Best Plot/Story Rpgs of recent time

I don't think RPG plots have changed much since Final Fantasy VI, which remains my personal favorite in terms of cast, storytelling, and music, so I like the ones that also try for unique gameplay and atmosphere. That being said, out of the current gen stuff that I've played, I'd suggest SMT Nocturne and Breath of Fire V. It's the great presentation of everything that makes those two seemingly plot-lite games have more engrossing worlds than their more traditional counterparts. Also, if you don't mind the cliched elements, check out Shadow Hearts Covenant. Finally, Suikoden V has a good story, even if the storytelling approach and general setup hasn't changed much from the original game.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Just keep in mind that FFVI has great storytelling...which isn't necessarily the same as having a great plot. With FFVI it's how the story is presented that makes it special. It has complexity, but not to the pretentious extent that a Xeno game does. However, unlike Xenogears, it does a great job of presenting its story without coming off as condescending or heavy-handed. FFVI is about sophistication without pretense. If you come in expecting FFVI to be super complex, you might be disappointed. And keep in mind that the story arc (Terra is the main character) has to do with finding yourself and finding a reason to continue fighting. FFVI is about the themes of burden and hope. I wouldn't want you to become one of those irritating people who go around complaining that "the story falls apart" after a certain point. Those guys are a bunch of wusses who can't handle a little bit of open-ended gameplay.

Valkyrie Profile's B ending is definitely disappointing. It doesn't do credit to an otherwise great game. I do give it a little credit for making it no secret that there's something not quite right about it though. I felt a bit disturbed by the way events unfolded, so it does add some perspective to things, but I wouldn't recommend that anyone judge the game by it. The A ending is a must-see. Only then can one truly appreciate how amazing the game is.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Manny Biggz

Well right now i'm going through Suikoden 5. (decided to pick it up after all the praise I hear for it over here) There's something not right though. After the first forest area, I didn't do 1 battle for 6 hours. A WHOLE lot of filler. PLEASE tell me that's the only point in the game where that happens!

Everyone agrees that the beginning parts are slow, and it certainly gets better, but to be honest, I felt it dragged a bit throughout the whole 33 hours that I played of it. (which is nearly the equivalent of two playthroughs of Suikoden and one playthrough of Suikoden II) I had to put it down because I got tired of running errands back and forth between towns. I'd like to go back and complete it sometime when I have a little more tolerance built up for the slow and steady formulaic nature of it.

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

I printed out quite a few pages just for that purpose. I must admit that I've always found the 108 character thing in Suikoden slightly irksome (I had some bad luck in my efforts to get the best ending in both Suikoden and Suikoden II; reloading save files and even starting the whole game over because you barely missed the time slot for a character or something is downright infuriating), but I'd be more upset getting less than the best ending, so I do it anyways. And yes, it's definitely a bit daunting, and after struggling to get that turtle guy, I won't deny that it factored in my putting the game down and moving to something a little less tedious. I might've continued if I could've gotten Sorensen like the guys at GameFAQs claim I should've already been able to. Walking to the bridge and then back to Sorensen's town over and over without ever getting a different response from him does try your patience.

People complain about how difficult it is to get the best ending in Valkyrie Profile and Suikoden can be even worse since there are 108 chances (much less when you consider those who join you by default, but you get the idea) to fail. I just wish that character recruitment could be less of a hassle and that there would never be a chance to permanently miss a character. It'd be different if it didn't affect the ending, but it does. The concern over possibly missing a character here or there hangs over the entire experience. :/

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