New here, looking for RPG recommendations

[tpivette]

Just signed up to these boards after finding my old TG16 in a box in my parents house. I originally got the system when I was 11 during Christmas of 89'. My parents wanted me to have something different than all my friends, which had primarily NES's. Now, more than 20 years later, I'm surprised my old system still works (flawlessly I may add) however, most of my games are missing. So now I have to start a new collection... but that's fine.

Anyway... my favorite games are RPGs, and I don't remember the TG to have too many (especially like the Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest series). I did have Dungeon Explorer and Neutopia as a kid, but are there any other HuCard RPGs you guys can point me in the direction of? I did some research and discovered that the TG CDRom has some RPGs to offer, but I'm not ready to upgrade just yet (haven't found a Turbo Duo that's reasonably priced as of now). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[roflmao]

Welcome! There weren't many RPG HuCards for the system unfortunately. 

Final Lap Twin is a cross between a racing game and an RPG where you have random races instead of random battles and you upgrade your race car instead of upgrade weapons and armor.  It's actually a lot of fun.  And can  be tracked down pretty cheap, I think.

Another one that comes to mind is Double Dungeons, which is a first person dungeon crawl.  Your character levels up as you explore maze-like dungeons and fight monsters.  You can upgrade your equipment when you find item shops and there's a boss at the end of each maze.  It get's pretty monotonous and tedious (I've never beaten the game) but it's a blast in short spurts.  Your character resets to level one each time you start a new map. It should also be a pretty cheap pickup.

Neutopia II is very similar to Neutopia I, so if you liked it, you should like the sequel.  It's a little hard to come by as it was released later in the system's life.  And it's a little more costly.

Those are the ones that immediately jump into my head...

[nat]

Order of the Griffon is a D&D RPG, cartridge based. I haven't really played it yet, so I can't comment on how good it is, but I've heard good things.

There are a crapload of JP-region cartridge RPGs, but it sounds like you only have the means to play US titles.

[roflmao]

D'oh!  How could I have forgotten OotG!  It's fun, but the manual is almost necessary.  Also, it's kind of an acquired taste.  You may want to check it out on youtube before hunting this one down.

[Sadler]

This probably depends on what you consider an RPG. Cadash, the Neutopia's, and Dungeon Explorer are all pretty good games, but honestly you need to look into CD games for the best the console has to offer. On the US side Dragon Slayer, Ys Book I & II, Ys III, Exile I and II, Dungeon Exploerer II.

If you look at Japanese games (including translations), there's a lot of awesome stuff out there! I'd recommend starting with Legend of Xanadu II.

[esteban]

Welcome, comrade.

Once you exhaust all the good TG-16 RPG's / ARPG's, don't forget about Double Dungeons. It supports two player co-op and actually is pretty kool (IMHO).

[tpivette]

Thanks for the welcome and suggestions guys!

I had Cadash back in the early 90s, sadly enough I couldn't find that one at my parents. Only the case remained... don't know what happened to the game, sleeve, and manual. Looking to get that one again (even tho it was more action based).

All the things I've heard on youtube about Double Dungeons were negative, saying the game was really monotonous. Its strange to hear people on this forum recommending it. Maybe I'll give it a chance when I've played the rest of the RPGs.

I really wanted a CDRom attachment (and or Turbo Duo) when I was a kid, I just didn't have that kind of income when I was 12/13 years old! While I do have the means to get one today, the cheapest I've found a Duo for was $450 (complete with box, cables, but no games). It did have its capacitors replaced and a new laser installed/adjusted... but that's kinda pricey I think. I'm sure I can find a better deal if I wait a bit. So for now, I'm just gonna stick with the HuCard options, even tho they're scarce

[DragonmasterDan]

Anyway... my favorite games are RPGs, and I don't remember the TG to have too many (especially like the Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest series).

Unfortunately, the only two US releases that are J-RPGs in the same style as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are CD based games. If you ever get around to getting a Duo or a Super CD, there's Dragon Slayer, a game made by Falcom that is heavily influenced by Dragon Quest. And Cosmic Fantasy 2 a CD-ROM2 game that is more influenced by the Phantasy Star series.

Beyond those there are J-RPG hybrid games like Ys on the platform. But nothing in the style of DQ and FF released in the US market.

[tpivette]

Thanks for the additional suggestions! I did play Phantasy Star 2/3/4 on the Genesis, so Cosmic Fantasy 2 sounds like it'd be something I'd be into. Just have to find a way to play those CD/Super CD games without spending $450+ on a Duo.

A little off topic... am I correct in thinking a PC Engine Duo will play both US and Japanese CDs/Super CDs? I know it won't play the US HuCards (but I can use my original TG16 for that), but if the above is true, I can pick up a Japanese Duo for half the price of the american version. Doing so will not only save me a bunch of money, but then I can play the full lineup of US and import games, correct?

[roflmao]

A little off topic... am I correct in thinking a PC Engine Duo will play both US and Japanese CDs/Super CDs? I know it won't play the US HuCards (but I can use my original TG16 for that), but if the above is true, I can pick up a Japanese Duo for half the price of the american version. Doing so will not only save me a bunch of money, but then I can play the full lineup of US and import games, correct?

Yep. the CD games are region free.  Folks here from time to time sell PC Engine Duos for even less than you can find them at ebay.  From what I hear, the Duo-R and Duo-RX have better craftsmanship on their internals so you may want to keep an eye out for them.  They retain the same shape of a duo, but are an off-white color as opposed to black.  The RX also should come with a six-button controller, which is nice when you inevitably start collecting PC Engine HuCards and get Street Fighter II'.

[vestcoat]

Welcome Tpivette.

Order of the Griffon rocks.  I shared some thoughts here: 
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=2337.msg25608#msg25608

Bernie recently scanned the manual here:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=11317.0

Somebody is selling a loose copy here:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=11327.0

All the things I've heard on youtube about Double Dungeons were negative, saying the game was really monotonous. Its strange to hear people on this forum recommending it. Maybe I'll give it a chance when I've played the rest of the RPGs.

Most youtube reviewers are worthless.  Check out thebrothersduomazov.com, videogameden.com, and http://turbo.mindrec.com/reviews.html

Double Doungeons is great.  The scaling is smooth, the music rocks, and it's two player.  Yes, it's monotonous, but so is Tetris.  The gameplay is addictive.

[Black Tiger]

Thanks for the additional suggestions! I did play Phantasy Star 2/3/4 on the Genesis, so Cosmic Fantasy 2 sounds like it'd be something I'd be into. Just have to find a way to play those CD/Super CD games without spending $450+ on a Duo.

A little off topic... am I correct in thinking a PC Engine Duo will play both US and Japanese CDs/Super CDs? I know it won't play the US HuCards (but I can use my original TG16 for that), but if the above is true, I can pick up a Japanese Duo for half the price of the american version. Doing so will not only save me a bunch of money, but then I can play the full lineup of US and import games, correct?

There are several Duo R/RX systems on eBay right now for <$250 shipped. They will play every English language CD game plus 99% of all Japanese CD games. Only one Japanese RPG cannot be played on a Duo system without an additional system card. The Duo R/RX systems also have less hardware issues than the Turbo Duo, regular PCE Duo or the regular CD-ROM add-ons.

Many Japanese CD RPGs can be played by most people with (and often without) a Japanese walkthrough. Several great games have detailed English walkthroughs. Depending on personal taste, there are many PCE RPGs which are as good as or better than the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games.

[SMF]

If you do pick up Final Lap Twin and enjoy it I do recommend World Court Tennis. Same thing as Final Lap Twin but with Tennis battles. Both games are lots of fun.

[DragonmasterDan]

There are several Duo R/RX systems on eBay right now for <$250 shipped. They will play every English language CD game plus 99% of all Japanese CD games. Only one Japanese RPG cannot be played on a Duo system without an additional system card. The Duo R/RX systems also have less hardware issues than the Turbo Duo, regular PCE Duo or the regular CD-ROM add-ons.

Many Japanese CD RPGs can be played by most people with (and often without) a Japanese walkthrough. Several great games have detailed English walkthroughs. Depending on personal taste, there are many PCE RPGs which are as good as or better than the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games.

Even less than 250.00 http://www.gameofjapan.com/product_info.php?products_id=9204&country=223

[roflmao]

If you do pick up Final Lap Twin and enjoy it I do recommend World Court Tennis. Same thing as Final Lap Twin but with Tennis battles. Both games are lots of fun.

I did not know that.  Now I really want to track down World Court Tennis.  I've got Davis Cup Tennis, and am not terribly impressed (the sfx are pretty impressive).  How do the characters handle in World Cup Tennis?  Does it play well?  In Davis Cup I have a hard time judging where the ball is going to be and timing my shots (I was spoiled by the tennis games on the Dreamcast).