Final Fantasy VI - I still consider it to be my favorite game of all-time, so naturally, I'm gonna pick it as the best RPG. The actual combat and gameplay mechanics aren't spectacular or innovative, but its definitely solid(having so many different characters is the best part) and thats pretty much the worst thing I can say about this game. Other than that, its just plain top quality. The graphics are charming, even to this day. The music is possibly the best in any game I've ever heard. The characters are incredibly memorable and each gets their own fun sidequest in the 2nd half of the game. I mean, really, there's so much I can say about this game, but its really just such an RPG staple that I cant imagine somebody being an RPG fan and not having played this, so I wont rant on endlessly here.
Secret of Mana - This game is beautiful, the gameplay is fun and rewarding, the music is fantastic and its great fun to play with other people.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - If you like RPG's, this game is awesome, but if you like RPG's AND Star Wars, then this game(and its sequel) is pretty much mandatory. The battle mechanics were admittedly a bit clumsy sometimes, but it was still fun and getting to customize your own lightsaber was just badass. I liked the whole choice-system in the game, but it was never a huge selling point for me.
Final Fantasy VII - Obligatory pick as a Final Fantasy lover. This game just has so much going for it. The setting and locations are awesome, the music is awesome, the characters are awesome, the story is actually interesting, the summons were epic, the customization was awesome, and there was lots of sidequests and numerous things to do aside from the main quest. Pretty much a masterpiece of an RPG along with Final Fantasy VI.
Chrono Trigger - A fantastic action RPG that would still be just as awesome if it were released yesterday. Make no mistake, nostalgia is not what makes people like this game so much. Its just full of goodness, from the unique time-traveling system, the simple-yet-awesome battle mechanics, the story and the multiple endings, the graphics, the music, yadda yadda. Fantastic game.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Ok, I never played Morrowind, but I still think Oblivion is one of the greatest games of all-time. I've only played through the game once, but it was an epic 200 hour playthrough. EPIC is probably the best way to describe most everything that makes this game great. The setting, the music, the size, the immersiveness and most of all - the pure amount of crap to do, all EPIC.
Kingdom Hearts - A great blend of fun action-style RPG gameplay and some of the greatest Disney settings. Dont know how or why this all works so great, but it does and its a joy to experience.
Super Mario RPG - Another of the top-notch RPG's that came from the SNES golden-era of gaming. And another example of how two normally unrelated elements(Mario and RPG's) can come together to form one hell of a game. The story is the usual Mario nonsense, but its partly that 'doesn't take it self too seriously' nonsense that makes this game so quirky and so charming, and something that most every Mario RPG game since has replicated. And on top of this, its actually a fairly involving RPG with some entertaining battle mechanics.
Final Fantasy IX - Dont get me wrong, I LOVE FF8, but after two 'industrialized' Final Fantasies, it was really special for them to come back to their 'fantasy' roots for this one. And they switched up the art style, which I think worked great and was really refreshing. Although I cant say that this game really excels greatly in any one area, its just an all-round quality Final Fantasy game.
Mass Effect - Ya know, I think I had more fun playing Mass Effect 2, but they seriously stripped most of the RPG elements out of the game and I feel that the first is the only one that I can consider a proper RPG. And it was a great one at that. The setting was marvelous and the graphics, while laden with performance problems, were still incredibly gorgeous. It was a very atmospheric experience and the mix of shooting elements and RPG elements worked very well if you asked me. The game has its flaws, but its still a game that I think would be tragic to miss out on.
And I'm sorry to not have Final Fantasy IV, VIII, X and XII on the list as I loved each and every one, but I feel that other series deserve a bit of recognition, too.
It's one of my favorite games of all time.
