Inspired by the similar threads shooters and gatcha. So what are your personal favourite RPGS (Western or Japanese)? Here are my favourites (in no order)...
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Dark Souls
Bloodborne
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy VI
Earthbound
Mother 3
Horizon Zero Dawn
Chrono Trigger
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem: Awakening
If there's anything else I've forgotten, I'll add it in later. Anyway, what about you?
- Shin Megami Tensei II
- Shin Megami Tensei III/Nocturne
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey + Redux/Deep
- Etrian Odyssey IV
- Chrono Cross
- Chrono Trigger
- Knights of the Old Republic I
- Knights of the Old Republic II
- Nioh 2
- Dark Souls
Honorable mentions:
- Dark Souls III
- Dark Souls II
- Bloodborne
Dragon Quest III, V, VI, IX, and XI
Dragon Quest Monsters II
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Final Fantasy V and VI
Pokemon RSE, BW2, XY, and ORAS
Chrono Trigger
SaGa 2 and 3
Monster Girl Quest! VN and Paradox RPG
FFX and FFX-2 because those were the only games I owned as a teen other than Spyro, Crash, and a bunch of sports games I didn't like (I wasn't into sports like my dad is, still aren't)
RPGs and JRPGs are my favourite genres, though they're also technically very different genres (and kind of nebulous, when you include things like Dark Souls). I think I just like pushing numbers around.
A non-exhaustive list of favourites:
Skies of Arcadia
Bravely Default
Pretty much the entire Etrian Odyssey series (EO3, if I have to pick just one)
The entire Dark Souls series (I guess the first game, if I have to pick just one?)
Grandia II
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Shining Force III (scenario 3 is the best, but it's all technically one game)
Morrowind
Fallout: New Vegas
Nier: Automata
KotOR II
And I realise it's no longer trendy to admit FF7 is my favourite FF game, but it absolutely is. Something about the setting, pace and design aesthetic of that game really works for me. None of the other FF games would come close to my list.
Gothic 1 and 2
Morrowind and Oblivion
Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines
Not really RPGs but have RPG elements:
System Shock 2
Deus Ex
Dark Messiah
As you can see I can't say pure RPGs are my thing, I much rather have a game that relies on atmosphere and gameplay to give players agency. In that sense Gothic 1 and 2 are my favourite RPGs, you can literally break the game without a single cheat or engine/glitch exploits just relying on your knowledge of mechanics and being a general ass to enemies and sometimes allies, a game that makes you think like your ass is really in danger and you need to adapt to the world rather than the world adapting to you is what I consider roleplaying as in playing someone you are not in a place you will never be, you know playing a role.
The Elder Scrolls (Morrowind and Skyrim specifically, never been a big fan of Oblivion) Divinity Original Sin 2, and the Trails series (specifically Trails to Azure), with the only games I actually dislike in Trails being Cold Steel III and IV, since they're just... not good to say the least.
Planning on playing Hajimari/Kuro eventually.
Crosscode's also a really good RPG despite the ending being a bit rushed and the (free) DLC being lackluster.
Plus it has a red-head French tomboy, what more could you ask for?