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Well you're 6 hours in, the story is massive... but I'm sure you'll pickup on who's who eventually.

Xenogears is really high on my "need to play this" list. Its been sitting on my shelf for a bit now. I've heard its one of the greatest rpgs on the console, if not ever, but it definitely doesn't start out as strong as others.

From what I've heard about it, though, things start to pick up and don't stop, so I really need to put some time into it.

I think I've been playing too many shmups lately. Whenever I go to play an rpg, it just isn't fast enough entertainment for me anymore.

I've heard that all the time, honestly I thought the game was pretty engaging from the get go though. But yeah, it certainly does pickup big time later on.

I haven't actually played much Xenogears, though I did watch my brother play through most of it(he was about an estimated four hours from the end). After a bit of a slow start(compared to later in the game), it gets crazy quick. You're doing yourself a favor in terms of RPGs by playing it.

That said, I've gotten Bahamut. A cake walk, really. Since I no longer had FuSoYa, I had Rosa do her best to build defenses. Everyone except Cecil survived the blast, mainly because his defenses apparently wore off right before the attack. I didn't even bother protecting Kain, I just had him jump right before the blast. Bahamut offed himself with his own attack. So that's it for true sidequests in FFIV. I'm debating the hidden summons after spending about two hours killing imps to get nothing. I kind of just want to grind up levels and tackle the final dungeon.

After this...well, I may sit down with another RPG. I was pretty burnt out on them from an arduous experience with Front Mission 3(I've been sitting at about 5 fights from the end for about a year and a half now, and I just can't bring myself to do it). But I'm really feeling them after what's been an absolute blast with FFIV.

Xeogred, I need to thank you. I likely would never have sat down with this if you hadn't been playing it. Thank you so much. This has been such an incredible game.

Ack wrote:After this...well, I may sit down with another RPG. I was pretty burnt out on them from an arduous experience with Front Mission 3(I've been sitting at about 5 fights from the end for about a year and a half now, and I just can't bring myself to do it). But I'm really feeling them after what's been an absolute blast with FFIV.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I beat Tactics Ogre (SNES) earlier this year and that's been... it so far, until now. Last year I barely even played any JRPG's as well and I think most of them were just replays, like Secret of Mana and Seiken Densetsu 3. I feel like I've been in a JRPG rut for a few years now but it feels like replaying FFIV has kind of rejuvenated my love for the genre.

The simplicity of FFIV (gameplay wise) suddenly gave me a huge craving to replay FFV again because I got all the way to the very end on the PSX version and stopped, so it's been unfinished business. That and I've been dabbing into it again and it just feels like the mood for it now is absolutely perfect, third times a charm? I'm finally really excited to actually play that one and determined to beat it. I love Seiken Densetsu 3 because it's a different experience everytime with the multiple characters and classes, and it's finally hit me... FFV is just like that as well. Maybe the last two times I played it just wasn't the best time or I was burned out, I also don't think I ever maxed out the battle speed (which I do in a lot of JRPG's thesedays), and that can also make it more fun for me. I'm stoked to play it finally and give it a real chance. I know the story isn't nearly on par with IV or VI, but oh well... and reading up more about ExDeath does make him sound awesome. Silly and a little cliche', but "THE LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE MEAN NOTHING!" and some people arguing "What other villain is actually the final boss fight?" is a pretty good point, haha. He could be awesome in his own weird ways.

I'm also really interested in finally hitting up FFII as well and finishing that one, since it's one of the last ones I haven't played much of or beaten. Especially after someone here put it really well, saying FFII is to FFIV what FFIV is to FFVI, all these entries are comparable because they have more story, death, and characters, whereas FFI, FFIII, and FFV focus almost purely on the gameplay. Not a bad thing, but the way whoever here put it like that hit me over the head pretty well... so I think I'll dig FFII since I love FFIV and FFVI when it comes to the stories. The real test will be to see how the weird leveling system works, hopefully it's not bad! I played a tiny bit of it back on the PSX version but not enough to really get a feel for the game.

As for now I'm focusing on The After Years, haven't played much, but I've already seen enough to know that it's FFIV with a lot of nice twists to make it interesting again. The "Band" attack combo's with multiple characters, probably new commands and abilities, the Moon system, etc... it sounds awesome. The way brunoafh put it was perfect, comparing it to Mega Man 9-10, it's an FFIV sequel made for FFIV fans and it really does seem like it'll play like it was a last gen SNES title. I'm definitely excited to see more. I just hope it ends well! Like I've been saying on the board I think FFIV has one of the best endings hands down out of the FF's, so hopefully The After Years doesn't tarnish that or anything.

Anyways, back on FFIV... I will say it wasn't Bahamut I had trouble with, but Bahamut II, AKA Wyvern in the Chronicles version so maybe that's his name in FFII (US). I'll be curious to know if that fight is "easy" for you... haha. Like I mentioned earlier, I think one of the best places to level is on the main floor outside of the small room with the final save point. You probably already know about the exp divide trick, but yeah if you want to boost characters quickly just kill some off. In the Chronicles version and the PSP one I boosted Cecil a ton so he was practically invincible by the final fight. I seriously think in Chronicles I ended up solo'ing with him against Zeromus for the most part, using items for Haste, then using all my X-Potions and Elixers and just kept hitting him when I could.

And Front Mission 3, oh man that's one I've been meaning to really play for years but I really need a big push into it for some reason. I feel like I've played the first hour or so ten times. It seems amazing, I just always instantly end up getting into another game or something, no idea. Someday... my PSX JRPG backlog is pretty chunky, gotta get into them someday. I am 110% in the mood for classic FF now though.

Finish Front Mission 3! I finished both stories all the way through and loved everything that game offered!

Oh and I forgot to mention, that's commendable you could watch someone play Xenogears Ack, haha. It's by far one of my top favorites, but I remember watching a friend play a lot of it back in Jr. High and I'd always almost pass out watching it, and then when my friend a few years ago tried to show me some of it I couldn't focus on it at all. Kind of weird how some people differ though, I have one friend that just loves the heck out of watching people play JRPG's, he'd always make me play Suikoden and stuff for him, lol.

Bradtemple87 wrote:Finish Front Mission 3! I finished both stories all the way through and loved everything that game offered!

Yeah, I can honestly say SRPG's aren't my love. I think I've played enough to know that, but some I can really get into. FFT I've completed twice and I won't say I love it, it's okay. Tactics Ogre on the other hand I thought blew it out of the water story/gameplay wise and is probably my #1 SRPG right now that might not be topped. I also really enjoyed Arc the Lad 1-2, but other than that... I really have to be in the mood for these kind of games.

I am a huge sci-fi/mecha fan though so Front Mission 3 really hits the spot there. It also seems like in the tiny bits I've played it probably has potential to have a story better than most mecha anime out there anyways, which usually have cliche's (like Gundam for example... teen pilots, the Gundam's are invincible with plot armor, etc), the Front Mission universe seems a lot more down to Earth and kind of Battletech-esque. I'm just guessing though, but yeah if it really is like that and is filled with crazy politics, corporations, things like that, I'm sure it'll be right up my alley. I just need a huge amount of determination to take it on, lol. Someday! Of the dozen or so PSX JRPG's I own that I haven't really touched, it's at the top of the list of what I want to get through first. I'd say Star Ocean 2 is up there as well... haha, I played 10 hours and loved it but once again got busier with other stuff I guess, I never got off the first planet which people say, I played like nothing of the real game apparently.

I shouldn't say its an issue with strategy RPGs. I've played through Final Fantasy Tactics multiple times, I slaughtered La Pucelle Tactics about five years ago, and Bahamut Lagoon was an incredible experience I wish had been brought over here. I also loved Tactics Ogre on the GBA. But Front Mission 3...honestly, a lot of it comes down to the characters.

like Gundam for example... teen pilots

No, that happens, which is what I think I dislike about it. The lead characters just strike me as annoying. I'm not saying Bradtemple87's got it wrong, there are things I like about the game, but the main characters really detract from the experience for me to the point I just don't want to play it. I think about it and then groan...maybe I'll do it. But it's going to take a bit.

Oh heck yeah, forgot about TO Knight of Lodis (GBA) as well, damn good game too. I like to pretend FFTA doesn't even exist when you think of Knight of Lodis.

Hmm, well I'll have to give FM3 a shot myself to see what I think. I do have to ask though, on average how long was that game for you? I know there's two main routes, they both sound insanely long though...

Xeogred wrote:Oh heck yeah, forgot about TO Knight of Lodis (GBA) as well, damn good game too. I like to pretend FFTA doesn't even exist when you think of Knight of Lodis.

Hmm, well I'll have to give FM3 a shot myself to see what I think. I do have to ask though, on average how long was that game for you? I know there's two main routes, they both sound insanely long though...

Oh man, I don't even remember. It was pretty up there for my time, something like in the 70s in terms of hours if I recall, but don't quote me.

What the hell, don't let me bias you. Give it a fair shot. You might end up loving it.