RPG Progress Report

[Xeogred]

A summer or two ago I played FFII (PSP), FFIV (PSP), FFIII (NES), and FFV (GBA) all back to back.

No excuses man, YOU CAN DO IT!

[BoneSnapDeez]

Actually I've been thinking about rolling through Final Fantasy I through VI next year. I have ports of each game that I have never finished. Something like this:
Final Fantasy (GBA)
Final Fantasy II (GBA)
Final Fantasy III (DS)
Final Fantasy IV (PSP)
Final Fantasy V (PS1)
Final Fantasy VI (PS1)

[AppleQueso]

Final Fantasy VI (PS1)

FYI, this is pretty much identical to the SNES version. All that's different is the title screen and load times.

[dsheinem]

Actually I've been thinking about rolling through Final Fantasy I through VI next year. I have ports of each game that I have never finished. Something like this:
Final Fantasy (GBA)
Final Fantasy II (GBA)
Final Fantasy III (DS)
Final Fantasy IV (PSP)
Final Fantasy V (PS1)
Final Fantasy VI (PS1)

wait for Square to have their annual PSN sale and grab all of these for the Vita

[BoneSnapDeez]

FYI, this is pretty much identical to the SNES version. All that's different is the title screen and load times.

Yeah I know - but I've beaten the SNES and GBA versions sooooo many times that I want to try something new.

wait for Square to have their annual PSN sale and grab all of these for the Vita

Well I already own all of the games I mentioned so I wouldn't want to buy digital versions. Vita sounds like a cool platform to play them on though.

[dsheinem]

Vita sounds like a cool platform to play them on though.

Yup, I own physical copies too - but the low cost for a digital version to play on the go and on that screen made the decision an easy one for me. Most of them were under $5, which seemed a fair price for a version i could play on the toilet.

[Xeogred]

The loading times aren't worth it, lol. Same with Chrono Trigger (PSX), then there's the garbage translation for FFV. I think FFIV was the only good port across Chronicles/Anthology. It had a long initial wait when you start it up or loaded your save, but from there I don't remember it having any loading at all. And it's the hard type so that's awesome.

FFIV (PSP) was great, but based off the GBA version I think... can't remember if it had the ATB bug as well, but it was definitely easier than the PSX version.

You were all talking FFVI remake earlier, I'd be cool with an "updated" version with the style of FFIV PSP myself honestly. It was an awesome new coat of paint. Really wish we could have gotten FFIII in that style as well.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Aaaaaaaannnnd Phantasy Star IV is done.

I've now finished the main series, parts I through IV.

Here's how I rank 'em:

Phantasy Star IV - Far and away the best game in the series. If you were to only play one PS game this should be it. All of the problems with previous games have been ironed out here. The characters have personality, the dungeons are manageable, item inventory is no longer a pain in the ass, and your characters actually move at a substantial rate. Oh and it's nice to finally see a plethora of bosses in a Phantasy Star title as well. Ranks up there with the best SNES JRPGs - play it!

Phantasy Star - The fact that this was originally released in 1987 still blows my mind. Certainly the best Master System RPG (it's better than Ys: The Vanished Omens) and superior to most NES RPGs as well. The first person dungeons look amazing. And I love Alis.

Phantasy Star III - Not as bad as most people claim it is. The characters are a bit wooden, but the multi-generational plot is groundbreaking and unique. The battle system is nice and streamlined here as well.

Phantasy Star II - A beautiful looking (and sounding) game, but my lord is it tedious. The dungeons are brutal and the game is generally repetitive overall. As I've said before, this is more of a game for those interested in the history and evolution of the JRPG genre rather than those who simply want to play a "good RPG."

[Violent By Design]

You said PS is better than most NES RPGs, what RPGs do you have in mind that made you refrain from saying it's better than all NES RPGs?

[BoneSnapDeez]

You said PS is better than most NES RPGs, what RPGs do you have in mind that made you refrain from saying it's better than all NES RPGs?

Dragon Warrior III and IV!