Over the years, I’ve probably played more FPS, adventure, and action games than anything else. From Atari to Xbox 360, I’ve played zillions of titles that could be classified as not a role-playing game. Why, then, have I spent such an insane number of hours plumbing the depths of RPGs?

In recent years, I logged hundreds of hours—each—on Oblivion, Mass Effect, Fallout 3, and Dragon Age. Then there’s every Final Fantasy game, the Tales games, Star Ocean, Eternal Sonata, Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon… And suddenly I’m staring at my gaming history and wondering if I’ve somehow transformed into some kind of… RPG fan!?!

And so, I present my list of the ten RPGs that had the greatest impact on me as a gamer.

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Ultima - (Apple II, 1981)
I came to Ultima years after it was first released. But when I did play it, it was like escaping into my own little fantasy world. I still can’t bear to leave a single room unexplored (or even a single stone unturned) and that’s all because of Ultima.

Dragon Warrior - (NES, 1989)

I know lots of people cut their RPG teeth on the original Final Fantasy, but for me, it was Dragon Warrior. I’ve had a long and tumultuous love affair with turn-based combat and it all started here.

Chrono Trigger - (SNES, 1995)

Chrono Trigger was the first time I saw that games could get really complicated. I was too young to appreciate the gameplay differences between simple turn-based play and active time battle. What I could appreciate was the complexity of the characters, side quests, multiple endings, and TIME TRAVEL. I still think Chrono Trigger is one of the best RPGs ever made.

Final Fantasy VII - (PlayStation, 1997)

So, a lot of people will argue that VI and VIII are both superior games. I don’t disagree. However, from a HOLY COW THAT CHANGED MY LIFE perspective, Final Fantasy VII was it. This is the first time I remember thinking that the line between videogames and art just wasn’t relevant anymore.

Final Fantasy Tactics - (PlayStation, 1998)

For most people, Final Fantasy Tactics represents the evolution of the strategy RPG. For me, it represents my first true gaming addiction. I didn’t play any other games for about a year. The gameplay and leveling mechanics were just too good.

Paper Mario - (N64, 2001)

Sadly, I missed the fabulous Super Mario RPG when it first came out for the SNES. Paper Mario, though, was an admirable sequel. The timing and precision made me feel for the first time that RPGs and action
games weren’t so far apart after all. Plus, it had lots of clever “paper” effects.

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - (Xbox, 2002)

Okay, so Oblivion is a superior game in nearly every way. But Morrowind was my first truly open-world, nonlinear RPG. It was amazing how much there was to see and do on Vvardenfell. Also, Morrowind taught me that if you jump everywhere you go, you will get better at jumping.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - (PC, 2003)

No one used to care whether your choices had lasting repercussions in a game. Heck, most games were exactly the same for every player that played them. KOTOR made decisions matter. Sure, the two sides of the Force aren’t exactly nuanced, but neither is Star Wars…

Tales of Symphonia - (GC, 2004)

Symphonia is a great game in its own right, with compelling characters, storytelling, and gameplay. But the landmark for me is that Symphonia was a co-op RPG. I love the social experience of gaming; battling in Symphonia with a friend gave me a hunger for co-op play that’s still with me today.

Lost Odyssey - (Xbox 360, 2008)

There were a lot of skeptics that thought good RPGs would remain forever tied to the fate of the PlayStation. When Hironobu Sakaguchi released Lost Odyssey for Xbox 360, all my skepticism melted away. The turn-based combat isn’t revolutionary, but it doesn’t have to be; the storytelling is what makes this game incredible. Its combination of present day cutscenes and storybook flashbacks are like nothing I’ve ever seen in a videogame. Not only did Lost Odyssey make me believe in playing RPGs on the Xbox, but it opened my eyes to how games can actually depict the human experience with depth and empathy.

So there ya have it! Ten RPGs that changed my (gaming) life. Back to playing Splinter Cell.