I know many of you folks love reading through top lists of any information and I just happened to stumble onto one from omgrpg.com who have attained their ratings from Metacritic.com. Not sure about most of you but RPGs, MMORPGs, and RTS tends to be some of my favorite genres. The list did indeed name some of my most favorites but is rather disappointing that I’ve yet to try them all.

(Side-note: I think a reason it is hard to appreciate the many RPGs that have come out recently, is that many of them are only made for one of five main consoles [Xbox 360, PS3, PC, PSP and DS], with a couple on PS2. I know from experience that the common person tends to only have one next-gen console. Therefore, they are missing out on the opportunity to even try certain RPGs. )

Well, without further a do your top 10 RPGs.

10. 86% – Valkyria Chronicles (Playstation 3):

Valkyria Chronicles is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe, divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, which is situated in the middle of the two great empires. The game follows a hero named Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation’s 7th Platoon that are fighting against the Empire, who are intent on unifying the continent under its power. The Federation discovers that the Empire possesses a secret weapon, known as the “Valkyria” – an ancient race with special powers thought to exist only in legends. With this new discovery, the fate of the Federation’s ability to win the war and a hope for a better future hangs in the balance. [Sega]

Valkyria Chronicles is easily the best RPG on the PS3. (Not that it has much completion.) This RPG has taken the aspects of our favorite RPGs, and somehow made them fresh and new again. It is a very enjoyable game from start to finish; with creative and lovable characters, great strategies and a fantastic story line. Every PS3 owner should have this game.
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9. 86% – The Witcher: Enhanced Edition (PC):

Assume the role of The Witcher, Geralt, a legendary monster slayer caught in a web of intrigue as he battles forces vying for control of the world. Make difficult decisions and live with the consequences in a game that will immerse you in an extraordinary tale like no other. The Witcher shatters the line between good and evil in a world where moral ambiguity reigns. The Witcher emphasizes story and character development in a vibrant world while incorporating tactically-deep real-time combat like no game before it. [Atari]

There were a few complaints about Witcher when it was first released. There were many bugs and technical issues (as with most PC games); the Enhanced Edition set to improve upon a few of the complaints brought up about the original; and it did a marvelous job. This is definitely a game all PC gamers should have in their library.
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8. 89% – Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES (Playstation 2):

Lead a group of high school students with a dangerous extracurricular activity: exploring the mysterious tower Tartarus and fighting the sinister Shadows during the Dark Hour, a frozen span of time imperceptible to all but a select few. However, the end of their quest is no longer the end of the story–witness for the first time the aftermath of the final battle and the students’ struggle to find meaning in their new lives. Persona 3 FES contains an enhanced version of the original game, loaded with new Personas and cut scenes, a weapon synthesis system, additional quests and events, a hard difficulty mode, and the ability to change your characters’ clothes. 30 additional hours of game play – Take the role of Aigis in a brand new Persona 3 episode that plays as a full game with an original story, extra cut scenes and objectives, and seventeen new music tracks. [Atlus USA]

Anyone who is a fan of the Shin Megami Tensei series will attest to the fact that Persona 3 is by far one of the best RPGs out there. I even put it up there with the Final Fantasy series. The characters are lovable and the story line is creative and entertaining as only a JRPG can be.
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7. 89% – Mass Effect (PC):

As the first human on the galactic stage, you must uncover the greatest threat to civilization. Your job is complicated by the very fact of your humanity, as no one trusts you and you need to find a way to convince everyone of the grave threat. You will travel across an expansive universe to piece the mystery together. As you discover and explore the uncharted edges of the galaxy, you come closer to an overwhelming truth – learning that the placid and serene universe you know is about to come to a violent end and that you may be the only person who can stop it! In addition to the main story arc of the game, players are be able to visit a large number of uncharted, unexplored planets which are side quests independent from the main story. At any time during the campaign, a player can choose to explore one of these planets and have an opportunity to discover new alien life, resources, ruined civilizations and powerful technologies. Talents and abilities are upgradeable and advanced talent options become available at higher levels. Weapons and vehicles are customizable to include various effects, abilities and upgrades using the “X-Mod” system. Each character class have unique talents and abilities which increase in power as the player progresses through the game. Optimized controls have been designed specifically for the PC. Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like. Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to “hot keys” allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action. New decryption mini-game. New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor. [Microsoft]

Mass Effect is a game you either love or hate. I have heard mixed reviews on this game since it was first released. The Sci-Fi theme is not for everyone; but if you are a fan of a modern/edgy Sci-Fi RPG, then Mass Effect is the game for you. It boasts beautiful graphics, good story line and awesome sound track. The game has the ability to suck the player in, and make them feel like they are really a part of this intense Sci-Fi world.
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6. 89% – The World Ends With You (Nintendo DS):

The story begins as our hero, Neku, wakes up amidst the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, Tokyo. Confused and disoriented, he receives a message on his phone warning him that he will cease to exist unless he completes a certain mission. With his life seemingly on the line, Neku plunges into the back streets of the urban labyrinth… Experience the urban grit and neon of the coolest district in Tokyo with a distinctive, high quality style of in-game artwork. Meet an achingly hip cast of characters each with an interesting personality and stylish sense in fashion, music and culture. Highly innovative and intuitive combat system that makes full use of the Nintendo DS Touch Screen, Dual Screens and Microphone. Use psychic powers to read the thoughts of the population, put words into people’s minds, and move objects to help you progress in your adventure. Immerse yourself in an amazing audio soundtrack featuring a diverse fusion of bleeding-edge hip-hop, rock, and techno. A tale of friendship, hope and overcoming your challenges, creatively told with a modern edge. Shop till you drop: Keep abreast of the latest Trends to stay one step ahead of the fashion scene and your enemies. Trade items with friends using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection too. Action-packed minigame fun that can be enjoyed by up to four players via DS Wireless Play. Engage the Chance Encounter mode via DS Wireless Play to share data with fellow game users you bump into in the real world. [Square Enix]

I would not even have to play this game to know how awesome it is based on GameStop sales alone. This is one of those games that will go down in history as the most asked for and pursued games of 2008; but it sells for a reason. It is a fantastic game! How can I even begin to explain it? There are so many adorable elements to the game as a whole. There are fun side projects and missions, great characters and a compelling story line. It is one of those RPGs that cannot be put down until it is finished.
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5. 89% – Fable II (Xbox 360):

Set 500 years after the original, Fable II provides gamers with an epic story and innovative real-time gameplay, including a massive amount of freedom and choice to explore a vast collection of dungeons, catacombs and caves in the world of Albion. Fable II expands upon the scope and depth of the Xbox classic by adding incredible new features and creating a wider, more complex kingdom of limitless choices and consequences. Players have the option to play as a man or woman, get married, have children, and live a life of their own design. Revisit the sprawling world of Albion more than 500 years after the events of the original Fable, where you are free to explore the landscape and openly roam the countryside. For the right price every house, hut, dungeon and castle is for sale. Players can witness how the world grows and changes in response to their decisions in incredible and unique ways as they rediscover Albion as if for the first time. Fable II pioneers a new combat system designed to allow players to truly master hand weapons such as swords and maces, ranged combat weapons such as cross-bows and guns, and an entirely new magic system. These three disciplines, while very accessible, are also amazingly deep, and allow players to mix combat styles and become everything from master swordsman to skilled ranger to evil magic welder, utilizing a single button on the Xbox 360 controller. [Lionhead]

Fable II is good because Fable is good. I enjoyed the sequel as much as the original; but I also was a bit frustrated with some of the game glitches. Once I got past that, I enjoyed the story line, and the creative additions Lionhead Studios added to this sequel. They really listened to their fan base, and made Fable II with the fans in mind. They made a few changes here and there; but it heavily resembles the first. The winning factor of Fable II is the many new options available for the character’s interactions with the world. The choices are much more open and there seems to be an endless array of available ways for your character to find romance, make money, create a family and to inevitably become the Hero.Compare Prices

4. 91% – World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (PC):

Players last visited Northrend in “Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne,” when Arthas Menethil fused with the spirit of Ner-zhul to become the Lich King, one of the most powerful beings in the Warcraft universe. He now broods atop the Frozen Throne deep in Icecrown Citadel, clutching the rune blade Frostmourne and marshaling the undead armies of the Scourge. In Wrath of the Lich King, the forces of the Alliance and the Horde venture into battle against the Scourge amid Northrend’s howling winds and fields of jagged ice. Wrath of the Lich King adds a rich variety of content to an already massive game. New features in the game’s second expansion include: Death Knight Hero Class: Create a high-level Death Knight character — the game’s first hero class — once certain challenges have been met. Increased Level Cap: Advance to level 80 and gain potent new talents and abilities along the way. Northrend: Explore the harsh new continent of Northrend, packed with new zones, quests, dungeons, monsters, and items — and do battle with the undead armies of the Lich King. “Inscription” Profession: Learn this exciting new profession and gain unique ways to permanently enhance spells and abilities in the game. Siege Weapons and Destructible Buildings: Take the battle to another level with new player-vs.-player game mechanics and new battlefields to wage war on. New Character Customization: Change how characters look and express themselves, with different hairstyles and dance animations. [Blizzard Entertainment]

I will do my best to be brief with this one. Anyone who knows me knows I am a WoW-oholic. Taken out of context, I agree, Wrath of the Lich King is an awesome game. There have been complaints at the inaccessibility of the expansion to newbies … but, for this blurb, let’s focus on the game as a single, not as part of the whole World of Warcraft. The graphics are wonderful in a Blizzard way. We all know when it comes down to it, Blizzard’s graphics are terrible; but they do that to keep the game playable to those who do not have the best PCs. (Thank you Blizzard!) They have done amazing things with their limited graphic capacity, and Northrend (the new continent) is breathtaking. The lore is intriguing, and, for me, the Lich King lore is some of my favorite. The new class they added – Death Knight – is a very great addition to the class roster. The quests are creative and some of the best I have seen out of the Warcraft series.

Now, looking at it as part of a series, Wrath of the Lich King is my favorite World of Warcraft addition. They improved on graphics, content of quests and ease of completing quests, added new amazing spells, wonderful zones and great (shorter!!) instances. Blizzard really came through with Wrath.
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3. 93% – Chrono Trigger (Nintendo DS):

[Metacritic’s 2008 DS Game of the Year] When a newly developed teleportation device malfunctions at the Millennial Fair, young Crono must travel through time to rescue his unfortunate companion from an intricate web of past and present perils. The swashbuckling adventure that ensues soon unveils an evil force set to destroy the world, triggering Crono’s race against time to change the course of history and bring about a brighter future. Features an engaging and unparalleled storyline, leading to the discovery of multiple epic conclusions to a journey that transcends time. An inspiring musical score created by Yasunori Mitsuda. Intriguing battle system made possible by the unique combination of the Active Time Battle system and Tech skills. Famed character designer Akira Toriyama lends his signature art style to create the vibrant world that has captivated gamers around the world. Taking advantage of the Nintendo DS hardware, CHRONO TRIGGER makes its way onto the portable platform with all-new dual screen presentation and Touch-Screen functionality. A brand new dungeon and a Wireless Play mode adds exciting new dimensions to this timeless classic. [Square Enix]

Chrono Trigger was one of my favorite games growing up. I spent hours playing it on my Super Nintendo. When it came out on the DS, I bought it immediately. The original Chrono Trigger is one of the best RPGs of all time; and the DS version only improves on it. I feel funny putting a re-release on this list; but it is Chrono Trigger!!! Thanks to Nintendo and the DS we can now play this amazing game anywhere and everywhere. (Except maybe underwater … kids, don’t try that at home.)
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2. 93% – Fallout 3 (Xbox 360):

Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America’s First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation. Vault 101 – Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you’ve ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth. [Bethesda Softworks]

I could have easily rated this as number one; but maybe I am just a bit sick of all the awesome reviews and non-stop attention it is getting. Fallout 3 is amazing. The story is thrilling, gritty and all too close to home. The Washington DC setting makes it even easier to become completely immersed in the story. Though the voice actors and character design are still the cardboard cut outs we saw back in Oblivion. The combat is innovated, with the addition of VATS: Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, and some awesome weapons; like my favorites the Sledgehammer and the ever popular Teddy Bear Rocket Launcher. I have said it once, and I will say it again, every PC gamer should have this game in their library.
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1. 94% – Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (Playstation 2):

Shortly after an urban youth begins a year-long stay in the countryside town of Inaba, the rural town’s peace is shattered by a horrific murder that leaves no clues or suspects. As the lone incident develops into a series of bizarre crimes, he discovers that only he and his friends have the power to solve the baffling case, bring those responsible to justice, and restore harmony to his new home. Balance your double life – Beyond intense battles, Persona fusion, and new weapon creation exists a normal high school life of friends, classes, and part-time jobs. The way you manage and integrate your activities within each day will determine how you progress through the game. Unprecedented team control – With a greater emphasis on developing bonds in the fight to solve the mysterious murders, strong friendships are key to your success. Directly control teammates in battle, earn greater party support for combat, and master individual Social Links to unlock your party’s true potential. Find the true ending – 60+ hours of gameplay thrusts you into a deep mystery where midnight television leads to serial killings. You must investigate murders, rescue those who can be rescued, and unmask the culprit behind it all – or risk being forever shrouded in the fog of doubt. [Atlus USA]

If you are a JRPG fan, then this is the cream of the crop! It has every single aspect and more that make JRPGs great. It is colorful and highly entertaining. It is, with most JRPGs, a turn-based game with many more aspects and options to juggle as you delve through the main story line. I cannot say it enough, if you are a JRPG fan, then this is the game for you! Persona 4 is easily one of the best JRPGs since your favorite Final Fantasy game.
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I highly recommend every game on this list. Any RPG lover would not be disappointed!! So go forth and play away fair gamers!

Before you pick up a controller, and get lost in some of these amazing games, tell me: What games are you looking forward to or hoping for in 2009??

I know I want a true sequel to the Kingdom Hearts series and, as always, a new Final Fantasy and of course Diablo 3!