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Copy Clerk
Posts: 76
Joined: 22 Jan 2008

To put it simply, I am absolutely and abysmally bored. I have a pretty wide interest in games and an equally wide collection, but at the moment nothing seems to strike me. I've got a lot of free time on my hands and need something to fill it up.

I am utterly fed up with anything multiplayer (especially if it is massively so). I just want something that I can close myself in a room and play for long periods of time. I'd specifically prefer an RPG simply because that genre lends itself most readily to the goal. It needn't be anything new (though it might help if I haven't already played it a hundred times).

It needn't be something innovative, either. I'm not one of those people for whom turn based RPG battling has lost its allure. I've already considered re-playing the Final Fantasies and various other similar things.

So in sum:
RPG
Longish
Traditional/Linear not a problem
Attainable: Very important, some obscure game that does not exist anymore doesn't help, this is a question in practice rather than a review in theory

Thoughts?

Copy Clerk
Posts: 58
Joined: 7 Jan 2008

Adventures ok?
If so, go find a copy of The Longest Journey or it's sequel, Dreamfall.

Alternatives:
- Baldur's Gate Series, look for the Black Isle Compendium, it has both Baldurs plus Addons as well as Both Icewinds as a package for one price.
- The Witcher is nice, too, although not the Be-All-And-End-All
- Look out for Blade Runner, The Pandora Directive, under A Killing Moon, one of the old FMV-Adventures. They may not be sold anymore, but you can readily attain them at eBay

Copy Clerk
Posts: 76
Joined: 22 Jan 2008

I've heard good things about The Longest Journey, that's definately worth considering.

Unfortunately, BG is virtually impossible to find in my experience, though perhaps I am just not looking hard enough.

Because of some complications, I'd ideally not like to order anything off the internet because then I'm bored for two more weeks :P

Copy Clerk
Posts: 81
Joined: 9 Jan 2008

If you have yet to play FF12, that's a good one to look into.

The Witcher may be up your alley, but it's not a traditional RPG, it's more of a Diablo-like combat system with a fuckton of quests thrown on top of it.

You might also consider the KotOR series, as well as Neverwinter Nights.

Heroes of Might and Magic V is a decent game, though it certainly doesn't fall into the "traditional" jRPG category.

After that, you get into games like Gothic, Loki, and Fury, game I don't think are captivating enough to warrant locking oneself in ones room for hours on end.

Beat Writer
Posts: 209
Joined: 3 Jan 2008

On top of the ones that other people have said, I would recommend Odin Sphere. It's not too hard to find, I have seen them here and there used for the PS2. It's fairly long, with beautifully animated sprites on a sidescrolling action RPG. It's just a nice change from the 'norm'.

Paperboy
Posts: 47
Joined: 7 Jan 2008

You know what's a Hella fun game? Bullet Witch.
Suprised the hell out of me.

But hmmm... as for long games?
Morrowind will keep you entertained for hours upon hours upon hours.
Try Star Ocean: The Second Story...although, don't know how easy that will be to obtain.
....hmmm....Deus Ex: Invisible War?
OOH. Tenchu! Tenchu Z specifically. That game kept me entertained for DAYS.

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 767
Joined: 30 Nov 2007

Dragon Warrior VII.

Copy Clerk
Posts: 76
Joined: 22 Jan 2008

Final Fantasy XII ~ Beat it, considering re-playing it, but even the MMOish feeling of it is offputting enough to me at this point. Still, it's a contender, mostly because it's sitting in the other room.

KotoR/NWN ~ KotoR 2 I'd love to play right now but I've misplaced it and have a hard time justifying buying it again. Also, I believe I was a fair ways into it. The first one I beat. Same with Neverwinter. Has a million expansions, played most of em. NWN 2 was really awful, I thought... it just didn't have the same feel because of the different developer. Though I did like that they included the Warlock class.

Morrowind/Oblivion ~ Just a little too open for me at the moment. Not to mention I've played them a lot before. I dunno what it is right now but as much as I generally love open-ended games, I'm just kind of in a slump where I don't want to make my own fun. I want the game to be like "Here is fun, enjoy it."

Witcher ~ I am extremely leery of based on some reviews of it (not speaking specifically of ZP which I view more as comedy than serious criticism). Also, it's at full retail price atm, and I feel like I might be able to get something sufficiently entertaining for less.

Star Ocean sounds somewhat promising... I own it, it's somewhere in a box about an hour's drive from here, but that would just kill extra time and not necessarily be a bad thing. Only bad part is I don't really remember liking it all that much. Though it's entirely possible that I just got distracted from it...

I'm appreciating the ideas, I hope I don't sound overly dismissive, it's just the nature of the beast, as I'm sure anyone who's ever been bored (everyone) knows.

Paperboy
Posts: 47
Joined: 7 Jan 2008

Star Ocean 2 can be frustrating, but playing as Claude or Ashton is just too fun.
"Burst KNUCKLE!"

"....dead triangle...."

On the Record
Posts: 6099
Joined: 25 Jan 2008

UFO: Extra Terrestrials.

The intro video is a warcrime against animation, with voice acting that makes Ben Stein sound ADHD in comparison, but the game itself rocks.

It is X-Com UFO Defense, reworked to be modern-PC compatible, and with a tech tree five or six times as big. The graphics are meh, the AI isn't all that intuitive, and the levels are repetitive, but it was actually quite enjoyable and occupied me for a month. Just be aware that unlike X-Com, only the main base can house troops and workers, so the offshoot bases are mainly just fighter intercept bases.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2354
Joined: 14 Sep 2007

Maybe try Eternal Sonata, one of the few RPG's available on the Xbox. It's made by the same people who made Star Ocean. What I liked about them was that they were trying to mix things up a bit with boring old turn-based combat.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1266
Joined: 11 Jan 2008

If you've got a PS2 or PSP - Disgaea: Hour of Darkness/ Afternoon of the Darkness

Not only will this Japanese RPG eat up at your time, but the grinding of characters is actually 'F.U.N.' due to the creature creation mode, very clever battle stages and some of the most original, witty dialog in a game ever.

And you will find out close to the end, this has one of the best storylines in an RPG ever too.

Highly recommended.

Copy Clerk
Posts: 76
Joined: 22 Jan 2008

Copter400:
Maybe try Eternal Sonata, one of the few RPG's available on the Xbox. It's made by the same people who made Star Ocean. What I liked about them was that they were trying to mix things up a bit with boring old turn-based combat.

My roommate has that, I may need to give it a shot.

I have Disgaea as well and I've fiended out on it a bit too recently to enjoy it again. I ended up starting an FFX game, then getting drunk (which I am in the middle of now), and going out to see Meet the Spartans...

yeah... not the best decisions I would imagine. We'll see how it all goes.

Copy Clerk
Posts: 55
Joined: 3 Nov 2007

I also recommend Disgaea. If that can't be found, I also reccomend Disgaea 2, La Pucelle: Tactics, Phantom Brave, Makai Kingdom, and Soul Nomad. Find any of these and you'll be good for a while.

Alternately, you could try Shadow Hearts: Covenant or Eternal Sonata. They're good too.

Reviewer
Posts: 93
Joined: 13 Feb 2007

I think you're too easily bored. I have the same problem, which can easily lead to game-buying addiction: constantly after your next 'fix' without ever getting satisfaction from your last one.
Seriously, put some time into Morrowind and Oblivion. Soon enough, you'll be hooked and eager to beat them to completion.

Paperboy
Posts: 12
Joined: 26 Jan 2008

Oblivion. If you are desperate for something to do, you'll find it there. I wish the main quest was harder though... Also I wish shit didn't level up with you, but there are mods for that (for pc users)

Beat Writer
Posts: 129
Joined: 23 Jan 2008

Final Fantasy Tactics if you don't mind the trad RPG story with an turn based strategy feel.

Star Ocean 3 is good, but kinda cliched.

If you can find it, Arc the Lad is a traditional RPG, and it doesn't really stray away from that route. It was quite fun, look for Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits. Complex character development and rich but linear story.

Tales of Eternia for the PSP (you can probably pick up a ROM) is a more action-RPG kinda thing.

Baten Kaitos and Baten Kaitos Origins are JRPGs in the truest sense of the word, and the combat is sheer balls-to-the-wall thinking and planning ahead. I seriously recommend it if you have a GameCube.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1266
Joined: 11 Jan 2008

Disgaea 2, Phantom Brave, Makai Kingdom

No, no, no. I wouldn't recommend those games to anyone. At least not before they've played the more newbie friendly games.

La Pucelle would be a great choice if not the first Disgaea, but that's about it. Disgaea 2 is quite possibly the worst sequel to a game, ever (disregarding all EA games).

I think you're too easily bored. I have the same problem, which can easily lead to game-buying addiction: constantly after your next 'fix' without ever getting satisfaction from your last one.

Oh yes, I whole-heartedly agree with that. I've bought about 8 games in the past 2 weeks from Ebay in search of a great game. So far only Sanitarium has lived up to the recommendations.

Copy Clerk
Posts: 58
Joined: 7 Jan 2008

Regarding the Baldurs gate Games: Try googling for "Black Isle Compilation II" and you might just get lucky. Here in good ol' krautland it's on Amazon.de, but Amazon.com did'nt turn up results for my whopping 5 minutes' worth of search...

Edit: A thought just occured... Plug a Gamepad, fire up ye olde SNES9x and go through Secret Of Mana, Terranigma, Chrono Trigger, Super Metroid and the other Gems.

Paperboy
Posts: 22
Joined: 26 Jan 2008

Kingdom Hearts, and the better sequel for the PS2.

Paperboy
Posts: 42
Joined: 26 Jan 2008

Mass Effect and Burnout Paradise are both fantastic games

Muckraker
Posts: 274
Joined: 5 Oct 2007

Why not try Okami? One of the most original games eva.

Copy Clerk
Posts: 115
Joined: 17 Jan 2008

GTA: San Andreas?
Sure, not quite traditional RPG - but it's got skill meters, dress-up, item collecting, exlporing and you can make your own 'random battles' - all the usual RPG tropes are there.
Very easy to pick-up-and-play. Lots to do, good variety, and a brilliant soundtrack.

Has someone mentioned Blade Runner?
Should be easily available on /'ebay'/

BANNED
Posts: 20
Joined: 13 Jan 2008

u havent mentioned what games u have played. muppet.

If you aint played it, Big Rigs is one the most immersive experiences to be had in gaming, incredibly well-written.

Or Planescape.

Paperboy
Posts: 22
Joined: 26 Jan 2008

Manvir_CAFC:
u havent mentioned what games u have played. muppet.

If you aint played it, Big Rigs is one the most immersive experiences to be had in gaming, incredibly well-written.

Or Planescape.

Hahah. Hahah. No.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 554
Joined: 14 Jan 2008

Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1) and Disgaea (PS2) are both great SRPG's. Elder Scrolls: Oblivion is the best (and prettiest) time sink since GTA.

Red Guard
Posts: 2665
Joined: 16 Dec 2007

m_jim:
Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1) and Disgaea (PS2) are both great SRPG's.

Both of which I believe have counterparts on the PSP.

Copy Clerk
Posts: 76
Joined: 22 Jan 2008

Manvir_CAFC:
u havent mentioned what games u have played. muppet.

I suppose listing every game I have ever played would also effectively waste an enormous amount of time, but I decided against it.

RE: Not recommending Disgaea 2, Makai Kingdom, etc. I've played a lot of tactics games, I'd be fine. I'm considering those.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1066
Joined: 26 Jan 2008

Super Mario RPG/Paper Mario 1 & 2/Super Paper Mario
Final Fantasy VII + IX + XII
Kingdom Hearts
Morrowind & Oblivion (NOT Dagerfall, though)
Shenmue I & II
Harvest Moon (any iteration)
Deus Ex 1 & 2
Fable + Lost Chapters
Skies of Arcadia

 
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