As we have learned with several games on this list, Era "stance" on certain games comes from a smaller, critical crowd that is dwarfed by others who are a more positive bunch. :)
Resetera's Top 101 Essential RPGs - Final Update. Top 101 up plus many extras.
- Thread starter kswiston
- Start date
As we have learned with several games on this list, Era "stance" on certain games comes from a smaller, critical crowd that is dwarfed by others who are a more positive bunch. :)
I haven't played XBC2 so I can't comment on its quality, but based on the number of highlights and writeups for it I saw while trawling through the thread and helping get info for the OP, I would be surprised if it wasn't top 20.
Personally, it has an exceptional soundtrack and setting, and I really liked the overall story (despite the execution being messy or lacking in places). I also really liked the battle system and the "feel" of running around in those environments.
If the stuff you have access to early game, like the actual gameplay, isn't doing it for you, I don't know if the crazy shit that happens in the story is going to improve your opinion of it drastically, lol.
I fully expect Persona 3 and a Xenoblade game to come in the next update.
Really should be Era's new site motto. :P
Edit: For some reason when I am posting the site will randomly redirect me to some survey site. What the hell Era?
Disagree, Final Fantasy games are more divisive than the more consistent Mario games, which would just conquer everyone's lists, Having 1 per 3D and 2D would encourage variety in the explanations as well. And Sonic 3 and SK are different games because they were sold separately and can be played separately.
Mine would be pretty fairly split between Metroid, Castlevania, Mario, Klonoa, with maybe like 2 sonic games, Megaman, then great one offs like ICO, Castle of Illusion, Quack Shot, and Ducktales. I'd probably make zero mission my highlight. Mario 2 US would be my dark horse I'd be hype trainin and making gifs of
so I just checked the voting of both Xenoblade 2 and Persona 3, while I don't know how many votes the last ones got (#31 as of posting this)... I can 100% tell you right now, Persona 3 ain't showing up today.
While I might be off by some numbers since I ignored people who ignored the voting structure we were supposed to follow...
Persona 3 beat the crap out of Xenoblade 2
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Can I post a video I just saw today? Because hot damn...
Edit: Crap. Wrong thread. But I guess here works, too.
Edit: Crap. Wrong thread. But I guess here works, too.
EDIT: Whups I posted this right after the new batch went up, bad timing haha.
With no Metroid-likes or run n' guns (i.e. Mega Man, Contra) counting, and 1 per franchise unless there was a 2D->3D conversion, I think my platformer ballot would look like this:
<HIGHLIGHT VOTE– 4 points>
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
</HIGHLIGHT VOTE– 4 points>
<FULL POINT GAMES – 2 points>
Shovel Knight
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
A Hat in Time
Puppeteer
Celeste
Super Mario Bros. 3
Snake Pass
Fez
Tearaway
</FULL POINT GAMES – 2 points>
<HONORABLE MENTIONS – 1 point>
Rayman Origins
Mr. Bones
Sonic Mania
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Cloudbuilt
Metal Storm
Inside
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
Demon's Crest
Octahedron
</HONORABLE MENTIONS – 1 point>
God that's a tough one though. 1 per franchise is killer.
With no Metroid-likes or run n' guns (i.e. Mega Man, Contra) counting, and 1 per franchise unless there was a 2D->3D conversion, I think my platformer ballot would look like this:
<HIGHLIGHT VOTE– 4 points>
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
</HIGHLIGHT VOTE– 4 points>
<FULL POINT GAMES – 2 points>
Shovel Knight
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
A Hat in Time
Puppeteer
Celeste
Super Mario Bros. 3
Snake Pass
Fez
Tearaway
</FULL POINT GAMES – 2 points>
<HONORABLE MENTIONS – 1 point>
Rayman Origins
Mr. Bones
Sonic Mania
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Cloudbuilt
Metal Storm
Inside
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
Demon's Crest
Octahedron
</HONORABLE MENTIONS – 1 point>
God that's a tough one though. 1 per franchise is killer.
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Nice to see Undertale with such a high rank. Hopefully the Switch release will give the game even more exposure.
The gameplay variation and attitude toward conflict alone already justify a very high ranking in my book. That the game is also highly memetic speaks to how memorable it is in many respects, particularly characterization. I also wouldn't necessarily take a modest creator's self-critique as gospel.
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Well, the Top 20 Dream for XB2 was as glorious as it was short lived. Still proud of the game.
Surprised Dragon Age got so high, it never struck me as super popular.
As much as I like Undertale (it was on my honorable mentions ballot), I feel it's more appreciated as a meme now than as a game. Toby Fox had said he considers it "an 8 out of 10 niche RPG with its music as the best feature", which is something I whole heartedly agree with.
Surprised Dragon Age got so high, it never struck me as super popular.
As much as I like Undertale (it was on my honorable mentions ballot), I feel it's more appreciated as a meme now than as a game. Toby Fox had said he considers it "an 8 out of 10 niche RPG with its music as the best feature", which is something I whole heartedly agree with.
Glad FFX wasn't top 10. It was my first FF game, and I bet it was for a bunch of other people my age. But it really doesn't hold up narratively or mechanically to other games in the series.
Undertale, on the other hand, was robbed. In terms of being a unique experience, and having the emotional impact that it does, I think it's top 10 material.
Undertale, on the other hand, was robbed. In terms of being a unique experience, and having the emotional impact that it does, I think it's top 10 material.
The Undertale success story is so inspiring. Top 30 RPG of All Time, Era says. Sold millions of copies and beloved by fans the world over. And made pretty much by one man who literally doesn't even know how to code.
If you've got a game idea then follow your dreams people! You can make it too :D
If you've got a game idea then follow your dreams people! You can make it too :D
Xenoblade 2 ranking this high not even a year after release is a big achievement. I'm sure it'll fare even better as time goes on.
Amazing OST highlights too, Tantal, Gormott and Counterattack are incredible.
FFX ranking slightly above it is... well, I really like this game and it's obvious more people played it, and it's less polarizing, so it makes sense after all.
Amazing OST highlights too, Tantal, Gormott and Counterattack are incredible.
FFX ranking slightly above it is... well, I really like this game and it's obvious more people played it, and it's less polarizing, so it makes sense after all.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO @ XC2 being out early, but also job well done, great placement tbh
and I couldn't support a "1 game per franchise rule," it's artificially adding franchise diversity to the main list. If it's top 101 Essential platformers and 20% of them are the same franchise that's just part of that genre's history and getting rid of it isn't actually informing people about the most essential games. If you want diversity as part of it, that's what follow-up fun lists are for.
and I couldn't support a "1 game per franchise rule," it's artificially adding franchise diversity to the main list. If it's top 101 Essential platformers and 20% of them are the same franchise that's just part of that genre's history and getting rid of it isn't actually informing people about the most essential games. If you want diversity as part of it, that's what follow-up fun lists are for.
WE STILL IN THIS SHIT NOCTURNE FAM
I voted for this I'm so ready
Lol. Those top 20 gifs for Xenoblade 2 were short lived.
FFX made it pretty high and beat out XII and XB2. So I'm satisfied. :D
FFX made it pretty high and beat out XII and XB2. So I'm satisfied. :D
Surprised to see FFX so low although I think it's finished 4th overall in the series which is probably where it deserves to be.
Xenoblade 2 in 29 hahaha That's great, very deserved.
Also, glad to see Undertale there as well.
Also, glad to see Undertale there as well.
Final Fantasy X ranking already isn't shocking since I didn't feel like it got that many votes over VIII but still I wanted it to go further. I also wish X-2 received the same amount of love because the battle system is the best in the series and the soundtrack is fun and catchy.
Still haven't played XB2 because the cast turned me off but I'll get around to it eventually.
Still haven't played XB2 because the cast turned me off but I'll get around to it eventually.
YT master playlist with all OST highlights so far here.
Full breakdown of all OST Highlights here.
@ me if you want a song from any of these games added to the YT playlist, and post the song in here.
#30 Dragon Age: Origins OST Highlights
Dragon Age: Origins (Main Theme)
Leliana's Song
The Party Camp
#29 Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST Highlights
Kingdom of Tantal (Day)
Counterattack
Gormott (Day)
#28 Final Fantasy X OST Highlights
Zanarkand
Battle with Seymour
Suteki da ne
#27 Undertale OST Highlights
Hopes and Dreams
Megalovania
Asgore
#26 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic OST Highlights
The Old Republic Theme
Bastila Shan's Theme
Dantooine
Great soundtracks as per usual. I'm particularly a fan of the symphonic mood pieces and character themes in KOTOR, and of course Zanarkand is one of the most iconic songs in the industry.
Full breakdown of all OST Highlights here.
@ me if you want a song from any of these games added to the YT playlist, and post the song in here.
#30 Dragon Age: Origins OST Highlights
Dragon Age: Origins (Main Theme)
Leliana's Song
The Party Camp
#29 Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST Highlights
Kingdom of Tantal (Day)
Counterattack
Gormott (Day)
#28 Final Fantasy X OST Highlights
Zanarkand
Battle with Seymour
Suteki da ne
#27 Undertale OST Highlights
Hopes and Dreams
Megalovania
Asgore
#26 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic OST Highlights
The Old Republic Theme
Bastila Shan's Theme
Dantooine
Great soundtracks as per usual. I'm particularly a fan of the symphonic mood pieces and character themes in KOTOR, and of course Zanarkand is one of the most iconic songs in the industry.
The KOTOR games need to swap places...
Edit: It's also interesting to note that DA:O came two years before Game of Thrones started airing - it almost predicted the rise in popularity of the "grim/gritty/sexy" fantasy approach with mainstream audiences. That Marilyn Manson trailer will eternally remain hot garbage, though:
Like, "top 5 worst game trailers ever" material.
Edit: It's also interesting to note that DA:O came two years before Game of Thrones started airing - it almost predicted the rise in popularity of the "grim/gritty/sexy" fantasy approach with mainstream audiences. That Marilyn Manson trailer will eternally remain hot garbage, though:
Like, "top 5 worst game trailers ever" material.
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Morrowind was my highlight game(and favorite game ever most days) so it feels bad to see it so early, but I understand why it might've had a hard time finding new audiences over the years compared to some other early aughts RPGs.
Also RIP KOTOR you deserved better. Final Fantasy IX is still in play for the highest rated FF so at least there's that.
Also RIP KOTOR you deserved better. Final Fantasy IX is still in play for the highest rated FF so at least there's that.
Now that's a lineup. Origins doing strong.
Was sort of hoping Undertale would be top 20 but it's done fantastically for what it is.
Was sort of hoping Undertale would be top 20 but it's done fantastically for what it is.
I enjoyed the first Xenoblade and Xenoblade Chronicles X, but I decided to skip Xenoblade 2. Not even going to lie--the creepy, demeaning treatment by the art designers towards the female cast in these games was already a thing I had to enjoy the games in spite of, so when XC2 seemingly ramped that up (at least from what I've seen, the sexualized young Blades, etc), I was done.
It's too bad. I really liked the rest of XC1 and played it at least three times that I can remember, and I spent over 300 hours in XCX, but eventually there's a point where you just don't want to have to have that mental wall up while playing. It seriously damages the experience. At some point you just get tired of dealing with gross, childish bullshit and want it to grow the fuck up already. Obviously it's Monolithsoft's choice to go down that path, but trying to pander harder to what always feels like creepy teenager fetishy stuff is always going to drive away some of the broader potential audience.
(Still stings, though. I did really enjoy exploring and battling in XC1 and XCX).
It's too bad. I really liked the rest of XC1 and played it at least three times that I can remember, and I spent over 300 hours in XCX, but eventually there's a point where you just don't want to have to have that mental wall up while playing. It seriously damages the experience. At some point you just get tired of dealing with gross, childish bullshit and want it to grow the fuck up already. Obviously it's Monolithsoft's choice to go down that path, but trying to pander harder to what always feels like creepy teenager fetishy stuff is always going to drive away some of the broader potential audience.
(Still stings, though. I did really enjoy exploring and battling in XC1 and XCX).
YESSSSSSSSS
WE STILL IN THIS SHIT NOCTURNE FAM
I can live with DA: Origins at 30. I really like the game and the DA universe in general. I still regularly flip through the two World of Thedas books. A shame about the way BioWare tried to further modernize the series in II and Inquisition. Inquisition in particular is pretty and fun to play, but at the same time unfocused and kind of... overbearing...? in its attempts to shove as much personality into its characters as possible. Cassandra and Dorian were ace, though.
Surprised to see XC2 rank so high, since the game seems to be hated on ERA. Couldn't mention it in a thread without people piling on it.
Surprised to see XC2 rank so high, since the game seems to be hated on ERA. Couldn't mention it in a thread without people piling on it.
As it should. The evils of XB2 and FFVIII have been defeated.
Nocturne top 20 hype train we in there!
Quick and dirty for the hype train
The #101-#20's vastness holds no peace.
I come at the end of that long road.
Neither Persona, nor Final Fantasy,
Yet all bends to my will.
Good on Undertale for doing so well! Great to see the Dragon Age love as well, the first game had some versatile and inclusive world building.
FFX still has my favorite video game story of all time and has always been my favorite in the franchise. If I'd voted it would've been at the top of my list.
2 members of my holy FF trinity (X, VII, and VIII of course) have now fallen. I'm pretty sure VII can slay IX but VI will prove difficult...
2 members of my holy FF trinity (X, VII, and VIII of course) have now fallen. I'm pretty sure VII can slay IX but VI will prove difficult...
Well not that much to complain this time except that I did not like Xenoblade 2 :P
I don't find FFX better than FFXII or FFVIII too... FFX is one of the most boring FFs :(
I don't find FFX better than FFXII or FFVIII too... FFX is one of the most boring FFs :(
Nah there is an absolute load of love. And also some hate. That game has some serious issues but then the things it does well it does really well.
