Poll of the Day > What are your favourite RPGs... mechanically speaking

(+) Yeah! (+)

Throw out the story and soundtrack... you're a fighting! Or relationshipping as applicable (not all RPGs, bruh)

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Kiseki

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Shadow Hearts. The ring combat system is very fun IMO.

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Zacek posted...

Shadow Hearts. The ring combat system is very fun IMO.

amazing game

qualifications for favorites for me:

1. Fixed stat gains, no weird randomness in stats that requires meta-gaming to be perfect if youre a perfectionist. Also no odd stat gain systems like the Saga franchise. Just level ups with fixed stat gains
2. Some sort of autobattle system, or a way to speed up battles or make them faster. Even a way to make running from battles easier or guaranteed would count here I guess. Also props to anything that you can hold a button to give commands whether they are basic attacks or "memory" commands like in some FF games to enable easier/stress free random battles. Also big props to anything that instantly ends battles if you're already overpowered for your current area
3. No insane backtracking to an area that you haven't been to in 5 hours just to access a one-time missable sidequest that has an accessability window of like one cutscene or battle or whatever. I HATE big time missables that are because you weren't going back to every single area and talking to every single character between every storyline battle. In my mind, any backtracking for missables should have context within the current area (ie: someone in an area mentions something new that happened in a previous area, etc). In-fact, get rid of missable stuff due to story advancement altogether and your game is 100% better to me.

Combine those few things with a great story and great music and I'm sold. I don't care about graphics at all at least, but mechanics are what make an RPG replayable to me, and sometimes playable in the first place.

For turn based, Legend of Dragon. Easily the best IMO. It's a shame more games didn't steal that and refine it cause it definitely had room to improve.

Overall, FF12. I love the gambits so much. Being able to design your party AI is just so much for me and I feel like they found a good balance between control and convenience. It also had a lot of viable ways to play.

All the xenoblade games get an honorable mention. Their systems are like a vastly improved FF12 system but without gambits or much party control at all. Each game has it's ups and downs but all of them are top tier IMO.

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Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2, although its more of a SRPG lol
It's got my favorite demon fusion system in all of SMT, the free inheritance of newer titles but limited slots for each type of skill and every demon comes with their own static moves taking up slots so It gives the demons a lot of memorable gameplay characteristics that was lost with SMT 4 (although 4A fixed this a lot)
also animal leg double up is just too much fun
SMT 4 Apocalypse would be my runner up (and is a more pure RPG), since adding affinities encouraging and discouraging certain types of skills on each demon helps so much with making fusion more fun and interesting than the braindead fusion of some of the newer games and the frustrating fusion of the older ones

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Radiant historia was fun.

If you're talking paper RPGs, I liked the Star Wars RPG 2nd edition. Everything was done with plain old D6. Couldn't be simpler.

Then they screwed it all up with the 3rd edition.

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Legend of Dragoon and Shadow Hearts are probably my favorites. I like how Xenoblade (1 & X) works. Resonance of Fate was pretty cool. And Im currently playing through Tokyo Mirage Session FE Encore. I like the battle system in that, as well...
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Skyrim with all the sex mods.

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For turn-based gameplay, I like the ease-of-use of the gen3 Pokemon games, although I guess part of that also comes down to the system size since L=A is also only useful when the console is balanced enough to play with one hand. The battle system itself is great as well, although its handling of random encounters sucks.


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i really liked the front mission series, ok?

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I like Active Turn Based like Chrono Trigger

But also enjoy WoW raids, and tactic RPGs

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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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Sephiroth C Ryu posted...

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

I could agree, but I haven't playe the new ish content since I quit in WotLK - Naxramas was pretty much peak dungeon design - every boss was a worthy puzzle

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So, basically just favorite RPG battle systems?

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Probably the best combat system overall of the series, and you get to fight in mechs, too! Lots of build options and the healing via using the type of art allies request (and you can configure their behavior as part of your setup, too) and rewards for allowing arts to charge up double or triple the normal amount of time add a ton of strategy to a fast-paced real time system.

Radiant Historia: Perfects the classic turn-based combat with its options to delay turns to string them together (at the cost of those characters being more vulnerable while they delay) and the enemy grid. Together along with its combo counter (increases faster if you alternate physical and magic attacks), it encourages planning out elaborate combos to group enemies together, unleash devastating high level magic, and rack up the best combo score possible in the process, which in turn boosts xp and gold earned.

Dragon's Dogma: The climbing mechanics alone make it really stand out when fighting large monsters, but the combat in general is incredible. Attacking weak points, spell synching between multiple Sorcerers, all the options for skills in each class and mixing passive bonuses from different ones together, the use of lighting / darkness, teamwork with pawns holding an enemy still to make them an easy target....

Nights of Azure 1: I just love the mix of Dynasty Warriors style combat with weapon switching and having a pokemon-like group of helpers you can organize into up to four decks to summon for support. And the ways you can set up said decks to synergize different servans' abilities together. It's also got a pretty great combo meter design.

Nier Automata: It's like a slightly watered down Bayonetta style combat system. Bayonetta is one of the best combat systems ever. Easy win...

infinity engine games, particularly Baldur's Gate 1

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I do also have to give xenoblade x specifically props for overdrive. That was WAY more fun of a system than team attack or whatever it's called that 1 and 2 have. You get the sick music and everything goes faster and faster and faster compared to team attack where everything grinds to a complete halt while you choose a few actions and watch a damaging cutscene. I think the true ultimate form of xenoblade combat is xenoblade 2 using the elma BLADE that turns team attack into overdrive. Tanks are also a lot more fun to play in xenoblade 2.

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FF12 is almost perfect, it's mostly the story pacing that makes it wonky for me

Dragon's Dogma is by far my favorite souls-like RPG

Sephiroth C Ryu posted...

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.

I play a bunch, WoW is still really good in certain aspects. The things keeping it down are the story/writing, the itemization/gearing choices, and the setting. The gameplay has its highs and lows but in general it's still pretty damn fun at all times especially if you're willing to play a different character if your main spec gets neutered. The core game experience is still one of the better ones out there

Comparing WoW gameplay to, say, FFXIV's is like comparing a mosh pit to an orchestra. Yeah the orchestra is a prettier cleaner experience but nothing like Surrender to Madness shadow priest will ever exist in XIV, because cool shit with super high skill caps isn't allowed (for those who don't know, StM is an ability that massively increases your spell speed and damage potential during a powered up mode you lengthen by casting more spells, but you just fucking died at the end of it. so it was a mad dash to do your rotation at increasingly faster speeds, managing procs and cooldowns to lengthen it as long as possible near the end of a fight to do absurd amounts of damage). wow is super chaotic and I find that super fun

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I enjoyed the customization of Final Fantasy VIII even though it is easy to abuse. The Bravely series is another. Even at level 99, enemies were not a pushover and how the characters are setup is important. I did find it funny the developers had grinding in mind so one of the late game jobs had a passive auto-win if your characters' levels were high enough compared to the enemy.

Sahuagin posted...

infinity engine games, particularly Baldur's Gate 1

As much as I enjoyed the gameplay and story of Baldur's Gate II, I never fully grasped the various spells. I know they can be very powerful if used right but more often than not I do not know what spell to use to remove an enemy's shield or I would just rely on spamming Cloud Kill. As for the shields, I tend to just wait till the duration runs out.

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Lokarin posted...

Throw out the story and soundtrack... you're a fighting! Or relationshipping as applicable (not all RPGs, bruh)

Probably Dragon's Dogma. There are some things I don't like - the way items are handled on two separate screens is too convoluted and all over the place - and how you can skip over gear upgrades completely and probably shouldn't be able to- ex you can forge something straight to 3 stars and never bother with 1 and 2..

And who can forget those blabbermouth Pawns! But the combat is friggin awesome and they really need to make a damn sequel already!

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Sahuagin posted...

infinity engine games, particularly Baldur's Gate 1

@Sahuagin

Yeah, baby!

i really liked both games (and their expansions) but never got all the hate for BG1's "areas with nothing in them". Walking through all the trees in the forest was pretty cool, until the inevitable cave bear ambushes your party or something. That's the fun of games like those.

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streamofthesky posted...

So, basically just favorite RPG battle systems?

For the most part, but there are other things such as factions, relations, crafting, etc

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I like the battle system of most of the Tails of Games. Star Ocean Games as well.

For turn based I like Chrono Triggers system.

Lots of good choices in this thread, but my pick is the original Shining Force. One of the easiest tactics-based RPGs to pick up and play, and I still go back to it every so often to see which underrated units I can build.

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Monster Hunter since the story doesn't matter anyway

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baten kaitos origins. deckbuilding of the first game mixed with faster paced gameplay

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I_Abibde posted...

but my pick is the original Shining Force.

Oh man, this brings back awesome memories. Pretty sure it was Shining Force II with Shade, Gerhalt, and Peter. Once I leveled them enough and promoted them, those three alone could take out the enemy before any other party members can even get half-way through the map.

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Mobius Final Fantasy Act 1. As a gacha, power creep destroyed the game pretty fast for a majority of players but the game never outright required it, so if you stuck with the basics it was genuinely fun, rewarding strategy and execution. Some of my prouder moments involve this game, including beating the class-specific challenge stages by myself, beating the hardest level in the game with low-tier favorites and a special multiplayer boss at a severe handicap. Red Mage for life!

As a gacha it was a "had to be there" experience, you couldn't download the game today and get the same kind of experience I had because it evolved so much over time and added shortcuts significant shortcuts. I also specify Act 1 because I quit before Act 2 which turned it from turn-based to some kind of dynamic speed system that I never tried proper, and I don't know how bad the power creep got from there on to know if it is still fair to the basics.

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Original Sin 2 I guess

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Final fantasy tactics. The job system is great, love the combat system, it's just about perfect.

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Zacek posted...

Shadow Hearts. The ring combat system is very fun IMO.

Judgement Ring
(too bad we wont see any of those games anymore)

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YoukaiSlayer posted...

For turn based, Legend of Dragon. Easily the best IMO. It's a shame more games didn't steal that and refine it cause it definitely had room to improve.

Overall, FF12. I love the gambits so much. Being able to design your party AI is just so much for me and I feel like they found a good balance between control and convenience. It also had a lot of viable ways to play.

All the xenoblade games get an honorable mention. Their systems are like a vastly improved FF12 system but without gambits or much party control at all. Each game has it's ups and downs but all of them are top tier IMO.

Same for me with LoD. Still one of my favorite turn based battle systems to this day.

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This thread is full of amazing games.

man, RPGs are generic or indie crap these days.

Greenfox111 posted...

baten kaitos origins. deckbuilding of the first game mixed with faster paced gameplay

Another great combat system!

blu posted...

This thread is full of amazing games.

man, RPGs are generic or indie crap these days.

"These days"? Every RPG I mentioned either came out or had a remake within the past 5 years....

MegaMan Battle Network

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1 . Skyrim ! Have no words. It's just perfect game.

2 . Shadow of mordor ! Probably the best game for xbox I had. I think developers often forget that the controller is how you interact with the character in the game and assign certain functions to really weird buttons that are either hard to reach or worst case... if there is a move that requires several steps ... they usually choose really weird combination.
I would say that was the opposite in Shadow of mordor.

3 . Monster hunter 3,4,Gen and stories ! I just love the creative artwork and great mechanics.

4 . Pokemon Let's Go ! For any fan of pokemon , I would say that's the gold right there.

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Golden sun.

Simple mechanics that you can complicate with the djinn to stagger special summons with djinn moves and change your class mid fight to access different skills/stats.

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dungeon crawl stone soup.

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Rune Factory games, especially 4.

The Digimon games are pretty fun too though.

Shining Force 2 on Genesis.

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Final Fantasy Tactics for the job system, combat, monster breeding/hunting.
Vandal Hearts I enjoy for it's simplicity. I like how the game's difficulty is determined by the class progression you choose in game.
Legend of Legaia's combat system.
Saga Frontier's cast of characters and combat/skill system.
Star Ocean 2's combat and crafting.
Final fantasy X-2's combat and job system.

ChaosAzeroth posted...

Rune Factory games, especially 4.

The Digimon games are pretty fun too though.

Rune Factory is a perfect example; The combat is merely acceptable and I mostly ignored the plot (except for sexy-buns Xiao Pei), but I found all the regular mechanics intriguing (obviously enough to 100% it twice)

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bulbinking posted...

Golden sun.

Simple mechanics that you can complicate with the djinn to stagger special summons with djinn moves and change your class mid fight to access different skills/stats.

Yep, gonna go with Golden Sun, too.

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Yeah I will say I think golden sun:the lost age is the best traditional jrpg. The djinn system was nice and I liked the flexibility of unleashes (basically weapon specific crits, sometimes with effects). Couldn't far into the 3rd game and the first game is good but IMO inferior to the 2nd.

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Most Mario RPGs are great because timed hit mechanics make turn-based battle systems a lot more tolerable and actually require your attention rather than just mash A most of the time.

I also like Atelier Iris 2's turn system where you can see the turn order as a bar and affect the enemy's position on the turn bar.

Souls-Borne series because there is so many ways to build and almost all the weapons have slightly different move sets. Also, combat doesn't feel like you're slapping a pool noodle against a brick wall (most of the time).

Suikoden's Combo Attacks makes collecting all 108 stars more appealing. Also, formations actually giving bonuses is really cool and give another layer of depth.

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Golden Sun because of the overworld puzzles. They were pretty satisfying to solve.

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trodi_911 posted...

Suikoden's Combo Attacks makes collecting all 108 stars more appealing. Also, formations actually giving bonuses is really cool and give another layer of depth.

I was thinking of mentioning Suikoden.
In addition to what you said, I just think it's the best "standard" turn-based battle system*. If one were to use one as a basis to branch off from, it's the ideal choice. I just love how speedy it all is. You have Auto if you want it. If you're high level, you can "let (the enemies) go" w/ 100% success instead of Run. And instead of waiting for each turn to pop up to choose a command, you just input everyone's actions all together, and the battle plays out based on respective Speed stats for who attacks when. Plus if you have two characters attacking an enemy and the first will down it, the game redirects the 2nd character to a different enemy and even has them attack the different enemies simultaneously.
Between that, the lightning quick transition from field to battle screen, and the xp scaling that lets low level people catch up within a few battles and makes xp returns drop to almost nothing after a while, to discourage grinding / make it unnecessary, Suikoden just values the player's time so damn much and I can't express how much I love that.
Too many times, it's the opposite. Egotistical developers with their heads up their own asses making you sit through a lavish transition screen and trying to make battles take longer to resolve, because making the player wait makes it feel artificially more difficult (ie, the Ocarina of Time model).

* (Radiant Historia's is slightly better overall, but the intricacies wouldn't make sense in some games)

After playing souls, I really like the style for action rpgs where its picking your hits and evading as opposed the mash fest that say something like ff7r or kingdom hearts are. I did enjoy their battle system but it can get annoyingly chaotic.

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