@tokoro

haha looks like you beat me by a second on that earthbound recommendation

Lol, We always seem to be doing that to each other.

I wasn't sure if you were gonna recommend it after you recommended Crystalis. I might have to try it since you said he should try it.

I'll try them both.. you've sold me thanks

I guess I can come in late again and recommend Earthbound as well. I'll also add Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, and Luffia II as I never really hear people talk about those great Snes RPGs.

haha, I think this is like the 3rd time? There can never be too many people spreading the word about the greatest game ever made.

I just remembered Crystalis today, I was playing Zelda: A link to the past, and after I beat it I remembered that game. I can't believe I haven't played it in like 5 years, so popped it in, still great. If you check it out, I hope you like it. A lot of games I like people haven't ever played (i.e. earthbound)

Earthbound sounds exactly like what the OP is looking for. It's kinda right on the edge of being under the radar. A lot of people haven't played it, but it has a very vocal cult following.

And at the very, very least it should keep you from being bored.

Since everyone has been giving me their ideas...

Tecmo's Secret of the Stars.. was always one of my favorite RPGs that I never see mentioned..

^never heard of it, what system was it on?

I might check out Crystallis as well.

There are also games that you may be able to find Digital Distribution only by independant developers, though they may not be as good as you're looking for. Also anyone else play Darkstone for Playstation? I have it but never really got to far in it. From what I remember the controls got to be a bit exacerbating. I dunno, it was kinda diabloey, not really great (diablo 1 is what I mean) but maybe if yu gotta have yur fix, it could be worth a couple bucks from a sin bin.

SNES

Basically.. you have your group (hero and friends) and there is also another group to the hero batch that you can control and level up (there are quite a few of them as well).. You can play as the hero party or both. If you use both there are all kinds of extra things you can do, and more storyline. While the game goes on you find people that will populate a city you are building.. Sort of like Suikoden where you find the Stars and all... It's awesome imho.