What RPG are you playing right now?

[BoneSnapDeez]

I am going to start up Shining in the Darkness, a game I have had since I was a child, but never got anywhere thanks to a lack of map system. Would it be cheating to use a pre-made map versus making my own?

You wouldn't cheat on your wife, would you? So why you gonna cheat on Sega?

I kid, I kid.

I don't consider using resources to be cheating. "Cheating" to me is Game Genie, emulator save-state scumming, etc.

I don't know about Shining in the Darkness specifically, but many of these old RPGs and adventure games came with maps on printed paper. Not to mention the fact that maps, hints, etc were also available in magazines published at the time. We tend to forget as most surviving copies are now cart-only. I tend to think of the internet as a substitute for these forgotten old relics.

The 13-year-old me would have probably made maps and enjoyed doing so. The 31-year-old me rarely find time to play video games before 10 PM, says fts, and visits sites like this.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Well, I was going to use the already made maps out there, because I wanted to rush through it before the Together Retro January RPG, Grandia started, but I decided against it and just started up Grandia early with hopes of beating it before the end of next month.

Then I will try Shining in the Darkness and make the maps myself.

[Exhuminator]

Together Retro January RPG, Grandia started

Oh man, finally a together retro I can get in on. I've been meaning to play Grandia forever.

[disrupture]

Which DQ should I start with ? I've got VIII on PS2, IX on DS and Monsters : Joker 1 or 2 on DS.

Should I buy another one to start with ? I've never played any DQ games yet.

[Exhuminator]

I've got VIII on PS2, IX on DS and Monsters : Joker 1 or 2 on

From that lot, I think DQ VIII would be an amazing DQ to start with, but keep in mind that every DQ after that will feel like a big step down graphic wise. DQ IX is not a good DQ to start with, because it's not really indicative of the majority of DQ series' gameplay. The Joker games are totally different from how mainline DQ games play... they are offshoots.

Honestly I think this would be the best DQ entry to start with:

[jmbarnes101]

^ That cover is fantastic. I may have to play that myself.

I just started Breath of Fire for the SNES, picked it up in a trade, which I've never played before. I've faced the Wizard with the girl character, who got captured, and the main character is going to go rescue her. I like that you can set it to auto for the easy battles, most of them, as it makes it go so much quicker. I'm not as impressed with it as I thought it would be but I'm having fun with it which is probably the most important thing.

[MrPopo]

Be careful that you do get the GBC version of DQ, not the NES version. The NES DQs (especially 2) will chew you up and spit you out.

[BoneSnapDeez]

NES DQ1 isn't bad. Just old and slow.

NES DQ2 can go eff itself.

[vatermuzik]

NES DQ1 isn't bad. Just old and slow.

NES DQ2 can go eff itself.

I laughed when I saw this. I'm currently going back to DW2 on the NES after a short hiatus. I'm at the cave to Rhone. I've just gotta finish it after getting that far. And yes, I enjoyed the first game way more, despite it's many flaws.

My reward for finishing DW2 will be my first ever play through of FFIII(SNES). I just got it recently and can't wait to finally give it a go.

[MrPopo]

NES DQ1 isn't bad. Just old and slow.

NES DQ2 can go eff itself.

I laughed when I saw this. I'm currently going back to DW2 on the NES after a short hiatus. I'm at the cave to Rhone. I've just gotta finish it after getting that far. And yes, I enjoyed the first game way more, despite it's many flaws.

Congratulations! You've reached the most annoying and longest dungeon in the game, followed up with an overworld section that has tons of enemies that spam instant death spells. Make a beeline for that church right away.