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Re: Japanese RPGs: Is there a good one? by Last 02/15/2007, 1:05pm PST
In spite of the fact that you asked for a PS2-era Japanese RPG, I recommend that you try Earthbound for the SNES. It is made in Japan but the localization work done on it is some of the best. It is completely charming.

Here's some of the best parts that make it a thousand percent better than any other Japanese RPG.
* The dialogue is actually funny on purpose.
* They sidestep the game mechanic where dead monsters drop currency by having your dad deposit money into your bank account from time to time. Likewise with saving your game, which is done by calling your mom and catching her up on the latest gossip (instead of, say, hitting a floating neon box that exists for no reason or standing in an orange vortex that exists in the middle of the street for no reason).
* Your enemies include crooked cops, passive-aggressive hippies, your fat neighbor. This is better than some half-rabbit-half-crocodile thing that Square thinks is an interesting enemy.
* No random battles. The enemy is visible on screen so you have a chance to avoid them or flank them as necessary.
* If you are sufficiently higher level than an enemy, the game is smart enough to skip the pointless 8-10 second battle where your victory is never in question and just gives you the 1-2 measly experience points. I can NOT BELIEVE that no one else uses this idea. It is such a time saver and other games are such bullshit for making you do every single stupid battle against lvl 1 kobolds.
* At the beginning of the game, when your mom asks what your favorite food is, say something dirty and it will become hilarious later.

It's been a while since I've played, so I fear that I'm not making a strong case for this game. I will conclude by saying that all JRPGs blow terrible horrible ass. Square makes games for emotionally stunted retards ESPECIALLY Final Fantasy INCLUDING 7 but possibly excepting 3 (yes, Japan homos, I mean 6). Having said that, I have beaten Earthbound a few times already and always enjoy recommending it to others.
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Japanese RPGs: Is there a good one? by Jerry Whorebach 02/14/2007, 3:24am PST NEW
    Fable is non-American. Close enough? Actually it might be too good. NT by Fussbett 02/14/2007, 3:39am PST NEW
        Seconding this. by motherfuckerfoodeater 02/14/2007, 7:14am PST NEW
    Star Ocean 2? by Flavio 02/14/2007, 4:15am PST NEW
        Rogue Galaxy by Lizard_King 02/16/2007, 12:28am PST NEW
            sweet by Flavio 02/16/2007, 3:31am PST NEW
                25 hours + in by Lizard_King 02/19/2007, 12:01am PST NEW
                    Re: 25 hours + in by Ethan Steele 02/19/2007, 2:26pm PST NEW
                        Re: 25 hours + in by Lizard_King 02/19/2007, 10:07pm PST NEW
    Magna Carta? NT by Mysterio 02/14/2007, 7:32am PST NEW
        Awful. Beyond the pale. by Lizard_King 02/19/2007, 12:07am PST NEW
            I'd also like to recommend NOT Star Ocean 3 NT by Flavio 02/19/2007, 2:22am PST NEW
                3? I thought you kind of liked 2 or something? I forget. NT by Lizard_King 02/19/2007, 4:00am PST NEW
                    Re: 3? I thought you kind of liked 2 or something? I forget. by Flavio 02/19/2007, 4:49am PST NEW
                        Shit by Lizard_King 02/19/2007, 5:24am PST NEW
            I guess it was the relationship simulator that hooked me. :) by Mysterio :/ 02/19/2007, 10:17am PST NEW
    No. by Mischief Maker 02/14/2007, 8:48am PST NEW
        Ooo I forgot Dark Cloud 2! by Zseni 02/14/2007, 8:50am PST NEW
    FFXII is pretty good... by Zseni 02/14/2007, 8:49am PST NEW
        Re: FFXII is pretty good... by Flavio 02/15/2007, 11:43pm PST NEW
            Re: FFXII is pretty good... by Zseni 02/16/2007, 7:08am PST NEW
    Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep them coming! NT by Jerry Whorebach 02/14/2007, 8:22pm PST NEW
    Re: Japanese RPGs: Is there a good one? by Last 02/15/2007, 1:05pm PST NEW
        I know that Jhoh likes Earthbound too, so add his vote during his WoW absence. NT by Fussbett 02/15/2007, 1:22pm PST NEW
            Thirded, the freaky backgrounds alone during fight scenes = great. NT by Zseni 02/15/2007, 2:02pm PST NEW
                You need to use prayer against the final boss. by Worm 02/16/2007, 12:47am PST NEW
            If anyone's going to play Earthbound remember that you need a walkthrough. by Jhoh Cable o_O 02/21/2007, 6:48am PST NEW
        NOT excepting 3! by Mischief Maker 02/15/2007, 1:37pm PST NEW
            You are such a girl. NT by Zseni 02/19/2007, 1:14pm PST NEW
 
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