RPGs that still hold up pretty well

[dunpeal2064]

I don't mind playing translated roms, I'll just stick em on the Wii. So, I'm looking at:

DQ1&2 (GBC)
DQ3 (GBC)
DQ4 (NES)
DQ5 (SFC)
DQ6 (SFC)

From there, I'll decide if I want to try DQ7 again. The last time I tried, I recall almost nothing happening for the first hour of the game. Who knows though, I may feel the need to try again.

I know the later DQ games are notorious for being long, but how are the first 4?

[ninjainspandex]

if you don't mind playing them on a PC of course.

Or softmodded Wii, Xbox, or psp.

[MrPopo]

I don't mind playing translated roms, I'll just stick em on the Wii. So, I'm looking at:

DQ1&2 (GBC)
DQ3 (GBC)
DQ4 (NES)
DQ5 (SFC)
DQ6 (SFC)

From there, I'll decide if I want to try DQ7 again. The last time I tried, I recall almost nothing happening for the first hour of the game. Who knows though, I may feel the need to try again.

I know the later DQ games are notorious for being long, but how are the first 4?

DQ1 is short. DQ2 is also fairly short; most of the time I spent on it were grinding at the end and a load of failed runs at the final dungeon. DQ3 is definitely longer, I'd put it at least as long as Final Fantasy 1, maybe longer. DQ4 is long, but it doesn't drag. You play through 4 short prologue chapters that give backstory for your party members, then a final chapter which is the main game.

You recall DQ7 correctly, btw. It takes about an hour before you get into combat with your first slime. The whole game took me 70-80 hours to complete. However, each section of the game is a little story. Most of the stories are self contained, but a few connect with each other (can't get into more detail without spoilers). It gives the whole game the feeling of an episodic anime. Initially you're just saving the day because you're good people as you explore, but then the game builds up to all of these problems being the result of the big bad, and it's up to you to stop him.

DQ8 isn't quite as long as DQ7, but it's still very long. I'd put it at 50-60 hours. It starts off immediately, though, so I think it's easier to get into.

DQ9 is about 40-50 hours for the main game and another 20-30 hours for the basic postgame content (longer if you want to get all the clothing from the legacy bosses).

[BoneSnapDeez]

FYI, Dragon Quest 1&2/3 are also on the Super Famicom. Again, Japan only - but there are translated ROMs. Just letting you know in case you're a huge SNES guy like me.

[WallCrusher]

I've tried a few times to get into the original DQ, and I know that once I hit a stride with it I'll probably fly through it, but as of now every time I have popped it in, I've ended up shutting it off before getting too far.

WallCrusher, since you seem to have some experience with the series, would you say the first game is a good place to start. or is it more enjoyable once you have experienced the better DQ games, to come back and enjoy its beginnings? Also, does the story pick up more, or is the meat of the game more in leveling and exploration?

Well, I'm the kinda guy who enjoys starting a series at the beginning and working my way up, but the first Dragon Quest most certainly isn't for everyone.

For me, DQIV is a classic and I highly recommend it. One of the game's biggest focal points is getting to connect with your party members, and for a game that has minimal party dialogue, it manages to pull it off masterfully. If you want something more dialogue heavy, the PS1 version (Japan-only) and the Japanese release of the DS version have a "party chat" included which basically helps flesh out the characters and story better.

Another DQ which seems to be a fan favorite is DQV, and that game is definitely one of the more story driven installments. It also has aspects such as monster training and even marriage, which might sound like an odd combination but DQV makes it work all so well. And of course, like DQIV, the PS2 remake (Japan-only) and the DS remake have a party chat.

If you want what I consider to be one of the best story driven Dragon Quests, however, I would probably say DQVII, but that game is like... super hardcore. Like Popo said, just getting into the first battle without rushing would take you about three hours. If you stick with the game, however, hopefully you will find it to be as rewarding an experience as I did. They did also remake the game for 3DS, but I don't even know if we'll be getting a US release (I sure hope so).

Lastly, there's DQVIII, which is visually the best in the series. It also features a top-notch orchestrated soundtrack, and superb voice acting. You can also get the game pretty cheap, IIRC. It's a pretty well-rounded DQ game, and one of the best JRPGs on PS2.

[Michi]

They just released a 3DS remake of DQ VII in Japan, yes? I think I read somewhere it sped up (perhaps "streamlined" is a better term) the period before you actually get involved in a battle.

Though, now that I'm thinking about it I'm not sure where I read that.

[J T]

Despite looking its age visually, Anachronox still feels more cutting edge than the majority of RPGs released today. It's just so unique that even having stereotypical rainy neon cyberpunk trappings can't slow it down from feeling incredibly creative and original.

[J T]

I also wanted to add that it really speaks to the lasting power of the early Final Fantasy series that people keep buying new Final Fantasy games no matter how many times they have been disappointed that the new ones are never as good as IV, VI, or VII.

It's actually a strange series that actually feels like it has been slowly de-evolving for the last roughly 20 years, despite technological improvements.

[Raiiban]

Just recently I began playing Panzer Dragoon Saga on Sega Saturn. I was amazed at how well the gameplay itself held up -still feeling better and more unique than almost anything out even today- but how badly the visuals had aged. The games FMV's don't look well at all and the camera angle and height when flying around on the dragon on a map can be pretty annoying, I don't seem to remember being bothered by that too much when the game as still fresh.

So that games visuals don't hold well, but the gameplay and story I believe are still top notch.

[BoneSnapDeez]

They just released a 3DS remake of DQ VII in Japan, yes? I think I read somewhere it sped up (perhaps "streamlined" is a better term) the period before you actually get involved in a battle.

Though, now that I'm thinking about it I'm not sure where I read that.

The game looks amazing, I hope it gets released in the States next year.