What rpg has the best story?

[MrPopo]

I personally wasn't a huge fan of how Baldur's Gate 2 controlled (my only BG attempt), but I've heard good things about the story.

I always thought Morrowind was an interesting game. The main story isn't forced down your throat like Oblivion sometimes got (what with the Oblivion gates). And I thought it was kind of cool that you were sent in as a spy, and turned out to actually be the messiah figure.

[Bootaaay]

My favourite is easily The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - the core story was nothing we all haven't seen a thousand times in various other RPGs, but the sheer depth of the backstory and the art design sucked me into the story of my character more than most RPG's ever manage to. The main questline ran at quite a sedate pace compared to Oblivion, and in Morrowind's case this was perfect as it actively encouraged you to experience the full gamet of what Vvardenfell had to offer while the main quest provided a coherant and enjoyable backbone to the whole experience. Also, Morrowind's questline centered entirely around your character; Oblivion felt like you were just a supporting actor running errands for the main NPC cast, whereas Morrowind perfectly captures your characters rise to becoming the re-incarnation of a god.

[Gamerforlife]

Final Fantasy 6 had a great story. FF X's story was pretty good, but not quite in that same league.

I'm quite fond of Bioware's storytelling, and they've really reached a new high in this area with Mass Effect, which is looking to become a full trilogy.

Grandia and Skies of Arcadia didn't have great stories, but I fond the characters very charming. Granted they are light hearted, kid friendly fare but I still enjoyed those two games.

Suikoden III had a great tale, but the gameplay was boring and tedious and I felt like not having played the previous games made some aspects of the story less clear to me.

[Haruspex]

Mass Effect looks promising, but because the story isn't finished yet you can tell for sure if it is really great. I am not a fan of Western rpg's but props to Mass Effect for the overall atmosphere and story.

Final Fantasy VII has an awesome story, i don't care if some people found it overrated as a game but from all the fantasy's i beat (IV, VIII, IX and X) this has the best story by far.

And Xenogears, one of the better overall gaming experiences i have ever. However if you tell me to beat this again now i will say no even if you pay me, weird isn't it?

Honorable mention - Suikoden II

[MaliceValentine]

Jade empire.

[IndestructibleWolves]

This is an extremely hard question but some of my favorite story-lines are Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy XII (though I'm not the game's BIGGEST fan), and Lost Odyssey. So many others though.

[Spoiler Duck]

Do you mean story as in the plot itself or the writing that presents it? My experience has taught me that the most interesting plots come from JRPGs, while the Western RPGs beat those to the ground in writing.

In my opinion, a story is only as good as its storyteller allows it to be, so in most cases writing trumps plot. In that regard, Mass Effect currently holds the 'bestest RPG ever' title for me. That and the 70s sci-fi aesthetic was perfect, helped immensely by a convincing film grain filter effect.

If it is just an interesting plot you are after, Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 have a fantastic, mature, quasi-religious orientated story with a twist towards the end of the first game that will rock your socks if it hasn't been spoilt for you already. The art style is also a really cool employment of cel-shading. The writing will make you cringe from time to time, though, so be warned.

[IndestructibleWolves]

Do you mean story as in the plot itself or the writing that presents it? My experience has taught me that the most interesting plots come from JRPGs, while the Western RPGs beat those to the ground in writing.

In my opinion, a story is only as good as its storyteller allows it to be, so in most cases writing trumps plot. In that regard, Mass Effect currently holds the 'bestest RPG ever' title for me. That and the 70s sci-fi aesthetic was perfect, helped immensely by a convincing film grain filter effect.

If it is just an interesting plot you are after, Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 have a fantastic, mature, quasi-religious orientated story with a twist towards the end of the first game that will rock your socks if it hasn't been spoilt for you already. The art style is also a really cool employment of cel-shading. The writing will make you cringe from time to time, though, so be warned.

as well as Nocturne and all of the Personas. Best story-lines. Love these games so much.

[khyrox]

That's a tough question. Currently, I'd pick Ultima 7 on the PC. Panzer Dragoon Saga on console.

[marurun]

I think the combination of Japanese styles of story telling and translation makes JRPGs often feel very weird, even when translated very well. Of course, what's really odd is the total difference in style between how Japanese video games, manga, and anime tell stories versus how stories are told in modern Japanese literature. I mean, naturally the former are more pulp mediums versus the latter, and you see that distinction in the West as well, but because we don't get hit with it post translation and through the lens of a different culture, the difference feels less painful to us.

Heck, I would argue that the dialogue writing in Baldur's Gate is the equal of any TV writing done in the US.

Wow, I can tell I haven't had much sleep. This post is all over the place... I hope the core message comes across.