I played Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition this year for the first time. Loved it and was thinking to myself “the fact that this massive game originally came out on Wii is impressive.”
Honestly Xenoblade has become one of those franchises that I'd buy a Nintendo console for. It's probably the best time to jump into the series now that 1, 2, and 3 are all on the same system!
I was about five years old when Earthbound came out. I remember seeing that big box and colorful artwork at the video rental store and having to rent it. Although I couldn’t get too far in it back then (never got past Onett Town) I instantly fell in love with the characters and story. I cried when it was time to return it… That game for me is ultimate nostalgia, in the best of ways.
I remember crying when I had to return Zelda oot and my dad fussing about it saying it was a def no cause last time I kept the game past due 4 days.. my dad almost had a heart attack when we tried renting a movie and there being a late fee to pay first. Blockbuster didn't play with the late fees lol. We both laugh about it now haha.
Since you're talking about RPG's, I wanted to thank you for getting into Grandia. I remember watching your retrospective about the series years ago and thought it looked really cool. I downloaded the game off the PSN store and since then I've considered it one of my favorite games on the Playstation and one of my favorite RPGs of all time.
The topic is just so huge. I personally would like to see a top action rpgs, top strategy rpgs and top turned-based rpgs. Only to find phantasy star 1 again at the top lol, maybe even in both lists for some reason
This is near impossible to choose! Let me try mine (Strategy RPG's included) 1. Final Fantasy Tactics 2. Xenogears 3. Chrono Trigger 4. Suikoden 5. Vagrant Story 6. Parasite Eve 7. Legend of Legaia 8. Phantasy Star IV 9. Wild Arms 10. Panzer Dragoon Saga
Have a similar list the first/old school jrpgs are just so damn good 1-10 for me ff7, ff tactics, xenogears, suikoden 2, suikoden 1, vagrant story, chrono trigger, radiant historia perfect chronology, golden sun.
Lots of nostalgia from the 16 and 32-bit eras but I can’t disagree with most of your choices. Solely judging by the picks on your list I’m guessing we’re about the same age (35-40ish) because I cut my teeth on most of your picks growing up.
@@buckchuckgaming597 Yup! I’ll be 37 next month and I grew up all through most of the 90’s playing JRPG’s. I was lucky enough to grow up during then to purchase them or receive these games as gifts when they were affordable. I’d hate to start collecting a lot of these games today since the prices are outrageous! There are so many more I’ve played that could easily make the list, but then it would be a top 250 list haha!
Some love for the entire “Trails of” series. Having played and thoroughly enjoyed just about every game you mentioned, The trails series has equally blown me away with world building across many, many games in the series.
@@yungtoenail5555 There were 2 games of the subseries dragon slayer (Legend of Heroes 1 and 2). And the 3 games of the Trails in the Sky. The 2 games of the Crosbell saga ("from Zero" and "to Azure"). And finally the Cold Steel 1 and 2 finish and arc. And the nowadays series. The Sky, Crosbell and Cold Steel all happen in the same world at the same time.
It’s funny how although it’s an ARPG Takes of Arise has a very similar vibe to my favorite RPG the Trails of Cold Steel quadriligy.. I know I’m cheating a bit but it does feel like one long epic game spread across 4 parts.. I guess they’ll keep expanding the series in the future.. I’m also glad they’re doing this with the rebooted FFVII universe too.. They feel like soap operas where you always wanna see what happens next hahaha
Fantasy Star was the very first RPG game I have played. I was blown away. I have been a RPG fan since then. This brings back the memory of playing Shining Force. It was a strategy game, but so ahead of its time. I loved it so much. Then FFIV (JP), the story was so amazing. I cried for the twins. Thanks for your list. I think it’s very true for our 80s kids who lived through the 16bits era and stayed a RPG fan till now.
Skies of Arcadia is not only my favourite RPG but also my favourite game of all time. It's a shame the PS2 port was cancelled cause that may have changed the fate of this now mostly forgotten gem.
@@brandonmalone1893 My slowbrain retar-d dude, they are talking about a port that was supposed to come out decades ago. Not now. You know the PS2, the best selling console of all time? Freakin I-diot.
FF7 on ps1 was my introduction into rpgs. I never played one before that. It changed my outlook on games and now I am a huge fan of rpgs. One of my favorite games is Skies of Arcadia for the dreamcast. I love it.
Mine: 1. Final Fantasy 6 2. Chrono Trigger 3. Vagrant Story 4. Final Fantasy Tactics 5. Secret of Mana / Trials of Mana (tie) 7. Final Fantasy 9 8. Suikoden 2 9. Diablo 2 10. Final Fantasy 4
Right on with your #1. Phantasy Star was the game that started it all for me. I was 11yo and man this was something. Huge game, in a time way before internet. Some of my best gaming moments for sure. We where obsessed with that game, talking about it in school and drawing maps on paper. ;)
I played Final Fantasy 6 a full 3 years after beating Final Fantasy 7 and I would actually rank it above 7. Absolutely loved 7 but 6's gameplay felt more advanced to me with the added Street Fighter type movements you had to do to pull of some moves. Really compelling characters and lovely music I would def hope that if Square decides to do more remakes they would go with 6 next!
I just realized you can buy it on iOS......finishing tactics which isn’t bAd on a phone from someone who grew up on gbc. Super excited to jump in 6/3 next..
I feel like VI is the better game but VII was a much more influential one. I remember when both came out. VI was big with those of us who were hardcore gamers but VII broke through with the more casual crowd.
Always glad to get a refreshing take from your videos. I learn about interesting games that are generally overlooked by other RUclipsrs when I watch your content. Keep up the good work man!
You’re the reason I fell I love with RPGs, so I love seeing this, Johnny! I highly value your taste and recommendation, thank you for sharing your love for each of these, buddy
Great list! Whenever you talk about old games I try to remember where I was and who I was playing with because we are almost the same age lol. Parasite Eve was one of my favourites and I feel it doesn’t get enough love but then again making lists like these are hard when there are so many classics to choose from.
I loved the game. However, there were multiple parts where I had to look things up just to progress. I also never finished it because I kept dying in the final part lol.
I was blown away by your honorable mentions but after I saw the list, I couldn't argue with it. Love that you mixed the old and the new. Waiting for Kim's list.
Hey Johnny, I just wanted to say thanks man. I’ve been going through a really really rough time lately, but your enthusiasm always lifts me up and reminds me that life is a gift, something to be excited and happy about. One love brother.
Secret of Mana for the SNES was a ton of fun for me back in the day. I named the characters after myself and two girls I hung out with. They had a blast seeing their names in the game and adored their characters.
I swear my bank account groans everytime Johnny uploads a new video. It's hard not to get swept up by his enthusiasm and end up on eBay. He's introduced me to so many games I would have passed over before: Y's, Dragon Quest and Shin Megami Tensei are just a few of the franchises I've picked up since discovering the Happy Console Gamer. I agree with all the picks on this list but my own top 10 would include Fallout 3 and Mario & Luigi Partners in Time (that game got me through a tough time in my life). Still have Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest 8 in my backlog. Might have to pull them forward now.
My top 10 out of order: -Mother 3 -Lost Odyssey -Xenogears -Final Fantasy VI or IX -Dragon Quest IV -Suikoden II -Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne -Fire Emblem Three Houses -Persona 2 Duology -Parasite Eve
Mine is--> Xenogears Mother 3 Trails In The Sky SC Xenosaga Episode III Trails To Azure Final Fantasy Tactics Shadow Hearts: Covenant Radiant Historia Suikoden V Lost Odyssey
So I’m 30 years old. Grew up in the nineties without a lot of game access but I always saw myself as an rpg guy. Every time I see videos like this I see how much bigger the rpg world is. Great video man, thanks!
Some on my list would be: Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals The Illusion of Gaia LoZ: A Link to the Past ES4: Oblivion Fallout: NV Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen The Witcher 2&3
Hyperdimension neptunia re birth 3, god Eater resurrection, Fate Extella the umbral star , Scarlet Nexus, Yokai watch 1 , Digimon story cyber sleuth, Persona 5 Royal, Shin Megami tensei V , Senran Kagura Estival Versus, and Mega man X command mission . Honorable mentions , Dragon Quest 3 , Final fantasy 8 remastered, Octopath traveler, Mary skelter 1 , Pokemon emerald and mega man Battle network 3 Blue for me . Man that's a mouthful lol
Dragon Quest is my favorite series (orignal i know, DQ 4 is probably my favorite right now but that can change at any moment) but the Jrpg that got me back into jrpgs and gaming as a whole is Tales of Berseria. The gameplay was really fun the story was different enough and the characters are fantastic and the team dynamic was great too.
I've often wondered (for a bit of fun) what kind of treatment a Phantasy star remake or 5 would suit? A level of FF7 remake quality, while bringing back that real fantasy sci fi environment and resorting to a more 80's anime aesthetic?
I always watch 3 or 4 videos of his at a time because they are so engaging. I can tell how passionate he is about video games and he makes me excited or want to play them. Idk if that’s pure passion or his personality too. But even a game I wouldn’t play he makes me want to play. Lol
Love the list good Sir. One of my favorite parts of loving the rpg an jrpg games is 75% of the time fans will have different lists. So many amazing games
Looove this list. Great stuff in here, new and old. My top 10 list of RPGs has a lot of new games in it as well, but obviously some old favourites that will always remain. Love seeing the changes!
I was looking forward to Elden Ring but I wasn’t expecting it to become my favorite game of all-time. It’s not perfect but it’s an adventure that consumed my attention for hundreds of hours. I’m hyped to see it make your list.
I love Elden Ring and think it could be the best game I've ever played. But I think I will struggle to replay it to the same extent as I do many of my favorite games, including the Dark Souls series. It's just too damn big, and there are some design decisions that I don't entirely agree with. But I don't think any game has taken over my life to the same degree that Elden Ring did.
Your videos make me appreciate what a great art form that gaming is! I always reminisce when I watch your videos, going back to the days when gaming felt so special? Those were the twilight years!! Excellent list, unforgettable games and an awesome video! Thank you!
One thing I think is often overlooked about Ys Book I&II is that compared to its contemporaries, the game had a phenomenally done translation. So many games had really broken translations full of nonsensical phrases and misspellings but this game while not perfect either was much more sophisticated in its dialogue and you can see much more care was taken to ensure a good translation done for the West. Good call choosing it, even with more modern Ys games, because today it honestly still holds up.
Love your videos John . Have a nice Sunday . My top 10 list is : 1- Final Fantasy VI 2- Final Fantasy VII 3- Secret of Mana 4-Chrono Trigger 5- Dragon Quest VIII 6-Ys 8 Lacrimosa of Dana 7- Lunar 2 ( ps1) 8- Dragon Quest 11 9- Legend Of Legaia 10- Alundra Honorable mentions - Persona 5 - Ys book 1 & 2 - Terranigma
That is a damn good list. FFVI and FFVII at the very top, love to see it. Also great to see more love for Legaia, that game goes under the radar for so many folks.
My top 10: 10. Trails from Zero 9. Lunar II: Eternal Blue 8. Trails in the Sky: SC 7. Trails to Azure 6. Shadow Hearts 5. Skies of Arcadia 4. Sakura Wars 3 3. Shadow Hearts: Covenant 2. Panzer Dragoon Saga 1. Shining Force III
Parasite Eve, never gets enough love. SquareSoft took the RPG formula and flipped it on its head. Story is tremendous and it would never be greenlit today. The game is a sequel to the obscure Japanese book of the same name. What genius thought of that? Square needs to bring Parasite Eve 1 back as a remake. Truely remarkable game.
Parasite Eve remains the only rpg last boss that I ever gave up on in all my life, went into it with the tiny ammo I had on me then the save just loaded you back into boss room with w/e ammo you had haha, was an amazing game though and deffo would love to see remade along with dinocrisis tbh.
Dunno what that game even was. Was so different and the fighting system was awful compared to what I had previously played, yet that game is one of my most beloved ones. But I can't but to mention Vagrant Story at the same time as they both had the same kind of effect on me.
Great video! Here’s some of my favorites: DQ 8, Super Mario RPG, Trails of Cold Steel, Skyrim, Radiant Historia, Shining in the Darkness, Persona 5, Triangle Strategy, and DQ 5.
It’s crazy that sega made the Sakura wars reboot before phantasy star mainline series. Even if they reimagined it and started over it would be a big deal if done with a big budget.
I remember watching your original "Top 10 RPGS" video all those years ago and that video alone made me so passionate about JRPGS. Thank you HappyConsoleGamer for all those wonderful memories.
Really cool to hear you mention Skyrim. There was (and still is) nothing like it. People like to sh*t on it because of how many RPGs have come out since then, but Skyrim still does things almost no other game even attempts, like all NPCs having a name, a routine and a real place in the world. Every item is a real physical object to be picked up and moved around, the seamless design of the UI and just how It grounded you and everything around you so well in that magical world, while minimising or downright removing all the typical rpg barriers. This game, is still just as magical to get lost in, as it was 10 years ago.
I know that it's incredibly outdated by modern standards, but I am one of the many unabashed Morrowind fanboys who think that game did everything you just described better than Skyrim.
@@brettmyers3292 Yeah morrowind man.. it’s true that every modern elder scrolls game simply reiterated on what Morrowind already had. I will say, though, that combat was quite irredeemable in that one, which is why it’s hard to get people to stick with it in the beginning. Also, I think Skyrim streamlined a lot of the menus and made the control scheme a ton more accessible and intuitive and just made it easier to immerse yourself in the world without thinking too much about the mechanics behind it (it just works lol). You might say it’s dumbing the game down, but for me, it works towards immersing me in the world and removing the barriers that would otherwise break said immersion. But when you ask me what I think is the best Elder scrolls game, I might give you a different answer each time, since all of them are so special in their own way.
@@flyingplantwhale545 The thing I like about Morrowind combat is, when you reach a high level you actually take out a lot of enemies with ease, as a high level rpg character should. At lower levels, it makes sense that you're missing all the time. Your character has no proficiency in combat. In later elder scrolls games, the higher level you are, enemies just become HP sponges. Your attacks barely make a dent in their health bar. You have to hit some higher level enemies over and over, they'd physically be mince meat by the time they're killed. So the immersion and logical arguments people make against Morrowind's combat can be applied to the later entries just from a different perspective. But yes I understand it turns a lot of modern gamers away because modern rpgs almost never have that oldschool, skill system or hidden, "dice-rolling", pen and paper style of combat. Much more about the action now.
Since I started watching your videos you have had a great influence in the games I buy/play. I only play used physical games on the Switch but it is thanks to you that I have found and loved games like Ni No Kuni, Tales of Vesperia, Ys Origin... I got myself Skyrim a week ago. Can't wait to dive in its world. Thank you!
I feel like everytime John says we’re never gonna get a game, he’s proven wrong. Sega isn’t the company they used to be, but they do sometimes let people who really care revive their franchises. I’m sure there’s a talented team out there who could do Phantasy Star 5 and do it right.
I honestly think we are likely to get it just because of how popular and how much money they put into phantasy star online. It would be quite a nice cross-promotion. Not to mention, turn-based rpgs were somewhat dying before, but now they are in kind of a renaissance period. Persona 5, shinmigami tensei 5, dragon quest 11, live a live, octopath traveler. I think it would make the most sense to release a phantasy star sequel right now.
I just wanted to come here and thank you for turning my attention to so many amazing games. You guys are the reason I played Tales of Arise, LiveALive and Octopath Traveler. I also picked up Xenoblade but haven't started it yet. I've enjoy everything I've tried that you have suggested.😁
Tales of Destiny 2 what an absolutely beautiful game. Played through it multiple times, the amount of secrets and hidden contend in that game is very impressive, they were stuff found out many many years after it was released and I bet there's still some hidden content to be found in that game.
RPGs are my favorite genre, and comprise the bulk of games I play, it's really hard to narrow it down to small list. Just off the top of my head: Xenoblade 2, Final Fantasy VI, VII and Tactics, Breath of Fire III, Star Ocean 2, Brave Fencer Musashi, Grandia, Tales of Symphonia, Chrono Trigger, The World Ends With You, Super Mario RPG... there are probably several dozen more favorites I'm leaving out xD
For me it's very difficult to choose a top 10 but my absolute favorite 10 would be: 1. Xenogears 2. Breath of Fire 3 3. Parasite Eve 4. Wild Arms 5. Final Fantasy 7 6. Chrono Trigger 7. Star Ocean 2 8. Super Mario RPG 9. Lunar Silver Star Story + Lunar 2 10. Albert Odyssey Legend of Eldean Notable mentions: Dragon Quest 11 and Elden Ring
#2-6: On my list of greats as well. Everything else, I only know by name but haven't played. Guess I owe it to myself to at least try #1. But to be honest the latest three Xenoblade games are on my buying list once I narrow down my backlog. If those hit hard then the whole Xeno series will have to be played.
LOVE this list, LOVE Breath Of Fire 3, Probably my favorite classic JRPG of all time, Am currently playing thru it once again right now, Have never played Xenogears but just got it today and am planning on playing it after I finish BoF3/4
I been watching all your videos for the last 3 r 4 days I probably watched over 100 videos. Going through hard times right now. Your keeping me from thinking about.
As an older gamer I think i would have to separate top RPGs into two categories (classic/modern) Top 10 classic RPGs: Top 10 modern RPGs: Final Fantasy VII Elden Ring Final Fantasy VI Bloodborne Chrono Trigger Skyrim Breath of Fire 3 Fallout New Vegas Final Fantasy IX Divinity Original Sin 2 Vandal Hearts Dragon Quest XI S Super Mario RPG Shin Megami Tensei V Chrono Cross Persona 5 Royal Secret of Mana Dark Souls Shining Force Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
I would make the dividing line the ps1 era as RPGS just went to a completely new level with the ps2 with as the worlds just felt more open and almost every rpg has fully voiced.
You're such a joy to watch and listen to. Great list of course but I especially enjoy seeing the love, memories and care that you have for all these games and they are master pieces for sure. One honorable mention missing (for me at least) would be shining force 1, 2 and 3. Much love.
It does my heart good to see so much love for Dragon Quest XI. That game is sensational, and the most fun I’ve had with an RPG in the 20+ years since Final Fantasy VI. My personal top 10 (in no particular order): 1. Final Fantasy VI 2. Final Fantasy X 3. Chrono Cross (not Trigger ;) ) 4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 5. Mass Effect 2 6. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 7. Dragon Quest XI 8. Dragon Quest VIII 9. Fallout 3/4 10. Horizon Zero Dawn (that is considered an RPG, right?) Currently playing through Persona 5 and Tales of Arise.
I’m 28. The fact most of RUclips makes me feel so old and HCG mentioned buying FF6 28 years ago I laughed and found it a bit comforting. Thanks for that 😂😂
you can really see how passionate John is about these games. he's always enthusiastic but he was a bit extra up beat during this one. Thanks for sharing this list!
I appreciate many RPGs throughout the history. Some of my favorite and probably recommend to others. Legend of Dragoon Suikoden 1 and 2 Wild Arms Lunar Ff3 Ff7 Chrono Trigger Xenoblade chronicles (I just finished this recently) Yakuza Like a Dragon Some other games that have rpg elements in it. Parasite Eve Front Mission 3 Dragon Force
Im not even in the middle of the video but had to thumbs up with the presentation. Starting with the honorable mentions (instead of between 1st and 2nd places) is revolutionary. Highly energetic video. Loved it!
Nice! I’ll have to revisit Tales of Arise. I got about an hour into it and gave up because I wanted to get to the gameplay. Some special RPGs for me: Zelda, Dragon Warrior, Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star III, Shining Force, Lunar, Oblivion, Skyrim, Fire Emblem Three Houses, Octopath Traveler, and Triangle Strategy.
I kept trying to give ToA chances, but gave up. Characters are flat with stiff dialogue even a dozen hours in. Combat is OK, but trying to appear more complex than it really is. Final straw was trapping me in dungeon (third world) without being able to leave or way to refresh resources to grind for boss. Game suggested lowering difficulty, but that's a lazy way around sloppy deaign that was bad 20 years ago. Glad others like it, but it's the worst tales game since Symphonia 2 for me.
Here are my top 10 in no particular order. Like Johnny, this is just my own list from my experience of what I have and what I have loved over the years. Panzer Dragoon Saga - Saturn Lucienne’s Quest - 3DO Magic Knight Rayearth- Saturn Earthbound- Snes Breath of Fire- Snes Breath of Fire 2- Snes Final Fantasy Tactics- PS1 Chrono Trigger- PS1 (I liked the added cutscenes) Lunar The Silver Star (All ports Sega Cd, Saturn and PS1) Lunar 2 Eternal Blue (All ports Sega Cd, Saturn, and PS1)
Breath of Fire 3 is one of my all time favs. I recently played Breath of Fire 1 for snes recently for the first time, I loved it. Massively underrated. I've yet to play 2.
@@steveclarke6898 If it was a top 20, I would definitely have Breath of Fire 3 in there too. What a Masterpiece. Great choice. Breath of Fire 1 and 2 are the first Rpgs I ever played so they carry quite a bit of Nostalgia. The Sprite work in those games however is top notch along with the music and battles. The translations are what they are but I adore both games. Breath of Fire 3 has got to be one of the best looking games on PS1. The art style has aged so well in that one.
@@DurableName Very cool to hear someone else who has enjoyed it. I really loved the game and I love the appearance of it. It has such a unique look unlike any other RPG I have played.
Man you pump me up to play games everytime I watch one of your videos. Your passion is contagious. Easily my new favorite youtuber... glad I stumbled across your channel!!
Nier Automata is probably my number one. Great list Johnny, glad you included skyrim. Memes aside it's undeniably amazing especially when it came out, hard to pick a best elder scrolls game but skyrim was so damn engaging *edit: while watching this video I was thrown back in time so I absolutely have to include Quest For Glory 1 the vga upgrade on pc, in the early 90s that game practically changed my life I was obsessed haha. Love your channel so much Johnny, we are close to the same age and I had so many similar experiences with games and a fascination with Japanese culture/media growing up it was such a unique era to live through
Love your enthusiasm and how much those games mean to you. I also can't put them in order but I really adore: Skyrim, Tears of the Kingdom, Triangle Strategy, Ni No Kuni, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XII, Octopath Traveler, The Witcher 3, Persona 4 Golden and Final Fantasy VII Remake/Rebirth. Last one is my absolute favourite
In no order, my top 5 are: Shadow Hearts 1, Terranigma, Final Fantasy 9, Skies of Arcadia, and Suikoden 5. Grandia 2 and Diablo 2 are shortly followed.
I recommand a lot the Trails series for JRPG. The worldbuilding in these games is so big. It's the MCU of JRPG ahah. It's from the same company behind Ys. :)
To update this I have to really dig down. Also considering the expansion of RPGs since the last time I'm only going to do one per series because otherwise it would be too restrained I think. 10: Secret of Mana 9: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar 8: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 7: Shining Force II 6: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars 5: Grandia II 4: Phantasy Star IV: The End of The Millennium 3: Breath of Fire III 2: Chrono Trigger 1: Final Fantasy VI Thoughts?
I've only played Oblivion from your list, and I agree that it is a great game. You can't go wrong with most FF games. Shining Force 1 on the GBA was great, so I am assuming the 2nd is also good. I haven't played anything from the other series. I believe Ultima IV is a bit dated for most modern players, but the Ultima series is an influential series for the genre.
@@DarkWorldQ8 there is a fair way to play Ultima IV if you want to try it. The NES version is simple enough to adapt to. Though you can get all of them on GOG for fairly cheap. At the same time you would do well to play the rest of the titles on the list as each one has their own things to offer. For example Grandia II has a stronger story than Grandia I in my opinion, Phantasy Star IV is the accumulation of everything that made the original series great, the original Super Mario RPG is a great swan song for Square Soft games on the SNES and Chrono Trigger practically invented New Game +.
My favourite will always be Dragon quest (Warrior) 3. I first played it on a GBC and I fell in love with the JRPG genre. By the way John, how would your ideal Phantasy Star 5 be?
Hello Johnny ! Most on my list are the same as yours , so this is a little boring. But Hey ! They are excellent games. 1:Chrono trigger 2: Secret of mana 3:Xenogears 4: Dragon quest IV 5: Final fantasy VII 6: Phantasy star 7: Y’s 8: Alundra 9: Skyrim 10: Kingdom come-Deliverance
As someone apart of the younger generation, I completely agree on playing FF III/FF VI! Started playing it earlier this year and this video certainly has made me even more stoked!
Final Fantasy VII remains my favorite game some twenty years later. Some of my other faves would be: Elder Scrolls Oblivion & Skyrim Fallout 3 & 4 DragonForce Brigandine Legend of Forsena Suikoden 2 Final Fantasy 9 Final Fantasy 10 Vandal Hearts Final Fantasy 4 I’m sure there others, these are the ones that I remember off the top of my head.
It is only when I see lists like this, that I realise that not only have I played so many amazing RPG's, but also how many I haven't played! We are so lucky, when you think of all the games, across all the consoles, across all the generations of only 1 genre of game! And there are so many too choose from, just goes to show how great gaming is.
Persona 5 took my heart and ran with it! The music, the battle system, characters, and story. And don’t make fun of me for this. But, Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga was the game that got me into turn base RPG gameplay. It’s in my top 5 RPG list for that reason.
Mass Effect would probably my #1 RPG. The choices, the graphics (one of the first games I remember having simulated film grain), the amazing acting, the world-building, the characters, that synth heavy soundtrack. Everything about it is just fantastic. I haven’t played the legendary edition yet but planning on it. My runner up, mainly for nostalgic reasons, would be Pokemon Silver. My very first RPG
I have a hard time getting into modern "action" JRPGs like Xenoblade, the only one that really grabbed me by the balls was Ys 8 Lacrimosa of Dana. The gameplay is so fast and smooth it makes Xenoblade seem robotic in comparison. But if I'm talking about ALL RPGs, my top 10 will always include both Morrowind and Baldur's Gate 2.
i'm the opposite i find games made by Bethesda or Bioware to be super boring and i hate how almost every western rpg release with a lot of glitches (Bethesda is notorious for this) on the other hand i loved the Xenoblade specially the new one which is Xenoblade 3
Great video! I love that you included Y’s 1 and 2. I had a tg-16 but never the cd attachment. I love it! I would get the magazine and dream about playing Y’s. Also since I’m admitting to playing FF7 for the first time since it came out and really enjoying it. I had been working at Funcoland at the time and a customer spoiled the big death… I never played it after that really. I will say I’m surprised you didn’t mention BOTW. Excellent stuff keep it up Johnny.
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I could honestly listen to Johnny talk about his favourite RPGs for hours. We are blessed to have him as a gamer.
Agreed!
I love your passion whenever you talk about the games and their story behind, not only the game itself but also what was going on in your life
His memory is insane. He's like an old RPG encyclopedia lol.
I played Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition this year for the first time. Loved it and was thinking to myself “the fact that this massive game originally came out on Wii is impressive.”
I only got into it last year and damn, i have 600 hours in the franchise now.
The original has my favorite map themes of all time.
I still can't believe they were able to port it to the 3DS.
Honestly Xenoblade has become one of those franchises that I'd buy a Nintendo console for. It's probably the best time to jump into the series now that 1, 2, and 3 are all on the same system!
Xenogears is the real masterpiece though. At least, narratively.
@@luke3810 same. If we don't get a port of X announced sometime in the near future, I'm going to have to get a Wii U lol
I was about five years old when Earthbound came out. I remember seeing that big box and colorful artwork at the video rental store and having to rent it. Although I couldn’t get too far in it back then (never got past Onett Town) I instantly fell in love with the characters and story. I cried when it was time to return it… That game for me is ultimate nostalgia, in the best of ways.
I remember crying when I had to return Zelda oot and my dad fussing about it saying it was a def no cause last time I kept the game past due 4 days.. my dad almost had a heart attack when we tried renting a movie and there being a late fee to pay first. Blockbuster didn't play with the late fees lol. We both laugh about it now haha.
Since you're talking about RPG's, I wanted to thank you for getting into Grandia. I remember watching your retrospective about the series years ago and thought it looked really cool. I downloaded the game off the PSN store and since then I've considered it one of my favorite games on the Playstation and one of my favorite RPGs of all time.
Dude, you are like THE console RPG guy, I imagine it would be hard to do a top 100 let alone a top 10! Deciding these must've been almost impossible!
Top 100 series would be ELITE
Yeah, speaking of a top 100 list…. Let’s see that goodness!
@@tcrossanPT Yeah haha
The topic is just so huge. I personally would like to see a top action rpgs, top strategy rpgs and top turned-based rpgs. Only to find phantasy star 1 again at the top lol, maybe even in both lists for some reason
lololololol
This is near impossible to choose! Let me try mine (Strategy RPG's included)
1. Final Fantasy Tactics
2. Xenogears
3. Chrono Trigger
4. Suikoden
5. Vagrant Story
6. Parasite Eve
7. Legend of Legaia
8. Phantasy Star IV
9. Wild Arms
10. Panzer Dragoon Saga
Have a similar list the first/old school jrpgs are just so damn good 1-10 for me ff7, ff tactics, xenogears, suikoden 2, suikoden 1, vagrant story, chrono trigger, radiant historia perfect chronology, golden sun.
Yessss PDS excellent taste
Lots of nostalgia from the 16 and 32-bit eras but I can’t disagree with most of your choices. Solely judging by the picks on your list I’m guessing we’re about the same age (35-40ish) because I cut my teeth on most of your picks growing up.
@@buckchuckgaming597 Yup! I’ll be 37 next month and I grew up all through most of the 90’s playing JRPG’s. I was lucky enough to grow up during then to purchase them or receive these games as gifts when they were affordable. I’d hate to start collecting a lot of these games today since the prices are outrageous! There are so many more I’ve played that could easily make the list, but then it would be a top 250 list haha!
Love to see parasite eve on here
Some love for the entire “Trails of” series. Having played and thoroughly enjoyed just about every game you mentioned, The trails series has equally blown me away with world building across many, many games in the series.
Do you know that "Trails of" is a subseries inside "The Legend of Heroes" right?
@@guilhermecaiado5384 wich games of this series do you recommend? playstation console preffered
@@yungtoenail5555 There were 2 games of the subseries dragon slayer (Legend of Heroes 1 and 2).
And the 3 games of the Trails in the Sky.
The 2 games of the Crosbell saga ("from Zero" and "to Azure").
And finally the Cold Steel 1 and 2 finish and arc. And the nowadays series.
The Sky, Crosbell and Cold Steel all happen in the same world at the same time.
Started playing during Cold Steel and reading how big this story is I am amazed by it can't wait for Reverie
It’s funny how although it’s an ARPG Takes of Arise has a very similar vibe to my favorite RPG the Trails of Cold Steel quadriligy.. I know I’m cheating a bit but it does feel like one long epic game spread across 4 parts.. I guess they’ll keep expanding the series in the future..
I’m also glad they’re doing this with the rebooted FFVII universe too.. They feel like soap operas where you always wanna see what happens next hahaha
Fantasy Star was the very first RPG game I have played. I was blown away. I have been a RPG fan since then. This brings back the memory of playing Shining Force. It was a strategy game, but so ahead of its time. I loved it so much. Then FFIV (JP), the story was so amazing. I cried for the twins. Thanks for your list. I think it’s very true for our 80s kids who lived through the 16bits era and stayed a RPG fan till now.
Phantasy Star.
@@brandonheat07so what dude
Skies of Arcadia is not only my favourite RPG but also my favourite game of all time. It's a shame the PS2 port was cancelled cause that may have changed the fate of this now mostly forgotten gem.
Can't believe they cancelled that
I'm glad they did, no surprise PS2 games haven't been made for years
@@brandonmalone1893 .......because it's a console with over 20 years? Are you dense or something
@@brandonmalone1893 My slowbrain retar-d dude, they are talking about a port that was supposed to come out decades ago. Not now. You know the PS2, the best selling console of all time? Freakin I-diot.
Man, I am 26 years old and you make me envious that I didn’t get to grow up in the same era of gaming. Keep the magic alive
The number one pick was obvious but it's so well-deserved. Amazing list overall! Another honourable mention I'd include is Suikoden 2
I loved that the save carried over from the first one as well! The first 2 were something special
Playing DQ8 on the 3ds right now and wow, how'd I miss this one! So good! The grind, story, art, love it!
FF7 on ps1 was my introduction into rpgs. I never played one before that. It changed my outlook on games and now I am a huge fan of rpgs. One of my favorite games is Skies of Arcadia for the dreamcast. I love it.
Skies of Arcadia is top tier
Mine:
1. Final Fantasy 6
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Vagrant Story
4. Final Fantasy Tactics
5. Secret of Mana / Trials of Mana (tie)
7. Final Fantasy 9
8. Suikoden 2
9. Diablo 2
10. Final Fantasy 4
After 14 years your videos are still so exciting and fresh! Amazing list btw!!
Right on with your #1. Phantasy Star was the game that started it all for me. I was 11yo and man this was something. Huge game, in a time way before internet. Some of my best gaming moments for sure. We where obsessed with that game, talking about it in school and drawing maps on paper. ;)
I played Final Fantasy 6 a full 3 years after beating Final Fantasy 7 and I would actually rank it above 7. Absolutely loved 7 but 6's gameplay felt more advanced to me with the added Street Fighter type movements you had to do to pull of some moves. Really compelling characters and lovely music I would def hope that if Square decides to do more remakes they would go with 6 next!
And plus the main antagonist actually succeeds in ending civilization and rules the world for a time!
I just realized you can buy it on iOS......finishing tactics which isn’t bAd on a phone from someone who grew up on gbc. Super excited to jump in 6/3 next..
Same...I felt I was going against the grain whenever I said 6 was better than 7.
I played both and I like ff7 more by far!
I feel like VI is the better game but VII was a much more influential one. I remember when both came out. VI was big with those of us who were hardcore gamers but VII broke through with the more casual crowd.
Great video Jonny. So many classics. I'd include Suikoden 1 and 2. Emotional story and gathering characters was SO fun
Easily top 10, maybe even top 5 😅
Always glad to get a refreshing take from your videos. I learn about interesting games that are generally overlooked by other RUclipsrs when I watch your content. Keep up the good work man!
You’re the reason I fell I love with RPGs, so I love seeing this, Johnny! I highly value your taste and recommendation, thank you for sharing your love for each of these, buddy
Great list! Whenever you talk about old games I try to remember where I was and who I was playing with because we are almost the same age lol. Parasite Eve was one of my favourites and I feel it doesn’t get enough love but then again making lists like these are hard when there are so many classics to choose from.
Im so excited to watch this list right now. You have made this morning worthwhile.
I look forward to seeing his videos Sunday mornings
Amazing modern strategy RPG, Divinity Original Sin 2. It's an absolute masterpiece!
Very good game
I loved the game. However, there were multiple parts where I had to look things up just to progress. I also never finished it because I kept dying in the final part lol.
I was blown away by your honorable mentions but after I saw the list, I couldn't argue with it. Love that you mixed the old and the new. Waiting for Kim's list.
Hey Johnny, I just wanted to say thanks man. I’ve been going through a really really rough time lately, but your enthusiasm always lifts me up and reminds me that life is a gift, something to be excited and happy about. One love brother.
Secret of Mana for the SNES was a ton of fun for me back in the day. I named the characters after myself and two girls I hung out with. They had a blast seeing their names in the game and adored their characters.
Me too!😆
Same good time 😺😺😺
I swear my bank account groans everytime Johnny uploads a new video. It's hard not to get swept up by his enthusiasm and end up on eBay. He's introduced me to so many games I would have passed over before: Y's, Dragon Quest and Shin Megami Tensei are just a few of the franchises I've picked up since discovering the Happy Console Gamer. I agree with all the picks on this list but my own top 10 would include Fallout 3 and Mario & Luigi Partners in Time (that game got me through a tough time in my life). Still have Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest 8 in my backlog. Might have to pull them forward now.
My top 10 out of order:
-Mother 3
-Lost Odyssey
-Xenogears
-Final Fantasy VI or IX
-Dragon Quest IV
-Suikoden II
-Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne
-Fire Emblem Three Houses
-Persona 2 Duology
-Parasite Eve
Mine is-->
Xenogears
Mother 3
Trails In The Sky SC
Xenosaga Episode III
Trails To Azure
Final Fantasy Tactics
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Radiant Historia
Suikoden V
Lost Odyssey
Kudos on Nocturne
So I’m 30 years old. Grew up in the nineties without a lot of game access but I always saw myself as an rpg guy. Every time I see videos like this I see how much bigger the rpg world is. Great video man, thanks!
Some on my list would be:
Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals
The Illusion of Gaia
LoZ: A Link to the Past
ES4: Oblivion
Fallout: NV
Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen
The Witcher 2&3
I love jrpgs! Mad respect Johnny
Perfect use of the classic Venkman quote from Ghostbusters.
Hyperdimension neptunia re birth 3, god Eater resurrection, Fate Extella the umbral star , Scarlet Nexus, Yokai watch 1 , Digimon story cyber sleuth, Persona 5 Royal, Shin Megami tensei V , Senran Kagura Estival Versus, and Mega man X command mission . Honorable mentions , Dragon Quest 3 , Final fantasy 8 remastered, Octopath traveler, Mary skelter 1 , Pokemon emerald and mega man Battle network 3 Blue for me . Man that's a mouthful lol
Dragon Quest 3!
Dragon Quest is my favorite series (orignal i know, DQ 4 is probably my favorite right now but that can change at any moment) but the Jrpg that got me back into jrpgs and gaming as a whole is Tales of Berseria. The gameplay was really fun the story was different enough and the characters are fantastic and the team dynamic was great too.
So many memories then, and now. Thanks for taking us on this journey with you
Maybe one day Phantasy Star will return to its roots. One day, someday
I've often wondered (for a bit of fun) what kind of treatment a Phantasy star remake or 5 would suit? A level of FF7 remake quality, while bringing back that real fantasy sci fi environment and resorting to a more 80's anime aesthetic?
@@AniFAE_Productions I would hope they could find a fresh start for the series. While being experimental, like the original was way back when.
@@kadosho02 Yeah, the franchise truly deserves notoriety and a new found appreciation, especially to the newer generation.
I always watch 3 or 4 videos of his at a time because they are so engaging. I can tell how passionate he is about video games and he makes me excited or want to play them. Idk if that’s pure passion or his personality too. But even a game I wouldn’t play he makes me want to play. Lol
Seriously though!!! Lol
Love the list good Sir. One of my favorite parts of loving the rpg an jrpg games is 75% of the time fans will have different lists. So many amazing games
Looove this list. Great stuff in here, new and old. My top 10 list of RPGs has a lot of new games in it as well, but obviously some old favourites that will always remain. Love seeing the changes!
I was looking forward to Elden Ring but I wasn’t expecting it to become my favorite game of all-time. It’s not perfect but it’s an adventure that consumed my attention for hundreds of hours. I’m hyped to see it make your list.
It's not an rpg
I love Elden Ring and think it could be the best game I've ever played. But I think I will struggle to replay it to the same extent as I do many of my favorite games, including the Dark Souls series. It's just too damn big, and there are some design decisions that I don't entirely agree with. But I don't think any game has taken over my life to the same degree that Elden Ring did.
@@brettmyers3292 you don't have to do everything on a replay.
@Worst Case Scenario it's an action rpg
@@Thefonz94 I assume people don't come around you much.
Your videos make me appreciate what a great art form that gaming is! I always reminisce when I watch your videos, going back to the days when gaming felt so special?
Those were the twilight years!!
Excellent list, unforgettable games and an awesome video!
Thank you!
One thing I think is often overlooked about Ys Book I&II is that compared to its contemporaries, the game had a phenomenally done translation. So many games had really broken translations full of nonsensical phrases and misspellings but this game while not perfect either was much more sophisticated in its dialogue and you can see much more care was taken to ensure a good translation done for the West. Good call choosing it, even with more modern Ys games, because today it honestly still holds up.
You are like the first person i have seen to add games to a list older than the last decade, thank you.
Love your videos John . Have a nice Sunday . My top 10 list is :
1- Final Fantasy VI
2- Final Fantasy VII
3- Secret of Mana
4-Chrono Trigger
5- Dragon Quest VIII
6-Ys 8 Lacrimosa of Dana
7- Lunar 2 ( ps1)
8- Dragon Quest 11
9- Legend Of Legaia
10- Alundra
Honorable mentions
- Persona 5
- Ys book 1 & 2
- Terranigma
I loved the Lunar series as well. Wish I could find it digitally
Secret of mana is ❤️
@@Rosbergen80 i was blown away by the music in this game . Such a unique rpg . It had to be in my top 3 . 😊
@@jayt2917 i played it in 1993 i was 12 and my first rpg ,loved it still play it now and then.
That is a damn good list. FFVI and FFVII at the very top, love to see it. Also great to see more love for Legaia, that game goes under the radar for so many folks.
Xenoblade Chronicles DE is in my top 5 for sure, which is crazy because it’s one of the few modern releases I love that much :)
I was really liking it til I ran into Xord.. Maybe I just suck!?
My top 10:
10. Trails from Zero
9. Lunar II: Eternal Blue
8. Trails in the Sky: SC
7. Trails to Azure
6. Shadow Hearts
5. Skies of Arcadia
4. Sakura Wars 3
3. Shadow Hearts: Covenant
2. Panzer Dragoon Saga
1. Shining Force III
Shadow Hearts & Skies of Arcadia?! Great taste!
I'm looking forward to playing Trails from Zero hopefully soon 🙏🏼
Obviously never played Chrono Trigger
@@JohnSmith-is4uu These are my favorites and Chrono Trigger wasn't for me personally.
Man ive warched your show for like 10 years now... still love it! Love the positive vibe.
Parasite Eve, never gets enough love. SquareSoft took the RPG formula and flipped it on its head. Story is tremendous and it would never be greenlit today. The game is a sequel to the obscure Japanese book of the same name. What genius thought of that? Square needs to bring Parasite Eve 1 back as a remake. Truely remarkable game.
Parasite Eve remains the only rpg last boss that I ever gave up on in all my life, went into it with the tiny ammo I had on me then the save just loaded you back into boss room with w/e ammo you had haha, was an amazing game though and deffo would love to see remade along with dinocrisis tbh.
Dunno what that game even was. Was so different and the fighting system was awful compared to what I had previously played, yet that game is one of my most beloved ones. But I can't but to mention Vagrant Story at the same time as they both had the same kind of effect on me.
Great video! Here’s some of my favorites: DQ 8, Super Mario RPG, Trails of Cold Steel, Skyrim, Radiant Historia, Shining in the Darkness, Persona 5, Triangle Strategy, and DQ 5.
It’s crazy that sega made the Sakura wars reboot before phantasy star mainline series. Even if they reimagined it and started over it would be a big deal if done with a big budget.
I remember watching your original "Top 10 RPGS" video all those years ago and that video alone made me so passionate about JRPGS.
Thank you HappyConsoleGamer for all those wonderful memories.
Tales of Arise is absolutely unreal. One of my favorite combat systems in any action RPG.
I remember the old top 10 one and it has a special place in my heart! It helped me form my PS3 Collection.
Really cool to hear you mention Skyrim. There was (and still is) nothing like it. People like to sh*t on it because of how many RPGs have come out since then, but Skyrim still does things almost no other game even attempts, like all NPCs having a name, a routine and a real place in the world. Every item is a real physical object to be picked up and moved around, the seamless design of the UI and just how It grounded you and everything around you so well in that magical world, while minimising or downright removing all the typical rpg barriers.
This game, is still just as magical to get lost in, as it was 10 years ago.
I know that it's incredibly outdated by modern standards, but I am one of the many unabashed Morrowind fanboys who think that game did everything you just described better than Skyrim.
It's weird, he listed Skyrim in his top games of all time video, but he almost never talks about Skyrim otherwise.
@@brettmyers3292 Yeah morrowind man.. it’s true that every modern elder scrolls game simply reiterated on what Morrowind already had. I will say, though, that combat was quite irredeemable in that one, which is why it’s hard to get people to stick with it in the beginning. Also, I think Skyrim streamlined a lot of the menus and made the control scheme a ton more accessible and intuitive and just made it easier to immerse yourself in the world without thinking too much about the mechanics behind it (it just works lol). You might say it’s dumbing the game down, but for me, it works towards immersing me in the world and removing the barriers that would otherwise break said immersion.
But when you ask me what I think is the best Elder scrolls game, I might give you a different answer each time, since all of them are so special in their own way.
@@QuadinarosLS That is so true. Would be interesting to hear his recollection of the first time he played it, since he’s such a good storyteller.
@@flyingplantwhale545 The thing I like about Morrowind combat is, when you reach a high level you actually take out a lot of enemies with ease, as a high level rpg character should. At lower levels, it makes sense that you're missing all the time. Your character has no proficiency in combat. In later elder scrolls games, the higher level you are, enemies just become HP sponges. Your attacks barely make a dent in their health bar. You have to hit some higher level enemies over and over, they'd physically be mince meat by the time they're killed. So the immersion and logical arguments people make against Morrowind's combat can be applied to the later entries just from a different perspective.
But yes I understand it turns a lot of modern gamers away because modern rpgs almost never have that oldschool, skill system or hidden, "dice-rolling", pen and paper style of combat. Much more about the action now.
Since I started watching your videos you have had a great influence in the games I buy/play. I only play used physical games on the Switch but it is thanks to you that I have found and loved games like Ni No Kuni, Tales of Vesperia, Ys Origin... I got myself Skyrim a week ago. Can't wait to dive in its world. Thank you!
I feel like everytime John says we’re never gonna get a game, he’s proven wrong. Sega isn’t the company they used to be, but they do sometimes let people who really care revive their franchises. I’m sure there’s a talented team out there who could do Phantasy Star 5 and do it right.
I honestly think we are likely to get it just because of how popular and how much money they put into phantasy star online. It would be quite a nice cross-promotion. Not to mention, turn-based rpgs were somewhat dying before, but now they are in kind of a renaissance period. Persona 5, shinmigami tensei 5, dragon quest 11, live a live, octopath traveler.
I think it would make the most sense to release a phantasy star sequel right now.
A jrpg that I played this year for the first time and has blow me away was Terranigma for the SNES. Such a beautiful game
I just wanted to come here and thank you for turning my attention to so many amazing games. You guys are the reason I played Tales of Arise, LiveALive and Octopath Traveler. I also picked up Xenoblade but haven't started it yet. I've enjoy everything I've tried that you have suggested.😁
21:22 the way he clutches the box.. that's true love right there
Tales of Destiny 2 what an absolutely beautiful game. Played through it multiple times, the amount of secrets and hidden contend in that game is very impressive, they were stuff found out many many years after it was released and I bet there's still some hidden content to be found in that game.
RPGs are my favorite genre, and comprise the bulk of games I play, it's really hard to narrow it down to small list. Just off the top of my head: Xenoblade 2, Final Fantasy VI, VII and Tactics, Breath of Fire III, Star Ocean 2, Brave Fencer Musashi, Grandia, Tales of Symphonia, Chrono Trigger, The World Ends With You, Super Mario RPG... there are probably several dozen more favorites I'm leaving out xD
For me it's very difficult to choose a top 10 but my absolute favorite 10 would be:
1. Xenogears
2. Breath of Fire 3
3. Parasite Eve
4. Wild Arms
5. Final Fantasy 7
6. Chrono Trigger
7. Star Ocean 2
8. Super Mario RPG
9. Lunar Silver Star Story + Lunar 2
10. Albert Odyssey Legend of Eldean
Notable mentions: Dragon Quest 11 and Elden Ring
#2-6: On my list of greats as well. Everything else, I only know by name but haven't played. Guess I owe it to myself to at least try #1. But to be honest the latest three Xenoblade games are on my buying list once I narrow down my backlog. If those hit hard then the whole Xeno series will have to be played.
LOVE this list, LOVE Breath Of Fire 3, Probably my favorite classic JRPG of all time, Am currently playing thru it once again right now, Have never played Xenogears but just got it today and am planning on playing it after I finish BoF3/4
I been watching all your videos for the last 3 r 4 days I probably watched over 100 videos. Going through hard times right now. Your keeping me from thinking about.
As an older gamer I think i would have to separate top RPGs into two categories (classic/modern)
Top 10 classic RPGs: Top 10 modern RPGs:
Final Fantasy VII Elden Ring
Final Fantasy VI Bloodborne
Chrono Trigger Skyrim
Breath of Fire 3 Fallout New Vegas
Final Fantasy IX Divinity Original Sin 2
Vandal Hearts Dragon Quest XI S
Super Mario RPG Shin Megami Tensei V
Chrono Cross Persona 5 Royal
Secret of Mana Dark Souls
Shining Force Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
I would make the dividing line the ps1 era as RPGS just went to a completely new level with the ps2 with as the worlds just felt more open and almost every rpg has fully voiced.
You're such a joy to watch and listen to. Great list of course but I especially enjoy seeing the love, memories and care that you have for all these games and they are master pieces for sure.
One honorable mention missing (for me at least) would be shining force 1, 2 and 3. Much love.
It does my heart good to see so much love for Dragon Quest XI. That game is sensational, and the most fun I’ve had with an RPG in the 20+ years since Final Fantasy VI. My personal top 10 (in no particular order):
1. Final Fantasy VI
2. Final Fantasy X
3. Chrono Cross (not Trigger ;) )
4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
5. Mass Effect 2
6. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
7. Dragon Quest XI
8. Dragon Quest VIII
9. Fallout 3/4
10. Horizon Zero Dawn (that is considered an RPG, right?)
Currently playing through Persona 5 and Tales of Arise.
I also recognize Horizon as a rpg
I’m 28. The fact most of RUclips makes me feel so old and HCG mentioned buying FF6 28 years ago I laughed and found it a bit comforting.
Thanks for that 😂😂
Skyrim took me on a 3 month journey. It really was magical ✨️ 🙌
you can really see how passionate John is about these games. he's always enthusiastic but he was a bit extra up beat during this one. Thanks for sharing this list!
I agree with your list, especially your #1. I would love to have a Phantasy Star 5 as well but sadly, like you mentioned, would never happen.
Bro, you have just the best energy with all your videos. Watching your content is like RUclips comfort food.
I appreciate many RPGs throughout the history.
Some of my favorite and probably recommend to others.
Legend of Dragoon
Suikoden 1 and 2
Wild Arms
Lunar
Ff3
Ff7
Chrono Trigger
Xenoblade chronicles (I just finished this recently)
Yakuza Like a Dragon
Some other games that have rpg elements in it.
Parasite Eve
Front Mission 3
Dragon Force
Im not even in the middle of the video but had to thumbs up with the presentation.
Starting with the honorable mentions (instead of between 1st and 2nd places) is revolutionary.
Highly energetic video.
Loved it!
Nice! I’ll have to revisit Tales of Arise. I got about an hour into it and gave up because I wanted to get to the gameplay. Some special RPGs for me: Zelda, Dragon Warrior, Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star III, Shining Force, Lunar, Oblivion, Skyrim, Fire Emblem Three Houses, Octopath Traveler, and Triangle Strategy.
Same happened to me dude. I should get back into Arise too
Zelda an rpg?
I kept trying to give ToA chances, but gave up. Characters are flat with stiff dialogue even a dozen hours in. Combat is OK, but trying to appear more complex than it really is. Final straw was trapping me in dungeon (third world) without being able to leave or way to refresh resources to grind for boss. Game suggested lowering difficulty, but that's a lazy way around sloppy deaign that was bad 20 years ago. Glad others like it, but it's the worst tales game since Symphonia 2 for me.
@@reidcircuits826 yeah, I think the original is an action rpg.
@@MrVisde nah man the second one might be RPG. You don't level up in the other ones.
Johnny talking about RPGs from all generations is pretty much the perfect video.
Here are my top 10 in no particular order. Like Johnny, this is just my own list from my experience of what I have and what I have loved over the years.
Panzer Dragoon Saga - Saturn
Lucienne’s Quest - 3DO
Magic Knight Rayearth- Saturn
Earthbound- Snes
Breath of Fire- Snes
Breath of Fire 2- Snes
Final Fantasy Tactics- PS1
Chrono Trigger- PS1 (I liked the added cutscenes)
Lunar The Silver Star (All ports Sega Cd, Saturn and PS1)
Lunar 2 Eternal Blue (All ports Sega Cd, Saturn, and PS1)
Wow...Lucienne’s Quest. I actually bought that game new as a teenager and I adored it.
Breath of Fire 3 is one of my all time favs. I recently played Breath of Fire 1 for snes recently for the first time, I loved it. Massively underrated. I've yet to play 2.
@@steveclarke6898 If it was a top 20, I would definitely have Breath of Fire 3 in there too. What a Masterpiece. Great choice. Breath of Fire 1 and 2 are the first Rpgs I ever played so they carry quite a bit of Nostalgia. The Sprite work in those games however is top notch along with the music and battles. The translations are what they are but I adore both games. Breath of Fire 3 has got to be one of the best looking games on PS1. The art style has aged so well in that one.
@@DurableName Very cool to hear someone else who has enjoyed it. I really loved the game and I love the appearance of it. It has such a unique look unlike any other RPG I have played.
Did the DS version of Chrono Trigger not have the cutscenes? I can’t remember.
Man you pump me up to play games everytime I watch one of your videos. Your passion is contagious. Easily my new favorite youtuber... glad I stumbled across your channel!!
Nier Automata is probably my number one. Great list Johnny, glad you included skyrim. Memes aside it's undeniably amazing especially when it came out, hard to pick a best elder scrolls game but skyrim was so damn engaging
*edit: while watching this video I was thrown back in time so I absolutely have to include Quest For Glory 1 the vga upgrade on pc, in the early 90s that game practically changed my life I was obsessed haha. Love your channel so much Johnny, we are close to the same age and I had so many similar experiences with games and a fascination with Japanese culture/media growing up it was such a unique era to live through
Same! Starting NieR Replicant tomorrow!
my number one rpg is phantasy star on the master system! it was my first rpg that I ever played and I still love that game!
Darks Souls is my top series, but i'm really into Panzer Dragoon Saga. Great game, how can Sega never rerelease it?
Love your enthusiasm and how much those games mean to you. I also can't put them in order but I really adore: Skyrim, Tears of the Kingdom, Triangle Strategy, Ni No Kuni, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XII, Octopath Traveler, The Witcher 3, Persona 4 Golden and Final Fantasy VII Remake/Rebirth. Last one is my absolute favourite
In no order, my top 5 are: Shadow Hearts 1, Terranigma, Final Fantasy 9, Skies of Arcadia, and Suikoden 5. Grandia 2 and Diablo 2 are shortly followed.
Shadow Hearts 1...I like you 👍
Shadow Hearts & Skies excellent taste
Skies of Arcadia is a masterpiece in my book
Skies of Arcadia was so good. My brother adored it.
I recommand a lot the Trails series for JRPG. The worldbuilding in these games is so big. It's the MCU of JRPG ahah. It's from the same company behind Ys. :)
Xenogears is my favorite. SE should do a remake of it
I think the Octopath team could do it justice!
There is no song I associate more with great RPG’s than Barrett’s Theme. That was the perfect touch to this video.
To update this I have to really dig down. Also considering the expansion of RPGs since the last time I'm only going to do one per series because otherwise it would be too restrained I think.
10: Secret of Mana
9: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
8: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
7: Shining Force II
6: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
5: Grandia II
4: Phantasy Star IV: The End of The Millennium
3: Breath of Fire III
2: Chrono Trigger
1: Final Fantasy VI
Thoughts?
Solid list
I've only played Oblivion from your list, and I agree that it is a great game. You can't go wrong with most FF games. Shining Force 1 on the GBA was great, so I am assuming the 2nd is also good.
I haven't played anything from the other series. I believe Ultima IV is a bit dated for most modern players, but the Ultima series is an influential series for the genre.
Breath of Fire III is also my number 3! Good stuff haha
@@DarkWorldQ8 there is a fair way to play Ultima IV if you want to try it. The NES version is simple enough to adapt to. Though you can get all of them on GOG for fairly cheap. At the same time you would do well to play the rest of the titles on the list as each one has their own things to offer. For example Grandia II has a stronger story than Grandia I in my opinion, Phantasy Star IV is the accumulation of everything that made the original series great, the original Super Mario RPG is a great swan song for Square Soft games on the SNES and Chrono Trigger practically invented New Game +.
@@anime-mun 💯
The original Phantasy Star on the SMS will never be forgotten!!! For PS is my number one pick as well...:)
My favourite will always be Dragon quest (Warrior) 3. I first played it on a GBC and I fell in love with the JRPG genre. By the way John, how would your ideal Phantasy Star 5 be?
Yes, Dragon Warrior 3!
Mine is Skies of Arcadia, still my fav game.
Hello Johnny ! Most on my list are the same as yours , so this is a little boring. But Hey ! They are excellent games.
1:Chrono trigger
2: Secret of mana
3:Xenogears
4: Dragon quest IV
5: Final fantasy VII
6: Phantasy star
7: Y’s
8: Alundra
9: Skyrim
10: Kingdom come-Deliverance
As someone apart of the younger generation, I completely agree on playing FF III/FF VI! Started playing it earlier this year and this video certainly has made me even more stoked!
Final Fantasy VII remains my favorite game some twenty years later. Some of my other faves would be:
Elder Scrolls Oblivion & Skyrim
Fallout 3 & 4
DragonForce
Brigandine Legend of Forsena
Suikoden 2
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 10
Vandal Hearts
Final Fantasy 4
I’m sure there others, these are the ones that I remember off the top of my head.
Secret of Mana ?
@@armorvil one of my all time faves!
Great picks Johnny. Love seeing the passion and appreciation for these brilliant storylines and art styles. Love the channel.
Can't go wrong with any of my sacred trilogy: Souls, Mass Effect, Dragon Age Origins
It is only when I see lists like this, that I realise that not only have I played so many amazing RPG's, but also how many I haven't played!
We are so lucky, when you think of all the games, across all the consoles, across all the generations of only 1 genre of game! And there are so many too choose from, just goes to show how great gaming is.
Wish you had some of the Legend of Heroes games in the list. Trails of Cold Steel 1-4 are fantastic and have a LOT of depth to them.
Great vid as always. You just made me want to replay all these games again.
Persona 5 took my heart and ran with it! The music, the battle system, characters, and story.
And don’t make fun of me for this. But, Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga was the game that got me into turn base RPG gameplay. It’s in my top 5 RPG list for that reason.
Mass Effect would probably my #1 RPG.
The choices, the graphics (one of the first games I remember having simulated film grain), the amazing acting, the world-building, the characters, that synth heavy soundtrack. Everything about it is just fantastic. I haven’t played the legendary edition yet but planning on it.
My runner up, mainly for nostalgic reasons, would be Pokemon Silver. My very first RPG
I have a hard time getting into modern "action" JRPGs like Xenoblade, the only one that really grabbed me by the balls was Ys 8 Lacrimosa of Dana. The gameplay is so fast and smooth it makes Xenoblade seem robotic in comparison. But if I'm talking about ALL RPGs, my top 10 will always include both Morrowind and Baldur's Gate 2.
it isn't a straight action rpg like Ys is though
i'm the opposite i find games made by Bethesda or Bioware to be super boring and i hate how almost every western rpg release with a lot of glitches (Bethesda is notorious for this)
on the other hand i loved the Xenoblade specially the new one which is Xenoblade 3
Xenoblade is not an action RPG
Great video! I love that you included Y’s 1 and 2. I had a tg-16 but never the cd attachment. I love it! I would get the magazine and dream about playing Y’s. Also since I’m admitting to playing FF7 for the first time since it came out and really enjoying it. I had been working at Funcoland at the time and a customer spoiled the big death… I never played it after that really. I will say I’m surprised you didn’t mention BOTW. Excellent stuff keep it up Johnny.