Resetera's Top 101 Essential RPGs - Final Update. Top 101 up plus many extras.

[JayWood2010]

Im not a huge fan of Xenoblade 2 myself, and never finished XB2, so maybe it gets better, idk. With that said, Im happy for the people who hold it in high regards.

Ill prob go back to it one day and try to finish it, or play it more, but to me I just have so many other games to play to focus on something I wasnt having much fun with.

 

[Lunchbox]

Who was supposed to be the villain in Xenoblade X?

 

[duckroll]

Who was supposed to be the villain in Xenoblade X?

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The composer.

 

[Deleted member 17210]

One of the reasons I'm not that agog to finally try Xenogears (compared to other PS1 games I missed in Europe back in the day) is that I have a hard time believing that the story could really be as good as people make it out to be, considering it's from the same guy who wrote the cringefest Xenoblade. The latter was the most trite animu shlock, regardless of its unique setting. Then I look at the characters and trailers of Xenoblade 2 and know everything I need to.

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Xenogears has some cheesy dialogue and could have been compressed to make a shorter game but I think the story itself really is much better than Xenoblade's. It's one of my favourite RPGs and I typically don't like the really story-heavy Japanese ones. Don't expect Planescape: Torment quality writing, though.

 

[Megatron]

By the way, if anyone is actually serious about doing a platformer list in the future, I'll be happy to help out in anyway I can. Maybe not a top 100, but I think a top 50 at least is doable.

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Don't settle! We can do 100!

 

[CeroMiedo]

Why are we arguing about xb2 lol, I don't even see it on the list

 

[JayWood2010]

Morrowind and FFXII are way too low for me. That said I think I remember FFXII being even lower previously so it's an improvement... I guess Zodiac Age helped.

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It certainly has. I bought it a month or so ago, and have yet to play it. Who knows, maybe I will vote for it next time as well.

 

[WestEgg]

Why are we arguing about xb2 lol, I don't even see it on the list

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It's assuredly coming, and the longer it takes to appear, the more the salt will pile up.

 

[Lunchbox]

I don't think Radiata Stories made the cut but damn, I loved that game.

 

[Dannerz]

I don't think Radiata Stories made the cut but damn, I loved that game.

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Don't think Digital Devil Saga made it either, I like the game a lot though.

 

[Dreamboum]

Hell YEAH FF12

 

[Deleted member 6263]

I honestly thought VIII would rank in the 20's at least, but hey...I'm glad it's at least in the top 50's.
The OST is one of my favorites, here are a few more that weren't mentioned in the OP that I think is essential listening.

The Mission

Premonition

The Spy

Silence and Motion

Ride On

Lunatic Pandora

The Extreme

 

[WestEgg]

YES, that is the the next logical genre to tackle. I don't have the time or programs to do graphic design, but I would love to assist in any other way behind the scenes and have experience with statistics and spreadsheets.

I think this is the one other genre where a top 100 is definitely doable if willing.

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Don't settle! We can do 100!

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Woo! I'm totally down for a platformer top 100. I suppose once this list is complete, I'm ready to work on this if you guys or anyone else wants to help out. I haven't done a big ERA project like this before, but it sounds like fun.

 

[Slime Stack]

Why are we arguing about xb2 lol, I don't even see it on the list

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People (like me) are salty over the fact that XB2 has the potential to be considered among the top 30 most essential rpg's of all time, maybe even higher.

 

[Brewster123]

Why are we arguing about xb2 lol, I don't even see it on the list

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We know it will show up eventually, and the longer it takes, the more polarizing the discussion around it will get.

 

[Lunchbox]

Don't think Digital Devil Saga made it either, I like the game a lot though.

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Let's make our own list! With Stories & DDS :P

The composer.

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oh okay, haven't played but 4 hours is this signposted pretty well? I thought that excerpt was interesting.


Edit: Xenoblade 2 should be top 5, no debate.

 

[JayWood2010]

I would actually prefer a FPS thread than a platformer one, but id still be glad to see one for platforming.

The first question id have though is, would you be including metroidvania games such as Ori and Hollow Knight?

 

[Bunkles]

Edit: Xenoblade 2 should be top 5, no debate.

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Jesus no. I love the battle system and all but there is so much wrong with that game is should be nowhere near the top 50, let alone top 5.

 

[Deleted member 249]

Heh, indeed. It could get better but I am about five hours into that game and not having a lot of fun. Combat is boring, Rex and Pyra are my least favorite leads in a JRPG so far, and everyone is a walking trope.

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Xenoblade 2 takes forever to get going. I almost dropped it about ten hours in because I found it a slog. Ten it clicks around the end of chapter 3 and never lets go. Stick with it, it's worth it!

 

[PhazonBlonde]

Woo! I'm totally down for a platformer top 100. I suppose once this list is complete, I'm ready to work on this if you guys or anyone else wants to help out. I haven't done a big ERA project like this before, but it sounds like fun.

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I'm down for a platformer thread! Then I can ramble about my love of Klonoa for hours

 

[Taborcarn]

Heh, indeed. It could get better but I am about five hours into that game and not having a lot of fun. Combat is boring, Rex and Pyra are my least favorite leads in a JRPG so far, and everyone is a walking trope.

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I beat it in about 60 hours, and no it doesn't get better. I dropped all the terrible sidequests and drudged my way to the ending just for the sake of completion.

 

[Slime Stack]

Edit: Xenoblade 2 should be top 5, no debate.

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Absolutely not. Game's a mess.

 

[Deleted member 4037]

Get ready everyone

 

[Morrigan]

It's funny how the only only good songs (except like one or two) in FFVIII are all in the final sequence of the game (The Castle, The Extreme, The Legendary Beast). Those particular tracks are exceptionally good, though, but overall the OST for that game is a mess, incredibly disappointing after a perfect batting record from Uematsu. Can't get over how bad the regular battle themes are, either (which I find inexcusable in any RPG where you'll hear it over and over).

The composer.

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Fucking lol

I'm down for a platformer thread! Then I can ramble about my love of Klonoa for hours

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I loved Klonoa back then. Waheu!

 

[PK_Wonder]

The first question id have though is, would you be including metroidvania games such as Ori and Hollow Knight?

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If it's anything like this thread it would be up to each voter to decide and they would probably do poorly as a result since their primary genre isn't necessarily platforming. Like BotW on an action-adventure or open world game essentials list could probably even get #1, but as an rpg it failed to break top 50 though it did get some votes as enough people consider it to be at least partially rpg.

BUT Metroidvanias would do well in the Essential Action-Adventures and Essential Indies lists. There could even be a mini-list of top 20 just for them.

 

[AtmaPhoenix]

Edit: Xenoblade 2 should be top 5, no debate.

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If I had to guess, top 5 will probably be Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 6, Persona 4, Witcher 3, Dark Souls. The order will be variable. I think Nier Automata will be the new game that makes top 10 due to people being super hyped about it over Xenoblade 2, which may or may not make top 20.

 

[Meows]

I thought VIII had the best OST of PS1 and, honestly, of all FF games pre-FFX. I heard that even Uematsu or someone prominent thought VIII had the best OST. Was either Uematsu or Amano.

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Uematsu and Sakaguchi think that Final Fantasy IX was their best soundtrack (they're wrong).

Amano might have the tea though.

 

[AtmaPhoenix]

It's funny how the only only good songs (except like one or two) in FFVIII are all in the final sequence of the game (The Castle, The Extreme, The Legendary Beast). Those particular tracks are exceptionally good, though, but overall the OST for that game is a mess, incredibly disappointing after a perfect batting record from Uematsu. Can't get over how bad the regular battle themes are, either (which I find inexcusable in any RPG where you'll hear it over and over).

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Premonition, The Man With the Machine Gun, the Dollett assault (both demo and final game versions) are all great. Maybe I'm A Lion is fantastic too but that's also end of the game. I think FF8 has the best overall soundtrack next to FF7 honestly.

 

[Deleted member 17210]

If it's anything like this thread it would be up to each voter to decide and they would probably do poorly as a result since their primary genre isn't necessarily platforming. Like BotW on an action-adventure or open world game essentials list could probably even get #1, but as an rpg it failed to break top 50 though it did get some votes as enough people consider it to be at least partially rpg.

BUT Metroidvanias would do well in the Essential Action-Adventures and Essential Indies lists. There could even be a mini-list of top 20 just for them.

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Recent ones like Ori and Hollow Knight would probably get a lot more votes than some of the best (non adventure hybrid) platformers of all time like the Shinobi games.

 

[PhazonBlonde]

It's funny how the only only good songs (except like one or two) in FFVIII are all in the final sequence of the game (The Castle, The Extreme, The Legendary Beast). Those particular tracks are exceptionally good, though, but overall the OST for that game is a mess, incredibly disappointing after a perfect batting record from Uematsu. Can't get over how bad the regular battle themes are, either (which I find inexcusable in any RPG where you'll hear it over and over).

Fucking lol

I loved Klonoa back then. Waheu!

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Omg the little language they spoke was adorable! I need Klonoa in smash!


U know what a top 100 horror games would be pretty cool as well

 

[Deleted member 419]

Uematsu and Sakaguchi think that Final Fantasy IX was their best soundtrack (they're wrong).

Amano might have the tea though.

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This is not entirely true. At the time that he was interviewed and said that FFIX was his best soundtrack, FFIX was in its hype cycle so IMO naturally he would say it was his favorite (what is he supposed to say? "Oh no the newest one isn't my best work, go back to the early stuff.")

On the other hand, he has been saying for years now that his favorite soundtrack is Final Fantasy VI.

 

[patientzero]

I would actually prefer a FPS thread than a platformer one, but id still be glad to see one for platforming.

The first question id have though is, would you be including metroidvania games such as Ori and Hollow Knight?

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That open-ended question is why I'd be curious on a platformer list. It's an insanely wide genre that encompasses a lot of other genre off-shoots. It'd be a glorious mess.

I say that as someone who for many early years took a hardline stance on what a olatformer was - no metroidvania, no contra, etc. But as genres have merged and proliferated I take a very wide view on platforming - yes metroid, yes contra, yes sands of time...

 

[Opa-Pa]

 

[Meows]

This is not entirely true. At the time that he was interviewed and said that FFIX was his best soundtrack, FFIX was in its hype cycle so IMO naturally he would say it was his favorite (what is he supposed to say? "Oh no the newest one isn't my best work, go back to the early stuff.")

On the other hand, he has been saying for years now that his favorite soundtrack is Final Fantasy VI.

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At least he didn't have the audacity to say that about Final Fantasy X! Hamauzu, and Nakano, were the ones that were responsible for that glorious soundtrack and arranging Uematsu's best stuff.

Like... this is just bad lol.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

FF VIII, as i said in my Gen 5 OST write up, is Uematsus most "whole" soundtrack; its like a concept album. Rare in vg osts.

 

[Dreamboum]

At least he didn't have the audacity to say that about Final Fantasy X! Hamauzu, and Nakano, were the ones that were responsible for that glorious soundtrack and arranging Uematsu's best stuff.

Like... this is just bad lol.

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the worst contributions to this soundtrack were from uematsu, thank god he wasn't sole composer

 

[gordofredito]

At least he didn't have the audacity to say that about Final Fantasy X! Hamauzu, and Nakano, were the ones that were responsible for that glorious soundtrack and arranging Uematsu's best stuff.
Like... this is just bad lol.

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I love this track to death

 

[Napalm_Frank]

Don't sleep on Divinity OS2 console bros. It already ranks high on this list by PC votes alone and it'll be even better when the Definitive Edition releases this month for PC and consoles.

That is a damn good RPG.

 

[Meows]

I love this track to death

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We LOVE Masashi Hamauzu!

 

[PhazonBlonde]

While we're talking FF soundtracks... my favorites are XIII, XIII-2, VIII, VI, and XV. Hamazu is a god

 

[gordofredito]

While we're talking FF soundtracks... my favorites are XIII, XIII-2, VIII, VI, and XV. Hamazu is a god

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I hate with a burning passion a track in XIII-2 that is like this offbeat rap that they used in an action scene early in the game with the giant-like creature using portals

 

[WestEgg]

It's going to be really hard to nail down a definition for platformer, but I think Metroidvanias, including both Metroid and Castlevania, are pretty solidly platformers, though I personally wouldn't consider Metroid Prime one despite some platforming mechanics. I suppose it's similar to the RPGs, in which many games have RPG mechanics, though may not be RPGs themselves, it comes down to the primary focus of the game play.

 

[Meows]

While we're talking FF soundtracks... my favorites are XIII, XIII-2, VIII, VI, and XV. Hamazu is a god

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Those are all fair and great in their own right.

Despite me being a huge Hamauzu fan though, the best songs in XIII-2 weren't by him imho.

 

[gordofredito]

It's going to be really hard to nail down a definition for platformer, but I think Metroidvanias, including both Metroid and Castlevania, are pretty solidly platformers, though I personally wouldn't consider Metroid Prime one despite some platforming mechanics. I suppose it's similar to the RPGs, in which many games have RPG mechanics, though may not be RPGs themselves, it comes down to the primary focus of the game play.

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By the way, if anyone is actually serious about doing a platformer list in the future, I'll be happy to help out in anyway I can. Maybe not a top 100, but I think a top 50 at least is doable.

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watch Zelda BOTW sneak in that as well, because Era likes to put it in any list it can

Why are we arguing about xb2 lol, I don't even see it on the list

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because it did rank, but people think it ranked over Xenoblade 1. A foolish yet rookie mistake

 

[Deleted member 4037]

watch Zelda BOTW sneak in that as well, because Era likes to put it in any list it can

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Botw for best Turn-based Strategy game!

 

[Orion]

I love this track to death

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If I could only pick one song to listen to for the rest of my life it would be this one.

 

[gordofredito]

Botw for best Turn-based Strategy game!

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"I mean, it's got elements of it, it may not strictly be a turn based game but it is a damn fine game so I think it counts"

 

[Morrigan]

Premonition, The Man With the Machine Gun, the Dollett assault (both demo and final game versions) are all great. Maybe I'm A Lion is fantastic too but that's also end of the game. I think FF8 has the best overall soundtrack next to FF7 honestly.

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Premonition is also pretty much end-game too (I guess it plays in earlier battles against Edea? can't remember, it's been 20 years...). The Landing is good despite the Hans Zimmer rip-off (the demo version was extremely shameless in that haha), and that one along with Liberi Fatali are the only non-end game songs I liked. I couldn't believe how bad the OST was overall though. And oh boy don't get me started on Man With Machine Gun, always found it godawful (somehow the orchestral version is really cool though, weird) and its popularity never ceases to mystify me. :D I never cared for Maybe I'm a Lion much either. The Deep Purple nod is nice and all, and the song isn't awful but it doesn't fit a final boss theme at all, unlike the others.

FFTactics and VI remain the most consistently great OSTs in Final Fantasy. Add Wild ARMs, Xenogears, Suikoden 1 and 2 for JRPGs in general. I hope the next iteration of this poll re-adds the "best soundtrack", "best combat", "best story", etc. subcategories. I'd also include "best art direction" this time around too.

 

[Opa-Pa]

Can't believe every action RPG ever released was secretly not a real RPG from the start.

 

[PK_Wonder]

Essentials I would like to see over the course of the year:

Aug - Platformers
Sept - Action-adventures and open world games
Oct - Horror games (in time for Halloween please)
Nov - First-person shooters
Dec - Third-person shooters
Jan - Puzzle and rhythm games
Feb - Sports and racing games
Mar - Simulation games
Apr - Visual novels and walking simulators
May - Top 100 Retro Games (at least 25 years old)! (All pre-1993 games allowed, we add one year in all years going forward)
June - Top 100 Indies
July - ...time to do rpgs again!