AJ's backlog challenge - choose a game for me to beat!

[alienjesus]

I'll let you stay away from the really long RPGs (it's so tempting to suggest Dragon Quest VIII or Grandia II) and go with Crystalis.

Long RPGs are fine as long as I don't end up with 10 of them

[BogusMeatFactory]

I know I am the minority, but please.... please play shenmue 2. It improves with all the issues you had with the first, the pacing and story picks up immensely. The QTEs have stakes and change how small story puzzles progress, tons of stuff to do! The world size has more than quadrupled And it does not feel spread thin! It also has far more exotic locales and exciting situations. MORE COMBAT! Plus you are from the U.K. so you get to import your shenmue 1 save!

[Markies]

My first choice was going to be Grandia II (DC), but I'll let Bogus' pick be your Dreamcast game. And, I don't want to add both Dreamcast games to the list.

So, I'll be the one to add a RPG. Suikoden (PS1 Classics) needs to be played.

From the looks of it, you haven't played any Suikoden game and that is a real shame. I was going to urge you to continue FFXII, but that is a hefty commitment. Suikoden is not that at all as it is only 25 hours or so.

The great part about playing Suikoden is that you can play Suikoden II, which is one of the best RPG's of all time. It is complex, has a great variety of characters and mixes up the gameplay rather well. It is a must play for any RPG fan and I know you would love it!

[Xeogred]

Dangit Markies!

EDIT: I guess I'm going to have to rethink this.

Suikoden - of everything off your list, this one instantly jumped out at me in the spur of the moment. So I'm going with the gut! I replayed Suikoden 1-3 all back to back in 2015 during the summer somehow and it was a blast. Typically you hear people talking up 2, even I did for years... but another time through I'd honestly argue the first game has one of the best JRPG beginnings ever. I was instantly engaged and intrigued at the quick twists and turns. Everything about Suikoden, from its unique composer and music, to the Phantasy Star styled sprites and SNES look, to 6 character party battles, and its dense political plot arcs, it's all super cool and original still to this day in the realm of JRPG's. It holds up really well to me and has so much charm, there's a lot to love about its simplicity gameplay wise. It's only about 20 hours too. I still do think 2 has some higher peaks and I love how the two games connect directly, with recurring main characters and whatnot. But 2 really does have some slow spots that drag, it's 2-3x longer, etc, so yeah. Beating the first will judge whether you want more or not, but it's also conclusive on its own.

I don't want to hijack anyone else or confuse you, but want to throw out some honorable mentions for whatever reason. These are all games I love but I omitted some others and these are all "I wonder what AJ would think", so I'm interested in your take on them whenever you get to it.

Adventures of Lolo 2
Vagrant Story
Final Fantasy XIII
Metal Gear Rising
Metal Gear Solid 4
Devil May Cry 3
Resident Evil HD Remaster
Seiken Densetsu 3
Donkey Kong Country Returns
The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess HD

[pierrot]

Nuts, man. This is tough. Bogus already took Shenmue II. You don't seem to have Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter--but you should.

I'm going to put together a short list, and let someone else pick one game from it. Let's get recursive:

Soleil
Suikoden EDIT: Xeo already got to this. Double Edit: I mean Markies already got to it, and he's totally right.
Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
Clockwork Knight
Seiken Densetsu 3
Valkyrie no Densetsu
Sonic Colors
Dead or Alive 2
Outrun 2

[alienjesus]

Suikoden is obviously a popular choice. I've listed it as Markies' pick as he got there first, so feel free to choose another one Xeogred!

If Pierrot wants someone else to pick one of his choices for him, then feel free to do so! I'll count it as Pierrot's pick and you'll still get to make a choice if you didn't already!

[Markies]

*Laughs* Wow, I had no idea that I would ninja not one, but two people! I guess my short reply actually paid off.

I'll gladly take the credit for Suikoden, but if pierrot and Xeogred have trouble narrowing down a selection, I could change mine as well.

I wouldn't mind being the guy who puts FFXII on the list.

[benderx]

I want you to beat WoW mmorpg. Cause I want see the End roll up. Funny huh.

[alienjesus]

I want you to beat WoW mmorpg. Cause I want see the End roll up. Funny huh.

Maybe you should read the rules

[noiseredux]

alright well I felt weird nominating a second choice, but... DOA2 is amazing. And it would add some genre variety.