WRPG - Western RPG
ARPG - Action RPG
JRPG - Japanese RPG

You can get it for PC, 360, or PS3. I enjoyed it

@Pharaoh: oh I see ^^

It's completely understandable that someone doesn't like RPGs. The draw isn't usually focused around gameplay, but keep people hooked by rewarding them with small increments to their stats and new weapons/armor. If this type of thing doesn't happen to hook you then you're probably not going to get much out of it.

Of course some people will tell you that it's all about the story, but that's just rubbish. >:3

WRPG sare a slight bit different, in that they usually give you a bit more choice in the actions your character takes. That and the gameplay in some of them will be a bit more action oriented with the action being influenced by your current stats, so you might get a little more from them then their Japanese counterparts. Personally I started with Super Mario RPG and was hooked from there, but if that didn't do it for you either then this might just not be a genre for you.

I'd recommend maybe trying a few different strategy and western RPGs, just to see if those more suit your tastes. Also I'd recommend Earthbound, just because it's a bit different from your standard RPG, which might keep you interested a big longer (It's also one of my favorite games of all times so I plug it every chance I get).

There's that sequel to Tales of Symphonia that should be coming out in the next couple months.

What you need is Diablo II, it's the equivalent of cowbell. There is absolutely no chance you will fall asleep with the game especially when you start reaching Act 3,4 and 5 if you get the expansion. One of the best RPGs ever created by man. You also actually get to fiddle with your character and build him any way you want to, unlike in other games. I think you can get the game and the expansion now for like 15-20 bucks, probably the best 15-20 you will have ever spent. And unless your PC was built some time last millenium it will run the game perfectly fine.

I'm in your boat too, JRPGs just don't do it for me. Yeah I loved getting it on with Golden Sun and the Lost Age on the road, but that's about it. I wanna do more than just stand and click though menus. Diablo II, trust me on this one.

360:

I think you should start with Tales of Vesperia. It's a great and easy(or hard) ARPG, it has interesting characters, great graphics, you can change the difficulty during battle, avoid all the battles you want. It has great character development, but you can skip it all if you want. It's almost entirely voiced, and it's 30-100 hours long, depending on your playstyle.

It has a fair story, but a great narrative, and it is a really interesting, sexy, anime-style, well-paced, and engrossing adventure. The leveling system also really lets you see your characters get stronger and progress with each level. The game also runs very smoothly on the 360(like Dead Space) never lags up, and has no technical issues.

Wii:

The best RPG like game on the Wii is far and away Radiant Dawn. However, you would be required to play the first game to get the most out of it, so I highly suggest getting Tales of Symphonia.

IMO, Vesperia edges it out, but they're more different than they are better/worse than each other. It's a fantastic game that was released for gamecube, and it manages to have a much better storyline than vesperia, but with worse characters and slightly worse gameplay.

Another gamecube game that is great is Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. For DS, I'd recommend The World Ends With You.


You want a WRPG?

Fallout 3 or Mass Effect, for PC or 360.

The Tales series is GREAT for rpg beginners. No matter what anyone says about it, that at least, is true. It is the one series that consistantly manages to keep options throught the entire game to help beginner rpgrs into the games mechanics and helps them understand.

Adjustable difficulty throughout the game.

Storybook that recaps the story at any point.

Can skip random battles.

Action based, simply yet deep combat.

Character heavy dialogue.

Non-story dialogue marked and requires activation via skits.

AI or human(2nd player) controlled partners.

...and I know this wouldn't appeal to all gamers, but those young enough to not be accustomed to rpgs, would probably find this as a positive:

Based on and paced like anime.

A. lol, wtf? Who the hell are you and why are you telling me something was wrong with my statement? It's fine.

B. I didn't read the OP. I read the thread title. I'm recommending rpgs to beginners, generally. I do this all the time. This ain't my first hay-ride. Without even reading the OP, I bet I still gave the most sound advice on this thread. :P

C. I don't check people's profiles. Why? Because I don't care. Also, I certainly don't check profiles of every person who authors a thead I grace.

D. Don't condescend to me with your interent cookie jargon. I'm in no mood.

E. If I guessed right, your point would be "he only owns a Wii, so why 360 list, that's wrong!" If he wants to play good rpgs this gen, the first step is to buy a 360.

Now, don't respond.

No dude, you started it. You punked me for no reason. Me not "owning you over the interwebz" would have been myself accepting getting punked.

Not MTV punked, asthon kutcher BS. I'm talking about, "made to look like a punk."

Maybe if you don't try to make Zenfoldor look like a punk, he won't be forced to defend his honor with text-crit diatribes.

Go back up there and read what you wrote to me and see if it was necessary.

/zenfoldor, dancing in happy land, smiling, dancing, giving out advice...when...WTF PUNKED!?