"Call me old school, but I grew up with traditional RPG games like Ultima and Might 'n' Magic on the PC and Final Fantasy/Dragon Warrior on the NES and SNES. I understand that technology has to evolve, but why does the gameplay have to be thrown out the window? Why does the feel of an RPG have to be so 'cold' now? Why is it that with the advent of 3D technology all games, RPGs especially now have to be 'ultra-realistic'? RPGs are based in FANTASY. Games are meant to be challenging and fun. Gam..."

"The allure just isn't there anymore for the Final Fantasy titles and we have to ask why. Loyal fans try to create hype, but the games are just not combining new and old expectations. Maybe it's because every game, we have to warm up to new characters and worlds. Square sets itself up for hit and miss titles with no character regularity. The only motif running through the series I can identify is a blond guy and clueless protagonists. Most of the recent Final Fantasy games (dare I say Square ..."

"The Japanese role-playing game is a surprisingly important genre for developers to study - both in terms of gameplay and storytelling, and Gamasutra presents an 'Essential 20' explaining and chronicling the top JRPGs of all-time.

Valkyrie Profile: In most RPGs, it's your job to stop the end of the world. In Valkyrie Profile, it's your job to start it.
The battle system is a strange beast, with actions for each of the four party members assigned to a face button. Each character has a numbe..."