Playstation 1 RPG games

[in99flames]

I can't recommend the Suikoden games enough!  That is my 2nd favorite series ever(with Ys being my first).  For whatever reason, they feel to me like something I might've seen on the Turbo, had it's lifespan been longer.  the gameplay, the music, the story, love em'.

How could I forget suikoden. Those 2 games are amazing.

[Elder]

Valkyrie Profile, Alundra, and the two Suikoden games are absolute must-plays for anyone even thinking of checking out RPGs on the PS1.  They're all incredible games, although I consider Alundra more an Action RPG than a full-fledged RPG, but who cares haha.

[Gentlegamer]

This reminds me someone gave me a copy of Suikoden several years ago that I've never played. How is it? What style is it?

[wildfruit]

As previously stated alundra is really the thing.
Go for it. Music and graphics are a joy to the eyes and ears.

[Mathius]

How could I forget Parasite Eve? Great atmosphere! The 2nd game isn't nearly as good.

[Punch]

Parasite Eve 2 is more of a RE style game. And it is great.

[in99flames]

Parasite Eve 2 is more of a RE style game. And it is great.

I did really enjoy the 2nd one as well. It did get mixed reviews from the media being pretty pretty different from the 1st...i still recommend it.

[shawnji]

Parasite Eve 2 is more of a RE style game. And it is great.

I did really enjoy the 2nd one as well. It did get mixed reviews from the media being pretty pretty different from the 1st...i still recommend it.

Just don't play The 3rd Birthday.  It killed all my enthusiasm for the series.  I didn' even like the 2nd game that much, but I at least enjoyed it more than the 3rd.  The first game will always be a hallmark of my early teens.  I would never have played Xenogears or Brave Fencer Musashi had it not been for the demo disc that came with it.

By the way, Brave Fencer Musashi is a fantastic Action RPG if you haven't played it. 

Y'know... I'm just gonna' link some videos for you to look at here in a bit Bernie.  I'll modify this post when I get back to the house.

EDIT

Alundra:

Brave Fencer Musashi:

Brigandine:

Koudelka:

Ore no Shikabane wo Koete Yuke:

Parasite Eve:

Star Ocean - The Second Story:

Suikoden II:

Thousand Arms

Vagrant Story:

Valkyrie Profile

There you go.  I tried to give you a decent sampling of some of what everyone's recommended along with my own.  As everyone else has said; Valkyrie Profile, Suikoden II, and Star Ocean 2 are all great in their own right.  Funnily enough, all three of those can also be had on the PSP if you get the urge.  Suikoden I+II are in a double-pack, but it was only available in Japan.  For that matter, the same is true for Mega Man Legends 1+2, which I believe Mathius suggested earlier (also excellent games).

[in99flames]

Amen to that last post by shawnji

In parasite eve 1.....did it annoy anybody else how ridiculously SLOW aya walked? Even running was like walking pace in most games. I mean...it didnt ruin my perspective of the game... which is amazing...but i always laughed at that one aspect.

[Mathius]

Amen to that last post by shawnji

In parasite eve 1.....did it annoy anybody else how ridiculously SLOW aya walked? Even running was like walking pace in most games. I mean...it didnt ruin my perspective of the game... which is amazing...but i always laughed at that one aspect.

Yes Aya needs more Vitamin B in her her diet. The thing that annoyed me most though is if I wanted to restart the game it wouldn't let me skip any cutscenes.

[technozombie]

Wild Arms is great. I got it when it first came out. The music is great, the 2D graphics held up well the 3D battles look like ass.

Chrono Cross gets a bum rap as a sequel to Chrono Trigger but as it's own game it is fun, has some of the best graphics on the PlayStation, good soundtrack and original/good battle system.

[TR0N]

Wild Arms is great. I got it when it first came out. The music is great, the 2D graphics held up well the 3D battles look like ass.

Agreed the 3D battles haven't aged well still that memorable intro 

[ParanoiaDragon]

Wild Arms series is great, though, regrettably I've only played thru 1, 4, & Alter Code F(remake of 1).  I keep trying to play thru 2, but I lose momentum.  Started 3, 5, & XF but still gottta play thru them some day. 

Alundra is great, but if you're like me, you'll need a guide for the puzzles, & like state earlier, the jumping is tricky.  Alundra 2 on the other hand....if that game was built around being 2D, it probably would've been a cool game. 

Breath of Fire 3 was great, I still have yet to beat 4. 

I enjoyed Granstream Saga, but I think it gets low scores from most.

Someday, I swear I'm going to play through Monkey Hero, despite it's bad rap!

Both the Lunar's are, IMO awesome.  I know people usually prefer the Sega CD versions, but, the PS1/Saturn remakes are my bread n' butter.  The PSP remake of 1 isn't bad.

Parasite Eve 1 is wonderful, even though Aya is slow.  I finally played 2 last year......& will never play it again.  The 3rd Birthday however I thought was fun, but it's a sidestory....& on PSP, so, it doesn't count here!

Arc the Lad(Strategy RPG) games are cool, I beat the 1st one, & am currently working on the 2nd(which is really long, especially compared to the 1st!), haven't played 3-5 yet.

Beyond the Beyond get a bad rap.  I like it, it's not awesome, but it's fun.  IIRC, it had a pretty high encounter rate.

Blazing Dragons, point n' clicky, probably most don't consider it an RPG.  It's fun.

Threads of Fate is ok, some people swear by it.

I digged Chrono Cross.  It's no Trigger, but, it was fun.

Dragon Warrior 7.  Haven't played it yet, but I'm sure it's worth mentioning.

Final Fantasy Origins is cool, though I ended up playing the PSP versions.

Guardian's Crusade seems cool, but another I haven't beat yet.

Legend of Legaia, cool game, another one I need to get back to someday.

SaGa Frontier....is ok.  I played thru all the scenarios.  Never beat the 2nd game though.

Tales of Destiny, played thru it quite a bit...& lost my data.  Fun game, haven't played much of the 2nd (US release)one.

Vandal Hearts 1 is great, never beat the 2nd one.

And once again, Suikoden 1 & 2!

[Bernie]

Lots of good stuff!  Thanks everyone! 

[DragonmasterDan]

A lot of the ones I'd recommend have been mentioned by others but here goes anyway.

Alundra: This is a great Zelda style game.
Grandia: This is probably the best traditional JRPG on the system.
Wild Arms: 2D overhead graphics, 3D battles. Some interesting dungeon mechanics using grappling hooks and bombs. This is a great traditional JRPG.
Thousand Arms: Beautiful anime art. A mix of a dating sim and a JRPG.
Dragon Warrior 7: Great scenario and a lot of fun. You have very little control over battles and the game length is ridiculous. Not for everyone but is a high quality title if you appreciate it.

Games to avoid:
Final Fantasy 8
Xenogears
Chrono Cross
Legend of Dragoon
Legend of Legaia
Grainstream Saga
Legend of Legaia