chooses not to rush. This also, for some reason, does not bother me. I like sprawling narratives.
Music, and I'm not kidding, doesn't bother me. In fact, I like the score. Overworld theme is background noise to me at this point.
Before this...I'd say my favorite was SMT IV. I have unpopular opinions, I think.
I never played Dragon Quest 8 (played 1-3,5,11 before) so I went back and picked up a US PS2 copy and am emulating it with the resolution upscaled.
I have to say, it's much more charming to me than 11 was on the PS4. I'm not used to voice acting in these games, but the cast here is really good. The orchestrated soundtrack is so much more pleasant to listen to compared to 11s, and even 10 hours in there's more track variety in the dungeons and town themes whereas 11 relies on the same couple of tracks or previous games' tracks a bit too much. Having random encounters makes the dungeons more tense and something you can't easily avoid. Not having the World Map at the beginning makes exploring more interesting and makes the eventual reveal a lot more powerful. Zoom works like expected and not just a free teleport from everywhere for free. I don't want to say that 11 was disappointing, but I'm glad 8 still holds up very well.
I have to say, it's much more charming to me than 11 was on the PS4. I'm not used to voice acting in these games, but the cast here is really good. The orchestrated soundtrack is so much more pleasant to listen to compared to 11s, and even 10 hours in there's more track variety in the dungeons and town themes whereas 11 relies on the same couple of tracks or previous games' tracks a bit too much. Having random encounters makes the dungeons more tense and something you can't easily avoid. Not having the World Map at the beginning makes exploring more interesting and makes the eventual reveal a lot more powerful. Zoom works like expected and not just a free teleport from everywhere for free. I don't want to say that 11 was disappointing, but I'm glad 8 still holds up very well.
No worries, it's nice to discuss this kind of thing without people taking it the wrong way as can happen here, I worry sometimes I might offend people lol.
I think I've been spoiled with playing through Trails in the Sky recently. Going from those to DQXI feels like a big step back protagonist and story wise. I never really felt disconnected in Persona 5 though oddly. It's extra bothersome to me as the rest of the cast is so good it makes the lead character feel almost pointless XD
We're probably close ish in the game, I'm 74 hours in atm :) I wouldn't mind revisiting places and seeing changes or finding out new stuff about npcs if I felt there was a reason to but right now I don't feel any real pressing story reason for it :(
I actually agree with you and like the musical score itself, been a fan of Dragon Quest since DQVIII on the PS2, I just wish it was orchestral though I understand the complications surrounding the series and SE regarding that. Such a shame.
To my embarrassment being a big JRPG fan I've never played FFVI despite owning it for about 10 years .... ^^;
We're probably close ish in the game, I'm 74 hours in atm :) I wouldn't mind revisiting places and seeing changes or finding out new stuff about npcs if I felt there was a reason to but right now I don't feel any real pressing story reason for it :(
I actually agree with you and like the musical score itself, been a fan of Dragon Quest since DQVIII on the PS2, I just wish it was orchestral though I understand the complications surrounding the series and SE regarding that. Such a shame.
To my embarrassment being a big JRPG fan I've never played FFVI despite owning it for about 10 years .... ^^;
I was really hoping it was going to get the PS4 HD/trophy treatment but seems unlikely now. Pity :(
That said, if we're talking favorite Dragon Quest before XI, it's absolutely DQ V.
And I think I don't mind the fluff since I'm of a belief that the grander the story feels, the more it feels like a long journey. Which is to say, what I think a journey and RPG should feel like.
Playing DQXI right now and honestly loving it so much. I got it on launch day and played about 5 hours stopped for Spider-Man. I recently got back around to it and I kinda wish I would've kept playing this and gotten around to Spider-Man later, oh well.
It's just a fantastic game all around. I find pretty much everything about it makes me smile. I'm having such a good time. I'm kinda wondering what JRPG to play next and was thinking about Ni No Kuni 2. I've heard mixed opinions on it. I don't mind if it's easy, I just want a good story, fun battle system, and pretty graphics.
It's just a fantastic game all around. I find pretty much everything about it makes me smile. I'm having such a good time. I'm kinda wondering what JRPG to play next and was thinking about Ni No Kuni 2. I've heard mixed opinions on it. I don't mind if it's easy, I just want a good story, fun battle system, and pretty graphics.
Fire Emblem Echoes, or replaying, rather. This month is stressful for personal reasons so playing something familiar seems quite dandy indeed.
Everyone who can be dread lord will be dread lord. I want to beat the superboss this time.
Everyone who can be dread lord will be dread lord. I want to beat the superboss this time.
Picked up .hack G.U. on Steam on sale the other day, about 5 hours in and it's alright so far. The combat us decent but the story is kind of a slow burn so far.
Ive been thinking of this as I loved the first game. I'm probably going to wait until all the DLC s out though as I like to play a game fully in one go.
Trying to finally play further into FFIII(FFVI). Trying to get out of the what is basically the intro and giving XenoBlade Chronicles a try again. Let's see which one grabs me the quickest.
Shin Megami Tensei IV. Just got the Choas ending and playing again for neutral ending. I know there's a law ending but is there a 4th ending? On the clear save file I see 4 possible diamonds that can be filled.
There is, but you can kind of think of it as an early ending. It's the nihilist ending. Great game, though. Hated the sequel, Apocalypse.
Oh yeah! I keep forgetting you can end the game early.
As for the sequel
Dagda
He's amazing.
When the sequel first came out I played up to the final dungeon but never beat it. I ended up deleting that save fail because.... how can I say this?....
That song from that one episode of Save by the Bell "Friends Forever!" Kept playing over and over in my head threw out that play through.
Once I'm done with IV I'll play Apocalypse and go Dagda route because he's amazing. I don't know why I didn't go his route on my initial play through.
Hey y'all. I help out at RPGFan and we did a pretty fantastic list (but no listcles) (thank god :P) of 13 cool and creepy RPGs. Fortunately it's not all just bloody and gory games but there's some great variety. Anyways, hope you like, and yes for all your JRPG fans, not to advertise (we work for free), but I do recommend us. :D
You can check the full thing here: http://www.rpgfan.com/features/Embrace-the-Night-13-Perfectly-Spooky-RPGs-for-Halloween/index.html
Alternatively, my bread and butter is making fancy graphic version summaries for Instagram (*sigh* making these is in part because of my fondness for the lost art of gaming magazines): https://www.instagram.com/rpgfancom/
Anyways, I hope you like it! I love our writers, and I love when I get a chance to make some cool junk in photoshop. x) (use me as your OT graphicker too!)
You can check the full thing here: http://www.rpgfan.com/features/Embrace-the-Night-13-Perfectly-Spooky-RPGs-for-Halloween/index.html
Alternatively, my bread and butter is making fancy graphic version summaries for Instagram (*sigh* making these is in part because of my fondness for the lost art of gaming magazines): https://www.instagram.com/rpgfancom/
Anyways, I hope you like it! I love our writers, and I love when I get a chance to make some cool junk in photoshop. x) (use me as your OT graphicker too!)
I put like 13 hours into Baten Kaitos, and I hate it. It's like this blend of Xenoblade 2 and Chrono Cross, two of my favorite games of all time-- but my god. This battle system is simply not fun, and I love card games. It's so slow and everything feels weak, and and and... I can't do it. I'm bored. :/
Just posting to say that this is my favorite genre and I plan to return to it as soon as possible. I'm simply resting right because I have got the platinum for Final Fantasy X a few months ago and that almost killed me of boredom. And I really like the game, but some trophies for this game are simply insane.
I loved it. Try not using any defence cards and just attack and healing, I found it worked far better that way.
I finished Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Final Remix last week and it was decent. I liked the art direction and some of the later battle mechanics but really disliked having to fight a series of bosses without the opportunity to change gear.skills or save in between, and having your party members taken away from you for no good reason. But all in all it was enjoyable.
Labyrinth of Refrain has been my early morning with coffee type of game. I'm currently in the fourth 'stratum' (caves) and still having a really good time with this game. Playing for 15 minutes per day means I still have a long way to go though.
Also I'm halfway through Fire Emblem Fates Revelation which does some things right but most things wrong for my tastes. I'll probably put this playthrough on-hold for now.
Dark Souls on Switch gets a new run, this time I'm a pyromancer which allows me to speed through the first few areas of the game without much resistance. It's always great to return to Dark Souls.
Lost Dimension on Vita is also quite good, two traitors down for now and I'm slowly doing more quests. Just like Labyrinth of Refrain I only play this game for about 15 minutes per day.
Labyrinth of Refrain has been my early morning with coffee type of game. I'm currently in the fourth 'stratum' (caves) and still having a really good time with this game. Playing for 15 minutes per day means I still have a long way to go though.
Also I'm halfway through Fire Emblem Fates Revelation which does some things right but most things wrong for my tastes. I'll probably put this playthrough on-hold for now.
Dark Souls on Switch gets a new run, this time I'm a pyromancer which allows me to speed through the first few areas of the game without much resistance. It's always great to return to Dark Souls.
Lost Dimension on Vita is also quite good, two traitors down for now and I'm slowly doing more quests. Just like Labyrinth of Refrain I only play this game for about 15 minutes per day.
It feels like that would make the game too brain dead, no? Does the story and stuff pickup at least?
I thought I was almost done with DQ11 only to find out I actually had just gotten to Act 2 at 45 hours.....Love it!
I really like this game, but the grind aspect is starting to wear on me. I'm only working on chapter 3's, but I have a core 3 I like to carry around, and then grind to bring up whatever character I need for the story. Is there a good way to go about it other than trying to spam dance moves?
Have you played Tales of Destiny: Director's Cut? It's the best action battle system I have ever experienced. The only issue is that the game is entirely in japanese, but it's easy enough to know where you need to go because the game has literally an arrow pointing to your destination whenever you go to the world map.
Have you tried Resonance of Fate ? It's a turn-based game with real-time elements sprinkled on it. It's also a fairly challenging game.
If not interested, Valkyrie Profile is the precursor of this type of gameplay and might be more suited. You simply have to press the face buttons to attack, but the amount of depth that goes around it is incredible, even if turns are blazingly fast and deceptively simple.
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