bahamut_zero's Blogs

The long wait for FFXII and the release of FFXI as an online game only had not only questioned my blind faith in Final Fantasy but fuelled my yearning for an RPG that would fill the “void”. This was further exacerbated by the release of what I deemed “crap” spinoffs such as FFX2 (PS2) and the lame FFCrystal Chronicles (GC). Like a zombie craving flesh I needed something to get me by while waiting for SquareEnix to release another worthy title along the ranks of FFVII & FFX.

This quest for RPG perfection has let me to try other series of games that I previously would have palmed off as inadequate, next to the superiority of Final Fantasy. I have been surprised by the outcome that there are just as interesting RPGs out there than some FF fans would have us believe, and that perhaps there is a whole new world of enjoyment and game satisfaction to be had, outside Final Fantasy.

Xenosaga I – III

The Xenosaga series caught me by surprise as I’m usually not a huge fan of space, science-fiction kinda games. I purchased my first copy in the US and within the first 10 minutes of gameplay, I was hooked. The Xenosaga series unfolds like a movie that encompasses three games in total. The graphics are extremely impressive; the characters are interesting and well developed; the soundtrack is awesome and the story is intense. With a myriad of plot twists & turns, allies & foes, Xenosaga will have you hooked. The gameplay changes slightly between the three games but they are all essentially turn based. I am unsure as to why only the second game was released in NZ/Australia however as my PS2 is chipped, I purchased all three games in the US and was able to play them to completion. Finishing the last game unlocks all the movies and FMVs as well as provides a detailed synopsis of the previous two games.

Suikoden
Again, I was unable to find a copy of Suikoden III so I purchased it in the US. It took a while for me to get into Suikoden III at first as I was unsure why I was suddenly asked to choose between three seemingly unrelated characters. However, the game was quick to reel me in and with a recruitable cast complement of 108 characters, who could resist the unlimited levelling up potential. (yeah ok I’m a bit of a levelling up bitch). The graphics were a little disappointing but the gameplay was fascinating and the story again, was intense. Suikoden IV soon followed and then there was V. All games take place in the same planet but on different continents. As such you may find characters from countries mentioned in preceeding games which brings a kind of continuity into it. One of the downsides to Suikoden however is the seemingly moronic mute main character that always plagues the series. However, this is offset by the fact that the other characters are a lot more interesting and add value to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed all three games and sad that I couldn’t secure a copy of the first two games (one PS1) which are said to be extremely rare.

Shin Megami Tensei
My entry into Shin Megami was not Lucifers Call but actually Digital Devil Saga. It was only after I completed that series that I tried Lucifers Call as well as Devil Summoner and Persona3. While DS left me with a “so!so!” feeling, Lucifers Call, Persona 3 and DDS were massively addictive. The combination of ‘devouring enemies’ as well as creating new demons (and yes, levelling them up too) was too irresistible. DDS is slightly different from the rest of the games as you do not catch or create demons, you simply harness the power of the character’s assigned demon by learning abilities (yet another addictive feature). DDS also has more of an intricate storyline as opposed to the others. I have yet to finish Persona 3 so I can’t comment on that yet (I’m still not level 99).

The above series of games have come close to, if not completely replaced my cravings for Final Fantasy. I don’t doubt that FF is in a class of its own and in no way am I making comparisons here…All I’m saying is that in terms of extraordinary, well developed RPGs, there is life beyond Final Fantasy!!