10 years ago, FF would be #1 for sure, but not anymore.
1. Chrono Series.
There really isn't anything you can say bad about the series. Chrono Trigger is the best RPG ever made, the characters and story are so well done that it stands up to the RPGs today, 15 years after it was originally released. And while Chrono Cross didn't really live up to CT it's a great game in it's own right, lets just hope that someday we'll get a 'true' sequel.
2. Dragon Quest.
Dragon Quest VIII was the best RPG on the PS2 and really was a great way to jump start the series in America. The world is so beautifully detailed and vivid that it makes playing though the game an absolute joy.
3. Parasite Eve Series.
Parasite Eve is such a unique game, the melding of survival horror and RPG elements is really great and the series' plot isn't so bad itself. While the plot is not quite on par with some of the other PS1 era RPG series, the overall package is. Lets hope 3rd Birthday lives up to it's predecessors.
4. Final Fantasy.
While I really don't like FFX's and FFXII's characters, story,or linear game play you have to put the series on the list just on the strength of the SNES and PS1 titles. The series has fallen from grace over the last console generation, but nothing can undo the magic they created in the past.
5. Front Mission.
Front Mission is a pretty unique series, and really I'm surprised that it's still around. The games always feature great strategic game play and more mature story lines the you would usually see, plus the depth of customization in combat is pretty awesome.
