I can't believe no one has mentioned Skullmonkeys yet. Amazing (yet very difficult) platformer with a great sense of humor and sick claymation graphics. Definitely one of the best PS1 games out there.
The Oddworld games are great too, Abe's Oddysee is the only one I've played, but I've heard good things about the others as well.
So many RPGs, how I miss you in the current generation.
The OP was asking for games that are still playable though, so you can scratch 95% of them off the list.
And yet those 5% seem to be the majority of recommendations :P
Really that comment was just a complaint that I want more RPG options on the current gen systems.
So many RPGs, how I miss you in the current generation.
The OP was asking for games that are still playable though, so you can scratch 95% of them off the list.
And yet those 5% seem to be the majority of recommendations :P
Really that comment was just a complaint that I want more RPG options on the current gen systems.
Anyone that recommends a PS1 rpg should be forced to play it to completion in the last 6 months before being able to recommend it again. Then we can just determine that the person has terrible ideas on what is fun and isn't clouded by nostalgia.
So many RPGs, how I miss you in the current generation.
The OP was asking for games that are still playable though, so you can scratch 95% of them off the list.
And yet those 5% seem to be the majority of recommendations :P
Really that comment was just a complaint that I want more RPG options on the current gen systems.
Anyone that recommends a PS1 rpg should be forced to play it to completion in the last 6 months before being able to recommend it again. Then we can just determine that the person has terrible ideas on what is fun and isn't clouded by nostalgia.
So many RPGs, how I miss you in the current generation.
The OP was asking for games that are still playable though, so you can scratch 95% of them off the list.
And yet those 5% seem to be the majority of recommendations :P
Really that comment was just a complaint that I want more RPG options on the current gen systems.
Anyone that recommends a PS1 rpg should be forced to play it to completion in the last 6 months before being able to recommend it again. Then we can just determine that the person has terrible ideas on what is fun and isn't clouded by nostalgia.
I re-played Suikoden a couple years ago (yay PSN, now give me Suikoden 2!) does that count?
So many RPGs, how I miss you in the current generation.
The OP was asking for games that are still playable though, so you can scratch 95% of them off the list.
And yet those 5% seem to be the majority of recommendations :P
Really that comment was just a complaint that I want more RPG options on the current gen systems.
Anyone that recommends a PS1 rpg should be forced to play it to completion in the last 6 months before being able to recommend it again. Then we can just determine that the person has terrible ideas on what is fun and isn't clouded by nostalgia.
That is why you won't see me recommending any except FF7 and FF: Tactics. And probably not those, either, since I assume everyone has already played them.
I do think the Playstation port of Diablo is worth picking up solely for novelty value, though. I have a thing for all the crazy PC to Playstation ports the console got.
This game is so goddamn good and like no one has played it.
It's simply amazing. So much pioneered content. Context-sensitive combat, for instance.
EDIT: This is one of the first games I Goozex'd when I was building my RPG Library among Final Fantasies, etc.
I bought it when it came out on a whim. I figured it was going to be some lame Final Fantasy rip-off. I was so pleasantly surprised. The combat was flippin sweet, and I remember loving the cut-scenes. Now I'm flooded with good feelings.
Skull2185 on
Everyone has a price. Throw enough gold around and someone will risk disintegration.
some slightly less obvious stuff i guess, skewed heavily towards my personal preferences heh
heart of darkness
no one can stop mr domino
silhouette mirage
n2o
g darius
r-type delta
devil dice
gekioh shooting king
viewpoint
tomba 1 and 2
in the hunt
mr driller
strider 2 (double disc that comes with the first strider arcade game too)
castlevania chronicles
import only stuff
vib ribbon
gradius gaiden
harmful park
zanac x zanac
internal section
dodonpachi
heres a gameplay video of the first level of internal section. its like n2o, tempest, and rez mashed together basically. it gets crazier on later levels, but i cant find any decent quality videos of them at the moment.
Legend of Mana was amazing. I beat it multiple times and I still can't figure out what the fuck was up storywise. I just had fun running around and beating things with my sword and board.
I played through this a long time ago and remember enjoying it when I was hankering for more FFT style games. I still have it on my shelf and have been meaning to give it a try again, but am too backed up w/ current gen stuff.
Its a tactical RPG, based on an Eastern (Chinese?) legend.
What kind of time investment am I looking at with Vagrant Story? It seems interesting, but if it's an 80-hour slog I'd rather hold off. If I remember, this is what Star Ocean 2 is like. I probably put 50 hours into that when I was younger, not sure if I was even close to beating it.
If you want to just be able to play through the game, it's not LONG. If you want to get that perfect Damascus weapon that does full damage to all mobs, then it'll take a while. There are a few caveats to Vagrant Story though. The combat mechanics are slow and heavily rhythm based, and button mashing will only make the game more painful. Everybody I know who hasn't grasped this important element have never gotten past the first boss fight. The game also looks pretty bad with lots of jaggies these days, however the atmosphere and story are pretty good.
Listen to that music, it's redolent of adventure and excitement. No fucking angst here - we're off to see the world and then save it. And get the girl. And learn important life lessons. Great characters, graphics that hold up well and and an awesome battle system.
Lets go!
Gadwin's Secret Move
Dragon King Slice
I've still never beaten the first Grandia. I blame it on getting it the same year that I got FFVIII. I also didn't like the way-too-confusing dungeon setups or the voice acting, which is particularly bad since I share the main character's name. Every time someone would yell or call his name I cringed a little.
korodullin on
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (2017, colorized)
5 pages late, but this all the way to the bank. But you gotta have old CDs, so it may not be worthwhile if you don't have many PS1 or old music CDs. This game had so many monsters and many unlockable ones. Better than the later ones, and pretty much 75% of my gametime was lining up cds to spawn monsters from.
Megaman X4 was mentioned a few times, and I hold it as my favorite Megaman games.
Jade Cocoon was also mentioned, but I don't think it holds up too well nowadays. I really liked the visuals and the monster-fusing. This and Monster Rancher were pretty much played simultaneously for me back when.
Legend of Legaia was one of my favorite RPGs before FFIX topped the list. I still fondly remember it for it's gameplay. The battles had your three characters create chains of combos and they performed martial arts moves based on the input kinda like a fighting game. However, once you discovered all the combos for the characters, the battles tend to drag. The graphics weren't terrible, mostly in the battles, and the story was good. But I really loved the music.
and even though I think I was the only one, I loved me some Kings Field 1 and 2
I'm going to second the Kings Field games so goddamn hard. Get both of them, they are fucking amazing. Hard as balls and slow as fuck but they're seriously some of the most fun I've had. You start with fucking nothing and you have to fight and claw your way to get anywhere and when you do get something or somewhere you really feel like you earned it. They do a great job of making you feel like you're trying to survive in a hostile place. The one on PS2 is even better, imo, but this is a PS1 game thread.
Any of the PS1 Spyros, if you like collectathons. 3 is probably the best, but 2 is pretty good as well. The first game is less polished and has some design mechanics that are fairly obnoxious, but it has its own sort of charm.
I remember Valkyrie Profile looking awesome, but I don't remember if I had fun playing it.
That probably means I didn't.
Valk Profile is fun, though it gets a little tedious and boring near the end. It starts to run out of story and loses its umph. Good luck finding it at a worth-while price as well, most i've seen go for over $100 a copy. I don't know why this game has so many fans either, it really isn't anything spectacular.
What kind of time investment am I looking at with Vagrant Story? It seems interesting, but if it's an 80-hour slog I'd rather hold off. If I remember, this is what Star Ocean 2 is like. I probably put 50 hours into that when I was younger, not sure if I was even close to beating it.
I want to say it's only about 20 hours for one playthrough. It's not a huge RPG unless you want to play it a second time, which unlocks all the optional stuff, including all the best weapons and armor. And the toughest bosses. And the fucking ridiculous optional dungeon, Iron Maiden.
But there's no extra story, just new weapons and new enemies to kill.
And I still think it looks fucking fantastic. The art team on FFTactics, Vagrant Story, and FF12 is full of geniuses.
What kind of time investment am I looking at with Vagrant Story? It seems interesting, but if it's an 80-hour slog I'd rather hold off. If I remember, this is what Star Ocean 2 is like. I probably put 50 hours into that when I was younger, not sure if I was even close to beating it.
I want to say it's only about 20 hours for one playthrough. It's not a huge RPG unless you want to play it a second time, which unlocks all the optional stuff, including all the best weapons and armor. And the toughest bosses. And the fucking ridiculous optional dungeon, Iron Maiden.
But there's no extra story, just new weapons and new enemies to kill.
And I still think it looks fucking fantastic. The art team on FFTactics, Vagrant Story, and FF12 is full of geniuses.
Yeah, Vagrant Story is one of the few 3D PS1 games that I think still looks really good.
Posts
PARASITE EVE
RESIDENT EVIL 2
(Totally play Leon first, then Claire.)
MEGAMAN X4
CRASH BANDICOOT 3: WARPED
APOCALYPSE STARRING BRUCE WILLIS
The Oddworld games are great too, Abe's Oddysee is the only one I've played, but I've heard good things about the others as well.
Really that comment was just a complaint that I want more RPG options on the current gen systems.
Anyone that recommends a PS1 rpg should be forced to play it to completion in the last 6 months before being able to recommend it again. Then we can just determine that the person has terrible ideas on what is fun and isn't clouded by nostalgia.
I still play FFT .... it is gaming nirvana.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Did you watch this video before posting it?
NO THEY HAVE NOT AND THE SHOULD'VE. Great game.
YESSSSSSSSSS
That is why you won't see me recommending any except FF7 and FF: Tactics. And probably not those, either, since I assume everyone has already played them.
I do think the Playstation port of Diablo is worth picking up solely for novelty value, though. I have a thing for all the crazy PC to Playstation ports the console got.
This game is so goddamn good and like no one has played it.
It's simply amazing. So much pioneered content. Context-sensitive combat, for instance.
EDIT: This is one of the first games I Goozex'd when I was building my RPG Library among Final Fantasies, etc.
I bought it when it came out on a whim. I figured it was going to be some lame Final Fantasy rip-off. I was so pleasantly surprised. The combat was flippin sweet, and I remember loving the cut-scenes. Now I'm flooded with good feelings.
I would like to add Tomba! and it's sequel, and Silhouette Mirage.
Me like platformers.
heart of darkness
no one can stop mr domino
silhouette mirage
n2o
g darius
r-type delta
devil dice
gekioh shooting king
viewpoint
tomba 1 and 2
in the hunt
mr driller
strider 2 (double disc that comes with the first strider arcade game too)
castlevania chronicles
import only stuff
vib ribbon
gradius gaiden
harmful park
zanac x zanac
internal section
dodonpachi
EDIT
We'll I'll be, Shadow Hearts 1 is a PS2 game. All the gaming Generations merge into one. Sorry!
The only thing I can remember loving on the PS1 is Tekken 3, FFIX, and Chrono Cross. God damn, that was a great RPG Machine.
To continue playing my current Fallout 3 save, or start a new save on DBZ? That is the question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeZYb1dOSSg
Its a tactical RPG, based on an Eastern (Chinese?) legend.
If you want to just be able to play through the game, it's not LONG. If you want to get that perfect Damascus weapon that does full damage to all mobs, then it'll take a while. There are a few caveats to Vagrant Story though. The combat mechanics are slow and heavily rhythm based, and button mashing will only make the game more painful. Everybody I know who hasn't grasped this important element have never gotten past the first boss fight. The game also looks pretty bad with lots of jaggies these days, however the atmosphere and story are pretty good.
Brigandine was an obscure but servicable strategy rpg.
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (2017, colorized)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJIl4aJ8HY4
Do... Re... Mi... So... Fa.... Do... Re.... Do...
Forget it...
5 pages late, but this all the way to the bank. But you gotta have old CDs, so it may not be worthwhile if you don't have many PS1 or old music CDs. This game had so many monsters and many unlockable ones. Better than the later ones, and pretty much 75% of my gametime was lining up cds to spawn monsters from.
Megaman X4 was mentioned a few times, and I hold it as my favorite Megaman games.
Jade Cocoon was also mentioned, but I don't think it holds up too well nowadays. I really liked the visuals and the monster-fusing. This and Monster Rancher were pretty much played simultaneously for me back when.
Legend of Legaia was one of my favorite RPGs before FFIX topped the list. I still fondly remember it for it's gameplay. The battles had your three characters create chains of combos and they performed martial arts moves based on the input kinda like a fighting game. However, once you discovered all the combos for the characters, the battles tend to drag. The graphics weren't terrible, mostly in the battles, and the story was good. But I really loved the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD6sBDfXs-o&feature=related
I'm going to second the Kings Field games so goddamn hard. Get both of them, they are fucking amazing. Hard as balls and slow as fuck but they're seriously some of the most fun I've had. You start with fucking nothing and you have to fight and claw your way to get anywhere and when you do get something or somewhere you really feel like you earned it. They do a great job of making you feel like you're trying to survive in a hostile place. The one on PS2 is even better, imo, but this is a PS1 game thread.
I always recommend Xenogears, even though I'm sure some people will call it a steaming pile, it's a great game. One of my favorite games ever.
Also Pandemonium was pretty fun.
Alundra's already been mentioned.
XBL:Phenyhelm - 3DS:Phenyhelm
That probably means I didn't.
Or you can buy Koudelka, the precursor to Shadow Hearts.
Horrible battle system and all.
Valk Profile is fun, though it gets a little tedious and boring near the end. It starts to run out of story and loses its umph. Good luck finding it at a worth-while price as well, most i've seen go for over $100 a copy. I don't know why this game has so many fans either, it really isn't anything spectacular.
I want to say it's only about 20 hours for one playthrough. It's not a huge RPG unless you want to play it a second time, which unlocks all the optional stuff, including all the best weapons and armor. And the toughest bosses. And the fucking ridiculous optional dungeon, Iron Maiden.
But there's no extra story, just new weapons and new enemies to kill.
And I still think it looks fucking fantastic. The art team on FFTactics, Vagrant Story, and FF12 is full of geniuses.
also, you can get Cloud and the Materia Sword
Now I've never played Koudelka
But if you're saying Shadow Hearts had a horrible battle system, you are the worst
Yeah, Vagrant Story is one of the few 3D PS1 games that I think still looks really good.
Not at all.
Shadow Hearts had a fantastic battle system.
Koudelka had a horrible one.
Xenogears
Legend of Legaia
Parasite Eve (1, 2 was ok)
Thousand Arms
Lunar 1 and 2
Theme Hospital
Brace Fencer Musashi
Bushido Blade
Sheep (awesome puzzle game)
Tomba
Eternal Eyes (Tactics + poke/digimon monsters)
Blazing Dragons (whoever mentioned it earlier, have my babies)
Jade Cocoon
Blood Omen: LoK
Soul Reaver
Fear Effect
Man...I played a lot of RPGs in those days.