Need opinions one some games

[Neojag]

hmmm, what about these?

Alundra 2
Azure Dreams
Breath of Fire IV
DarkStone
Lunar - Silver Star Story
Star Ocean: The 2nd Story
Tales of Destiny
Vagrant Story 2
Valkyrie Profile
Vandal Hearts II - Heaven's Gate
Vanguard Bandits
Wild Arms 2

I'll prolly buy some of them, i just dont know which so i need opinions on story (the most important item) music, gameplay, etc, and wich ones do u consider the best
thkx

[Auri87]

the top 3 here in my opinion would be
1)Star ocean 2 because of unique 3d battle system and good story line
2)Valkyrie profile because its good for an rpg and a cool combo system battle system also has nice graphics
3)BoF4- very good storyline

[Recca]

Huh theres a Vagrant Story 2.

my top 6

1). Tales of Phantasia
2). FF Tactics
3). Star ocean 2
4). Tales of Destiny
5). Lunar
6). Wild arms 2

[Neojag]

i got bored of FF Tactics when i reached the 3rd chapter didnt find the story appealing at all...

[Strider]

i still havent passed BoF 4... i have darkstone for the pc, its a 3d version of diablo which u should be able to get for 15 bucks by now

[Auri87]

my all time favorite game for psx would be tales of destiny 2
it has a great story line, great battle system, its a pretty long game so it'll keep u busy (3 disc's) i would say its kind of like a more cartoon version of ff series with a streetfighter battlesystem with more characters and magic

[Neojag]

could u explain the "streetfighter battle system" plz?

[Auri87]

its really complex and it'll take u a while to understand it, go here and there will be a section on the battle system u can read up on

http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/f..._eternia_b.txt

[Neojag]

gamefaqs doesn't allow external linking
but nevermind, i think ill get Valkyrie Profile and Star Ocean

[Auri87]

i dont know if u still want it but ill post what it says from gamefaqs here is u want
Gameplay
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Best thing about this game is that it kept all the traditional RPG's
elements and didn't spoiled it(like all the latest Final Fantasy series did), while
adding a whole new features to the game. That kept Navigation easy(you'd
remember doing FF VII for the first time and trying to get to a spot but just can't get
use to the control method? or just trying to do a Meteria mixing for the first time.
Some of you might like it, Others don't.) New stuff , Like Frynging in this game is kept
simple and effective. But what is the most distinctive of all about the game is it's
battle system.

-------------------------------------------------------------
/Battle System/

The Battle system is Unique that it's more of a StreetFighter style game
using miniature character duking it out on 2-D screen. Battles happens in real-time,
by doing so heats up the battles more than typical RPGs. You can Slash,Punch,
Thrust, Cast spells that will drive the opponent to the ground, or block and jump to
dodge incoming attacks.There are 2 main type of attacks, normal or special. Normal
is your character simply hitting the opponent with his/her weapon.
Swordsman style characters are different because they can do 2 set of
normal attacks, Slash & Thrust by pressing the directional button with the attack
button, O.
Special differs by character. Mages Cast spells when you select this
command. the X button is assign to special attacks but you'll have to map the attack
to the button first to use it. To block an attack, Press Square. Some attacks however
are unblockable. To jump just press L1 + up. selecting to select button in battle
enables you to select Auto, Semi-Auto and If you have the requiring Item - Manual
styles of control over your main character. You can order your comrades to attack
enemies with their specials, heal or use items to support you by press the Triangle
button for the Menu. Press R1 to select the Target enemy to which your controled
character will attack and Non controled character will be order to attack.

Simple Combinations:
Rid(3 hits)
Slash +Slash +Slash(up)

-------------------------------------------------------------
/Controls/
L1+L2+R1+R2+start+select to Reset

Battle Screen:
R1 + <- or -> to select targeted enemy
L1 + up to have your party jump
L1 to turn your formation around(Forward -> Reverse)
Triangle is the Menu button
O is the Normal Attack button
X is the Specal Skill Attack button
Square is the Block button
Start to pause
Select to choose between Auto, Semi-Auto, Manual Control of the Main
character (that you're controling)You can map additinal commands for
other members's skills to L2 and R2 buttons.
*Escaping* You can escape by moving the character you control to any end of the battlefield and keep moving against the screen. An arrow with a bar comes up, and when the bar is filled. Your party will escape from that battle. No Gald & Exp will be gain from escaping. You can equip "Magic Mist" to halves the time use to fill up the escape bar.

Town Screen:
Triangle to bring up the Main Menu
-Skill
Select to Change between Auto,Semi-Auto, Manual
-Item
-Commands
-Formation
-Equip
-Character Status
-Meal Recipe
-Crymel Gauge
-Option
-Save
Dungeon Screen:
L1 to shoot the Sorcerer's Ring
R1 to shoot the Freeze Ring
World Screen:
O to enter places
X to cancel
L1 to rotate view to left
R1 to rotate view to right
Triangle to bring up the Main Menu(same menu as the Town screen)
Square to bring up Accessory menu such as Camping, Ariel board, Van
Eltia's aircraft, Van Eltia's submarine
Select to have a character tells you what to do next.
Start to Bring up/Close down Mini-World map & Compass

-------------------------------------------------------------
/Battle/

Battle Menu:
Constist of 6 menus to choose from
-Specials-
Assigns Skills & Spells. Enable/Disable Skills & Spells from this
menu
-Group Commands<9 Commands>-
Tell your group how to act.
-Character Commands<16 Commands>-
Modify how other character behave.
-Formations-
Set how your character form themselves in battle.
-Equipment-
Set Equipment for your character(*very important*) For Instance,
if Rid is equiped with Ice Coffin(Ice) and the enemy is strong against ice.
Changing weapon would be a good idea(What good will it do you to use
Eternal Sword against Secondos,The Time Spirit?).Or if your character's
Reverse doll is used. It would be better to have an option to be able to equip
a new one,isn't it?
-Use Items-
Use Items to assist in battles. a person can only use one item at
a time.You can only stock up to 15 per item.Use it wisely. Battles can be
LONG and Hard(try last boss-Chizel+Neried to see what I mean, 30 minutes
least is what you'll need to fight her.)

-Character Commands-
There're 16 ways of commands for characters to behave accordingly.
(*Commands are modified from Devilking's version in the post*)
1.Manual(Player controled).
2.attack nearest enemy
3.attack furthest enemy
4.attack Targeted enemy
5.attack enemy that have higher attack
6.attack enemy that have higher defence
7.attack the enemy that have the higher speed
8.attack enemy that is low in HP
9.attack the enemy with players that have the same enemy
10.attack Targeted enemy and the others
11.all other char will attack a different enemy from the Target
12.attack the nearest enemy,com will everytime change the enemy
13.attack enemy that are in the air
14.attack enemy that is using magic
15.attack enemy that have TP
16.attack enemy during it was attack by another character

-Orders-
There are 9 Orders you can select.
(*Orders are modified from Devilking's version in the post*)
1.Use the strongest attack regardless of TP.
2.Use no TP
3.Defence when fighting for using recover spirit or magic
4 Prepare for Attack(Tekiomukaeute)-Regulus Dojo Area(24,132)
5 Concentrate on single enemy(Shyuusyuukougeki)-Morle Area(114,144)
6 Attack Front enemy(<Maenotekionerae)-Shanbol Area(162,45)
7 Attack enemy in the back-Farlos Church Area(100,100)
8 Full Attack(Totsugekishiru)-Luishka Area(81,38)
9 Use low TP skills(Komakaiwazaotsukae)-(130,118)
*Orders with Co-ordinates must be acquired and can be got from these
places as listed.
(*Thanks to Gong Sniper for posting the translations*)

You can set how often you character uses each Type of attack by setting
the bar of these from 1(least use) to 5(most likely to use)
Rid:
Normal Attack
Slash Skill
Thrust Skill
Farah:
Normal Attack
Fist Skill
Kick Skill
Meredy:
Normal Attack
Offensive Spells
Healing Spells
Keel:
Normal Attack
Offensive Spells
Healling Spells
Chat:
Normal Attack
Offensive Skills
Fog:
Normal Attack
Ofensive Skills

Formations:
There are 3 formations to choose from
-Attack base- Fighters upfront, with Mages in the back. Good for claiming a fast
victory.
-Balance- Fighters are positioned front and back to protect the Mages in the middle.
This formation is for when you're surrounded.
-Defense base- Only Rid is positioned front and all Members are left in the back.
Good for Boss fights.You can still arrage the positions of the characters to fit your
style.
You can also manage who you will put in the battle team here(bottom right command), remember you can only have 4 at a time in battle. So balance it wisely!
Note: press L1 to turn your formation around(Forward -> Reverse). It's essential in
boss battles where some boss do "travel" alot across the screen.

-------------------------------------------------------------
/Technical Smash/
Doing well in battles can earn you more than you know. Technical Smash
are when conditions when you've met the proper requirements, you'll recieve a
bonus according to the type of Technical smash you're able to do.
(??? means that I haven't figure it out yet)

Chain Smash
Do 4 attacks in a row
+2%Hit/10 Exp
Group Smash
Use the whole group to attack
+2% to Experience acquired
Combo Smash
Do more than 20 Hits
+10 Experience per hit
Ariel Smash
Do an Air-Combo
+2% to ???
Effective Smash
Use spell against enemy's weakness
+2-5% to ???
Summon Smash
Use Summons to attack
x2 to Smash bonus
High Speed Smash
Hit more than 2 times in 2 seconds
+1% to ???
No Damage Smash
No damage to character(you'll know it when you get 100 points for your battle)
+1% to getting Item

You'll also recieve extra experience according to this formula
Bonus Exp =(n x n/2) +n +1

--------------------------------------------------------------
/Combos/

Rid
#1 (8 hits)
Slash x3 +Jirisazame

#2 (9 hits)
Slash x3 + Kogahazan + Raijin Souhazan

#3 (28 hits)
Fuujinbakufuu + Slash(up) + Thrust + Senkuureppa +Shouurekkugeki

#4 (18 hits)
Slash x2 +Majinken +Houotenkuu + Majinken +Houotenkuu +Majinken
+Kuuhazetshougeki

Farah
#1 (8 hits)
Punch x2 +Rengadan

#2 (5 hits)
Yousoushuugeki + Shouteiha +Soudou Shouteiha

#3 (36 hits)
Punch x2+Rengadan +Hienrentenkyaku +Sankamoushuukyaku
+Satsugekibukouken

---------------------------------------------------------------
/Combination Combos/

#1 Rid +Farah (10 hits)
Rengadan(Farah) + Slash x2(Rid) + Kokahazan(Rid)

#2 Rid +Meredy(Keel) (33 hits)
(Rid)+(Rid)+(Rid)+(Rid)+Eruption(Meredy or Keel)+Slash(up) x2 (Rid) +(Rid)+(Rid)
Rock Break(Meredy or Keel)+Slash(up) x2 (Rid)+(Rid)+(Rid)

#3 Rid +Chat(999 hits)
Fuujinfuubakusatsu(Rid) x2 + parali ball(Chat) +repeatedly do
(Fuujinfuubakusatsu(Rid) +when enemy is about to land use Picohan(Chat))
(* haven't tested this one yet, Taken from Tales of Eternian page
(http://www.talesofeternia.com/), Sorry but I still can't do more than 60 Combos)

[Ryos]

Game.discussion.forum. Moving over there. We started it for a reason, you know.

Of the games I've played on there, SO 2 is my favorite. The music is by the incomparable Sakuraba, the game engine is a lot of fun, and the game is long and with a very interesting and unique plot. And unlike most RPGs of, the characters, for the most part, are actually INTERESTING.

Although it's the weakest of the Tales series, Tales of Destiny has a fairly interesting plot and of course has the trademark battle system that I love. The music is also the worst of the three series, but the music is still fairly good.

Wild Arms 2 is all right. It's not as good as the first, but the plot is pretty unique for (console) RPGs on a number of levels. I'd say more, but that would be spoiling. The music is also done like the first, although in some ways I think the sequel does a better job than the first in that regard.

Some games I do NOT suggest for various reasons. Lunar SSS (the PSX port). The plot is lame, the music is lame, and the characters are worse than they were in the original. All in all, Game Arts should have never made it. It does have a few anime sequences, but that isn't a particularly good reason to get a game. Azure Dreams has a VERY brief plot (think Diablo), has only one dungeon where your level is reset every time you leave it, and the music is not impressive. The battle system is also annoying. And last, Vandal Hearts II. Someone majorly screwed up. It's worse than the original in every way. I've yet to go past the first battle, which shows you just how much I like it.

[sights]

Originally posted by Neojag
gamefaqs doesn't allow external linking
but nevermind, i think ill get Valkyrie Profile and Star Ocean

...a wise choice. These two are -definately- the best of the bunch...

[Exodus]

just make sure you stay away from Azure Dreams. that game has less story line than Mortal Kombat. Wild Arms 2 and BoF4 are a little boring in the battle department. i ad trouble staying awake sometimes. the rest are probably alright. but if you get darkstone, get it for PC.

[Strider]

> but if you get darkstone, get it for PC.

i didnt even know it was for a console before this thread, and yeah, point and click type of games were mede for the pc for a reason...

[Neojag]

thkx all, i just made my mind Valkyrie Profile and Star Ocean it is

[ajrulz]

theres no vagrant story 2 is there?

[Kane]

I wish. I have no idea on Square's upcoming Scedule, but I would love to know if there is one in the works.

[Recca]

Yeah id like to know to cause nr 1 rulez

[Exodus]

i just finished playing through it, and it was cool. once in a while i'd find a monster that i'd do 0 damage to with any of my weapons... thats always fun...

Alundra 2, Tales of Destiny, Breath of Fire IV, Darkstone, and Wild Arms 2 would be my choices.
Darkstone is a nice little RPG that plays exactally like the PC version except that you control it w/the controller just like any other game.
I think to many people knock Darkstone before even giving it a chance.
sincerely,
sx/amiga