What's the easiest RPG available?

[billyslits]

I'm trying to introduce my wife to RPGs and I'd like to know if anyone has any advice. I'm looking for an easy RPG that is still worth playing. Something with all of the qualities of the better RPGs (i.e. story, character, setting, etc.) but without any of the more involved management mechanics that may scare her off.

I'm looking for something other than the Mario RPGs because of the timed, button-pounding. I guess I'm looking for more turn-based than real time battles. I'm trying to ease her into it and not overwhelm her - so, no to Final Fantasy Tactics or SMT: Nocturne. Oh yeah, and the console doesn't matter.

Any advice?

[LeCercleRouge]

I can only think of two DreamCast games I played circa 2000.

Skies of Arcadia (good GameCube port made in 2003)
Grandia II (ported to PlayStation 2 in 2002)

[Reaver]

Fable is a fairly light RPG, so you probably wouldn't go wrong there.

[Wirehed]

There are probably much better RPGs suited for a beginner for the PC. Does it have to be a console? I've never liked console RPGs.

[Reaver]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

There are probably much better RPGs suited for a beginner for the PC. Does it have to be a console? I've never liked console RPGs.

You poor poor bastard...

[littlebib]

If you wife enjoys Star Wars at all, I would give Knights of the Old Republic a try. You can "auto" level any character you want so the micromanagement can be kept to a minimum. The story is fantastic, and the price is certainly right ($19.99).

[elwood731]

You sound like you're trying to find a consoleish RPG that she can pick up and play fairly easy, correct? Maybe Final Fantasy 2 or 3 for the SNES (now ported to the PS). They're both two jewels of the genre, and fairly easy to get into at first, at least. I think the newer FF are even easier, and certainly some of the best the genre has to offer. The original Suikoden is fun and easy to get into, if you can find it. It's much easier to get ahold of than its rare sequel.

[Astrakan]

Originally Posted by Reaver

Fable is a fairly light RPG, so you probably wouldn't go wrong there.

I second Fable. My wife isn't much of a gamer (she'll play Tetris, The Sims, the odd car racing game, but that's it) and she loved Fable. The whole character customization thing really appealed to her. You know, with haircuts, facial hair, tattoos, outfits, etc. And she liked hooking up with different ladies and gents in the different towns. Oh, and she did enjoy the questing too. :P

KM

[billyslits]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I'll go with Fable and a couple of the later Final Fantasy iterations. Even though I'm dying to play it and missed it on the Dreamcast, I've heard that the Grandia II port for the PS2 is almost unplayable. So I may avoid that one. My wife kind of hates Star Wars (I know, I know) so the KOTORs aren't really an option. Although, the auto-level would be a selling point.

Seamonkey, I'm one of those Mac people so my RPG options are limited: Neverwinter, Fallout, Warcraft, etc. Still, maybe, Warcraft III could be a good starting point. We'll see.

Anyway, thanks for all of the suggestions.

[Wirehed]

Originally Posted by Reaver

You poor poor bastard...

Huh? Why...

I didn't mean to start a console war or anything of the sort. I have ALL the game systems and enjoy playing them, each for their own strengths. I just think RTS and RPG games are FAR far farfarfarfarfarfar superior on the PC.




Anyway, yes, a Mac has a problem with game software availablity. Still, I would prefer playing Neverwinter on a Mac than playing anything RPG related on a console.

[Reaver]

I would have agreed that PC's had the better RPGs until KOTOR came out on the Xbox (I really can't stand Japanese RPG's, so I won't comment on them). Once I played it, I knew consoles could provide me some good role playin' gamin'. I've since very much enjoyed KOTOR 2, Jade Empire, Fable, and Sudeki, all on the Xbox first. Hence, my comment to you (which was meant in jest).

[Wirehed]

I didn't take it wrong, I was just curious what you meant.


I bought KOTOR based on reviews here. I thought it was absolutely awfull, while I only played it for about an hour, I felt it was some of the worst gaming I've ever had in the house. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but honestly I wanted to enjoy it.

[Reaver]

I've played KOTOR through four times now, and I could honestly play it again. It is, in my opinion, the best electronic RPG ever made. KOTOR 2, while not as good story wise, improved on the mechanics, and I've played it twice. Really, Bioware are the masters of the genre.

[hamholio]

I found Final Fantasy I on the Game Boy Advance remake to be pretty easy. I've thought about giving it to my girlfriend to play.

I didn't like KOTOR that much either. I beat the rancor which was exciting, but I got a big case of "meh's" soon afterward and quit playing.

[Ruined]

Fable is a good start...

[umainebearman]

Originally Posted by Reaver

I've played KOTOR through four times now, and I could honestly play it again. It is, in my opinion, the best electronic RPG ever made. KOTOR 2, while not as good story wise, improved on the mechanics, and I've played it twice. Really, Bioware are the masters of the genre.

Yeah but Bioware didn't do KOTOR 2, Obsidian used there engine and tweaked it.

I am definately NOT a RPG guy but when I got my ands on the first KOTOR I loved every second of it. It was very very easy to pick up and the learning curve was probably less steep than your avereage first person shooter. I played through it 3 times and got different results each time, just a fabulous game.

KOTOR 2 however was not. Played through it once and a few weeks later picked it up again for a second go round and just couldn't stand to play through the first level it was soooooo boooooring!