LogFAQs > #939352018

Atelier Iris 3 and Mana Khemia 1+2 are some of the best I've played (still a shame what happened to the atelier series' combat when they moved to PS3). Side note, while not part of the reason I am listing it in this topic, the battle BGMs tend to be incredible in those games too.

Paper Mario (N64) and Paper Mario TTYD are very good ones too. There is something to be said for a simplified version of an RPG combat system like that. Additionally, the level and experience system just increases your HP, MP, and the points that represent how many attacks and boosters you equip, which is an excellent way to promote exploration and finding items as well as weird builds (like those which basically abuse the badges that only activate at or below 5 hp). The first two Paper Mario games are basically the ideal RPG system for keeping things simple while still also being an RPG, and the sort of system that Nintendo really needs to bring the series back to (there are signs that they are at least on the right track with their upcoming one).

Kingdom Hearts 1 was quite fun on the action RPG front, and almost felt like it would be the ideal sort of system to use for a new Secret of Mana/Seiken Densetsu game. I never really liked how magic ended up working in KH2 and 3 (if its too easy to heal, then just give that spell alone a cooldown, don't design a magic system that you basically have to be completely able to use it for 20 seconds each time you hit zero MP).

As far as console MMO-like systems, Xenoblade Chronicles is the best I've tried. I absolutely HATED FF12's attempt at it, especially due to the crappy gambit system, which at least in the original version were extremely limited until late game, and I'd rather have either just had them give you the full gambit system right away, or give you a premade AI that you can toggle settings for. Using a menu in pseudo-real-time combat where you are also dealing with positioning and camera and stuff is also just a mess.

Xenoblade Chronicles was, if anything a bit too simple in regards to actions you can take (the ability to equip a couple consumable items or something would be a nice addition, mechanically), but the simplicity is also what makes it good IMO. You control the AI by just choosing which abilities they have equipped, nice and simple. Want them to tank, give them their taunt and damage reduction/self-healing abilities. Want them to be more a healer, give them their healing abilities.

For ACTUAL MMOs, you do have to at least recognize Blizzard's World of Warcraft for trying to keep things reasonably fun, engaging, and balanced to at least a reasonable degree. But I don't play enough fantasy MMOs to really be able to say much here.
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