I'll tack on the Suikoden series to these guys' lists. - Edit 1
Before modification by Aemon at 12/03/2010 05:57:42 AM
But as I realized on my second playthrough, Xenosaga 1 is actually very good, and well worth playing on its own right.
Anyway, in addition to what YT already said, I would add Shadow Hearts 1 and 2, possibly Dark Cloud 1 and 2 (Only played the second games of both of these, and Shadow Hearts by far comes more highly recommended... Dark Cloud was kinda fun, but I never regarded it as a serious or important game). And even though they're not turn based, Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 might be worth checking out, as they are rpgs too.
And that's about all I can think of so far. Unless you bring non-rpg games into the mix, in which case I can broaden my list of recommendations.
Anyway, in addition to what YT already said, I would add Shadow Hearts 1 and 2, possibly Dark Cloud 1 and 2 (Only played the second games of both of these, and Shadow Hearts by far comes more highly recommended... Dark Cloud was kinda fun, but I never regarded it as a serious or important game). And even though they're not turn based, Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 might be worth checking out, as they are rpgs too.
And that's about all I can think of so far. Unless you bring non-rpg games into the mix, in which case I can broaden my list of recommendations.