The Quest: From an Unreal Present to an Infinite Past.

Hi everyone! I'm new to Giant Bomb.
 
I'm starting up a blog about a personal project of mine; going through RPG history.
I'm going to systematically go through the greatest RPGs of the last decade or so, and review and comment on them.
If you're curious, check it out please! all comments are appreciated. Except for unnecessarily vulgar or mean comments. Unless they're humorous.
 
Anyway, my question for you guys is...
 
What was the most influential RPG of all time for you?
What was your favorite?
What games do you think defined the genre for you?
 
I'm currently working on my list of games to review and play through. I'll get my laptop by Tuesday-ish, and should have my first review of DA:O within about a week after that.
 
Thanks! :]

Are you limited to just PC games? If not, Chrono Cross is my answer for all three questions. Also a big fan of Phantasy Star Online in almost all its incarnations.
 
If you are limited to PC, I have enjoyed the Dungeon Siege games as well as Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights. Good luck finishing Dragon Age in a week.

Influential, I'd have to put Chrono Trigger at the top of that list.
 
Also skip Icewind Dale and go for Planescape: Torment.   
 
Favourite would be Fallout 1 or 2. Absolutely fantastic games through and through.

Yes I will be restricting this to PC only for now.
 
I have Baldur's gate down as well as NWN.
Dungeon siege looks unique enough. I will consider it.
 
On second thought I don't think I will be able to finish DA:O in a week. My goal will be 2 weeks then. I'll update the blog regularly until I beat it though.
 
I wanted to skip icewind dale...but Dave Snide (a favorite of mine) called it one of his favorite CRPGs. Him being a reason why I've decided to do this, I decided to add it. PS:T is undeniably an awesome game. I will definitely play it if I still have the willpower for another interplay game. Towards the end.

" @Angerpowered: BALDUR'S GATE 2, SON.  It opened my 14 year old eyes to what games could be; storytelling devices that create great universes that completely suck you in. Most of its strengths define what a solid game should be, at least in my opinion. Planescape: Torment's up there too, but it's always stood out for being a bit of an oddity. The newer Bethesda games are definitely worth a mention because they brought a great sense of freedom (to newer gamers) that was missing from RPGs for years. Welcome to Giantbomb btw, duder! "

If you're going through RPG history then you should take a look at what was available before this and the last decade. Especially all the Ultima games who paved the way for much of what we have today regarding WRPGs, even if many refuse to realize it.

I'm impressed, someone makes a first post that isn't complete lock-worthy trash! 
Uh anyways, I'd have to say chrono trigger is on there,. My favorite/game that defined the genre is probably the elder scrolls series. 

I gotta be honest and say the most influential RPG would be a Final Fantasy game, likely 7 as it really brought the RPG genre into the mainstream. 
As for my Favourite RPG even though its a psuedo-shooter im going with Mass Effect 2. 
As for the game that defined the genre, that would be either the original Diablo or Kingdom Hearts. Probably Kingdom Hearts as it was the first console RPG I finished.

" I'm impressed, someone makes a first post that isn't complete lock-worthy trash!  "