Pre PSX (SNES, NES, Genesis, GB, etc)
For me, most of this era was dominated by PC (and Commodore) games. I only ever rented an original NES and borrowed a Gameboy. I played more on my PCs than my Genesis, and I didn't get an SNES until a year, two at the most, before the PS1 launched. A pair of console games highlight my list from this period, but if this were top 10 instead of top 5, I'm not sure three would appear amidst a flood of PC games and maybe even some Commodore stalwarts.
1. Final Fantasy 6
Greatest game of all time, or second to Heroes of Might and Magic 3? I'm not sure how to fairly compare the two. All I know is that I can divide my experience of all other media into "pre-FF6" and "post-FF6." Everything before and since has been found wanting.
10/10
2. Shining Force 2
A rather major drop, even though SF2 is a very good game. When I first played it I would have given it a 10, because I didn't know what that should mean. At the time it was the best Tactics/RPG in the world. However, it has aged comparatively poorly (though not as much as older games) and may even be as low as a 7 if I'm trying to clear all nostalgia out. Nonetheless, I'll say:
8.5/10
3. Might and Magic 4 & 5: World of Xeen
One part best graphics of its era, one part excellent music, one part difficult combats, one part a world that's large compared to almost anything short of an MMORPG, and two parts two games combined. World of Xeen was an interesting experiment with an impressive villain and a beautiful, colorful world I explored several times in its heyday. Another game I would have called a 10 in its time, but is now comfortably an: 8/10
4. Ultima Underworld 2
Two years before Doom it had 3D environments. Five years before Quake it had mouselook and TRUE 3D environments, including a meaningful z-axis and overlapping platforms. Of course, most of the marks for innovation apply to the original Ultima Underworld, but the sequel was the better game and had plenty of innovation of its own. Once a 9 that has settled with the years (and its poorly aged graphics) into a:
7.5/10
5. Curse of the Azure Bonds
Much more than the rest of these I fear nostalgia talks here. SSI's AD&D-branded Gold Box games flared briefly and brightly, dominating a period of about four years with thirteen releases. Curse was the best when it first came out, and really made the series what it would be for its run. On the flip side, these are old, old Tactics/RPGs based on the AD&D rulesset and worlds, and it's hardly surprising they should age poorly - even terribly - compared to one of the strongest console genres. I can't allow a game I loved and respected this much to drop below a:
7/10
PSX (PSX, Saturn, N64...haha N64 had RPGs?)
How strong was the PS1 for RPGs? Strong enough that every game in my top 5 remains a 9/10 to me. Yep. Even discounting Symphony of the Night and its "RPG elements," this era blows all the others away even if you combined them. Honestly, this top 5 shouldn't even be numbered; I could swap them around at a moment's notice and be quite happy with the results.
1. Xenogears
Out of an incredibly strong field that includes games with almost no missteps, I lead off with... a deeply flawed game with only average gameplay? Xenogears story and characters are just that good. There's a reason I could and did write hundreds of thousands of words about these people and their world (or at least what was left of it). One of the few games that could aspire to being a 10, if only its gameplay weren't average at best. Graphically, it has probably aged the worst of the games in this Top 5, but it still holds up in the things it was good at to begin with.
9.5/10
2. Final Fantasy Tactics
Still arguably the best Tactics/RPG of all time, despite being relatively easy and sporting a poor translation. FFT's job system, its story, its level design, its character design, its music - even its graphics have aged well, with clear, attractive sprites and special effects that remain some of my favorites.
9.5/10
3. Wild ARMs 2
Narrowly edges into third place for an excellent story, poorly told. With a decent translation it could jump up to seriously contend for the top spot of the era. Always entertaining, with a great cast (heroes and villains alike), interesting gameplay, tons of content, and the soundtrack I've listened to more than any other.
9/10
4. Suikoden 2
A great cast - both new and recurring - and a great story to fit them into, combine with the ever-addicting character recruiting side of Suikoden gameplay to make this a masterpiece. The downside? The in-battle gameplay is solidly (non-3) Suikoden as well, so as memorable as its best moments are, it is held back from perfection by having to go through dungeons to get to them.
9/10
5. Brigandine
Only barely an RPG, I suppose - but what a game! If it had multiplayer (like the version we didn't get) or better AI (like the version we didn't get) or anime cut scenes by the superb character designer instead of truly awful early-3D battle scenes (like... but I repeat myself), it's another game I could see giving a 10 to. Even with its many limitations it remains incredibly fun and addicting to this day.
9/10
PS2 (PS2, Dreamcast, GC)
From the sublime to the... eh, pretty good. Not that there weren't standout RPGs in the PS2 era, it just doesn't have the "one masterpiece after another, sometimes two or even three in one year" mindblowing quality of the prior period. It's not as obvious looking at a Top 5 as it would be at a Top 10, still less a Top 20. Top 10 PS1 doesn't even get run me out of 8/10 games; Top 10 PS2 and I'd be scraping in a 6/10, barely above average. 6/10 is where my Top 20 PS1 RPGs would bottom out, whereas "Top" 20 PS2 would include a 3/10 game. Fortunately, unlike in the PS1 era, there WERE other systems, and one of them had one of the greatest RPGs of all.
1. Skies of Arcadia
The Gamecube version is technically better, but it was the original that blew me away when it came out. I'm willing to admit there may be some nostalgia here, or at least giving credit to the originator. Much of what Skies did first, particularly with characters' facial expressions, later games would build on. Nonetheless, no game since has managed to equal the sheer sense of fun and adventure.
9.5/10
2. Wild ARMs 5
And handful of late flaws can't hold back one of the most well-executed RPGs I've ever played. Spot-on dialogue elevates the cast, excellent pacing cements the gameplay. One of the most graphically impressive games of the era - or period. Excellent music completes the package.
9/10
3. Dragon Quest 8
For years, this was my top PS2 RPG, and it's still a worthy contender. Superlative voice acting, beautiful graphics, moving music and pretty much the pinnacle of traditional RPG gameplay. However, a weak villain cast (with one exception) and the episodic nature of Dragon Quest storytelling hold it just below system-best.
9/10
4. Wild ARMs 3
A delightful romp that's heavier than any other Wild ARMs game on the western stylings. Highly entertaining, with great puzzles, great music and an always fun cast. Its use of limited resources to reinforce its themes was interesting, if ultimately breakable. The odd storytelling style (four discrete arcs, like seasons of an anime) ultimately doesn't work as well for me as a more traditional RPG, though.
9/10
5. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Another case where the PS2 is glad to have company. FE9 impressed me a lot with its comparatively challenging gameplay (at least for someone who refuses to lose a named character!) and its excellent cast of characters. Its story ultimately fails to impress and its gameplay pales in comparison to its sequel, but it's still an excellent game.
8/10
Current gen (PS3, Wii, 360, DS, PSP)
Overall, I've been extremely impressed with this console generation. Not - or not yet - for RPGs, though. I'm hoping that will trend upwards this year with the release of a number of titles I've been looking forward to. On the plus side, the PSP is the first handheld that doesn't hurt my hands or eyes too much to be willing to play RPGs on it, and it's had some excellent ones.
1. Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core
The only game I've ever played that had me grinning like an idiot and weeping like a fool at the same time. A brilliant, deeply affecting work, somehow made better by knowing how it had to end. Amazingly enough, it's also a darned fun game, too, with lots of optional content and a very playable ARPG system.
9.5/10
2. Wild ARMs XF
Probably the most flawed game on any of these lists, even stacked up against the two-decades old Curse of the Azure Bonds. And yet -! Wild ARMs XF does everything to "X"cess. It suffers from deep flaws in level design and a terrible PC cast. Yet it has the most deep and compelling job system of any game, incredible variety in ways to customize characters, some brilliant levels to go with the bad (including one of only a true handful of Tactics/RPG final battles that doesn't fail miserably) and a story that succeeds in spite of most of its protagonists. Strange, yet weird - and often enough weirdly awesome.
9/10
3. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
A massive upgrade to the already quite-good gameplay of Path of Radiance - unfortunately coupled with a massive amount of suck in part of the PC cast. Micaiah approaches Shion levels of fail and nearly drags this game down from its otherwise unassailable heights. Fortunately, the returning cast remains excellent, the story doesn't go too far off the rails, and the gameplay is spot on from the word go.
8.5/10
4. Valkyria Chronicles
One of the most beautiful games ever made, and barring a few weak points one of the best. The PC cast is played somewhat understated but to excellent effect, and the story is well-told. The gameplay is loads of fun, with many interesting wrinkles to shake out of the offered combined-arms tactics. Unfortunately, the game rewards you for ignoring those interesting wrinkles and focusing on scout rushes; that and the villains are the only weaknesses.
8.5/10
Fallout 3
A PC/Western style RPG in my Top 5 for an era? And that era is after I got disgusted with PC games in general and RPGs in particular? What's going on here. Well, four things. One, Fallout 3 sells its atmosphere extremely well, two, the sidequests were a cut above most of this style of game, three, "sub-par FPS with pause" appeals to me more than "sub-par RTS with pause," and four, there just aren't very many console/JRPG style games out for these systems yet, outside the DS which is basically unplayable for me.
7/10
