Well, if I can use the US system of a franchise, then my first one is a piece of cake. Otherwise, put Persona in 1, move SMT to 2, and boot out Dragon Quest. If I can, then my list is as follows:
1. Shin Megami Tensei (including the Personas)
2. Etrian Odyssey
3. Dragon Quest
SMT's fairly obvious, it's one of the few semi-challenging RPGs left in today's market. (And it's Atlus, see also #2.) SMT makes me look forward to leveling, because they I can do something more. And I like getting lost in those dungeons... ^_^
Etrian Odyssey was one of those sleepers for me. I played the first one, and thought it was good. Then EO2 was announced, and I found myself clawing for more. I did the same thing with EO3. I must have more, and the ability to not have the map handed to you, but rather, to draw it yourself, was the best part!
DQ, well... that's a lot of nostalgia for me. My first RPG was DQ1, and I loved it. And somehow, despite all the upgrades, all the extras, I still get that old feeling with every DQ I play. It reminds me why I started playing RPGs all over again.
-dunno001
-On a quest for the truly perfect game; I don't think it exists...
