Searching for a New Video Game System

[Nilandia]

So I've finally decided that I'd like to get a video game system of my own for Christmas, though I've been out of the loop for such a long time I don't know what would best fit me. I'm open to any system that best fits my playing style.

I enjoy roleplaying games first and foremost, though I also like other games that are meant to be fun without being too serious. Games like Assassin's Creed and the Final Fantasy series intrigue me, and I adore the non-linear games like Legend of Mana (I used to stay up until 6am with my RA in college playing it). DDR is another interest for me, so something like that would be awesome.

Graphics aren't a must for me, but they are nice to have. I still enjoy playing old NES games, so it's not like I'll reject a system because it doesn't have the best. Gameplay is essential, and I'm willing to sacrifice some things to get the best of that.

At this point, I have been considering a PS2 or a PS3 with full backwards compatibility, though I'm not familiar enough with the various systems and what games are available to make a truly informed decision.

Any ideas or help?

Gretchen

[Back]

I went PS3. The main reasons being bluetooth capability, blu-ray DVD playback at 1080i, and wireless internet. Its not very backwards compatible however. At least from my experience, which is disappointing but then again I still have my PS2.

Not matter which system you get, buy Oblivion GotY. Its an awesome dungeon crawling rpg game.

[Drew]

Xbox 360 has been adding a bunch of JRPG titles if that's the kind you like (I don't). But the Xbox live arcade definitely has the most classic RPGs to download.

[Nilandia]

I went PS3. The main reasons being bluetooth capability, blu-ray DVD playback at 1080i, and wireless internet. Its not very backwards compatible however. At least from my experience, which is disappointing but then again I still have my PS2.

Not matter which system you get, buy Oblivion GotY. Its an awesome dungeon crawling rpg game.
Oblivion has been recommended to me already, and I'll be looking into it. The 60gig PS3 is supposedly backwards compatible, so if I go that route, I'll be getting that version.

Gretchen

[The Ponzzz]

If you're going to go with a PS3, I highly recommend going with the 80GB one for the backwards compatible features (it runs the HD rough).

Personally, I have the Xbox 360 Elite, PS3 and Wii and I don't think any of them are worth it if you like RPGs. RPG titles have been lacking, unless you like to watch a movie and play it every 5 minutes with 13 hours gameplay from start to finish.

I enjoy Oblivion on the Xbox 360 and GTA4 on the PS3. I have yet to find an RPG title worth playing though.

[SolitareConfinement]

with the Wii you can get your wireless internet as well and runs all wireless controls etc...and the best part? when you hook up to the net you can download all those old NES games to your system.

Wii also has a lot of RPG's and various fun games like DDR and guitar hero etc.

PS3 also does this. you can download ROMs to your ps3 from previous PS versions. example my buddy has twisted metal 2 for ps1 on his ps3 (160 gig).


360's all around have the most games out at the moment. Wii is starting to catch up game wise as far as amount is concerned and PS3 is well.....bringing up the rear.

[Tolwynn]

If you're looking for sheer volume of RPGs, you could buy a PS2 on the cheap, and play all of the PS2 RPGs, plus the extensive back catalog that came out for the PS1.

That gives you access to the Final Fantasy series up through 12, Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Dragon Warrior, Valkyrie Profile series, Kingdom Hearts series, Grandia, Legend of Legaia series, Dark Cloud series, Xenogears series, Wild Arms series, and dozens more - literally more than you'll probably ever have time to play.

[Sean of the Thread]

You were boinking your RA...

[Kitsun]

If you're looking for sheer volume of RPGs, you could buy a PS2 on the cheap, and play all of the PS2 RPGs, plus the extensive back catalog that came out for the PS1.

That gives you access to the Final Fantasy series up through 12, Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Dragon Warrior, Valkyrie Profile series, Kingdom Hearts series, Grandia, Legend of Legaia series, Dark Cloud series, Xenogears series, Wild Arms series, and dozens more - literally more than you'll probably ever have time to play.

What Tolwyn said. Best bang for buck. Can play till your eyes bleed.

The longer you wait, the cheaper the next gen consoles get!

[Jahira]

I always hated the xbox controllers so I refuse to buy one.

[Kitsun]

Tiny hands? I kinda like 360 controllers.

[AnticorRifling]

Be a wiitard.

[Nilandia]

If you're looking for sheer volume of RPGs, you could buy a PS2 on the cheap, and play all of the PS2 RPGs, plus the extensive back catalog that came out for the PS1.

That gives you access to the Final Fantasy series up through 12, Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Dragon Warrior, Valkyrie Profile series, Kingdom Hearts series, Grandia, Legend of Legaia series, Dark Cloud series, Xenogears series, Wild Arms series, and dozens more - literally more than you'll probably ever have time to play.
What Tolwyn said. Best bang for buck. Can play till your eyes bleed.

The longer you wait, the cheaper the next gen consoles get!
I had considered that as well. The PS2 is a lot more inexpensive and I can still play the vast majority of games that I know and find interesting. Still, I only have enough money for one system, so I want to be sure I'm getting the right one.

Gretchen

[thefarmer]

I bought my ps2 last year for $100 (system/2 controllers/memory card)

Nothing beats passing the ps3/xbox360 expensive game displays and heading to the $10 and under bin and finding something to play there.

[septus]

Just a note on the PS3.. The original release had the emotion chip which enabled full (well, except for a handful of games) PS1/PS2 backwards compatibility..They stopped producing ps3s with the emotion chip in 2007. From what I understand, most of the current models don't even do PS2 emulation, just PS1 under software. I'd check that out before you buy it, and see if the ps2 games you'd want to play even run on the software emulation. (Or you can go on ebay and buy a ps3 with the emulation chip)

Personally I find the 360 a much better platform. However neither one has all that many rpgs. If you get a next gen instead of ps2, try Fallout 3.

[The Ponzzz]

Just a note on the PS3.. The original release had the emotion chip which enabled full (well, except for a handful of games) PS1/PS2 backwards compatibility..They stopped producing ps3s with the emotion chip in 2007. From what I understand, most of the current models don't even do PS2 emulation, just PS1 under software. I'd check that out before you buy it, and see if the ps2 games you'd want to play even run on the software emulation. (Or you can go on ebay and buy a ps3 with the emulation chip)

Personally I find the 360 a much better platform. However neither one has all that many rpgs. If you get a next gen instead of ps2, try Fallout 3.

I bought my PS3 in late 2007 and I played FFXII on PS2 as well as Tales of the Abyss. Oh yeah and Jak 3. However, I can't play any PS1 game. I keep trying though. I was craving some Vagrant Story.

PS2 is about the best idea in this thread so far.

[Numbers]

I wouldn't recommend the PS3 if you want to play games, as the game library for it is pretty crappy except for a few exceptions.

If you want to play RPG's and have access to a huge library of games (though they are last-gen), go with a PS2.

If you want next-gen graphics, go with an X360.

If you want something new and different, go with a Wii.

[Stretch]

FFT ran fine on mine a few months ago, so I assume it's just the current line of PS3s aren't fully backward compatible. Then again I was a retard and bought mine when it was like $600.

You can get a new PS2 / controller for $80 now. There are only a handful of strategy games for the PS3 that are worth playing, and a lot of them are multi-platform.

I'd gladly sacrifice the advancements in graphics that have come with the latest runs of RPGs (notably the FF series) for a return to content. I'm giving Square Enix one more chance with FFXIII -- FFXII was more emo than vulvamancer's glasses.

[Drew]

FFT is such a fantastic game.

[The Ponzzz]

You know what else might be good, is a DS. They have a lot of titles and can play the GBA games (as long as you don't buy the upgraded DS with the camera).

[Drew]

Yeah DS seems to have a lot of RPGs.


I really don't like JRPGS at all. I much prefer the American style ones like Oblivion or Fallout 3.

[Back]

If you do get a PS3 and play Oblivion beware the bugs. Vampire Cure and Ultimate Heist quests. I hate to be a spoiler but there are serious bugs with these quests that will never be patched and will make you go back levels if you don’t catch them in time.

Google Oblivion Wiki for two good sites that will explain and offer tips on how not to waste HOURS of game play.

[Nilandia]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I picked up a PS2 today and a copy of Kingdom Hearts to get me started.

Gretchen

[Jahira]

While it may not be the newest and best, you made a solid choice for your preferences.

[septus]

I also agree that the PS2 is the best choice if you want to play rpgs. Although kingdom hearts annoyed the crap out of me ;)

[Back]

Is Oblivion on PS2? If so buy it so us Oblivion geeks can start a new thread about it.

I checked and the last Oblivion thread was over a year ago.

[Stretch]

I played Kingdom Hearts for about two hours before I couldn't take anymore. I probably shouldn't have bought I + II before playing one first, because the sequel is still sitting unopened somewhere in my room.

I do highly recommend FFT though -- dozens of hours of your life wasted, guaranteed.

[SHAFT]

I own all 3 and the only one I ever use is the PS3.

[BigWorm]

I totally bought a PS3 last night. Can't wait til it arrives.

[The Ponzzz]

I loved the KH series. I rocked Sephiroth in both games, though in KH2 he was a bit tougher.

[Belnia]

For PS2 I highly recommend Steambot Chronicles. It's a pretty open ended sandbox game, with a steampunk/battle mech theme running through it.

Another good one is Escape from Monkey Island. Because... it's Monkey Island.

Star Ocean: Til the End of Time. Wonderful story. Can pick it up on the very cheap now.

Mana Khemia: Alchemists of al-Revis. From Koei's "Alchemy" series, successor to Atelier Iris.

Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Dirt cheap now, and great if you're obsessive compulsive. Or is that horrible?

Rogue Galaxy was billed as being a no load time game, though I never tried it out myself.

Puzzle Quest. I played this way too much on vacation on my DS. Sooooo much fun.

Most games by ATLUS and Nippon Ichi Software (NIS) are very solid. Though their offerings are kind of formulaic, they usually hit the mark pretty well. Just pick two or three from each developer and you'll have something good on your hands. Gamestop usually has a buy 2, get 1 free sale on used games before or after Christmas, which is a good way to pick up some fun stuff.

[Stretch]

Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Dirt cheap now, and great if you're obsessive compulsive. Or is that horrible?


I'm convinced that the demented nutjob behind the Disgaea games also created the GS forging system.

[CrystalTears]

Another good one is Escape from Monkey Island. Because... it's Monkey Island.I fucking love the Monkey Island series of games. Such good pirate sarcasm fun. I thought it was only a PC game. If it's on PS2, I so need to get it.

[Numbers]

My XBox 360 got the red ring of death today.

On the day the Roy Orbison track pack was released for Rock Band 2.

Total suck.

[kookiegod]

On the good side, the Xbox team is fairly good on quickly getting you a free shipping label and instructions.

I have had it happen twice now, and both times I got refurbished units back within 2 weeks, AND a year free of Xbox Live Gold. Heck, I even got a handwritten note of apology.

So call em, pack it up now, and just drop it off at UPS and it won't be long.

~Paul

[septus]

Yeah, mine took about a week. Most of the time you end up waiting is the xbox in transit. They've got fixing the 360s down to a science..which isn't surprising, consindering how many break.

[Fallen]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I picked up a PS2 today and a copy of Kingdom Hearts to get me started.

Gretchen

Check out Persona 3 and Persona 4 for the PS2. Both games took Game of the Month slot from EGM in an era of next-gen system dominance. They are very serious, very..very long RPGs.

[Nilandia]

Check out Persona 3 and Persona 4 for the PS2. Both games took Game of the Month slot from EGM in an era of next-gen system dominance. They are very serious, very..very long RPGs.
I'll have a look. I'm enjoying Kingdom Hearts, but I know I'm getting close to the end and it feels like I should just be starting or getting close to the middle. I'm only at level 45.

I also picked up Champions of Norrath, which I love. Aside from this orc leader that manages to kill my character in 15 seconds or less.

Gretchen

[Fallen]

KH is nothing like Persona. I don't know if you will like it. For instance, in Persona 3, you will sometimes shoot yourself in the face to summon demons. In KH, you play as goofy.

[Nilandia]

So long as it's a good RPG, I'll look at it. I don't need Disneyfication for things to be fun. In fact, I actually hate Disney most times.

Gretchen

[Stunseed]

Brigandine by ATLUS and Ogre Tactics are must-haves.

FFTactics and Star Ocean are good ones.

[Tolwynn]

If you like tactical type games, Front Mission 3 is definitely worth checking out, too.

If you can somehow locate a copy, Valkyrie Profile is excellent also.

For standard RPG fare, there should be at least one Final Fantasy you'll like out of the many, many available. The first Legend of Legaia is worth a go also.