Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stone, Shadowhearts, Old Republic

[Julius Seeker]

I just started playing this game. Like the last fire emblem, there are only two words needed to describe this game, absolutely brilliant. One of the best strategy games currently available anywhere. The story is much better than the majority of RPGs so far as well. In fact, the only game that I have played recently that rivals it is probably Knights of the Old Republic (speaking of which, I haven't been progressing quickly, I have Bastilla and am preparing to escape Taris).

Another game that I would highly recommend is Shadow Hearts: Covenant, but play the original first, this game (In my opinion) is easily the best PS2 RPG of last year. Play the first Shadow Hearts game first, for the story if anything, but know that the sequel is absolutely fantastic. I liked the original quite a bit, but even if you didn't particularly like the original, I do believe that everyone here will enjoy Covenant.

[the Gray]

Ah Seeker, the game doesn't begin until you escape Tarsis.

[Julius Seeker]

Ah Seeker, the game doesn't begin until you escape Tarsis.

Well then, I guess I have something to really look forward to now =)

[Tortolia]

Tarsis is simply an exercise in seeing how much you want to powergame the system, given the fewer levels you let yourself gain, the more powerful you'll be when you get off the planet.

[Julius Seeker]

Tarsis is simply an exercise in seeing how much you want to powergame the system, given the fewer levels you let yourself gain, the more powerful you'll be when you get off the planet.

Well I just got through the Sith Base, I did kill everything, I am currently level 6, as are all of my characters except the Chewbacca thing that I don't use which is level 4.

One thing about the game I do not like is that I want to join the darkside, but I want to be a noble and cunning darksider who has passions, not a dumb ass murderor of innocents =P

Anyways, I am still neutral. I did read that the maximum level is capped at 20, so I guess I have 14 levels left to gain.

[Tortolia]

It's possible to end up a dark sider without indulging in the puppy kicking type activities, if I recall.

[EsquE]

It's possible to end up a dark sider without indulging in the puppy kicking type activities, if I recall.

Don't want to give anything away, but you pretty much choose at one point and everything leading to that is cast aside and you go completely one way or the other...no choice in the matter...choosing either side before that is strictly for force powers...or kicking puppies...

I felt they did a good job of letting you indulge the grey areas and having darker choices that were still noble...great game...

[SineSwiper]

Like all games with good/evil choices, there is no real "evil" ending or nothing that you do has any bearing on the overall plot or other characters. It's not as laughable as Fable, but it's close enough. Otherwise, why the hell would your characters follow a dark individual such as yourself? Neutrality has its advantages, especially with abilities. As one character says "I've seen my share of the light and the dark and frankly both extremes annoy me."

All of the characters are good, BTW, including the Wookie. He's damn powerful with a sword, and has good repair abilities. Also, be good to Juhani even if you are evil; Jedi are hard to come by. Don't get me wrong; the game is pretty good, but I wish there was a bit more to the alignment thing.

Honestly, they need to design a good/evil game with actual good and evil plotlines and characters. For even more gold stars, develop a neutral line, too.

[Garford]

Like all games with good/evil choices, there is no real "evil" ending or nothing that you do has any bearing on the overall plot or other characters. It's not as laughable as Fable, but it's close enough. Otherwise, why the hell would your characters follow a dark individual such as yourself? Neutrality has its advantages, especially with abilities. As one character says "I've seen my share of the light and the dark and frankly both extremes annoy me."

All of the characters are good, BTW, including the Wookie. He's damn powerful with a sword, and has good repair abilities. Also, be good to Juhani even if you are evil; Jedi are hard to come by. Don't get me wrong; the game is pretty good, but I wish there was a bit more to the alignment thing.

Honestly, they need to design a good/evil game with actual good and evil plotlines and characters. For even more gold stars, develop a neutral line, too.

KOTOR2 sort of improve on that, but a neutral storyline is still absent. The light/dark side points system is also better weaved in with the story, compare to the original.

[Torgo]

The puppy kicking added to the enjoyment. It's fun seeing your party members trying their darndest to rationalize your cruelty.

[Tortolia]

Well, yes. That's the joy of the dark side.

[EsquE]

Well, yes. That's the joy of the dark side.

That, and both games are a hell of a lot easier taking the dark path...

[Blotus]

KotOR2 is an absolute joke once you get Force Storm. You kill rooms full of soldiers - even jedi/sith - in seconds.

The only thing KotOR2 has over the first one, in terms of overall quality and enjoyment, is the genius implimentation of the influence system. I wish Bioware had adopted that for Jade Empire (although, to be fair, your followers aren't very important anyway).

[SineSwiper]

KotOR2 is an absolute joke once you get Force Storm. You kill rooms full of soldiers - even jedi/sith - in seconds.

Who says it wasn't a joke in KotOR1? Enter room, Storm Storm Storm Storm, you win!

Also, about influence.

[Blotus]

Bah ha!

Storm is not quite as effective in the first game. Don't get me wrong, it still owns, but it does seem like they beefed it up for KotOR2 (where hardly any enemies in the game can make a will save against it, and even the strongest enemies -minus bosses- die after two or three castings).

And now that I've got your attention Sine, will you PLEASE change my joined date to Nov. '97?

[Tortolia]

I found Kill to be a much more effective skill than Storm in KOTOR 1.

Even if they resist the instant-death effect they're still out of battle for a few seconds while taking damage.

[SineSwiper]

True, but it's a dark side ability. You've got one (two, maybe) people that could use that without taking the usage penality.

[Tortolia]

Given that Star Wars morality is so bloody simplistic, I prefer the Dark Side to being a pansy Light jedi.

[SineSwiper]

I probably would have made the same choice, but I kinda found that out a little late in the game.