So I want to buy a JRPG and...

[S1lentOp]

I don't know which one to get. These are the 3 purchase choices it has come down to:

1. Persona 3 & 4
2. Tales of Vesperia
3. Eternal Sonata

Since I'm sure a lot (if not most) of you have played at least 2 of these games, I'm wondering which you'd recommend getting first. Cast a vote for your choice and let me know why you chose it so that when I ultimately do decide, I have something to go on. The console doesn't matter and neither does the price. What I'm concerned about is the game itself, so I don't want any "Well, Persona is on the PS2 so the technology is old" or "XBOX 360 sucks lol" kind of reasons for why you chose one over the others. I'm mainly concerned with gameplay and story, since I've already seen demonstrations of the visuals and sound quality.

[.xTokiox.]

I recommend P3 and P4. Great action with a side of strategy. Purely enjoyable. =)

[Gemcrim]

Persona 3 and 4. Decent gameplay, great stories for both, P4 I feel has superior gameplay to three and is a bit more balanced (less being killed in one hit, and capable of actually controlling all party members).

Eternal Sonata I've yet to play so I can't tell you anything.

Tales of Vesperia while I like this game quite a bit the story is filled with cliches but in all I say it's good enough, as for gameplay if you've played previous tales games from symphonia on then that's what you get (if you liked that then it's fine, however some people whine and **** about it for some reason that I can't see).

[Vahn Staffear]

I'd prolly have to recommend Persona 3 & 4. They both have a great story, good voice acting, great characters and a fun & easy battle system. Though Eternal Sonata is fun too it tells the life of pianist Frederic Chopin in a fantasy like world. The battle system centers on musical elements (every character fights w/ some time of musical instrument) and special attacks. The visuals are pretty and the voice acting is good. It's mostly just your standard RPG with it's ups and downs here but it's still a fun rpg.

[Rental Daughter]

Considering I've only played P3 and P4 out of that list... I'm voting for those. The stories are very nice and the gameplay is good! I don't think the graphics are that bad but that's because I've never touched a next gen console before...

[Maromi]

Don't listen to anyone who tells you Persona 3 has a great story. The story, if you can call it that, could be presented in a made-up language and would produce the same effect. It's like really, really cheesy fan-fiction written by a 14-year-old with an obsession with Japan, death, and My Chemical Romance. The story is there as an excuse for the gameplay. It's silly, stupid, and not interesting. The characters, however, both in the social links and in your party, are mostly great. I don't know what the story in P4 is like. If you want an SMT game with an amazing story, go with Digital Devil Saga.

With that said, I enjoy Persona 3. I do think the Persona games are overrated, if still fun. Prepare for quite a bit of repetition, dull environments, grinding, and a general lack of things to do. You have one dungeon and very, very few pieces of music. Four improves upon the repetition thing a bit with varied dungeon designs, but, in general, actions become redundant. The gameplay can become addictive. The "meh" visuals are forgiven with really awesome character and Persona designs and an, overall, chic, stylish, and unique game design with awesome color combinations. In P3, you can only control your main character, while in P4, you have full control over all four party members; it's a welcome change.

Social links are wear the games shine. It adds an entirely new gameplay dynamic to a tired, old system. You build relationships with people to build your Personae levels, which both prevents large amounts of grinding and is just, well, different. The social link system is where Personas 3 & 4 achieve originality.

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Tales of Vesperia is...a Tales game. If you've played one, you've played them all. The story is typical Tales fare and is nothing to write home about. It's actually pretty stupid, but the characters--besides Estelle--are the game's saving grace. Yuri is one of THE best JRPG protagonists ever and, although I could be reading too far into the game, almost acts as the voice of the gamer playing the Tales game. He constantly pokes fun at and is baffled by plot occurrences and doesn't give two shits about justice, like every other JRPG protagonist. Flynn, the yin to his yang, you could say, is the archetype JRPG hero. I think it's intentional that you play sort of the anti-hero. The game tries to deconstruct the notion of hero in a JRPG. However, toward the end, he isn't as cool. Damn you, apologetic character development!

Visuals are absolutely amazing, especially seeing how Tales is usually a visually stagnant series. Battle system is the most refined in the entire series, I feel, though some disagree with me and say Symphonia, and it's a damn blast to play that almost never gets old. There are a ****-ton of weapons, most of which are upgradable, sidequests, and skills. The gameplay, as in most Tales games, is spot on--the best action RPG gameplay there is. It's one of the very few RPGs I play just to fight ****, and that's saying something. Don't play the game for the story; play the game for gameplay. There is a huge variety of towns, fields, and dungeons, all with unique designs that keep the game fresh. The great thing about the battle system is that you can practice and become incredibly skilled at it, launching 100+ hit combos, or just play for fun, doing the more standard stuff. The game won't punish you for not being a master of the system; it's easy, accessible, yet offers a lot to the more hardcore gamer.

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Eternal Sonata is your typical cliché-ridden JRPG with an interesting story concept that fails in execution. It has an interesting battle system that becomes less interesting and more repetitive as you play on. The cutscenes are long, frequent, and boring, and the characters are meh. The visuals are beautiful.

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I say go with either Tales of Vesperia or Persona 3 or 4. If you're going Persona, just go with 4, though I don't like all the changes (e.g. getting rid of the three physical attributes waters down a previously great physical attack system). The games aren't without their flaws, and you may find them boring at times. P3 drags until August. Dunno about the story in 4, since I've mostly been watching my boyfriend play, but 3's is hilariously stupid. Both games are time-consuming and will offer you 60+ hours of gameplay, depending upon how you play them.

I'm kind of torn here. Persona and ToV both are games I play for gameplay and characters, but not for stories. However, the gameplay between the two is totally different. Persona is traditional as traditional comes, while ToV is modern, fast-paced, and smooth. I personally think you might enjoy Tales of Vesperia more, but I'm just making a guess. I hear Persona 4 does improves upon 3 in several ways, and I've seen some in action, and it does. However, it still doesn't completely escape repetition. You'd think that when a game has you playing over nearly a calendar year, it'd give you more than six recreational locations to visit.

At the end of the day--and I'm surprising myself here--I think I'm going to recommend ToV.

[AuraTwilight]

Don't listen to anyone who tells you Persona 3 has a great story. The story, if you can call it that, could be presented in a made-up language and would produce the same effect. It's like really, really cheesy fan-fiction written by a 14-year-old with an obsession with Japan, death, and My Chemical Romance. The story is there as an excuse for the gameplay. It's silly, stupid, and not interesting. The characters, however, both in the social links and in your party, are mostly great. I don't know what the story in P4 is like. If you want an SMT game with an amazing story, go with Digital Devil Saga.

I'd have to greatly, greatly disagree. Maybe if you didn't play the Answer, I could atleast understand your viewpoint, but otherwise this is just greatly exaggerated.

And Digital Devil Saga? You imply Persona 3 is emo and then praise Digital Devil Saga? That game's story, while great, can be summed up as "Ghetto gang fights, but with DEMONS!"

With that said, I enjoy Persona 3. I do think the Persona games are overrated, if still fun. Prepare for quite a bit of repetition, dull environments, grinding, and a general lack of things to do. You have one dungeon and very, very few pieces of music. Four improves upon the repetition thing a bit with varied dungeon designs, but, in general, actions become redundant. The gameplay can become addictive. The "meh" visuals are forgiven with really awesome character and Persona designs and an, overall, chic, stylish, and unique game design with awesome color combinations. In P3, you can only control your main character, while in P4, you have full control over all four party members; it's a welcome change.

This here I can agree with, though it's worth pointing out that Persona 3's dungeon is randomly generated, and constantly growing. Saying there's very few pieces of music is outright wrong, though.

Social links are wear the games shine. It adds an entirely new gameplay dynamic to a tired, old system. You build relationships with people to build your Personae levels, which both prevents large amounts of grinding and is just, well, different. The social link system is where Personas 3 & 4 achieve originality.

YES.

[Maromi]

I'd have to greatly, greatly disagree. Maybe if you didn't play the Answer, I could atleast understand your viewpoint, but otherwise this is just greatly exaggerated.

And Digital Devil Saga? You imply Persona 3 is emo and then praise Digital Devil Saga? That game's story, while great, can be summed up as "Ghetto gang fights, but with DEMONS!"

DDS integrates the concept of enlightenment and Hindu philosophy into a sci-fi video game the best I've ever seen--not that there's much to compare it with. I have not played the Answer, though an expansion pack isn't an excuse for an already bad story. Persona 3's story is not good. I never said it was emo. Just stupid.

This here I can agree with, though it's worth pointing out that Persona 3's dungeon is randomly generated, and constantly growing. Saying there's very few pieces of music is outright wrong, though.

How is that wrong? In Tartarus, you have five pieces of music. Five. With variants of the same song. That's a lot of 200+ floors of the same single dungeon. The same city, school, etc. music loops over and over and over. I should have clarified my statement that there are very few pieces of music in areas that you frequent. The soundtrack, itself, is great. The music just isn't varied enough and becomes grating. Then again, Tales of Vesperia's music is terrible.

Also, randomly generated dungeons suck.

[kite114]

Also, randomly generated dungeons suck.

WHERE IS YOUR WALKTHROUGH NAO.

[AuraTwilight]

DDS integrates the concept of enlightenment and Hindu philosophy into a sci-fi video game the best I've ever seen--not that there's much to compare it with.

So it uses pretentious religious themes and plot devices in a Sci-Fi game. Xenosaga did that too, big deal.

I have not played the Answer, though an expansion pack isn't an excuse for an already bad story. Persona 3's story is not good. I never said it was emo. Just stupid.

The Answer is kind've necessary, since it's the part that really brings the story together; otherwise it's a Question with no Answer. Furthermore, you said you liked the characters, and the Answer focuses around the final legs of their development, so you should play it. Especially Aegis.

How is that wrong? In Tartarus, you have five pieces of music. Five. With variants of the same song. That's a lot of 200+ floors of the same single dungeon. The same city, school, etc. music loops over and over and over. I should have clarified my statement that there are very few pieces of music in areas that you frequent. The soundtrack, itself, is great. The music just isn't varied enough and becomes grating. Then again, Tales of Vesperia's music is terrible.

They tripled the music in FES, and that's the only copy I have. They also added a feature that let you control the music selection in the game.

Also, randomly generated dungeons suck.

Yea, if you rely on walkthroughs. I love random dungeons.

[Maromi]

So it uses pretentious religious themes and plot devices in a Sci-Fi game. Xenosaga did that too, big deal.

Meh, I think it did a much better job than Xenosaga. It was almost like reading Siddhartha, but in game form; it never comes off as pretentious.

Regarding the Answer: it may be necessary, but that doesn't change the fact that before FES, the story existed as it did, on its own. When a team has to add an expansion to complete a story, that says something about the game.

[AuraTwilight]

Meh, I think it did a much better job than Xenosaga. It was almost like reading Siddhartha, but in game form; it never comes off as pretentious.

It did to me, and I was raised in a Buddhist family. Then again, Megami Tensei, in general, is pretty pretentious. Nocturne, anyone?

Regarding the Answer: it may be necessary, but that doesn't change the fact that before FES, the story existed as it did, on its own. When a team has to add an expansion to complete a story, that says something about the game.

Fair enough, though the first, original version was released due to time constraints and executive meddling. I wouldn't give them too much blame since FES was their intended production from the get-go.

[Maromi]

It did to me, and I was raised in a Buddhist family.

Well, I was raised in a Catholic family, but I don't think that gives me any sort of superior knowledge to those who weren't.

Disagreements aside, I still recommend Vesperia over Persona 3, though I do suggest that you play both and P4 eventually.

[Kyero Fox]

Wait until this game comes out, well until then you can play one of the above

heres the trailer for, White Knight Chronicles , looks so epic

[AuraTwilight]

Link Fail.

Also your choice in video games sucks.

[Kyero Fox]

Link Fail.

Also your choice in video games sucks.

as does you'res, Sorry but not everyone has to love what you love. so would you please do the world a favor and shut the **** up and stop being such an ass, Go play your games and I'll play mine. I'm just suggesting a ***** video game. I'm not forcing it on him.

anyways, heres another link, Hopefuly it will work, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OubNHZ7Nmdg

[AuraTwilight]

I'm just saying what SilentOp already thinks, since he knows what kinds of games you like and loathes them, so your suggestions are a waste. <3

[Maromi]

I don't think Persona 3 is overrated. I think it's popular for a very good reason. I'd say go with playing this one but keep in mind it's not a traditional JRPG. It's actually original. If you want something more traditional, go with one of the other ones.

By overrated, I don't mean popular. I'm mostly speaking of the very high review scores. I, personally, think Valkyria Chronicles is a much more original, genre-galvanizing experience than either of the Personas, but it averages a bit lower of a score than P4. I just have too many problems with Persona 3, especially, to call it a 9/10 game; it's closer to a 7.5-8/10 for me. Don't get me wrong, here; I also think P3 and P4 deserve their popularity. However, I think they both have some flaws that hinder any unabashed love I could feel for the games. I maintain my stance that Persona 3's story is silly and paced rather poorly, and the repetition is tough to muster, at times.

However, this stuff is all pretty subjective, so the best way to get an idea is to play it yourself. Honestly, Silent, the most original and incredible JRPG experience (well, more of a JSRPG, but either way) in the last five to ten years is Valkyria Chronicles. I'd personally recommend that 1,000% over any of the games you listed; it revitalizes an all but dead, stagnant genre and deserves much, much more recognized than it's received.

Also, I'm actually quite looking forward to White Knight Chronicles. Level-5 is one of my favorite developers.

[Kyero Fox]

I'm just saying what SilentOp already thinks, since he knows what kinds of games you like and loathes them, so your suggestions are a waste. <3

ok, so hmmm, How about, The **** game isn't even out yet, and neither of you know jack **** of 10% of the games i like, high bets that I played just about every game you have played.

and how do you even know what he thinks? I'd list games that I like but its too damn long and to many to remember most.

[AuraTwilight]

and how do you even know what he thinks?

We're BFFs.