RPGs are my favorite types of games (don't play MMOs). I like RPGs for most of the same reasons already given (particularly those given by CriscoKidd). I enjoy both of the two "major" types of RPGs: "Western" and "Japanese" RPGs. Games like Fable, Oblivion, KOTOR, NWN, etc., are examples of Western RPGs; these games usually let you have a lot of control over the events that occur in the game. While there is a story (and sometimes, a really good one), the focus seems to be on you creating your own story. Japanese RPGs, like Final Fantasy, Shadow Hearts, Dragon Quest, etc., tend to be a lot more linear and have you experience the story that the developers came up with. In most cases, their stories are much better than anything I could come up with, so I sometimes tend to prefer them a little more. Of course, there are also action RPGs and strategy RPGs (both usually from Japan), although not too many in either category. They're enjoyable for much of the same reasons, although they use different styles of gameplay.
I haven't played an MMORPG in a few years now, but I have played MANY of them for years. I have crohns disease and have had periods in my life in which I wasn't really able to leave my bed for months and months at a time. That being the case, immersing myself in an MMORPG seemed like the best way to both entertain myself and have some sort of feeling of social engagement. At those times, I sometimes played those games 12 and 14 hours a day. I had nothing else to do, and was extremely grateful to have an MMORPG. As for why I enjoy them, I think many posters here have already covered what's enjoyable about them but I've noticed one aspect missing from this discussion. PVP. Player vs. player combat. I have always played on pvp servers in MMORPG's. This adds a whole different level to the challenge. All of these games involve doing things like organizing guild raids on things like Dragons. On a pvp server, you sometimes have to organize the 50-100 people it takes to kill the dragon, AND fend off a rival guild who is intent on stopping you from reaping the rewards of slaying that dragon. That stuff is fun. But more than that, you can gain a sort of infamy on those servers for being a highly skilled combatant. Some people are feared serverwide. I think it's easy to understand why that would appeal to someone, especially if they're bored and laid up in bed like I was. I also think somebody into action games and 1st person shooters should easily understand the appeal of a pvp server, because while in 1st person shooters you have maybe 20-40 people on a map, in a MMORPG you have over 1000 usually. I've participated in battles that involved several hundred players. It's really fun stuff. As I said, I haven't played one in years, but at the end of the year Warhammer Online is being released and I intend to give it a go. It looks like an amazing pvp game. You can check it out here: http://www.warhammeronline.com/english/home/index.php
I think KOTOR is a great place to start when it comes to RPG noobs. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, out for both the PC and XBOX, is the best RPG that I have played. When I was younger and more "nerdier", I played a few Japanese RPG's, favorite one being Skies of Arcadia for DreamCast. I've never tried any MMORPG's.
The Baldur's Gate series is one of my favorite RPG's of all time, if not the favorite. Simply awesome game. Heck, it may be among my favorite games of all time.
I started out with Super Mario RPG, of all things. Then I was told to try Final Fantasy. So far I have finished 1-7, and 10. About to start on 8. BTW, FF1-6 can be downloaded online for free.
Via what? Torrent? Or one of those sites that lets you play NES roms? Anything you could say that won't get you in trouble with Clutch would helpful.
I can't really play RPGs....MMORPGS to be exact. I've played Silk Road, and LOTR-O and get bored after a few days of playing. It's so repetitive. Killing the same things so often to level up etc. I'm more into FPS games and RTS. I've always been kind of facinated about how people get so into RPG's. Playing them the amount of hours their xfire accounts say.
Basically, ROM/ISO(through torrent or other means) + Emulator will allow you to play all the older console games. I won't post a link or anything, but googling these things should be easy. FF1 and 2 are best played in the PSP/GBA version, the rest with NES/SNES unless you have a DS for FF3. PSX version of FF4-6, IMO, sucks. FF7-9 can be run on PSX emulator. FFX and FFXII can be run with a PS2 emulator. Oh, and I guess I do need to put up the disclaimer. If you don't OWN the game, then playing the emulator version is ILLEGAL and considered PIRATING and WRONG and I do not condone it at all.
Crap. Just started to play FF8 and it won't save on my PS2 memory card. Do I need to get a PS1 memory card? Any advice would be appreciated.
You need a PS1 memory card. You can transfer save files between the PS2 and PS1 memory cards, but PS1 games wont save or load directly off a PS2 memory card.
