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So, let's say you're taking on a JRPG with some fellow PCEFX members... Which game would it be? (If I'm missing a critical game suggestion, let me know.)

I voted Kabuki Den because it's the only one I own.  Still not too sure if I'd be able to participate as much as others, but I'd give it a shot. :)

What do you mean by "Far East of Eden"? TM1 or 2?

I voted for Kabuki because as our first game it will set a good example. There is a great FAQ. It's fucking great. Everyone owns it (or should) and if they don't they can easily buy it for $20, if not $5. We can a actually finish this, and hopefully it will be the first of many.

I would prefer to hold off on Xanadu 2 since it seems like a patch. Is only a year or so away, hopefully.

I'm interested in Neo Metal Fantasy.

In the future I'm all for something more exotic, like Linda 3.

LoX2 was the first untranslated JPRG I played and it's absolutely awesome! I haven't played any of the Tengai Makyōs.

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 01/27/2012, 07:45 PMWhat do you mean by "Far East of Eden"? TM1 or 2?

I voted for Kabuki because as our first game it will set a good example. There is a great FAQ. It's fucking great. Everyone owns it (or should) and if they don't they can easily buy it for $20, if not $5. We can a actually finish this, and hopefully it will be the first of many.

I would prefer to hold off on Xanadu 2 since it seems like a patch. Is only a year or so away, hopefully.

I'm interested in Neo Metal Fantasy.

In the future I'm all for something more exotic, like Linda 3.

This...

Kabuki Den is cheap, easy to get into with a quality FAQ.  Personally I'd vote Manji Maru, but it's size/scope would def turn many people off.

How can you chose between all those great RPG's? Take 'em all!

I'd wait until a few successful RPG play together runs before attempting games like Linda3, Gulliver Boy or Blood Gear, which are non-linear(ish).

I'd also avoid Monster Maker, which I really like, because of a game breaking bug near the end.

Xanadu I and Dragon Slayer II would be tough for non-hardcore Japanese RPG players, since they involve too much specific fetch questing and specific NPC chatting.

Anearth Fantasy Stories, although non-linear at the beginning, would be one of the best games to play, as it's high quality and has an amazing walk through.

Neo Metal Fantasy isn't the best choice as the first game to play. Xanadu II probably is just to see how many people can make it through even such a short game. But NMF should be high on the list for one of the runs, since it will likely surprise people with it's unique story/art/character style and Phantasy II/IV style design.

Although I haven't played far into it and there isn't an English guide for it, Cosmic Fantasy IV Chapter 2 would be a good game for this.

I've only played through about 3/4 of Xak I, but I didn't need a walkthrough, so I imagine both games are straightforward enough.

Benkei Gaiden is cheap and awesome. A very satisfying HuCard RPG to play. The Japanese guide(s) for it is easy enough to follow.

If this actually lasts a past a few games, it'd be cool to do Might & Magic III.

I got stuck in CF 4 Part 2. I was in a town that I could not leave. It was frustrating because it wasn't a very big town at all.

Quote from: guest on 01/27/2012, 08:40 PMAnearth Fantasy Stories, although non-linear at the beginning, would be one of the best games to play, as it's high quality and has an amazing walk through.

I second this, plus imho the game looks pretty amazing too.

Voted Neo Metal Fantasy as that the most appealing one on the list for me. The Phantasy Star vibe has bee really interested. But I'd be down to play through this just about anything with you guys if I have the time.

Also, a lot of these games can be had dirt cheap over here in Japan. Like around $5 for a complete copy depending on the game. So if you guys needed help getting cheap copies I might be able to help out in that regard.

Quote from: incrediblehark on 01/28/2012, 07:37 AM

Quote from: guest on 01/27/2012, 08:40 PMAnearth Fantasy Stories, although non-linear at the beginning, would be one of the best games to play, as it's high quality and has an amazing walk through.

I second this, plus imho the game looks pretty amazing too.

Just added Anearth to the poll. I agree, this game looks incredible.

For sheer simplicity, I voted Neo Metal Fantasy, as it has an icon based menu that I think will be easier and less intimidating for new folks like me, but I'm game for any game.

Not to be cheesy, but I would encourage everyone to read CrackTiger's post and use it as a guide.

I never finished Neo Metal Fantasy, for example, and it is calling me. However, it might be more fun to tackle it after the group completes a more straightforward game.

:)

Quote from: esteban on 01/28/2012, 08:58 PMNot to be cheesy, but I would encourage everyone to read CrackTiger's post and use it as a guide.

I never finished Neo Metal Fantasy, for example, and it is calling me. However, it might be more fun to tackle it after the group completes a more straightforward game.

:)

I'm all for taking on Anearth Fantasy Stories! It looks absolutely stunning.

If the games were translated into english, I would more than likely play em. ^^ -1 for not including the awesome Wizardry games even though they aren't technically jrpgs. lol

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 01/27/2012, 10:34 PMI got stuck in CF 4 Part 2. I was in a town that I could not leave. It was frustrating because it wasn't a very big town at all.

It's strange, I don't remember being stuck anywhere in this game.

Quote from: PUSH RUN BUTTON! on 01/28/2012, 09:06 PM

Quote from: esteban on 01/28/2012, 08:58 PMNot to be cheesy, but I would encourage everyone to read CrackTiger's post and use it as a guide.

I never finished Neo Metal Fantasy, for example, and it is calling me. However, it might be more fun to tackle it after the group completes a more straightforward game.

:)

I'm all for taking on Anearth Fantasy Stories! It looks absolutely stunning.

Agreed. I put my vote in Anearth.

The first Xanadu is so far above and beyond anything I have played that it take's 1st place.

Followed by Xanadu 2

Gulliver Boy and Blood Gear.

These are the games that brought me around to the PC Engine.

Blood Gear is awesome. I stopped playing it for some reason.

Voted Anearth out of the list that's the only one i have.

Have faith, guys; Xanadu II is coming in English.

What, no Necromancer?

Quote from: SamIAm on 01/30/2012, 10:25 AMHave faith, guys; Xanadu II is coming in English.

Bonler!

I voted Xanadu, but I'd be down for any of 'em really.

OK, so when are we going to do this? I'm ready to pull the trigger on anything, but I'm going to mention something about Neo Metal Fantasy.

Just because the fight menus are icon based, don't let that sway you too much. If that's what it gets to get you to play it, then cool, that's all that matters. You need to realize though that after about an hour into any RPG, English, Japanese, or otherwise, you don't actually read that shit anyway. Its all reflex and such. 25 hours into the thing that isn't going to help you one bit and you'll be on autopilot with any game.

Regarding Kabuki Den: While this game is hella heavy on the kanji, its also one of the most well documented and understood JRPGs on PCE. Hell, I'm pretty sure if you get stuck on ANYTHING in the game CrackTiger can get you through it all by himself, never mind the other people here.

So anyway, I want to start this soon.

Feasably, I think it should start tomorrow.  Tuesday with nothing better to do, plus we can set aside a clear month and do another in March if it's popular.

Not sure how to resolve a tie-break though - another poll with just the two winners?

Wait what the hell are we doing I thought this was just a poll.

Quote from: guest on 01/31/2012, 08:12 AMWait what the hell are we doing I thought this was just a poll.

The idea is, we all pick a JRPG and play through it together, like a book club

Where in this thread was that announced/decided? lol did I miss something.

Quote from: guest on 01/31/2012, 10:02 AMWhere in this thread was that announced/decided? lol did I miss something.

It was here - https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=10934.0  I guess it assumed prior knowledge!

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=10934.0

Here's the original thread, this one was set up for a poll of what game to play.

I, uh, sorta misunderstood this thread. LoX2 is what I voted for, and it is probably the easiest game for non-english speakers in the list, but I'd rather play through LoX1 so we can help each other. How can I change my vote?

oh.  I didnt read that thread I guess lol

Quote from: soop on 01/31/2012, 06:25 AMFeasably, I think it should start tomorrow.  Tuesday with nothing better to do, plus we can set aside a clear month and do another in March if it's popular.

Not sure how to resolve a tie-break though - another poll with just the two winners?

That seems like a good idea.

Fucking hell. Now it's a three way tie.

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 01/31/2012, 08:09 PMFucking hell. Now it's a three way tie.

No it isn't. My LoX2 vote is a vote for LoX1. We're doing LoX1 and it's going to kick ass. :D Now let's get started already before someone else votes. :D

Run Button started this thread. It's up to him to end it.

Not to be a downer on this.  I LOVE (what I played of) Legend of Xanadu.....but in my years here I can honestly think of 3 people off the top of head that beat this...runin, bluraven, and IIRC nat.  I'm sure there are others, but this game is LONG, and pretty hardcore.....just my 2 cents.

Well, we've got a good three way tie going on here. So I think letting the poll run through Friday would be a good way to see a winner come out of this. I really appreciate the interest and enthusiasm from everyone! Regardless of the game we pick, I think this is going to be a awesome.

From what I've read it appears that the day/night cycle makes things a pain in the ass. My hope is that a group of us playing though it would be able to help each other get through it. But it might be too much to bite off, and like you guys said, it isn't my choice. :)

Quote from: nectarsis on 01/31/2012, 10:33 PMNot to be a downer on this.  I LOVE (what I played of) Legend of Xanadu.....but in my years here I can honestly think of 3 people off the top of head that beat this...runin, bluraven, and IIRC nat.  I'm sure there are others, but this game is LONG, and pretty hardcore.....just my 2 cents.

I agree. That's why I pushed for Kabuki Den or Tengai II (or CF 3/4, Poem of the Angel 2, Emerald Dragon, anything from Rayforce, etc). We WILL beat Kabuki Den with normal levels of determination. Someone is going to flake on Xanadu, possibly everyone. The point of this venture, I think, is to beat games we've had sitting on a shelf for years. Therefore I highly recommend something as gaijin-friendly as possible.

For the record I can read very very little Japanese. I've been playing import RPGs since 1994 or so. Some I finish, some are still sitting on the shelf after 10+ years. I know about success, I know about failure. Xanadu 1 feels like failure. Regardless, I will begin whatever we decide to begin.

Quote from: Sadler on 01/31/2012, 10:41 PMFrom what I've read it appears that the day/night cycle makes things a pain in the ass. My hope is that a group of us playing though it would be able to help each other get through it. But it might be too much to bite off, and like you guys said, it isn't my choice. :)

The night/day cycle is only one variable in the strongest gaijin protection I've ever encountered in a JPRG. A single chapter's number of specific required actions is equal to the total number of actions required to complete some entire games. I can comfortably play through most JRPGs without a guide, but I got stuck regularly in LoX while using a translated guide.

I think that this "plays well together" idea is a perfect way to take down a game like LoX down the road. But it will literally probably be the hardest game to get through even as a group, as others will have a hard time understanding exactly which point you are at in a chapter and exactly what they had to do in the correct order.

If everyone is fine with the prospect of attempting Xanadu, having a number of people quite along the way, everyone waiting the longer than average time it will take even the fastest player to complete... and then try again with a different game once you hear that the rest of the players have finally either finished or given up... then go right ahead. But just the downtime between players struggling with the game vs those who managed to get through will be enough to play through multiple other PCE JRPGs and would make the "plays well together" experience seem less enjoyable for some people.

At the very least, playing through games that everyone is guaranteed to complete would be good training for those who are going to have the hardest time with LoX.

Quote from: nectarsis on 01/31/2012, 10:33 PMNot to be a downer on this.  I LOVE (what I played of) Legend of Xanadu.....but in my years here I can honestly think of 3 people off the top of head that beat this...runin, bluraven, and IIRC nat.  I'm sure there are others, but this game is LONG, and pretty hardcore.....just my 2 cents.

I've cleared it too :)

Since you guys think Xanadu is too hard to start out on, change my vote to Kabuki Den or whatever.  I'd hate to have this fall flat on its face before we even finish one title.

I'll play whatever, I'll probably be the slowest though :P

I'm bumping this sucker because we need a tie breaker, hopefully tonight. I'd love to start on this (whatever) game tomorrow.

Let's DO EET

Any decisions on this? :D

Well, somehow Xanadu 1 got more votes so I guess I'll start playing this tonight.

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 02/03/2012, 09:18 PMWell, somehow Xanadu 1 got more votes so I guess I'll start playing this tonight. 

Ah heck. I still own that one.  Guess that means I should join in.

Any suggestions on a faq/guide to use for LoX? Some very vague information here (http://xanaduhelp.blogspot.com/).

So we're doing this now? If nobody says otherwise I'll start playing LoX1

I don't have that game, so I'm sitting this one out (I only have Kabuki Den of the ones in the poll).  But I'll be watching this thread because it sounds like this could be a hoot.

roflmao if you don't mind playing a cdr in your system I can send you a disc image

Cool.  My Duo doesn't read CDRs and my TG16 is out getting region modded right now.  But I'll send you a PM when it comes back.  Thanks!

Hey all - so it looks like we have a landslide for LoX here! I'm going to start playing tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas of the best way to do this? I'll be looking for a walkthrough tonight (if you know of any, post the links here). Maybe we should set up check-in points throughout the game?

I think only someone who has completed it would be able to define check points.

Quote from: Senshi on 02/04/2012, 08:54 PMI think only someone who has completed it would be able to define check points.

That's one reason I was going to look for a walkthrough. Or if someone who has finished it wants to make some suggestions, that'd be great.

I spent some time searching for a walk through and didn't find anything beyond what I posted above. That said, there are some videos online that I bet would help. Start with this one. (https://youtu.be/RCLEk5p0Krg).

Quote from: Sadler on 02/04/2012, 09:11 PMI spent some time searching for a walk through and didn't find anything beyond what I posted above. That said, there are some videos online that I bet would help. Start with this one. (https://youtu.be/RCLEk5p0Krg).

Looks great! And sorry about not noticing your previous post. This week has been nuts and I've been signing on just real quickly to check on the poll. Had I known you wanted to change your vote I would've adjusted it earlier and called the poll finished. All worked out though!  :mrgreen: