Best RPG for starting out

[o.pwuaioc]

This is a game I never could get in to

I recently have come to appreciate Super Mario RPG a bit more after watching my gf play. I could never get very far, it didn't really appeal to me, and is a bit too simple for my tastes. However, I've come to appreciate the charm it exudes, and do think it's great as an introduction to RPGs if you already love Super Mario World.

[Dakinggamer87]

Super Mario RPG legend of the seven stars

That gets my vote as well!!

[darthmunky]

Pokemon FireRed, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Illusion of Gaia.

[pakopako]

I really do think people would appreciate the RPG genre more if they took the time to figure out what the earlier titles were all about.

Not that I don't disagree with what you are saying, I just don't think that will happen. The farther along the sequel go, the less they resemble their original progenitors. Both Dragon Quest and Final fantasy fit that. Heck, see how much Fallout 3 resembles Wateland. Although I do applaud a game like Dark Spire or Etrian Odyssey[/b], but it is also difficult for those games to find an audience nowadays. Gradually moving backwards might be more feasible since the change won't be as sudden, but given how long some of these game series' go, it might be awhile before that first game is reached.

I get in a great meditative state with a decent RPG grind. If I just want a story I can read something, but I don't even like novels anymore. ... Either that, or we need to change the name of the genre. Maybe Story Telling Game would be more appropriate?

I actually do agree that if combat was taken out we'd end up with something akin to a visual novel or text adventure... or even graphical adventure. But I think of the Sakura Taisen series -- all five main Sakura Wars games are half date-sim and half tactical game. They function in alternating sequences side-by-side. If you isolate either portion of the game, you end up with a limited visual novel (a graphical game that is advanced through limited menu choices; you only have to keep track of your choices and your consequences) and rather simplistic combat.

Combine the two and they do work, but separate them and you will have to compensate for their short-comings. A sole VN would have more characters to interact with, thus more choices to make and remember. A more combat intensive game would have promotions, diverse weaponry, and squad-based tactical formations. I look to the Grandia series, where every battle is akin to a boss battle because of how the field is laid out. A great combat system which is (for the first two games in my limited experience) supplanted by a nice story.

[Metal Jesus]

To answer this, I just need to look at what my wife likes... and she loves Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Skyrim. She's not very hardcore at all, and she is passionate about those RPG games!

[Hazerd]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, extremely linear and fun!

[o.pwuaioc]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, extremely linear and fun for a six year old!

FTFY.

[noiseredux]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, extremely linear and fun for a six year old!

FTFY.

nah... it is super easy, but it's fun for a quick run through.

[dunpeal2064]

As for linear, easily accessible RPGs, I would recommend Super Mario RPG over Mystic Quest.

Mystic Quest is so easy that it actually won't prepare you for a real rpg. You don't even equip your gear.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I got stuck in Mystic Quest as a kid. Had to write to Nintendo Power for help.