Good starting JRPG for a noob

[kelsoanim]

I've been wanting to get into JRPGs for a while now but I'm not quite sure where to start. I like sci fi, and turn based RPGs seem fun to me from what I've tried. Seems like I should try Xenoblade Chronicles given all the fan hype I read, but new copies are hard to find right now and used copies are consequently overpriced ($129 on Amazon). Last Story gets some praise as well. I've been looking forward to Ni No Kuni but my PS3's blue ray drive is dead. I hear Dragon Quest is a good series on PS2 or DS also. People tell me Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy III/VI would be a good place to start too. There are so many good games in this genre it's kind of overwhelming. I would love some input on where to begin.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I started with Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy III/VI, and Secret of Mana. (A lot of people started with Final Fantasy VII on the PS1, but I do not think it has aged as well as the 16-bit entries in the Final Fantasy series.) If you are looking for something a bit newer, however, I recommend Dragon Quest VIII or Dragon Quest IX.


EDIT: I also think that Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story might be a bit too complex for someone just startiong our with JRPGs. (The same goes for some of the very old, 8-bit JRPGs.) The 16-bit entries in famous JRPG franchises should provide you with the right combination of accessibility and fun, and they should give you a good understanding of basic JRPG mechanics before you move on to more complex games.

[MrPopo]

Isn't Xenogears on the PSN?

[kelsoanim]

Whoops, I was thinking Xenoblade Chronicles, but typed Xenogears. I meant the Wii game.

[isiolia]

There are a lot of older games to be had for cheap on PSN, which have the advantage of being playable on your PS3 or PSP. You can get the PS1 versions of FFV, VI, Chrono Trigger (though the DS version is likely preferable), and so on. Unfortunately, you missed out on the 50% off sale on all the FF games on PSN from a few weeks back.

The PSP also has a -lot- of JRPGs itself. You've got some remakes of classics there like FFIV Complete, Lunar, and Star Ocean. (Valkyrie Profile is also great, but the gameplay isn't as "traditional").

The Golden Sun series are probably good starting games too.

If you want something a little newer, I'd actually say FFX. It has some cheesy writing and all, but the combat system itself is fun, and the game is very linear, which can be a good thing in that you always have a very good sense of what to do next.

[Dylan]

A couple of suggestions for retro RPGs:

The Mario RPG games (Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario 1/2) are good choices for starting out with turn based RPGs due to their moderate difficulty and simplicity.

Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger are good RPGs to start with if you're looking to dive straight into the classics, but can be a tad difficult if it's your first time on your own.

[BoneSnapDeez]

People tell me Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy III/VI would be a good place to start too.

These are my two favorite games of all time, and would be great for a JRPG novice.

I would start with Chrono Trigger first - it's shorter and a bit easier to get into.

Chrono Trigger is available on SNES, PSX (as part of Final Fantasy Chronicles), and the DS.

Final Fantasy VI is available on SNES, PSX (as part of Final Fantasy Anthology), and the GBA.

Like prfsnl_gmr said, 16-bit is the sweet-spot to start with. If you've never played a JRPG you may find the newer stuff a bit too complex. Much older (8-bit) games, like the original Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, can be a tad rigid and difficult for a first-timer.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga for GBA. was my first. It is totally awesome.

Personally, my favorite thing about RPGs is how off-the-wall the gameplay can be. I love working with complex rulesets and overcoming a challenge in so many different ways. If that's what you're looking for, start off with Final Fantasy V. It should have the right balance of accessibility and player choice. The GBA version has a save anywhere feature, too.

[Nemoide]

I highly recommend Dragon Quest V (for Nintendo DS) for being very accessible in terms of finding a copy, as well as getting into the gameplay/story. I'm a DQ fanatic and IMO the series represents the best aspects of what "kind of generic-y fantasy" JRPGs can be.

You might also like Phantasy Star IV (for Sega Genesis and on Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for 360/PS3). It's a really interesting and fast-paced game with a unique sci-fi setting; easily the best of the series.

And as others have said, Chrono Trigger is a great pick too!

[Hazerd]

Unlimited Saga