Which JRPG Should I Play Next 2: Electric Boogaloo

Well, FFIX is the only one on that list I have experience with, so I'll go with that. Thankfully, it's also a pretty good game. Much, much better then X in my opinion. It'll be the perfect cure for all the stupid soap opera-y teenage angst and A-->B linearity of X.

I've played all of them except Legend of Dragoon, and I would say I personally liked Shadow Hearts the best. Really sad they didn't continue that series past the ps2.

Beaten everything on their except Xenoblade. Seeing how FF9 will probably be the game you play, I'll speak to the bottom three on the list.

• Lunar is a really solid game. It's also pretty anime. I'd say it's my favorite game by Working Designs. It's worth checking out, but you'll know pretty quickly if you're into the story or not.
• Shadow Hearts is a weird thing. I liked the second game more (Covenant), but the first game is quite good. I'd say it's probably the most interesting of these three; perhaps the whole list.
• Legend of Dragoon is rad. It's a big, sprawling RPG, with a heavy focus on timed button presses in combat. If that turns you off, you won't enjoy it.

I voted for Dragoon, but now that I've written this all out, I would have to say that Shadow Hearts would probably be my recommendation.

Either way, I appreciate the info. The good news is I've vetted all of these games so I know I won't drop them. Plus, ya never know how these polls turn out.

Appreciate the insight though!!

Final Fantasy IX for sure. One of the best FF games in my opinion and a childhood favorite of mine. I'm probably pretty blinded by nostalgia, but I'd say it's definitely worth playing.

I did not finish Shadow Hearts, but I loved everything about Shadow Hearts. It was weird, silly, and had some unique game mechanics. While other games have had active battles like Legend of Dragoon or Lost Odyessy, Shadow Hearts has this strange wheel thing. Also, if you use too much devil magic, you go to a graveyard of devils or something and have to fight ghost devils.

The game was nuts, lots of German and other European influences on a Japanese developed game make for something real great.

FF9 is cool man. It's the only "modern" Final Fantasy that managed to retain some of the feel from the older games. I really enjoyed the throwback style, especially after the huge jump in setting with 7 (and 8 sucks). Felt like a breath of fresh air at the time at least.

I remember the difficulty being pretty harsh in it? Maybe it was just me, but I've breezed through every other FF game I played to some extent. But 9 was kind of a fucker for a bit.

Thanks to everyone who helped me decide! The winner is Final Fantasy 9, and coming right after seeing Distant Worlds in Chicago no less. Anyway, I now consider this poll closed! My quest begins Monday!

It's still Reyn time. Always.

...I promise that the next episode will be Final Fantasy-less :)

All of those games are pretty great. Had I seen this earlier earlier I probably would have given my vote to something other than FF9, just to give the other game's some well deserved love, but FF9 is my favorite FF by a significant margin, so that ain't a bad pick.

This is a great list, I threw some love at the lesser known Shadow Hearts, just because it really is an under appreciated gem.

Legend of Dragoon is a good game.

I voted for Legend of Dragoon. It is one of my personal favorite games and it just doesn't get enough love. Even if it doesn't win, I don't mind either FFIX or Xenoblade winning. Those 2 were also really enjoyable for me.

I was between Dragoon and Shadow Hearts, but ended up on the later. I think it'll hold up better than Dragoon, though it's still a good game in it's own right.

I also realize now after having posted this that this input is meaningless.

Probably played it, but for future consideration...Golden Sun.

Final Fantasy IX is one of the greatest games ever made and should be experienced by everyone.