Seeing as you have Roland as your display picture can I surmise that you've played Borderlands? Because if yes, congrtaulations! You've played your first rpg. If not then ya... @AltonBrown said:
Fallout 3 is a good choice if you aren't a RPG fan. It has enough FPS in it that you can adjust into something like Mass Effect. After Mass Effect try Dragon Age, which is more hardcore RPG than Mass effect.
Of those two, Mass Effect by far. It's more RPG-lite than true RPG, so it could be a good introduction to the genre. There seem to be a lot of negative opinions of FFXIII, and even the good ones admit it's a slow burn. Personally, however, I'd recommend The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion over all others. It's an amazing game with a beautiful fantasy world to explore. It's a little more in-depth than Mass Effect, but it's also much more engrossing, in my opinion.
Basically: Mass Effect - RPG-lite with a good amount of dialogue, but also a good amount of action. FFXIII - Very traditional, linear, slow to get into, but does pick up towards the end (from my understanding having not played myself) . Oblivion - More traditional western RPG, not as fast-paced as ME, huge open world to explore (Fallout 3 could fall in the same vein, but I found the setting much less enjoyable).
After those, if you want to experience a real, old-school, western RPG, check out Dragon Age: Origins. It's my second favorite after Oblivion.
I completely agree with the people suggesting Chrono Trigger. You can pick it up new on the DS.
But anyway, Final Fantasy XIII and Mass Effect are two ENTIRELY DIFFERENT games. FFXIII is a "JRPG," Japanese role playing game, and Mass Effect is a western RPG. Generally speaking, JRPGs have very rigid stories that do allow the player to engage in a lot of sidequests but otherwise are restrained by the will of the story (however, the stories in JRPGs tend to be very good). You have a lot more freedom in western RPGs such as Mass Effect, but Mass Effect isn't precisely a western RPG to begin with, as it has enough action/squad-based elements to be classified as an "action RPG." Also, FFXIII and Mass Effect are actually both pretty rigid in their gameplay, even for their respective genres.
I love both games, but Final Fantasy XIII might be too much for a new player. The game has TONS of cinematics that interrupt the gameplay, which is fine if you're used to that sort of thing, but you probably are not used to that at all (unless you've played a lot of Metal Gear Solid). Mass Effect will probably give you a pace that is more digestible for a new player, so I'd suggest you go with ME.
But really, I still suggest you pick up Chrono Trigger. ;) It's the overall best Japanese RPG ever constructed for many, many reasons.
If you really feel so inclined to play FFXIII, go with an older JRPG instead. Wouldn't recommend FFXIII as your first RPG. Otherwise, people have already named some good WRPGs (Mass Effect, Fallout 3, Oblivion). Two totally different types of RPGs.
I feel that Mass Effect is a good entry level RPG. The thing is, if you're going to get the first Mass Effect I suggest you also get the sequel. Which in my opinion is far superior.
" Pretty sure that suggesting Baldur's Gate is kinda throwing him into the deep end. "
Oh yeah, it's definately at the 'Oh God Im Being Tentacle Raped by Deep Sea Monsters!" end of the pool but it's entirely engrossing, has you coming back for more each time, has a great story, awesome charecters, and come on, Miniature Giant Space Hamsters: who can say thats not worthy of breaking somones RPG virginity.
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