Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Tales of Symphonia
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Skies of Arcadia Legends
Also worth a mention:
Baten Kaitos, Phantasy Star Online Eps I & II, Final fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Released: 2005
Expect to Pay: £20-£30
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is the 3rd Fire Emblem game to be release outside of Japan. Just like the other Fire Emblem games this is a turn based strategy game with RPG elements such as being able to level up your characters as well as equipping them with new items and changing their class.
Path of Radiance was a welcome entry to the franchise with new classes, support systems, soldiers and so on. Previous Fire Emblem games featured side quests for when you needed to level up your characters, Path of Radiance doesn't need that thanks to its well thought out pace.
The game boasts a strong story with well developed characters and a brilliant musical score.
Try this if you like: Advance Wars, Final Fantasy Tactics, Disgaea.
Tales of Symphonia
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco Tales Studio
Released: 2004
Expect to Pay: £25-£35
The Tales series is one that is unknown to most people it is only recently that the series has started to become noticed by gamers, to date Tales of Symphonia is the best selling game in the series.
Tales of Symphonia is your typical Fantasy JRPG that fits in with the expected genre conventions so it isn't a very original game but something old told well is always better than something new told badly so you take what you get. The gameplay for the most part is your typical RPG but the game really shines in battles where the game becomes a free for all hack 'n' slash feast where you are in full control of your character, you can even play with friends. The game a well put together battle system that awards you for skilfully pulling off combos.
In all the game is well put together with good gameplay and a well put together set of characters. Tales of Symphonia also offers more freedom than most RPG's.
Try this if you like: Eternal Sonata, Tales of Vesperia,
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Released: 2004
Expect to Pay: £20
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is the sequel to the 2001 N64 game Paper Mario. The Mario RPG's are famous for being turn based games where the player does not just pick commands, the game is an active turn based RPG where you have to be paying attention at all times, Mario can block enemy attacks as well as increase the damage of his own attacks, it is a simple system that is effective in stopping repetition. The game has an endearing charm that comes from its unique art style and humour. The plays with the paper idea by allowing Mario to fold himself into objects like paper planes and boats, it also plays with idea in other ways such as ripping paper off walls to reveal hidden paths.
Thousand Year Door is wonderful, pretty and funny game full of huge bosses and a likeable cast of characters.
Try this if you like: Mario & Luigi
Skies of Arcadia Legends
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Overworks
Released: 2003
Expect to Pay: £20-£20
Skies of Arcadia Legends is a port of the Dreamcast game Skies of Arcadia. Skies of Arcadia is an Pirate themed RPG which sees you sailing through the skies in search of new lands. Legends takes the Dreamcast original and adds new features to the game such as an improved battle engine, new side quests and new items, at the same time it is missing some of the features from the original such as the ability to sell your ships. The game has a strong emphasis on exploration with most of the game spent flying around in airships looking for new lands and treasures, because of this there is a lot of random battles because when you break it down the games world map isn't that big so you end up with with loads of obstacles such as stone reefs and strong winds that for the first half of the game force you to stay on track. Despite some of these flaws Skies of Arcadia is still a very good RPG with a good story, strong characters and last but not least air ship battles and giant bosses.
Try this if you like: Rogue Galaxy
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