Console RPG's

[Felon]

Well, I waited so long to pick up an Xbox or PS2 that I've all but missed out on their heyday (sort of gamer geek's version of "Cat's in the Cradle"). But I read up on FFX and my friends rave about Knights of the Old Republic to this day, so I have considered picking up a console off of ebay fro cheap.

Give me some advice. I'm mainly an RPG fan, so which console should I go with?

Oh, and is FFX any good? I played a bit of FF8, and quit it when it got really boring (never could figure out how those stupid gunblades were supposed to work), and I played the very begining of what I though was FFIV (the one with all the furries), but the story just never got off the ground. Was FFX similar to either of these in tone?

 

[Lazybones]

I only have experience with Xbox games, via backward compatability on my 360.

Jade Empire is pretty good. I've heard good things about Fable, except that it's somewhat short. KotOR was excellent. I haven't played the second one but have heard that it's great except for an unfinished ending; apparently it was rushed out the door without being completed.

 

[Felon]

Thanks. And is it correct that KOTOR is Xbox-only, while FFX is PS2 only? That would suck.

 

[Mallus]

KotOR I, II, and Jade Empire can be played on a PC. The same can't be said about the classic Japanese console RPG's.

If you're primarily interested in RPG's like Suikoden (III is good, V is terriifc), Dragon Quest VIII (absolutely charming), Xenosaga I-III (not everyone's taste, I know), Shadow Hearts I-III, Grandia, and upcoming titles like the new Valkyrie Profile, Final Fantasy XII and Rogue Galaxy... you see where I'm going with this, right?

PS2 is your only choice.

(Not that an XBox is bad, by any means. There's plenty of excellent titles available dirt-cheap right now. But's its not the right console for an RPG fan.)

 

[Vocenoctum]

KotOR I, II, and Jade Empire can be played on a PC. The same can't be said about the classic Japanese console RPG's.
<snip>

(Not that an XBox is bad, by any means. There's plenty of excellent titles available dirt-cheap right now. But's its not the right console for an RPG fan.)

FWIW, a lot of folks like playing games on the console, rather than the computer. While I can see KotOR on the PC, I think Jade Empire is action oriented enough that the XBox is a better venue, especially given it's not even on the PC yet.

Also, KotOR2 was very rushed, it's not just missing ending material, there's big chunks of the game what weren't finished. For me it was a pale imitation of 1, but lots of folks liked it.

It almost comes down to which style of RPG do you like, American Style (Morrowind, KotOR, Jade Empire) vs Japanese style (can't name any, they all big me. See list above.

 

[trancejeremy]

The Xbox basically has: KOTOR 1&2, Gladius, Jade Empire, Fable, Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, Morrowind, the X-men Legends series. All western RPGs (though Gladius was meant to emulate a strategy RPG). Plus a couple action RPGs - the Dark Alliance series and the exclusive D&D Heroes (which has same gameplay as DA, but much better graphics).

I loved both KOTORs, but didn't think much of Jade Empire or Fable. And Morrowind I had for the PC.

The PS2 has too many to list (I would guess at least 50), but mostly Japanese, with the occasional Korean and a few American ones (like Gladius, LOTR: 3rd age, the X-men games, Dark Alliance). My favorites are Star Ocean 3, the Shadow Hearts series, the various Nippon Ichi strategy RPGs (Disgaea is generally considered the best).

Really, until Microsoft pulled the plug on the original Xbox, the only time I played my PS2 was for RPGs.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Well - it depends on what you mean by RPG.

Western style RPGs - which tend to focus on character development and some control over the world? Xbox all the way - 360? even better.

Japanese style RPGs - which are quite a bit different and are more interactive movies in design - Playstation and its ilk.

I happen to think that KotOR is the best CRPG of all time - and imo, it plays better on a Xbox than it does on the PC.

I would get a 360, if I were you. Compatibility with lots of existing games as well as new ones.

 

[takyris]

KotOR I, II, and Jade Empire can be played on a PC. The same can't be said about the classic Japanese console RPG's.

Technically, Jade Empire cannot be played on a PC yet. While a PC version of the game has been announced, but not a firm release date.

http://jade.bioware.com/pc/

The game is gorgeous at the new resolutions and with the new art, and it wasn't bad to look at before.

 

[Mallus]

Technically, Jade Empire cannot be played on a PC yet. While a PC version of the game has been announced, but not a firm release date.

Aha... I saw was that it coming out sometime in 2006 and didn't check any further.

Just to restate my point, if you like console RPG's, a PS2 is the much better choice. If you really want to play a handful of terrific Bioware games without using your computer, get an Xbox.

Unless the non-RPG Xbox catalogue appeals to you... there are a lot of high-caliber games for cheap, thanks to the advent of the 360.

 

[Grog]

Well - it depends on what you mean by RPG.

Western style RPGs - which tend to focus on character development and some control over the world? Xbox all the way - 360? even better.

PC FTW