Best RPG for starting out

[o.pwuaioc]

Chrono Trigger. Extremely easy to pick up and play, relatively "short" with no padding, and simply an incredible game.

Only downside is that it's so good most games you play after will pale in comparison.

(The SNES Chrono Trigger is expensive, but the DS version is pretty much a direct port and runs for much cheaper. Avoid the PS1 port.)

I've decided on Chrono Trigger. It's the one I've heard the most about, and it's one of those games I feel like I should have played already Thanks!

That was a quick decision. Btw, Final Fantasy IV or Secret of Mana > Chrono Trigger.

[ninjainspandex]

paper mario and the thousand year door man i love that game... shit now i wanna go play it right now and i have work to do...

[Xeogred]

Super Mario RPG legend of the seven stars

Gets my vote too.

Was this the starter for you guys? Was my first real RPG that I played back in the day. Had no idea what I was doing half the time (like with the level ups, all I did was boost HP since it was the bigger number... logic! lol), but somehow I beat it.

Still one I love to revisit thesedays though, great stuff.

[o.pwuaioc]

Secret of Mana and then Final Fantasy IV were my first. Oops, there goes my claim to objectivity.

[sheath]

I would personally require Dragon Warrior on the NES, Phantasy Star, Ys The Vanished Omens and Miracle Warriors on the Master System, before moving on to Shining in the Darkness on Genesis and Final Fantasy II/IV on SNES.

Playing these games first will not only allow one to appreciate more games in the genre, it will also help against "random encounter" bias.

[pakopako]

Believe it or not, I have never really gotten into RPG's. I played Final Fantasy 1 via Final Fantasy Origins on the PS1 for a bit, but other than that, I never really got into them. What RPG should I go for?

Have you played any turn-based (or even real time) strategy or tactics games?

I mean, the absolute easiest JRPG would be Final Fantasy Mystic Quest for the SNES -- a literal 10-hour RPG where you talk to some flat characters, grind on some cute enemies, solve rather innovative puzzles, and hear some rocking music.

I still stand by everyone's suggestion for Super Mario RPG for the SNES though; that game is more action-packed while mowing through the JRPG cliche list. Maybe even Final Fantasy VII if you want something more modern.

Although if you don't like JRPG, there are also action-RPGs like Secret of Mana or Soul Blazer (SNES), Crusaders of Centy (Genesis; also "Soleil" for the Mega Drive), Final Fantasy Adventure on the GB (remade into the moody Sword of Mana on the GBA), or my personal favorite, Crystalis on the NES.

Possibly try some tactical games, like Final Fantasy Tactics for the PSX (or PSP) to juggle around class changing and army management.

I would personally require Dragon Warrior on the NES, Phantasy Star... Playing these games first will not only allow one to appreciate more games in the genre, it will also help against "random encounter" bias.

While I agree with these games in principle, I must respond with a resounding BIIIIG NO. People shouldn't have to go back to layers of menu-choices and mind-numbing grinding; this is why I so love Final Fantasy Legend II on the GB -- it is a deep and easy game that goes so far as to keep track of clues you get from strangers that potentially requires no XP grinding... if you get a tutorial on class strengths first. (Know the transformation table of Monsters to keep the best mixes for yourself.)

I love how beautiful Dragon Warrior is for an early NES RPG, but I would recommend the GB port which streamlines the menu options. And Phantasy Star has great music, but I literally fell out of my chair asleep because Alys walks so slowly.

[Bradtemple87]

Super Mario RPG legend of the seven stars

Gets my vote too.

Was this the starter for you guys? Was my first real RPG that I played back in the day. Had no idea what I was doing half the time (like with the level ups, all I did was boost HP since it was the bigger number... logic! lol), but somehow I beat it.

Still one I love to revisit thesedays though, great stuff.

Just a memorable experience with an easy learning curve

[sheath]

While I agree with these games in principle, I must respond with a resounding BIIIIG NO. People shouldn't have to go back to layers of menu-choices and mind-numbing grinding; this is why I so love Final Fantasy Legend II on the GB -- it is a deep and easy game that goes so far as to keep track of clues you get from strangers that potentially requires no XP grinding... if you get a tutorial on class strengths first. (Know the transformation table of Monsters to keep the best mixes for yourself.)

I love how beautiful Dragon Warrior is for an early NES RPG, but I would recommend the GB port which streamlines the menu options. And Phantasy Star has great music, but I literally fell out of my chair asleep because Alys walks so slowly.

I honestly don't know what the point of turn based RPGs is if not for the grind. 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.

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. Either that, or we need to change the name of the genre. Maybe Story Telling Game would be more appropriate?

[Jmustang1968]

Super Mario RPG legend of the seven stars

Gets my vote too.

Was this the starter for you guys? Was my first real RPG that I played back in the day. Had no idea what I was doing half the time (like with the level ups, all I did was boost HP since it was the bigger number... logic! lol), but somehow I beat it.

Still one I love to revisit thesedays though, great stuff.

This is a game I never could get in to

[Jmustang1968]

My firsts were Shining Force 2, FFVI, and Secret of Mana