Help Getting Into JRPGs

[Breetai]

I found Lunar (both of them) to be fairly fast paced, interesting and fun. The combat was enjoyable. Grandia 2 was like this as well, but I can't speak for the rest of the series as I've only played the second game.

[isiolia]

Maybe try Valkyrie Profile - it's pre rendered, but the gameplay is largely 2D platforming in style. PSP release is the economical way to go there.
An FAQ is almost necessary if you want to get the "good" ending though, as it essentially means disobeying what you're told in game.

The Star Ocean PSP releases might also be worth a look. First one is pretty short n sweet, like Chrono Trigger.

[ChimairaGT]

When I read the thread title, I was thinking "Play Chrono Trigger!", but you've got that taken care of

I would recommend:

FF6 - just start over. It's great
FF5 - love the class system
Grandia or Grandia 2 - great combat system
Lunar (PS1 version) - simple, fun
Star Ocean 1 (PSP version)

I am not a fan of the Dragon Quest games. I've tried several different games, but I usually end up either lost and/or bored. I also loathe grinding.

[CFFJR]

Count me as another voice supporting Grandia 2. That game is all kinds of awesome.

Also, maybe consider Phantasy Star IV. Its definitely the friendliest and easiest to get into of the original games.

I generally like jrpgs, but I can't handle the DQ games. Major freaking grind fest.

[Czernobog]

I found Lunar 2: Eternal Blue really easy to get into and enjoyable. Some of the most fun I've ever had playing a JRPG. I played the collector's edition for the PS1.

[darthmunky]

I remember there was an introductory JRPG thread here. One of the favored suggestions was Pokemon. Very simple, straight-forward, and has optional OCD-quests.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I have beaten Pokemon FireRed and Silver, they rule!

A lot of PSX JRPG's used pre-rendered backgrounds and static camera angles for area's... so I guess that might be a big issue for you with a lot of them.

YES, that is what I cannot stand! Basically, I can only play top-down SNES style JRPGs

Out of all the games that have been suggested, I'm pretty sure I own the fallowing:

Chrono Cross
Xenogears
Suikoden 1 and 2
Breath of Fire 1-4
Secret of Mana 1 and 2
Final Fantasy 9
Grandia 1 and 2
Star Ocean 1 and 2 (psx)

I also really wanna check out the Lunar games. I think my cousin has them on Saturn.

[Xeogred]

So you're holding all those games hostage?

Suikoden 2 tends to sell for $100 at least. Hope I can get my hands on it someday, I just borrowed it from a friend years ago when I played it.

[darthmunky]

Well some of the PSX games are backups. But own most of them, even a repro of secret of mana 2 for snes.

[brunoafh]

If you can't get into JRPGs why do you have a huge stockpile of them, let alone repro carts?

[Xeogred]

Yeah, since you're not a huge fan consider me jealous about you possibly owning Suikoden 2 and a repro of Seiken Densetsu 3.