HAY GUYS

Dee · Local time: Jul 24, 2006, 02:12 AM

Thinking back on what I've played, I've enjoyed quite a few storylines.

Of the obligatory FF series, I've enjoyed VI. Obviously because the characterization was pretty good, and I couldn't find a terrible fault in the game. The story, like FFs in general, is cliched, but I liked it. Discovering one's self is a good theme to sum up the game.

Speaking of characterization, Valkyrie Profile was also very good. Every character had their story to tell, and without characterization, the story would not have held together. I loved how when you meet someone, you know they're going to inevitably die.

And then Xenogears. It had too many twists, but overall good presentation (until the darned second disc...!) Sadly, I couldn't say Xenosaga can live up to it's original. The gameplay was too horrible to even continue to Xenosaga ep 2.

Suikoden II had an almost untouchable storyline of the series in my opinion (although I'm itching to play V). The theme of friendship was displayed very beautifully, and the good vs. bad ending was necessary to get the full impact of the game. Of course, when I first played and got the bad ending, I got depressed just seeing the cover of the game, I couldn't pick it up for a week just to replay it for the good ending. Great story; really made me feel for their bond.

I haven't really encountered a PS2 title that I've really enjoyed and wouldn't mind replaying. It seems like as visuals improve, the story has to decline.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Dee · Local time: Aug 11, 2006, 01:22 PM

I wish I can get my hands on the SMT stuff. Do you have it, eriol? Or the scripts? I could also never even get through the first dungeon in Saga Frontier. How do you guys do it?

Agreement on Suikoden III > Suikoden IV. In actuality, Suikoden IV belongs in the dumpster (with those annoying talking CATS!), so there really doesn't deserve a comparison there. I thought III was good, but after II, definitely not good enough. It's really the emotional climax of the plot that makes Suikoden shine. I thought III should've developed their characters a little more. III's story was decent

Spoiler:

At the rate (so far) that I'm playing V, seems like V deserves to be in my best RPG plots in recent games.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Dee · Local time: Aug 21, 2006, 02:41 AM

I will also add Suikoden V to my list of best plot RPGs of recent time, after unsuccessfully completing it without 108 stars. However, I'm already nearing the end (Sol-Falena) with four characters missing

Spoiler:

so I'm on the safe side for now. I think this game was relatively easy in terms of getting characters (with a walkthrough!) since when I recall SI and SII had those annoying last characters that you absolutely needed to get in a certain time slot. And with the fast running option with new game +, replay is a breeze.

I believe what really made Suikoden V's plot shine above other recent RPGs is that it actually had a decent plot. Playing this game right after I played Wild Arms 4 was like comparing a penny to gold. This game's plot was mature and sensical without the typical "bad guy doing evil for no reason" type plot. And almost every character had decent development that made you feel attached. In a way, everything fell into place except I can't quite put my finger on

Spoiler:

.

GoldfishX, I would suggest for you to play III. It is better then IV by far, and it does have a compelling plot. You even get to see Luc, Sasarai, Futch, Yuber, and I know I'm forgetting some others, again.

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

Dee · Local time: Aug 21, 2006, 05:51 PM

Enkidu:

Spoiler:

How ya doing, buddy?