4. Skies of Arcadia – Without getting into what killed the Dreamcast, let’s just acknowledge that over its short lifespan, the Dreamcast really did have some awesome games, one of them being Skies of Arcadia. Sorry, ninjas, but pirates win this round, as this pirate adventure RPG had unique elements to it that made it go above and beyond the regular JRPG. For one, you could control your own airship which you could customize to your heart’s content, and the ship battles are intense. Exploration was one of the central themes of the game, and with a huge, diverse world to search every nook and cranny of for treasure, every time you went somewhere, it felt like you accomplished something. Add to it a unique steampunk setting and you really had something special.
3. Earthbound/Mother – Unfortunately, only one game of this series has been released in the West so far, but what a phenomenal game it was. Maybe not so innovative in its combat or roleplaying systems, but in terms of sheer plot, character, and theme originality it was a godsend. In Earthbound you play a group of four everyday kids who have to save Earth from an alien invasion. And with what? Try not only psychic powers, but yo-yos, frying pans, and other everyday household items hefty enough to be used as weapons. In addition to aliens, you also get to fight possessed items (such as guitars) and people…including hippies. Yes, hippies. I’m sure a lot of you will rush to play this game now that I mentioned you get to fight hippies.
2. Final Fantasy Tactics – What do you get when you add the word “tactics” to “Final Fantasy?” An until-recently neglected series that has everything the mainline Final Fantasy series doesn’t – an awe-inspiring world setting (complete with continuity!), a battle system that really made you give a damn about your characters, squad customization abilities that allow you to create that perfect team of kick-ass soldiers to dominate the battlefield in your own way, and each game having a story that grabs you by your heartstrings and doesn’t let go. The Final Fantasy Tactics series is so good that it’s surprising that Square Enix isn’t giving it the full attention it deserves, considering how its games succeed where the mainstream Final Fantasy games fail. Well, at least there’s its spinoffs into other genres (such as tower defense with Crystal Defenders, on Xbox Live Arcade) to tell us that the setting is alive and well.
1. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona – If you think JRPG storylines are just for emo teens, then the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series will have you thinking again. Possessing mature, philosophical storylines that really push the artistic envelope, the Persona series has always been a high watermark for JRPGs with their deep, gripping plotlines and their three-dimensional, realistic characters. And this series’ unique innovations in gameplay will have you rethinking the notion that JRPGs are only limited to menus with the cliché “Fight” command. This series has it all, and then some, so if you want a game that truly will change the way you think about JRPGs – and games in general – look no further than Shin Megami Tensei.
