The old JRPG Reviews from me

[Andromeda]

Given some of the changes that TFF has been going through in the last year and my duties in trying to keep up with the regular news Square Enix and JRPG related, I was reminded that I used to write reviews for JRPGs. I use the term "used to" pretty loosely, since I only did 2 of them. But I've become more focused on delivering content for the forum and the members. So it's come up in my mind again.

As people already know, I'm the resident general JRPG fan. I play a bunch of different JRPGs and have an embarrassingly large collection of them. Since I've actually been playing and buying more of them since I tried to start doing the reviews. I actually have a decent amount to go through.

So for those that remember them and those new, I want to know if there would be interest in seeing reviews from the smaller JRPGs. I would review them as I finish the games and then in between games try to go through my backlog to review older games I've played. Is this something people would like to see?

An idea of the games I'd review would be Y's: Memories of Celceta and Atelier Escha and Logy (which I haven't beaten or obtained yet, but when I do it'll be finished in a week).

Let me know. I would also take requests, provided I've played the game, just to try to fill out my backlog.

I have my old reviews buried in the long forgotten review forum.
http://thefinalfantasy.net/forums/wr...les-abyss.html
http://thefinalfantasy.net/forums/wr...etafalica.html

[Rowan]

Id like to know what you think of guardians crusade!

[Andromeda]

I'd have to find a copy of it sadly, Rowan. I only entered in my more hardcore side of gaming after high school, which meant that I missed out of most of console gaming until the PS2 hit. My PS2 collection of RPG is solid, but still incomplete, my PS3 collection is perfect and my PSone collection is woefully under done, it's been getting better, but PSone games are difficult to obtain.

[Rowan]

I'd argue that they are easier to obtain NTSC (your region). I had to really struggle to find copies for myself, but I was able to obtain just about everything from Ebay including GC, Legend of Dragoon, Monkey Hero, Vagrant Story etc. If you can, check out ebay. Prices are very sweet also, especially for your region. I often compared PAL games to their NTSC counterparts and found a HUGE price difference. I even got a NTSC ps2 to play NTSC ps1+ps2 games for this reason, as well as to be able to play Wild Arms; Alter Code F which was never released outside of NTSC. I just need a power converter otherwise If i tried to the use the ps2 in an outlet here, it would literally explode.

[Andromeda]

I mostly shop locally supporting local businesses as much as I can. But I also can't buy every game I want, I just don't have the money to make it reasonable. So buying overtime is easier. I'm very behind on my games anyway. I have 90 RPGs I need to play.

[Alice]

I'd love to see someone giving this a shot. There are ton of RPGs that go unnoticed, a number of them being some very cool hidden gems. It'd bring some attention to them and be a fascinating read.

[Rowan]

Could this be a collaboration then? I have played many old school non-final fantasy JRPG's (I cannot say I own nearly as much as you though, andro) but for the ones you do not, I would happily give my best for a review with your approval.

[seanb]

I'd like to see reviews of shadow hearts and/or dark cloud for ps2

[Andromeda]

I've actually beat Dark Cloud and I bought the entire set of Shadow Hearts games recently, though I haven't played them yet. So it would be possible to do Dark Cloud, a classic from Level 5.

And Rowan I'd be up for that. There is quite a few old JRPGs that I've just missed due to different things. Since it'll be JRPG focused I'll tag them as well for the news column on the main page like Loco's been doing for his FF reviews.

[Rowan]

I have both shadow hearts and dark cloud. I could take some burden off you, as my list of JRPG's is also quite extensive. We could have a very lively review section happening.

[Andromeda]

Yeah, could get quite a few games out there. Most of the JRPGs for me are on the PS2, PS3 and Vita/PSP that I've played. I have a good amount of PSone, but I haven't been able to get around to playing them. I have too many games to play. >< We'll have to do a list of the games we've beaten to see what sort of overlap we have.

[Rowan]

Ill update you with a list of games I've completed and games I own but have yet to complete after I finish work.

[Andromeda]

Alright, sounds good. I keep everything in a excel document so I can keep things straight. So it'll be easy to create a list.

[Andromeda]

Since I put up the first review, I figured I'd put up the list of games I've beaten. Previously, I excluded the well known JRPGs, since I wanted to highlight the smaller ones and give them attention, but at this point I think anything that's a JRPG that's not FF counts. So I removed everything FF and KH related, though I guess I could add KH. I didn't include the list of games I own, but don't have beaten, if you want I can add that as well. Let me know Rowan.

Suikoden
Suikoden II
Xenogears
.hack//Infection
.hack//Mutation
.hack//Outbreak
Ar Tonelico
Ar Tonelico 2
Atelier Iris 3
Dark Cloud
Dawn of Mana
Dokapon Kingdom
Grandia II
Growlancer V
Mana Khemia
Mana Khemia 2
Odin Sphere
Persona 3
Persona 4
Rogue Galaxy
Sakura Wars V
Shining Force EXA
Star Ocean 3
Suikoden III
Suikoden IV
Tales of Legendia
Tales of the Abyss
Valkyrie Profile 2
Xenosaga I
Xenosaga II
Xenosaga III
3d Dot Game Heroes
Ar Tonelico Qoga
Atelier Rorona
Atelier Totori
Atelier Meruru
Atelier Ayesha
Atelier Escha and Logy
Cross Edge
Dark Souls
Demon's Souls
Enchanted Arms
Eternal Sonata
Hyperdimension Neptunia
Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2
Hyperdimensioon Neptunia V
Mugen Souls
Ni No Kuni
Resonance of Fate
Star Ocean 4
Tales of Graces f
Tales of Xillia
Time and Eternity
Trinity Universe
Valkyria Chronicles
White Knight Chronicles
White Knight Chronicles II
Super Mario RPG
Muramasa
Y's: Memories of Celcetia

[Incognitus]

Obviously there's bound to be some overlap but I'll add some I didn't see on Andromeda's list. I have played these and would feel comfortable reviewing them--though to be fair, I haven't beaten them all. Most of them I stopped before final boss but know how they end, anyway:

Tales of Eternia
Tales of Symphonia
Dark Cloud 2
Skies of Arcadia
Earthbound
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire IV
Legend of Dragoon
Star Ocean: Second Story
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness

There are some other RPGs I could review but they aren't considered jRPG. Shadowrun and Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra (SNES) come to mind.

[Andromeda]

Yeah, I own most of the ones you listed, I just haven't played them yet. >< Too many games not enough time to play them. But by all means, if you're interested I've got no problem with you reviewing ones you've played and feel comfortable in doing so.

I'll actually be playing the HD Tales of Symphonia soon-ish, never finished it on the Gamecube.

[Angantyr]

I'd be interested in seeing your complete collection, what about the DS/3DS?

[Andromeda]

It's a big list. But if you're wanting to see it I can post it. Though I don't have many DS games because I've mostly focused on console games rather than handhelds. I've recently gotten more interested in handheld games, with there being some that I'm wanting to play, but they're all on the Vita.

[loaf]

Have you thought about giving The Last Remnant a try? I just got it because of the Square-Enix sale on Steam and I am enjoying it. Different combat but I like it.

[Andromeda]

Yup, I bought The Last Remnant a while ago during one of the sales. I was waiting forever for it to be release on PS3, but that became call it was just a pipe dream, though oddly the game still ranks on the Top 20 most anticipated games in Famitsu in every issue, it's weird, even the Japanese want the PS3 version of the game. I did put a few hours into it, but I was mostly playing it at work, since there's no cloud saves. And then a bunch of Vita games came out and so I've been distracted.

Since you asked about my collection here it is in a table. I only track my console games, not my PC games, which would significantly increase the list.

Non-RPGs	RPGs	RPGs
Star Wars Demolition	Breath of Fire III	Suikoden IV
Indiana Jones and the Emperor Tomb	Chrono Cross	Suikoden Tactics
Shadow of the Colossus	Chrono Trigger	Suikoden V
Star Wars Starfighter	Eternal Eyes	Tales of Legendia
Ico	Final Fantasy I	Tales of the Abyss
Okami	Final Fantasy II	The Nightmare of Druaga
Arcana Hearts	Final Fantasy IV	Unlimited Saga
Dragonball Z Budakai	Final Fantasy IX	Valkyrie Profile 2
Dragonball Z Budakai 2	Final Fantasy Tactics	Wild Arms 3
Katamari Damacy	Final Fantasy V	Xenosaga I
We Love Katamari	Final Fantasy VI	Xenosaga II
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec	Final Fantasy VII	Xenosaga III
GrimGrimoire	Final Fantasy VIII	3d Dot Game Heroes
007 Agent Under Fire	Kartia	Ar Tonelico Qoga
007 Everything or Nothing	Legend of Dragoon	Atelier Rorona
007 Nightfire	Legend of Legaia	Atelier Totori
Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus	Lunar	Atelier Meruru
Gundam Federation versus Zion	Lunar 2	Atelier Ayesha
Gundam Journey to Jaburo	Parasite Eve	Atelier Escha and Logy
Dead Nation	Saga Frontier 2	Cross Edge
Fat Princess	Star Ocean 2	Dark Kingdom
Super Stardust HD	Suikoden	Dark Souls
Lair	Suikoden II	Dark Souls II
Remember Me	Vagrant Story	Demon's Souls
Shadow of the Colossus HD	Vanguard Warriors	Disgaea D2
Flower	Wild Arms	Disgaea 3
Folklore	Wild Arms 2	Disgaea 4
Ibb and Obb	Xenogears	Dragon Age
Ico HD	.hack//G.U. Part 3	Dragon Age II
Journey	.hack//Infection	Dragon's Crown
The Last of Us	.hack//Mutation	Dragon's Dogma
Tomb Raider	.hack//Outbreak	Enchanted Arms
Persona 4 Arena	.hack//Quarantine	Eternal Sonata
Beyond Two Souls	Ar Tonelico	Final Fantasy X HD
Heavy Rain	Ar Tonelico 2	Final Fantasy X-2 HD
Katamari Forever	Arc the Lad: End of Darkness	Final Fantasy XIII
LittleBigPlanet	Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits	Final Fantasy XIII-2
Bejeweled	Atelier Iris	Final Fantasy XIV
Catherine	Atelier Iris 2	The Guide Fate Paradox
Echochrome	Atelier Iris 3	Hyperdimension Neptunia
LocoRoco Cocoreccho	Baroque	Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2
Luminos	Breath of Fire IV	Hyperdimension Neptunia V
Trine	Champions of Norrath	Kingdom Hearts HD
The Unfinished Swan	Chaos Wars	Kingdom Hearts CoM HD
Miku Hatsune Project Diva f	Dark Alliance	Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days HD
Red Faction Armageddon	Dark Alliance 2	Last Rebellion
Red Faction Guerrila	Dark Cloud	Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Saints Row 2	Dark Cloud 2	Mugen Souls
Saints Row 3	Dawn of Mana	Ni No Kuni
Saints Row 4	Devil Summoner 2	Record of Agarest War
Uncharted 2	Disgaea	Record of Agarest War Zero
Uncharted 3	Disgaea 2	Record of Agarest War 2
Galaga DX	Dokapon Kingdom	Resonance of Fate
Gundeadilgne	Dragon Quest VIII	Sacred 2
Gundemonium Recollection	Eternal Poison	Star Ocean 4
Hitogata Happa	Final Fantasy X	Tales of Graces f
X-COM	Final Fantasy X-2	Tales of Symphonia HD
Blast Factor	Final Fantasy XI	Tales of Symphonia 2 HD
Comet Crash	Final Fantasy XII	Tales of Vesperia
Crystal Defenders	Fullmetal Alchemist	Tales of Xillia
Resogun	Fullmetal Alchemist 2	Time and Eternity
The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess	Grandia II	Trinity: Soul of Zill O'll
The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker	Grandia III	Trinity Universe
Super Smash Brothers Melee	Growlancer II	Valkyria Chronicles
Eternal Darkness	Growlancer III	White Knight Chronicles
Super Mario Sunshine	Growlancer V	White Knight Chronicles II
Mario Kart Double Dash	Kingdom Hearts	Baten Kaitos
999	Kingdom hearts 2	Baten Kaitos Origins
Big Brain Academy	Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories	Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Civilization Revolution	La Pucelle Tactics	Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask	Legend of Legaia 2	Tales of Symphonia
The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time	Makai Wars	Chrono Trigger
Mario 64	Mana Khemia	Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Rings of Fate
Diddy Kong Racing	Mana Khemia 2	Final Fantasy III
Mario Kart 64	Odin Sphere	Final Fantasy IV
Star Fox 64	Persona 3	Puzzle Quest
Mighty Morphing Power Rangers	Persona 3 FES	Super Mario RPG
Super Star Wars	Persona 4	Muramasa
Super Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back	Phantom Brave	The Last Story
Super Star Wars The Return of the Jedi	Radiata Stories	Pandora's Tower
The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past	Rogue Galaxy	Xenoblade
Super Mario All Stars	Romancing Saga	Class of Heroes
Super Mario World	Sakura Wars V	Crimson Gem Saga
Mario Kart	Shadow Hearts	Growlanser Wayfarer of Time
Sim City	Shadow Hearts 2	Gungnir
Hakuoki	Shadow Hearts 3	Hexyz Force
Patchwork Heroes	Shin Megami Tensei Digital Devil Saga	Knights in the Nightmare
Piyotama	Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne	Riviera: The Promised Land
Patapon	Shining Force EXA	Valhalla Knights
Gravity Rush	Shining Force Neo	Valkyria Chronicles 2
Uncharted: Golden Abyss	Shining Tears	Yggdra Union
Wipeout 2048	Soul Nomad and the World Eaters	Muramasa Rebirth
Dangaronpa	Star Ocean 3	Sorcery Saga
Zero Escape	Stella Deus	Soul Sacrifice
	Suikoden III	Y's: Memories of Celcetia

[SuperSabin]

Ooh, I picked up Valkyrie Profile 2 on the PS2 recently and its my first time ever getting into those sort of games and it is GREAT! I love the story, gameplay, and the battle system. As for your game list, I would love to hear what you have to say about Romancing SaGa (assuming you own the PS2 remake of the Super Famicom version). I really enjoyed what I played of that game so far.

[Andromeda]

Yeah, it's the PS2 version of Romancing Saga. It's another one of those that I haven't played, but own. The list as you can see is long. I've beat like 90 games and haven't finished like 100 games. >< Used to have a 50% completion rate, but that went downhill when I bought a bunch of PSP games.

[loaf]

A PS3 release of The Last Remnant would be good because it'll have the PC changes.

[SuperSabin]

I concur with loaf, when the PS3 was coming out I saw that this game was originally listed for it and then later square announced that the game had many bugs and left it as a 360 and PC exclusive. Since sony is still developing PS3 games, hopefully this will be around the corner.

[Angantyr]

That is an impressive collection, mine is pale in comparison and several of those were region locked. You should considering looking for the two Devil Summoner games as well, I believe they recently got a reprint along with all their other PS2 / DS titles. How are the Atelier Iris / Mana Khemia games compared to the Arland/Dusk games? I've seen them around but they are fairly expensive.

[Andromeda]

The Atelier Iris and Mana Khemia games are very different from the Arland and Dust series. The Dusk series combat wise has starts to return to the heights of what they achieved in Mana Khemia 2, which I still feel was the best version of their combat system in the entire series to date. The Arland and Dust series are heavily focused on the alchemy part of the series and time management while Iris and Khemia are more traditional RPGs both in story scope and feel with the alchemy system less complex than that of the Arland and Dust series. But the Iris and Khemia are still very fun games to play and it was back when Gust still made 2D sprites, which they've always made very beautiful artwork. Overall I think if you had to pick one Mana Khemia 2 is entry on the PS2 for the Atelier series. It's got a great combat system and the dual protagonist system is really well done better than Escha making the story fair more interesting and worth a second playthrough, especially since you have to do so if you want to actually fight the real final boss of the game.

I actually have Devil Summoner 2, and I've been wanting to get the first game since they were doing a reprinting, but I never heard when the reprinting happened.

[Andromeda]

I'm bringing this back up to the foreground again. I won't say that I'm back on top of my reviews, because all I did was spam them out over Christmas break. But I have caught up on writing reviews for all the JRPGs I've played this year. So I'll take requests for my retro-JRPG reviews or just back catalogue of games I've played. If it is a PS2 game or earlier it counts as retro-review, if it is PS3 or PS4 it is current-ish. I can review other games I've played if people are so interested. But that list is not so big.

Anyway, the thing I wanted to really say is if you make a suggestion or want to see more reviews from me poke, PM, message, hit me over the head and let me know. I'm surprisingly easy to motivate. I just need to know someone wants it and I end up working. It's about that simple. Naturally, I get busy and have a lot of things going on. So I do forget, so pokes and reminders are great. It is something I want to do, but it helps to know people actually want this.

If you've been following my reviews this month and my rankings you know that I've finished up my reviews. The only game left which isn't really a secret at this point if you do the math, is Lightning Returns. I won't be reviewing it, not because it is too big and falls out of my preference. No, we, as in TFF, have already reviewed Lightning Returns. So I'll be linking to that. However, you're are so interested in my opinions on the game, then I can do a JRPG review for Lightning Returns. But I need to know you want it, otherwise I'm just using the existing review to link. I'll still naturally say what it was the best game for me in 2014, but that is separate from the review.

Anyway, let me know what you think.

Oh and as I reminder, Rowan if you were still wanting to do reviews. I'm game for it. There's no reason you can't do them as well. The more games we get people's attention on the better!