Tales of Symphonia, Star Ocean: The Second Story, or Suikoden II. I pick Tales of Symphonia because the plot seems cliche, but it has plenty of plot twists and unexpected events that I can't completely classify it as cliche. Plus, all of the main characters (protagonist and antagonist) have good characterization and are fleshed out well.

Well if it wan't for the statment that Xenosaga IV wasn't going to be made, you could assume that Xenosaga was a series. But even just after the first one, seeing "to be continued" was a pretty good hint that there were going to be more. Maybe you could include the 5th episode as well... but who knows. I won't care one way or another if they chop off the most improtant installment of that series, the one that connects Saga to Gears...

I wish they'd make the saga which connects the two. I'm anxious to see how they made the leap from AGWS (I think it was), to whatever it was in the second, and how they eventually got to the Gears.

yeah, AGWS was episode I and where about twice as tall as the characters... teeny tiny in my opinion...

In episode II it was called an E.S. Which were alot bigger hand had two ppl to run each one.

But Gears are by far alot bigger. The person driving a Gear is maybe the size of the gear's head. Episode III and what would have been Episode IV need some grounds for the huge change in technology.

Oh, and how much did you (or did you not) like the new look all the characters took in episode II? Shion, of course, making the biggest changes of all... *sigh* it took me a long time to get use to it...

I honestly didn't care for the costume changes in Xenosaga II. When the game started, they were in their regular costumes from part one, and I thought, "Awesome! They look cooler yet!", but then when I went a little further into the beginning of the game, they changed. I really didn't care for the changes, except for maybe KOS-MOS, who did look cool.

I didn't care for Shion's new look, but then again, I think Jr. had the worst new appearance -- I liked it much more when he had the black trench coat, not the red.

Oh, there was something funny in Xenosaga II. I somehow obtained Jr.'s swimsuit near the beginning of the game, and I must've forgot I equiped it on him. Anyways, when I went into battle later on, I was completely baffled as to why Jr. was wearing a swimsuit in all of his fights (and why he had such horrible defense). Anyways, it completely threw me off. I guess I had collected and equiped the swimsuit from one of the quests and didn't even realize it.

Albedo in a swimsuite?! Hahaha, I'm glad I didnt suffer that. Sorry, but I like all my U.R.T.V's fully clothed.

But seriously, I didn't think you could put any of the male characters in skimpy clothing... kind of bothers me because there aren't many girls (not to discriminate) playing Xenosaga. I also thought it was kind of funny how Shion no longer needed the use of her glasses. I guess seeing is over rated these days....

*jabs out eyes*

If you are quoting Vyse from Skies of Arcadia, he says, "Cutlass Fury."

BTW, I would pick Skies of Arcadia (either the DC version or the GC version...I have both) myself.

Best. topic. ever.
Down with the Final Fantasy empire! let rise the Lufia and the Lunar and the Suikoden and the Dragon Quest and the....
3 hours later...
Xenosaga....*gasp* and the.... Castlevania... *Collapse*

But seriously. Wild Arms 3 is the best RPG i've ever played. In second would be Phantasy Star 4. Play them. Now.

Well, if you've played through the game... there is a point were a Vyse look-a-like tarnishes your name later in the game. When you finally fight him, he had an irratating nerdy voice and has his own version of cutlass fury called... (duh dun DUH) Cutlass Wrath.

(pwn count +1)

Oh, and for the record, I do love the Final Fantasy series. But it's nice to get off the topic of the series that totally dominates the genre of RPGs. For example. I am currently playing what is known as the missing link in the FF series. When we got FF3 in america, it turned out to be Jap's FF6. So where is FF3? Well, it's ROM only. And you need a translation patch. And might I say, for earliy 90's.... pretty freakin' sweet!

What luck, I own them both! Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I haven't gone 10% through either of them yet. I like them, but I get bored with a game easily. Want to see my "Games I still need to beat" list? It's long.

eww. I can't stand to start a new game without finish the current one I play. I'm the same way with books. Have to finish the one I'm reading before I'll touch another one. Instead of a list of unfinished games, I have a list of games to play next. Weither it be one that's new or one that I've played through 50+ times.

I can usually play 2 or 3 RPGs at once. Right now I'm working on... uhm... shoot, what is it? Oh yeah, that new Shadow Hearts game. But I rented it -- glad I did, because I didn't care for it.

Actually, there's not too many RPGs out there right now that I haven't played. I bought a PSP last night, so I was thinking about renting Popolocrois, or maybe Generations of Chaos (Nippon Ichi!).

(Oh, and one of the guys earlier said this was a great topic. Thanks! To be honest, though, I love the Final Fantasy series, but they're so dominating that a lot of other great RPGs don't get enough credit.)

Dude, I will play me some Nippon Ichi. I have every installment for the PS2... Phantom Brave, La Precell Tactics, Disgeaia- hour of darkness... Those are some pretty cool strategic RPGs. I tell you though, Phantom Brave was harder than petrified wood. I'm glad to have it under my belt...

Heh. I have all of Nippon Ichi's games as well.

I have Disgea, La Pucelle Tactics (my person favorite), Phantom Brave and Makai Kingdom. They're excellent games. (Isn't Atelier Iris a NI game as well? I have that one too.)

Well, I just rented Generation of Chaos for the PSP, so I'll be playing that tonight. Who knows, maybe after a few days when I've beaten it I'll submit a review to gameFAQs or something. Go PSP! Er... go Nippon Ichi! (That too!)

Atelier Iris... I'm not sure. And I'm too lazy to look it up. But if it is... I must be the dedicated NI zombie that I am, and pick up that title too...

Heh. That game was awesome, I really enjoyed it. Of course, Atelier Iris 2 is almost released, so I'd suggest purchasing that as well. Nippon Ichi doesn't publish too many copies of their games (kind of like how Atlus games can become so rare).

I heard they are making a sequal to Disgeaia- hour of darkness. Laharel is soppose to be making a re-appearance and whatnot...

I heard about that too. Disgea 2, I think it was mentioned in Game Informer magazine. As far as I know, the only two "guaranteed" to make a comeback is Laharel and... shoot... what's the name of that skinny redhead girl again? Shoot, it's been so long I forgot.

The chick with the lance.... if you wouldn't have made me think of it, I would be able to remember... Oh well...

*eats pie*

The Nippon Ichi games are the reason I bought my PS2 in the first place (I only bought it last year). My favorite genre of game is strat-rpgs, and neither Xbox nor Gamecube had anything that I could find, so I broke down and bought a PS2. I've played some of Disgaea (they must have re-released this, because the day I bought my PS2, I also bought this game brand new), some of Phantom Brave, and still have not played La Pucelle yet. I also had to buy the original FF Tactics (I had played and loved the GBA version) and some of those FF compilations (Anthology and Chronicles), along with FF VII...I never owned a PS One either. And I don't remember the Vyse look alike. Must only be in the GC version, which I haven't finished yet.