Nostalgia Rush

We may be in the middle of an influx of great new RPGs (Tales of Legendia, Kingdom Hearts 2, Shadow Hearts 3, etc.) there remain plenty of games that remain unbeaten or calling out to be replayed. What was the last RPG you've gone back to playing after putting it down for ages?

After watching my brother play Dragon Quest VIII all last week I decided to start a new game on Dragon Warrior III. I haven't played it since the final days of my GBC, and it's much better than I remember. DQ3 was one of the few games that I didn't quit because I lost to a boss or anything; I just put it down in favor of something else released. I never really got very far, but it's nice to go back to the old times of
- FIGHT
- CAST
- ITEM
- EQUIP
- RUN
My birthday isn't very far, so I'll be getting a load of new RPGs soon, but I'd like to try and get close to finishing this one before putting it down again.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I hardly ever beat RPGs twice. I've gone back and beaten Dragon Force a couple years ago, but other than that I usually let them stay beaten.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

It would have to be Terranigma. I played the game years ago and never played it a second time. When I saw the ROM on my computer a few weeks ago, I managed to play it again.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by DragoonKain

I hardly ever beat RPGs twice. I've gone back and beaten Dragon Force a couple years ago, but other than that I usually let them stay beaten.

The only RPG I have ever beaten twice is FFVI. I'm with you - there's something about an RPG that's different than a book/movie for me, where I generally just play through once. However, I am going to reinstall Planescape and play through it again. Really, I never beat it the first time but I was at least 85% done (I was about to enter the Modron Cube maze...)

How ya doing, buddy?

It'd probably have to be Tales of Phantasia for me (on a ROM, but still...)

The first installment of the Tales series is probably one of the greatest RPGs I've ever played. And, with the upcoming GBA release (horrid horrid HORRID voice acting though) and OVAs, it's very nostalgic for me right now.

Another 'Nostalgia Rush' would be the Breath of Fire series, especially the 2 and 4 ones *__*

EDIT: Shit, I can't believe I forgot about Shadow Hearts. While it's not a relatively old RPG, I've got the hugest urge to play it since I recently beat Covenant and with Shadow Hearts 3.

I also want to play Koudelka >_>;

How ya doing, buddy?

Oh geez, nostalgia rushes. I've played Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG numerous times over, both on the SNES and through emulation. I've played Final Fantasy 7 a few times. Played it again recently to refresh myself on the story.

I've played both Lunar games on the PSone at least twice. Played through Final Fantasy X a few times, and Final Fantasy X-2 twice but only to get 100% and view that uber-ending. Star Ocean 3 has had a second run through, Legaia: Duel Saga and it's predecessor both had a couple plays, as did Legend of Dragoon. If you wanna count them as RPGs, I've played Megaman Legends 1 and 2 several times. No telling how many times I played Grandia 2 (and hoping I can do the same with Grandia 3).

I know I'll end up replaying Dragon Quest 8 again. But not until after I beat the rest of my backlogged RPGs.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

It's only on rare occasions that I replay RPGs, I have a huge backlog. But recently, since I only have a PS1 at my dorm I've taken up some of the old games I never finished completely like Saga Frontier (4 out of7 quests's not bad, I think), or Front Mission 3 (I was near the ending but forgot the entire story so I started again).

As for old SNES games, the only one I can think of right now is Romancing Saga 3, that I've recently finished. I always managed to reach the final dungeon, but the Destroyer and the Abyss Lords always kick my ass pretty hard. I managed to kick his ass this time though.

I can't understand how you people find the time to play through such lenghty games more than 1 time though.

FELIPE NO

I never had a SNES so I missed a lot of good RPGs.

I can't really say I've picked up anything old recently but during winter break I started playing Megaman Legends 1 again because I just love the servebots and it's just good all around. With the announcement of Yggrda Union from Atlus I have picked Riviera back up and I plan to finish it.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

The one classic RPG I used to replay over and over is Final Fantasy Legend 2 for the original Game Boy. It was the first console RPG I ever played, so it brings back memories for me.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I believe I'm becoming reattached to Romancing Saga 3 after seeing a Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song Guide on sale for $5. For such an old game, I love the system as with the rest of the Saga games. I made it all the way up to the final boss in Katarina's Quest, but I could not beat it when my only best tech was Twin Dragons with Sharl. This time I'm going through with Ellen's Quest and her trusty axes.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I personally prefer either Harid, since he can access the Captial fo Kings, where you can get his best sword and train against the strongest monsters, or Sarah (the girl who survived the death eclipse), since she gets the coolest battle system in the final battle. I haven't played with Katarina yet, since she ins't recruitable for anyone. Some people like Mikhail because he can get two of every blacksmith item, but I really don't like epee users.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I'm exploring once again the fabulous virtues of Final Fantasy VI.

This is a game I had started in ROM format, once upon a time. Oddly enough, it never caught my interest until lately, when I acquired a SNES cartridge of it.

From that point on, it's been wonders. The storyline is magnificently gripping, characters are exquisitely passional and very well depicted, the overall concept is attractive - and the game offers a wide array of challenges.

A true gem, indeed.

How ya doing, buddy?

Xenosaga Episode I. That file is a year old and I stopped playing it when I was on the Cathedral ship. Having experienced Xenosaga Episode II's incredibly hard battle system, episode I will be welcomed back in warm arms.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I'm actually going through Romancing Saga 3 for the first time and having a blast. I just hope that I made the right choice picking Julian. I got my butt whipped by Arakes recently. I think my problem is that I haven't trained anybody with magic yet. It's a race to kill tough enemies before they can level me with an attack that hits all party members at once. Any advice would be great since I see that some people know the game well.

I'm always playing older RPGs. I play them more often than I play newer ones. I started the original Phantasy Star recently. I just love the charm.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Magic isn't really necessary, only the ultimate spells, and even then you can beat the game without using any spell. How many abyss lords have you defeated already? Who do you have in your party? Any questions, just ask and I'll help you out if possible.

FELIPE NO

How wonderful Romancing SaGa 3 is. Concerning Sarah, I read:

Spoiler:

something about not being able to use her in the final battle for spoiler reasons

but if you put it that way, I think I'll try to like bow users.

Speaking of that, I would like to also go back to playing Live A Live, with the same "characters' journeys" type of storytelling. My gripe was with the ninja's story. You could easily run into enemies that are supposed to be beaten after you decimate specific other areas of the castle, and die rather untimely. Or you could go stealth but that's also a hard path.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Enkidu

Magic isn't really necessary, only the ultimate spells, and even then you can beat the game without using any spell. How many abyss lords have you defeated already? Who do you have in your party? Any questions, just ask and I'll help you out if possible.

Not sure if I should ask here rather than through PM but what the hey if nobody else minds.

I haven't defeated any Abyss Lords yet. Arakes was the first I went after (Devil King Palace) but I didn't feel like I was causing enough damage yet to take him down. My best attack is Rushing Wind which causes around 1200 HPs of damage. Even then three of my people can't do attacks that break 1000. Right now I've got the same party that sort of fell into my lap when I was just talking to everyone near the beginning of the game. Julian, Monica, Sarah, Poet, and the girl whose name seems to change everytime you pick her up again are my main people so far. (I never really use whomever the sixth person might be; at least not yet) I'm open to dumping somebody if you'd recommend it. Some of the new people I'm bumping into are starting with stats around my level, which is nice.

Speaking of which, should I help Undine or is it more worth it to take that Devil King shield for myself? I've got two save states where I completed each path and I'm not sure which I should continue with now.

Thanks.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Most people prefer taking on Forneus (the water guardian) first, since he's generally the easiest, and his quest is the lengthiest (more stat gaining possibilities). As for your party, characters you'll surely have to include are Harid (found in the holy king temple), since he's just godlike if you give him a good sword, Sharl (after Muse's dream quest), good with spear if he has the silver hand, and maybe Thomas (found in Pidona), if you want a good bow user. Aside from them, I'd recommend getting more sword users, since they can learn Split Body, the most damaging attack imo, relatively easy. As for the Poet, you're stuck with him until you seal at least an Abyss gate.

It doesn't really matter which option you choose with Undine. I got myself hired by both of them, and got the devil king shield, but I never used it since it doubles Waza costs.

PS: If you want a good axe user, bring Herman with you when you go of to kill Forneus, so that you can get Black later on.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

When in the need for nostalgia, I sit and play Final Fantasy I. I don't know why, but I love this game. It's so simple, and yet, I love this one the most. It was the first RPG I ever played, and I've loved it ever since. I've probably played the game through over 20 times over the years, but I never seem to get tired of it.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I've replayed Final Fantasy X and X-2 several times already. However, the last RPG that I went back to was Arcanum. I've gone through it many times before, but I never seem to run out of things to do. The funny thing is that I always start out with a character that I intend to develop differently than previous ones, but I always end up making warriors or mages. I still haven't finished the game with a techy dwarf.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Actually I've reached a point where I play old games vastly more than new games. I sold off most of my game collection except for my absolute favorites, most of which are pre-2000. But they will never, ever get tired to me. My heart is back in the old days and doesn't want to let go. I guess I'm a nostalgia whore, be that bad or good I simply don't buy many new RPGs anymore, and they're really the only genre I ever played, with a few exceptions for Metroids and newer Castlevanias. I most recently replayed FFIX and Suikoden III. Good times

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by elwe

However, the last RPG that I went back to was Arcanum.

Just started this yesterday. Halfling male, sheltered childhood, IN-WP-DX emphasis and NO IDEA how I'm navigating the sci-mag dichotomy. My stratagem's basically been: complete quests and spend the cash on hardware for Virgil.

Having a fuckload of fun (and trouble, as I'm piss-weak). The world's as gripping as anything Bethesda or Black Isle can offer.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Can't say much about FF series, coz I always tend to play each FF more than 2-3 times each!

One of my nostalgia rush would be Crono Trigger, which followed by urges to finish Crono Cross again <_< just finished it before FFXII came out.

I enjoy playing short RPGs just to fill time especially tatical ones since you can save it anywhere...

FELIPE NO