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FAVORITE RPG STORY AND WHY?
Posts
yamata no orochi
184
yamata no orochi
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Closeauthor=heisenman
I played Nier a while ago, and except the C & D ending, which were pretty sad and I hope not canon...
Oh yeah. Pretty sure it was canon. Pretty sure it was the natural conclusion of the game, actually!
What happens in the original ending? Nier and Yonah are together for a while, both eventually die of the Black Scrawl. Kaine is taken over completely by her shade and spends the rest of her life slaughtering things, because the shade possessing her body is a total psychopath. Whatever tattered fragments remain of the human race passes away because Nier broke the system.
On the other hand, in ending D, Kaine survives. Which might not sound like much, until you realize that in the past few endings you've spent your time slaughtering an entire race of thinking, feeling people who were probably more human than you were, and Nier giving his life to save Kaine is the one time in the entire game where he uses his power to go against his role as an agent of destruction, and does something that is legitimately the right thing. And everyone forgets him in the process, except for Kaine, who has a dim recollection that will torment her for the rest of her days. A white flower on the opening screen. NIER.
Although to be fair, from what I've been able to pick up from the Grimore Nier (which I have read, but thanks for linking!) the creators have an alternate ending in mind where Kaine returns to the Forest of Myth, meets back up with Emil, breaks the replicant system for good and somehow pulls a younger Nier out of the woodwork. So there's still a happy ending out there, maybe! Except for the fact that almost everybody is dead and the human race will probably be extinct in a century or two. But that's Cavia for you! *shakes fist at the heavens*
On the other hand, in ending D, Kaine survives. Which might not sound like much, until you realize that in the past few endings you've spent your time slaughtering an entire race of thinking, feeling people who were probably more human than you were, and Nier giving his life to save Kaine is the one time in the entire game where he uses his power to go against his role as an agent of destruction, and does something that is legitimately the right thing. And everyone forgets him in the process, except for Kaine, who has a dim recollection that will torment her for the rest of her days. A white flower on the opening screen. NIER.
Although to be fair, from what I've been able to pick up from the Grimore Nier (which I have read, but thanks for linking!) the creators have an alternate ending in mind where Kaine returns to the Forest of Myth, meets back up with Emil, breaks the replicant system for good and somehow pulls a younger Nier out of the woodwork. So there's still a happy ending out there, maybe! Except for the fact that almost everybody is dead and the human race will probably be extinct in a century or two. But that's Cavia for you! *shakes fist at the heavens*
Hmm... probably a tie between Golden Sun 1 and FFXII. Even though FF12 had no set protagonist ( it was either between Ashe, Basch or Balthier, so it made the actual plot of the game a little hard to understand ), I loved it enough to spend 300+ hours on it ( 3 seperate playthroughs ) and that voice acting... Damn good. Regardless of plot or characters, I still love it to death. Same with GS.
I always dug the story for Phantasy Star Online episodes 1 and 2, Final Fantasy 6, and Fable 2. Though Fable 2 is a horrible game (it's proof that they did no research on anything), I find that the story is a lot better when you put your own spin on it. Good times.
Enker
1572
Final Fantasy 4 has a story I could (and have! How many remakes now and I keep buying a replaying it??) play again and again. The themes of personal redemption and struggle between friends in the face of two characters loving the same woman is very well put together for such an old title, coupled with unexpected and touching character moments from supporting cast ('Stone!' yell the twins - and it takes you a moment to realise that Squaresoft just effectivly sacrificed two children to save your life). Still, in an effort to be less cliche I'll put my vote behind another game . . .
Kingdom Hearts, the original game was an unexpected masterpiece that managed to fuse two concepts (Disney and Squarenix) perfectly. The moment where you encounter Winnie the Pooh alone in the Hundred Acre Woods and he's trying to work out how to say goodbye to himself (because all his friends have dissapeared - presumed dead - and he's trying to rationalise it through the mind of a child) it heartbreaking. My wife sobbed into my shoulder for ages after playing that scene. I don't think any moment has ever really affected her in the same way, even Aerith's death or Tidus' closing moments in Final Fantasy X. The sequel wasn't as good but the series managed to pull some of that great writing back for Birth By Sleep - still, that first game impressed upon every single one of my friends that rpgs were a genre that could move you emotionally using only two characters having a calm conversation on a log. Simple, effective and very haunting. I praise the writing in that game alongside Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2 as the best examples of games equal to art.
Final Fantasy 9 should also probably get an honourable mention for having character motivation and dialogue 100% spot on throughout.
Kingdom Hearts, the original game was an unexpected masterpiece that managed to fuse two concepts (Disney and Squarenix) perfectly. The moment where you encounter Winnie the Pooh alone in the Hundred Acre Woods and he's trying to work out how to say goodbye to himself (because all his friends have dissapeared - presumed dead - and he's trying to rationalise it through the mind of a child) it heartbreaking. My wife sobbed into my shoulder for ages after playing that scene. I don't think any moment has ever really affected her in the same way, even Aerith's death or Tidus' closing moments in Final Fantasy X. The sequel wasn't as good but the series managed to pull some of that great writing back for Birth By Sleep - still, that first game impressed upon every single one of my friends that rpgs were a genre that could move you emotionally using only two characters having a calm conversation on a log. Simple, effective and very haunting. I praise the writing in that game alongside Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2 as the best examples of games equal to art.
Final Fantasy 9 should also probably get an honourable mention for having character motivation and dialogue 100% spot on throughout.
KlisterVX
67
My Favorite RPG Story is Chrono Trigger, Live-A-Live and Radiant Historia.
Why?
My opinion
- Chrono Trigger - The story is pretty decent or amazing for a Squaresoft game. The characters are very memorable, Especially Robo(My Cousins love Robo so much!), The Plots from every era is very good, (Sorry if it looks like a bad opinon, since I get to play it very rarely, I'll think of something) Overall, The game is Amazing.
- Live-A-Live - It's kinda self-explanatory, Since there are mini story-lines in each chapter and ends with an end boss with the name derived of Odio, The most striking plot-twist of all was the Medieval Chapter, The Final Chapters are really joining up with the others, Choose any Main Character from each story-lines you like (Yes, Especially the Main from the Medieval Chapter, though you chose the Bad Ending) Overall, The game is very Emotional, Quirky, Interesting and a Fun game. I love it.
- Radiant Historia - Pretty much The Greatest Game in the DS Market, Amazing Plot and Story-lines, Amazingly memorable characters, Great Battle/Overworld mechanics, Astounding Environments and Touching Moments all in one single game, Overall the game is Awesome, I love it so much!
If you want to correct me, Go ahead. I'm fine with it.
Why?
My opinion
- Chrono Trigger - The story is pretty decent or amazing for a Squaresoft game. The characters are very memorable, Especially Robo(My Cousins love Robo so much!), The Plots from every era is very good, (Sorry if it looks like a bad opinon, since I get to play it very rarely, I'll think of something) Overall, The game is Amazing.
- Live-A-Live - It's kinda self-explanatory, Since there are mini story-lines in each chapter and ends with an end boss with the name derived of Odio, The most striking plot-twist of all was the Medieval Chapter, The Final Chapters are really joining up with the others, Choose any Main Character from each story-lines you like (Yes, Especially the Main from the Medieval Chapter, though you chose the Bad Ending) Overall, The game is very Emotional, Quirky, Interesting and a Fun game. I love it.
- Radiant Historia - Pretty much The Greatest Game in the DS Market, Amazing Plot and Story-lines, Amazingly memorable characters, Great Battle/Overworld mechanics, Astounding Environments and Touching Moments all in one single game, Overall the game is Awesome, I love it so much!
If you want to correct me, Go ahead. I'm fine with it.
UPRC
5516
Breath of Fire IV.
The direction and pacing could have been executed better, but overall I really liked the story of Fou-Lu and Ryu essentially being the same being, each representing a different personality/side of the being that they were. It was really cool playing as Fou-Lu as he explored human emotions and such and, for a time, I thought that he would give up on his quest to rule once more (or whatever his ultimate goal was, it has been a while).
It was just a really inventive way to tell a story. Even though Fou-Lu had to trudge through some pretty dull dungeons and stuff, playing as the villain who somehow didn't seem all that evil up until the final chapters was a lot of fun. I honestly thought that Fou-Lu would pull a General Leo or Magus move and end up as a good guy in the end, but nope!
The direction and pacing could have been executed better, but overall I really liked the story of Fou-Lu and Ryu essentially being the same being, each representing a different personality/side of the being that they were. It was really cool playing as Fou-Lu as he explored human emotions and such and, for a time, I thought that he would give up on his quest to rule once more (or whatever his ultimate goal was, it has been a while).
It was just a really inventive way to tell a story. Even though Fou-Lu had to trudge through some pretty dull dungeons and stuff, playing as the villain who somehow didn't seem all that evil up until the final chapters was a lot of fun. I honestly thought that Fou-Lu would pull a General Leo or Magus move and end up as a good guy in the end, but nope!
I guess Skies of Arcadia, because the setting and overly generic storyline was charming.
For the most part, I don't like RPG writing. It's usually 15 year old fanfic quality. Final Fantasy sometimes has good writing, but mostly, it's retarded (even if I enjoy the games).
So, this topic would be more interesting if it were about fave video game writing, instead of a japanese dominated market of games
Edit: PoPoLo Crois was cool for the same reasons as Skies of Arcadia.
For the most part, I don't like RPG writing. It's usually 15 year old fanfic quality. Final Fantasy sometimes has good writing, but mostly, it's retarded (even if I enjoy the games).
So, this topic would be more interesting if it were about fave video game writing, instead of a japanese dominated market of games
Edit: PoPoLo Crois was cool for the same reasons as Skies of Arcadia.
Sana
678
Favorite RPG story? Wow, that's a toughie..lol, probably a tie between Final Fantasy IX, Magna Carta: Tears of Blood(If you can get past the awkward voice-acting, and hard to get used to battle system. Which at times, the attacks were friggin' glorious eye magic.), and Shadow Hearts 2. All 3 of 'em had great storylines, so it's too difficult for me to decide which one was the best. >:3
(I can't remember which one brought me to tears at the end..probably FFIX, idk it's been way too long for me to remember.)
There are plenty of other great games out there that I thought had excellent story-telling, though these are my top 3.
(I can't remember which one brought me to tears at the end..probably FFIX, idk it's been way too long for me to remember.)
There are plenty of other great games out there that I thought had excellent story-telling, though these are my top 3.
I think I might have to say Tales of the Abyss, which I only just played fairly recently.
It has a lot to do with the characters being so well-done, and the fact that I've always been drawn to stories where sometimes you think the "villains" might be justified in what they're doing. It's a lot more powerful, in my opinion, when you have to defeat a villain whom you're not even sure you completely disagree with. You feel sad to see them go. In the case of this game, Van wanted a world where people weren't bound by predestination. I can hang with that...
It has a lot to do with the characters being so well-done, and the fact that I've always been drawn to stories where sometimes you think the "villains" might be justified in what they're doing. It's a lot more powerful, in my opinion, when you have to defeat a villain whom you're not even sure you completely disagree with. You feel sad to see them go. In the case of this game, Van wanted a world where people weren't bound by predestination. I can hang with that...
Mr_Detective
60
I can't believe nobody mentioned this yet...
Why ? For me, it has the best storyline I have ever encountered. The gameplay isn't much, but it really does give you a sense of confusing and hopelessness. The music and sounds are undeniably epic. I love the fact that when you beat the game, you don't actually feel like you won anything. :D
Check out my review here :
http://www.pspdemocenter.com/page.php?id=3924
Why ? For me, it has the best storyline I have ever encountered. The gameplay isn't much, but it really does give you a sense of confusing and hopelessness. The music and sounds are undeniably epic. I love the fact that when you beat the game, you don't actually feel like you won anything. :D
Check out my review here :
http://www.pspdemocenter.com/page.php?id=3924
author=Mr_Detective
I can't believe nobody mentioned this yet...
"And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!"
This image honestly reminded me of that.
Acrypt
0
My personal favorite RPG storylines are...
Xenogears - Absolutely loved the story. The psychological, philosophical, and theological themes in the game blew me away. Still sticks to me as one of the best games as far as the plot goes.
Xenosaga series - While not as good as Xenogears, by a long shot, still one of the better ones IMO. Preferred 3 the most out of the Xenosaga series though.
Suikoden II - Luca Blight, Jowy, war. Amazing story.
Persona II Innocent Sin - The japanese counterpart/parallel world retelling of the events of "Persona II Eternal Punishment". Still my favorite Persona game, due to the storyline. Nazis, Hitler, Joker, serial killers, demons.
Final Fantasy VI - Don't care what anyone else says. Loved it. Sure it could've had more character development for a good number of the characters, but you have to remember that for it's time, it had more than the usual.
Star Ocean I & II - No real comment here. Just really liked the space/time travel themes and a lot of the plot progression. Better than III and The Last Hope plot-wise IMO.
Most of the "Tales Of" series, particularly "Tales of Phantasia" - Another set I loved the plot of. Dunno why really. Just did. A few of the games had horrible plots though.
Star-Stealing Prince - Loveeeeeed it. One of my two favorite RPG Maker games, as far as plot is concerned.
Zephyrus and the Kingdom of Heaven - The other RPG Maker that hits my favorite plots list. Reminded me a lot of Xenogears.
Shadow Hearts I & II - Darker storylines of an alternate reality mixed with murder and the occult. Made me fall in love with the series, although "From the New World" disappointed me.
Mass Effect series - No comment.
All I can think of at this very moment. I'm sure there's more though.
Xenogears - Absolutely loved the story. The psychological, philosophical, and theological themes in the game blew me away. Still sticks to me as one of the best games as far as the plot goes.
Xenosaga series - While not as good as Xenogears, by a long shot, still one of the better ones IMO. Preferred 3 the most out of the Xenosaga series though.
Suikoden II - Luca Blight, Jowy, war. Amazing story.
Persona II Innocent Sin - The japanese counterpart/parallel world retelling of the events of "Persona II Eternal Punishment". Still my favorite Persona game, due to the storyline. Nazis, Hitler, Joker, serial killers, demons.
Final Fantasy VI - Don't care what anyone else says. Loved it. Sure it could've had more character development for a good number of the characters, but you have to remember that for it's time, it had more than the usual.
Star Ocean I & II - No real comment here. Just really liked the space/time travel themes and a lot of the plot progression. Better than III and The Last Hope plot-wise IMO.
Most of the "Tales Of" series, particularly "Tales of Phantasia" - Another set I loved the plot of. Dunno why really. Just did. A few of the games had horrible plots though.
Star-Stealing Prince - Loveeeeeed it. One of my two favorite RPG Maker games, as far as plot is concerned.
Zephyrus and the Kingdom of Heaven - The other RPG Maker that hits my favorite plots list. Reminded me a lot of Xenogears.
Shadow Hearts I & II - Darker storylines of an alternate reality mixed with murder and the occult. Made me fall in love with the series, although "From the New World" disappointed me.
Mass Effect series - No comment.
All I can think of at this very moment. I'm sure there's more though.
Shaddow
411
Almost all of the games on your list would be on mine, Acrpyt. Suikoden II is my favorite game of all time for story line for sure. I also really love the Xeno____ series as well.
I would also have to say that the story in Bioshock was just incredible. The first and one of the few FPS that I really really like, it is actually one of my favorite games of all time.
Without a doubt, Chrono Trigger. How can a silent protagonist make me care so DAMN much? Why did you have to die? Whyyyyyyy?!
I have not played nearly enough RM games like I should have, but i'm very interested in these ones that have been listed, so I will likely check them out!
I do have to say that Final Fantasy VI is probably the greatest of them all, in terms of story at least. Team Kefka ftw.
Uh, I'm sure I have more, but I can't think of them at the moment.
I would also have to say that the story in Bioshock was just incredible. The first and one of the few FPS that I really really like, it is actually one of my favorite games of all time.
Without a doubt, Chrono Trigger. How can a silent protagonist make me care so DAMN much? Why did you have to die? Whyyyyyyy?!
I have not played nearly enough RM games like I should have, but i'm very interested in these ones that have been listed, so I will likely check them out!
I do have to say that Final Fantasy VI is probably the greatest of them all, in terms of story at least. Team Kefka ftw.
Uh, I'm sure I have more, but I can't think of them at the moment.
Sigrosa
0
All time best.. Bioshock because its main story was superb and the game's atmosphere pulled you INTO the story, and really made you feel how mad everything was.
Most fondly remembered on console/pc is Morrowind, and on handheld Golden Sun: The Lost Age.
To be honest I don't need an exposition anymore when I play a game. I love being thrown into a new environment and finding out which way is up. And what makes the characters "tick" through interactions with them.
Most fondly remembered on console/pc is Morrowind, and on handheld Golden Sun: The Lost Age.
To be honest I don't need an exposition anymore when I play a game. I love being thrown into a new environment and finding out which way is up. And what makes the characters "tick" through interactions with them.
Some of my personal favorites?
FFIV is up there, one part because I admit due to nostalgia being the first FF I played and beat as a kid, but also I love the characters and scenario in the game. It has one of the more diverse casts in an FF, and i think it's what really set the bar in terms of story telling and what to expect out of an FF.
FFXI is also another one. I know a lot of people will groan because it's an MMO, so yes admittedly the story isn't told as tightly as it could be, but despite that the story and villains/characters I found very interesting and a lot of the fights were the toughest I had ever done in an FF before, so a lot of those final save the world boss fights felt extremely epic. Not to mention the game's backstory is beyond amazing, it has probably the richest setting of an FF to date. I've spent so much time just scouring for info on random backstories of NPC's or other characters and myths and such in the game's world.
As for non-FF ones, I'm fond of Lufia and Threads of Fate too. Threads of Fate just had a pretty gripping and interesting story, maybe not overly original but told quite well that I'm still aching for the sequel we will never see.
FFIV is up there, one part because I admit due to nostalgia being the first FF I played and beat as a kid, but also I love the characters and scenario in the game. It has one of the more diverse casts in an FF, and i think it's what really set the bar in terms of story telling and what to expect out of an FF.
FFXI is also another one. I know a lot of people will groan because it's an MMO, so yes admittedly the story isn't told as tightly as it could be, but despite that the story and villains/characters I found very interesting and a lot of the fights were the toughest I had ever done in an FF before, so a lot of those final save the world boss fights felt extremely epic. Not to mention the game's backstory is beyond amazing, it has probably the richest setting of an FF to date. I've spent so much time just scouring for info on random backstories of NPC's or other characters and myths and such in the game's world.
As for non-FF ones, I'm fond of Lufia and Threads of Fate too. Threads of Fate just had a pretty gripping and interesting story, maybe not overly original but told quite well that I'm still aching for the sequel we will never see.
My top favorite is Arc Rise Fantasia, yeah bad voice acting but I'm in love with the storyline. I bet nobody heard of this great game. The hero does get rushed into saving the world stuff, and it's sad how the person who guides him has no other choice but to fight him in the end. Helped me get better with tactics.
It also has a girl that's obsessed like cloud in FFXIII about being a "Hero". I love the effects, Excel Acts and the Rogress Summons!
My second favorite is Bahamuts Lagoon.
I wouldn't even be here if never played this. Beautiful system. It is My DREAM to make something similar to that, and I always find myself trying to make one in Rm2k3 -_-
Fire Emblem Sacred stones is my third.(Yes I love a lot of tactical with screens that transition to battle maps instead of fighting outside on the field itself)
Final Fantasy XIII is my fourth because of the liking for the battle system, the Eidolons, the transformations, Female protagonist, Lightning's Attitude, Fang as a tomboy(love tomboys!). I understand that everyone complains that FFXIII is so "bland" and "linear", so lets call it Final Hallway XIII!!
Yggdra Union is my last because it's Unique and...confusing but I still like it.
This game will annoy you if you're not good at logic. (Its a tactical RPG)
If Dissidia 012 Duodecim is considered one, whether you use the RPG mode, it would be on top of Yggdra Union.
It also has a girl that's obsessed like cloud in FFXIII about being a "Hero". I love the effects, Excel Acts and the Rogress Summons!
My second favorite is Bahamuts Lagoon.
I wouldn't even be here if never played this. Beautiful system. It is My DREAM to make something similar to that, and I always find myself trying to make one in Rm2k3 -_-
Fire Emblem Sacred stones is my third.(Yes I love a lot of tactical with screens that transition to battle maps instead of fighting outside on the field itself)
Final Fantasy XIII is my fourth because of the liking for the battle system, the Eidolons, the transformations, Female protagonist, Lightning's Attitude, Fang as a tomboy(love tomboys!). I understand that everyone complains that FFXIII is so "bland" and "linear", so lets call it Final Hallway XIII!!
Yggdra Union is my last because it's Unique and...confusing but I still like it.
This game will annoy you if you're not good at logic. (Its a tactical RPG)
If Dissidia 012 Duodecim is considered one, whether you use the RPG mode, it would be on top of Yggdra Union.
Milennin
2060
Golden Sun 1 & 2.
They're pretty cliché stories, but it was my first RPG that had a real story (unlike Pokémon), so it holds the nostalgia factor for me. All in all, I'm not that much into story itself, I find character personalities and development more interesting. I don't mind a cliché story as long as I like the characters playing in it.
They're pretty cliché stories, but it was my first RPG that had a real story (unlike Pokémon), so it holds the nostalgia factor for me. All in all, I'm not that much into story itself, I find character personalities and development more interesting. I don't mind a cliché story as long as I like the characters playing in it.
author=AquaXranoX
It also has a girl that's obsessed like cloud in FFXIII about being a "Hero".
Made my day.
Anyways, no matter what, my preferred storyline will always be Final Fantasy X, though Final Fantasy Tactics comes as a close second, and maybe Persona 4 as a third.
But... It is impossible to play FFX without goddamn crying, damnit.
It's beautiful, the storyline endorses many important themes (religion and fate dilemmas, for example), soundtrack is beautiful, characters are interesting & well-defined, if sometimes a bit one-dimensional (wich makes the storyline work better... Not to mention isn't necessarily unrealistic. Many real life people are one dimensional. I might just be, to tell the truth.), soundtrack is beautiful, setting is beautiful, gameplay is beautiful, soundtrack is beautiful, art style is beautiful...
...Not to mention, of course, the soundtrack is beautiful!
also, this game has one of the most beautiful soundtracks I ever heard. Betcha surprised!
