Best Squaresoft games that aren't Final Fantasy

[pierrot]

So, Final Fantasy games are fairly popular—yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let's discuss Squaresoft games that aren't Final Fantasy for a mo'.

I like the FF series just fine—they're generally pretty decent—but I always felt like Square's best stuff was outside of that franchise.

Personal favorites include:

Dewprism (Threads of Fate) - Rue's scenario is really impressive to me. (Not so much Mint's.) The combat is pretty cool, and it can be played for hours beyond the standard Mint/Rue scenarios.

Chrono Cross - How people are able to snub this game so easily, I'll never really know. Combat system is ingenious for the time, and the story, music and art direction all far outpace the majority of Square RPGs. (Certainly the main FF series, and Chrono Trigger.)

Seiken Densetsu - Falls outside of the FF franchise on a technicality, but I've always loved this original Game Boy game. It's a little rough around the edges these days, but still a classic.


Enix has a really great back-catalog as well, but I would prefer to keep this thread centered on Square's. I'm eagerly anticipating mention of Rad Racer and Racing Lagoon.

[dunpeal2064]

Legend of Dragoon is probably my favorite non-FF Square RPG, and has my favorite combat system in any RPG.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Obviously Chrono Trigger. In my book it's second only to FFVI.

Live A Live is a fun and quirky Super Famicom RPG where you play through several scenarios with seven different characters.

The SaGa games are a mixed bag, but I love Romancing Saga 3 - the last one on the Super Famicom.

As far as strategy RPGs go Bahamut Lagoon ranks right up there with the Shining Force, Fire Emblem, and Ogre Battle games. Shame there was never a sequel.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I have always enjoyed Einhander, and I really wish Squaresoft had developed more shmups. (Squaresoft was easily the most daring studio of the 1990s. It is too bad that FF: The Spirits Within nearly broke it...and forced it to churn out FF games to stay out of bankruptcy...)

[pierrot]

Legend of Dragoon is probably my favorite non-FF Square RPG, and has my favorite combat system in any RPG.

Psst
That one's by SCEI

Live A Live is a fun and quirky Super Famicom RPG where you play through several scenarios with seven different characters.

At some point, I would really like to play this game. Same with Rudra no Hihou, and Treasure Hunter G.

[o.pwuaioc]

Legend of Dragoon is probably my favorite non-FF Square RPG, and has my favorite combat system in any RPG.

That's actually a Sony game, not a Square one.

[dunpeal2064]

Thats what I get for posting while boozed.

I'll mention Super Mario RPG then, the game that got me into RPGS.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Live A Live is a fun and quirky Super Famicom RPG where you play through several scenarios with seven different characters.

At some point, I would really like to play this game. Same with Rudra no Hihou, and Treasure Hunter G.

Both of those are great too.

Treasure Hunter G is actually a Sting game - published by Squaresoft.

[o.pwuaioc]

I'm surprised Breath of Fire series and Secret of Mana or Sagaia aren't already mentioned. Secret of Mana especially is one of my favorites, and Breath of Fire III and IV are phenomenal.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Breath of Fire III and IV are phenomenal.

Those're actually Capcom games, not Square ones.



I agree with you on Secret of Mana, however. It remains one of my favorite ARPGs.

I would also state that, since this is a site dedicated to retro gaming, I am a bit disappointed that no one has mentioned Rad Racer, 3D World Runner, or King's Knight.