No One Can Stop Mr. Talking Time's Top 50 32 & 64-Bit Video Games!

[Sarge]

I wanted to put Deus Ex on my list, but that was ported to PS2, and I can't imagine it ever running on the PSX/N64.

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

Half-Life is one of the core titles that made 1998 the greatest year in the history of gaming.

 

[Issun]

#48

An adventurer's as free as the wind.

Developer: Game Arts
Publishers: Entertainment Software Publishing, Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: Sega Saturn, Sony Playstation
Release Dates: December 18, 1997 (JP, Saturn), June 24 1999 (JP, PSX), October 26, 1999 (NA), March 31, 2000 (EU)
81 Points, 3 Votes, Highest Vote: #2 (Yimothy)​

Grandia certainly lives up to its name. Even by PSX era JRPG standards, it is huge. It may not be as long as some other games, but the amount of things that happen, the ground you cover, and the epic scope of it all make it feel humongous. The story of Justin, Feena and their rotating cast of partners is an investment. Fortunately, it is a good investment. While Justin may begin the game as an obnoxious brat, he grows over the course of the story, and he is aided by a colorful cast of character, including the exuberant, villainous trio of Nana, Saki and Mio, who recently ranked on our Top 50 Sidekicks list.

It also had an innovative battle system which has since been evolved through games like the Trails series. In fact, it was Trails in the Sky that finally made me appreciate this style of battle, which I did not quite appreciate at the time (even though I finished the game). It was, in its own way, an evolution of Chrono Trigger's system, except with positioning being even more important, so that even in random encounters you are thinking tactically. The game does drag a bit towards the end, but it keeps you going with new sights to see. Because the world of Grandia really is that amazing.

WisteriaHysteria said: Probably the best game on the Sega Saturn. And probably the best attempt at making a Miyazaki-ish game we'll ever get.

Yimothy said: I got this game at pretty much the exact right age, i.e. my teenage years. My first copy of it was a bootleg picked up on an overseas holiday which crashed when I reached the end of the sea journey near the start of the game. I did eventually play the rest of the game and it's fine, but honestly the beginning is all you need - explore the opening town, pretending to be a hero, then set off on a journey away from home to become one. The battle system is fantastic, the way the party talk to each other at campsites was a delight for someone not yet tired of RPG dialogue, but the feel of the start of the game is what really makes it for me.

Sarge said: I remember a magazine at the time describing this as "Lunar on steroids", and I'm almost inclined to agree. It has that sort of anime-style, light-hearted plot, but coupled with a really interesting battle system that lets you make some interesting decisions based on turn order and move canceling. Locking down an enemy feels really good!

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[Issun]

#47

If you remember me, then you must also remember what you did!

Developer: Team Andromeda
Publisher: Sega
Platform: Sega Saturn
Release Dates: January 29, 1998 (JP), April 30, 1998 (NA), June 5, 1998
83 Points, 3 Votes, Highest Vote: #4 (Sarge)​

For many JRPG aficionados, this is the holy grail. Its battle system was innovative, its story and voice acting top notch. Unfortunately, even after a strained development cycle that saw the death of two team members, it received a limited release and became a legend among video games, as well as a collectors item. I noted in an earlier entry the tragedy of the Saturn, and nowhere is it illustrated better than with Panzer Dragoon Saga.

The first Panzer Dragoon game was a well received rail shooter, so when Sega needed an RPG to compete with Sony, this fantastical property was a perfect fit. The game was worked on concurrently with the second mainline game, but it eschewed the shooter mechanics for traditional JRPG battle with a tactical bent. The story was less a massive "save the world" epic and focused instead on a smaller cast of characters and lower stakes. Since the market was already getting glutted with bloated epics in 1998, Panzer Dragoon Saga would have been a breath of fresh air. Instead, it fell victim to Sega's premature burial of the Saturn in favor of the upcoming Dreamcast. Which, as we know, is its own story.

Sarge said: Oh, Panzer Dragoon Saga, how I wish I'd bought you back in the day. It's a short (20 hours) but incredibly unique experience, with a combat system that is rarely difficult, but inspires you to stay engaged and optimize your wins. Even a straight port to any system today would be worth it, but a remaster that resolves many of the tech issues would be even better.

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[Sarge]

Two splendid RPGs. I specifically bought my Saturn for Panzer Dragoon Saga, but even at that time, the game sold for a fairly hefty sum of money, so I resorted to *ahem* other means.

I'm very much considering a replay of Grandia, especially in light of a final patch for the Saturn version coming very, very soon. (And, well, I have a Fenrir ODE coming, too, so there might be a replay of PDS in there as well. We shall see!)

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

Grandia is such a good game. I love everything about it. It was #10 on my list.

Panzer Dragoon Saga is one of those games I know from reputation alone. I've always wanted to try it but never bothered to getting around to modding my Saturn and taking the plunge. My only memory of PDS is seeing a used copy of it for sale for $50 in a Software Etc as a teenager, thinking I probably should buy it, but then deciding against it because $50 is a lot for a used game. Sometimes I delude myself into thinking I'm on the smarter side of human beans, but then I remember moments like this from my past that knock me down a peg.

 

[Sarge]

My only memory of PDS is seeing a used copy of it for sale for $50 in a Software Etc as a teenager, thinking I probably should buy it, but then deciding against it because $50 is a lot for a used game. Sometimes I delude myself into thinking I'm on the smarter side of human beans, but then I remember moments like this from my past that knock me down a peg.

Hahaha, I know that feeling. Except in my case, it was the idea of paying $50 on eBay for Little Samson. Whoops.

To my credit (or my brother's), I did snag Suikoden II before it got expensive. We'd bought Tales of Destiny II earlier that day and were pretty tight on money, but he says, "What if we never see it again?" We bought it, and yeah, turns out he was right. I never saw a copy in the wild after that day.

 

[pudik]

ah, panzer dragoon saga, the game that has appealed to me for 100 years and i still haven't played

 

[Issun]

I bought Suikoden II, Thousand Arms and Grandia in early 2000 and played them all in that order and enjoyed them in descending order. I don't hate Grandia, and might like it more now, who knows?

Incidentally, I was the only vote for Thousand Arms.

 

[Kirin]

ah, panzer dragoon saga, the game that has appealed to me for 100 years and i still haven't played

 

[Yimothy]

I got Shining the Holy Ark some years after the fact, and eventually played it when I was getting into first person dungeon crawlers a few years ago. I took a few .gifs while I was playing, but this is the only one I can find now:

It's a fun game with a good implementation of the Shining interface and a clear effort put into presentation.

I don't think I have much more to say about Grandia than what's above. It's a long time since I played it and I'm not sure I'd enjoy it as much as I did when I was younger, but my vote for it is based on how I felt about it at the time. It's got a real sense of wonder to it, or at least it did back then. I recently came across a Saturn copy, which I've patched, so I'll probably give it another go some time.

I also voted for Panzer Saga. I didn't have it back in the day, though I think I wanted to get it. Late Saturn games were not well distributed in my area, and I didn't have a lot of cash back then anyway. I have since seen a copy in the wild, for a lot, but I'll admit I played it through other means. I think it was the first Saturn game I emulated, in fact, about ten years ago. Whatever emulator I was using crashed at the ending, but I think it was on youtube by then.

 

[Mogri]

I haven't played Holy Ark. Can someone explain why it's literally Golden Sun's UI?

 

[WildcatJF]

It was by the same developers, Camelot, who cut their RPG teeth with the Shining series before working with Nintendo almost exclusively. They went by Sonic! Software Planning at this point.

 

[Issun]

#46

So here I am, growing older all the time
Looking older all the time
Feeling younger in my mind

Developer: Neversoft
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: Sony Playstation, Nintendo 64
Release Date: September 29, 1999
85 Points, 4 Votes, Highest Vote: #6 (Adrenaline)​

Few games are so clearly of a moment as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Sure, the series has had an enduring popularity, and the recent remake of the first two games has introduced it to a whole new generation, but everything from the personnel, to the soundtrack, to the aesthetics were such a time capsule of the late 90s and early 2000s that you have to be a certain age to fondly remember spending a Saturday afternoon with snacks, sodas and friends while grinding the day away. It was the rare sports game that transcended the genre, so that JRPG nerds were just as likely to take to it as people who hewed exclusively to Madden and Medal of Honor. Its mechanics were tight, its gameplay addictive, and the first two games collectively still lay claim to one of the greatest licensed soundtracks ever. Sure, the remake is superior in pretty much every way (including representation), and it's the recommended way to experience it now. None of that degrades what the original did back in 1999.

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[Issun]

#45

When I get served something that's sub-standard, I feel like flipping the table, too!

Developer: Heartbeat
Publisher: Enix
Platform: Sony Playstation
Release Dates: August 26, 2000 (JP), October 31, 2001 (NA)
85 Points, 4 Votes, Highest Vote: #3 (YangusKhan)​

Dragon Quest/Warrior VII is a game that many of us have probably played, but probably very few have finished. That's not because it's a bad game. Far from it. It is, however, a very, very long game. So long it even puts the Persona games to shame. I've heard of average runs clocking in at around 150 hours. Whether that's an exaggeration or not I don't know. I got about to where you acquire the class system before I moved on. What I did play was a very good, very atmospheric RPG. I've heard this game described as an expansion on what DQVI did as far as the class system and several story beats as well.

It was also a forward-looking installment, though, with characters becoming more clearly defined, which would reach its apex in the following installment. It really is a shame that this game's barrier to completion is so daunting, because what I played of it was enjoyable, and it's a worthy installment in this venerable series.

Sarge said: I was initially disappointed by this game. I'd waited years and years to finally get a new Dragon Warrior game, and the first three hours had no combat, just a bunch of back and forth. I just didn't appreciate how well it was building up the premise, and when I replayed via the 3DS remake, I found myself missing that intro. It's a long, long game, but once it's rolling, it stays compelling via the small story vignettes that eventually give way to the larger plot. It might be ugly, but it sure was fun for the almost 100 hours it took to finish.

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[WisteriaHysteria]

I bought Suikoden II, Thousand Arms and Grandia in early 2000 and played them all in that order and enjoyed them in descending order. I don't hate Grandia, and might like it more now, who knows?

Incidentally, I was the only vote for Thousand Arms.

It's interesting to me how even back in our primary and secondary school days, we had games that were essentially backlog casualties and/or got looked over because of their proximity to other games.

I honestly didn't even know Suikoden II existed for a good year or two because Konami was dumb enough to release it pretty much on the exact same day as both Final Fantasy VIII and the Dreamcast. It really never stood a chance! Thousand Arms was a game I coveted because I thought it looked gorgeous in the myriad of magazine ads I kept seeing it in. (It was all over EGM back then.) And I just couldn't justify buying it back then with what limited allowance I had when there were other games that demanded to be bought.

Dragon Quest VII was also a backlog casualty to me. I bought the game hyped on the history and veneration of the franchise overseas, but was still neck deep in another game. I let a friend borrow it because it would be a while before I could get to it, and the way he described it just killed all my enthusiasm for picking it up myself. I don't think I've yet to play it still! Which is too bad because I hear it's a good game, but I could not fathom a game back in the 90s, early 00s that would essentially not even give me my first battle until several hours deep into it.

THPS is a pretty legendary game to me. It came in the right place at the right time. If skateboarding games hadn't been a thing up until now, I don't think a similar game would do nearly as well as THPS did. It wasn't on my list but I considered it, it's very deserving of being here.

 

[Lokii]

Yay DQ7 ^_^

 

[Peklo]

Could not speak to or vote for the PlayStation version for not having played it, but DQVII in its 3DS remake is a series-best, easily, which I'm sure reflects accurately on the original too.

 

[Falselogic]

I didn't vote for it but Tony Hawk Pro Skater was a fantastic game and that soundtrack.

 

[FelixSH]

Could not speak to or vote for the PlayStation version for not having played it, but DQVII in its 3DS remake is a series-best, easily, which I'm sure reflects accurately on the original too.

I played both, and yes, it is a very accurate port. Knowing your taste, I think you might like the PS version a bit more, as that one has a more moody and atmospheric version of the ruins, where you put together the tablet pieces to form the different islands. But on the whole, it's pretty much the same game. At least I remember it so, I played through the PS version in 2012 or so, and through the 3DS version in 2016, so there might be details missing in my memory.

I do love this game a lot, and it might be my favourite game in the series, graphics included (I honestly love the graphics, they look great to me). I just love how it has all these little vignettes, instead of a big story (for the most part, at least), and letting you play the game for some time, without any battles, is just a great touch. Everyone is goofy or silly - somehow, I'm suddenly reminded of the cast of FF V.

I would like to say more, but I guess it's just too long since I played it, so not much comes to mind, at the moment. But it's a great game, and I should replay it some day.

With regards to Grandia: I have the game, already since 2009, I think? I played it, when I bought it used on ebay, but stopped when after getting off some ship. No idea why exactly I stopped, but I do like it a lot. Love the artstyle, love the adventurous mood, and I love the batttle system, even though I prefer the version of the second game - at least I think so, they did change it a bit, didn't they? It gave me a case of decision paralysis, though, as I found it hard to decide who should learn what, or something like that.

 

[Peklo]

I played both, and yes, it is a very accurate port. Knowing your taste, I think you might like the PS version a bit more, as that one has a more moody and atmospheric version of the ruins, where you put together the tablet pieces to form the different islands. But on the whole, it's pretty much the same game.

I did actually actively weigh the versions between one another before playing and what I thought would be relevant to my preferences, and the reason it came down to 3DS was that for a game communicated and expressed so much through text, I really could not say no to the modern Dragon Quest localization standards and approach. All the respect in the world for Jeremy Blaustein and the rest who worked on the PS1 script, but that was an impossible monster from the start for the storage capacity, production support and sheer scale in the timeframe allotted to really make the best of.

 

[Issun]

Speaking of DQ7's opening hours, those were probably my favorite part of the game. Like Felix said, such a mysterious atmosphere hung over that part that didn't carry over as much to the rest of the game.

I do often forget how charming the spritework is in it.

 

[pudik]

i would have gladly put dq7, but since i've only played the 3ds remake it never even came to mind. The remake is brilliant though, and i have no reason to believe the original version is anything less than phenomenal.

Tony Hawk is so great too. Not too many games I was more obsessed with on the N64, especially since at the time I was more of a sports game player.

 

[Sarge]

I honestly don't know which iteration I'd say is better, but I enjoyed it on 3DS as well. I think both have arguments for being worthwhile. Just be aware that the PSX version definitely takes longer to finish, but if you like the style of the DS remakes, then the PSX version will be right up your alley.

 

[Adrenaline]

I dropped off after a few games but I played the first couple Tony Hawks for hours and hours and hours

 

[Sarge]

Oh, yeah, Tony Hawk is a game I normally would have ignored, but I got it with my Dreamcast, and put a ton of time into it. It's absolutely a classic.

 

[ShakeWell]

I put THPS pretty low on my list, because while it definitely IS one of the best of the generation, it's also not the best THPS game, which bumps it down the list a bit for me. I made a video about it two Decembers ago, but to sum up my thoughts: it ruled hard, I played it a lot, the soundtrack is awesome. A lot of people talk about getting introduced to punk and ska through the game, but for me it was the opposite: these bands I loved that I was seeing on Warped Tour (Goldfinger) or that my dad introduced me to (Dead Kennedys) were now in a videogame?! WHOA.

 

[Issun]

#44

One may follow a damned path, but that is not the way of Narukagami.

Developer: Light Weight
Publishers: Squaresoft, Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform: Sony Playstation
Release Dates: March 14, 1997 (JP), September 30, 1997 (NA), February 1, 1998 (EU)
87 Points, 4 Votes, Highest Vote: #8 (Patrick)​

The Playstation was where Squaresoft began to experiment with genres outside of their RPG wheelhouse in force, and Bushido Blade was one of the first games in this experiment. The idea behind it was brilliant: Instead of a fighter where a player's status was represented by a health bar, what if it were more realistic? What if your attacks could instantly kill, sever limbs, incapacitate. The execution turned out to be excellent (though I, myself, could never really get a handle on its systems). The fights in Bushido Blade represent a true duel, with both players moving about, seeking advantage, waiting for that perfect strike.

The aesthetics were incredible, too. The arenas were huge, with multiple levels and places to hide or gain advantage. The music was contained outside of the actual fights, so that there is nothing but the sound of footsteps, weapons, and the grunts and screams of the two fighters. It was an innovative fighter on its own, and it showed that Square could make a good game regardless of genre.

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[Issun]

#43

This ain't voodoo stuff!

Developer: Squaresoft
Publishers: Squaresoft, Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform: Sony Playstation
Release Dates: March 29, 1998 (JP), September 9, 1998 (NA)
87 Points, 4 Votes, Highest Vote: #6 (WisteriaHysteria)​

If, in 1998, anyone was wondering whether Final Fantasy VII was a sign that Square was embracing cinematics in their games, Parasite Eve answered with a full-throated "YES". It was even marketed as "The cinematic RPG", and they weren't kidding. It was also a survival horror game, which meant the battle system would have to be very different from the traditional systems of other games. What they came up with was a real-time/menu-based hybrid with multi-part targeting, something that would be refined even further in a couple of years.

The gameplay was an interesting experiment, but it was the horror and cinematics that stole the show. This scene to open the story absolutely blew my mind way back when:

Sure, it's hokey now, but in 1998 that was state-of-the-art. It managed to wow and terrify at the same time. Sure, Parasite Eve was not the only game advancing cinematics in gaming in 1998, and it was probably not even the best. But it still managed to have a gripping story, dense atmosphere and some pretty intense setpieces.

WisteriaHysteria said: Modern day, sci-fi, RPG set in NYC with an underrated soundtrack and an ingenious combat system.

Sarge said: Parasite Eve comes from the period when SquareSoft was hitting on all cylinders. It truly seemed they could do no wrong. A relatively brief game, it still provides an excellent horror/sci-fi story as well as a fun, uncomplicated battle system.

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[Lokii]

Wow Bushido Blade. I should throw that on my mini and see how palpable it is in 2021.