Page 1 of 1
JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Fri December 12, 2025 8:22 pm
by washing machine
Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy in the 90s, Secret of Mana, etc.
Man, I can't get enough of these games. Call it a midlife crisis or a renewed love for a good story and customizable mechanics. Whatever it is, I've caught the bug 30 years too late.
I used to rent these games as a kid and will admit to them going over my head. In retrospect, these games were never meant to be rented over a weekend. That's just not enough time for someone like me who just wanted a sword and enemies to slash back then. I thought they were slow, clunky, and boring. I much preferred A Link to the Past.
Nowadays, with so many Square Enix titles available on mobile, I have so many save files going and can come to them any time I need a brain exercise to wind down with at the end of the day. I've recently beaten FF7 but I know there's still a ton of content I missed out on. Instead of going back to that, I'm currently in World of Ruin on FF6 while also flying around on the Epoch in Chrono Trigger. I even have a DQ1 playthrough going, but that one isn't that serious yet.
And those soundtracks. Nobuo Uematsu was the man.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Fri December 12, 2025 8:28 pm
by Simple Torture
I’ve taken a look at the FF I-VI remaster set. I’ve never played any of them. It drops to $50 now and then, but I’m not ready to pull the trigger.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Fri December 12, 2025 8:29 pm
by washing machine
If you're keen on mobile gaming, they are much cheaper.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Fri December 12, 2025 8:30 pm
by washing machine
For a super meta experience, I recommend playing through FF6 with Shadow in your party while also reading a Murakami novel.
There are themes.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Sat December 13, 2025 1:57 am
by Ello Sailor
I've been thinking about firing up a playthru of Vagrant Story.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Sat December 13, 2025 3:11 pm
by washing machine
Tell me more about this game. I've never heard of it.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Sat December 13, 2025 3:37 pm
by CopperTom
It's considered one of the hidden gems of the PS1. By Square. I tried it a few years ago. I didn't beat it. I was clearly doing something wrong at times as some bosses were only taking 1 hp of damage on my attacks. I will say it seemed well made, but I got stuck shortly after getting through the forest.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Mon December 15, 2025 7:02 pm
by Ensign9
washing machine wrote:Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy in the 90s, Secret of Mana, etc.
Man, I can't get enough of these games. Call it a midlife crisis or a renewed love for a good story and customizable mechanics. Whatever it is, I've caught the bug 30 years too late.
I used to rent these games as a kid and will admit to them going over my head. In retrospect, these games were never meant to be rented over a weekend. That's just not enough time for someone like me who just wanted a sword and enemies to slash back then. I thought they were slow, clunky, and boring. I much preferred A Link to the Past.
Nowadays, with so many Square Enix titles available on mobile, I have so many save files going and can come to them any time I need a brain exercise to wind down with at the end of the day. I've recently beaten FF7 but I know there's still a ton of content I missed out on. Instead of going back to that, I'm currently in World of Ruin on FF6 while also flying around on the Epoch in Chrono Trigger. I even have a DQ1 playthrough going, but that one isn't that serious yet.
And those soundtracks. Nobuo Uematsu was the man.
FFX is probably still #2 on my all-time hours played list.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Wed January 07, 2026 11:06 am
by Simple Torture
Simple Torture wrote:I’ve taken a look at the FF I-VI remaster set. I’ve never played any of them. It drops to $50 now and then, but I’m not ready to pull the trigger.
Hey FF1 is coming to Game Pass later this week, can’t wait to try!
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Thu January 08, 2026 3:12 pm
by ABNorman
I played both FF6 and Chrono Trigger multiple times in my mispent youth. Not sure I'd have the strength now that I'm old and ragged.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Thu January 08, 2026 9:40 pm
by Ello Sailor
Simple Torture wrote:Simple Torture wrote:I’ve taken a look at the FF I-VI remaster set. I’ve never played any of them. It drops to $50 now and then, but I’m not ready to pull the trigger.
Hey FF1 is coming to Game Pass later this week, can’t wait to try!
FF1 is pretty basic. I would start with 4.
Re: JRPG Golden Era
Posted: Thu January 08, 2026 9:44 pm
by Mecca
The adventure of playing FFXII without a guide while trying to keep up with other RMers progress was one of my favorite RPG experiences. 7, 10, 8/9 are probably my rankings though