What games are kind of like Final Fantasy?

[sqbr]

I get into certain moods where I feel like playing a video game, but unfortunately 99% of the games I've tried don't suit me. The final fantasy games are the best fit I've found(*) but I've run out for the moment, and I was wondering if there were any others people could recommend which do what I want.

The absolute most important feature is the ability to make the game arbitrarily easy. I suck at computer games, and beyond that only play them when I don't feel up to anything useful so am incompetent even for me. I honestly can't think of a game that I thought was too easy apart from in a "Wait, I don't suck at this, why is it so easy" sense. An easy setting is an ok fix if it really is very easy.
Final fantasy games allow you to level up while the monsters don't, so I can just find a nice place with easy monsters and cheap healing and level up until I feel able to take on the bosses(*).

Not stressful: It shouldn't set off my fight or flight response (no time limits or things jumping out at you) it shouldn't be easy to accidentally screw yourself over for later in the game (by using something you'll need later etc)

Beyond that, if there's a plot, then I prefer an ensemble cast. And it should be good(***) :)

I have a PS2, Wii, PC and Mac, but if you have suggestions for other consoles feel free to list them, you never know what we may get in the future. I strongly prefer consoles to computer games, allows me to lie on the couch.

(*)Guitar Hero is game I play when I'm feeling awake and musical, which is a very different niche
(*)except frigging ff8 which I have thus never finished, though for the moment I'm playing it every now and then having nothing better. I was also very disappointed by Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
(**)Unlike FFX-2, which might have been ok if it was an original game but irritated me too much as a "sequel".

Comments

[penchaft.livejournal.com]

If you like strategy RPG, Disgaea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgaea:_Hour_of_Darkness) is excellent, and is heaps of whacky fun. You can replay the old levels as much as you like, and be overpowered for the new levels.

You should get a DS so you can play FFXII: Revenant Wings. ;)

[greteldragon.livejournal.com]

Have you ever played Neverwinter nights?

I think its like what you're describing... its old, but that just means you can buy it cheap. Sadly it is PC though.. I myslf am pretty crap at consoles.

DISCLAIMER: I've never played final fantasy, so I could be barking up the wrong tree here :P

[maharetr.livejournal.com]

I'm totally with you on the 'fight and flight' and 'building up in safe places' things.

I found

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I'm totally with you on the 'fight and flight' and 'building up in safe places' things.

I found <a href"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic">Heroes of Might and Magic</a> fit the bill nicely for me: it's very turn based (you and the computer, you and friend). Even the battles (to my great relief) are 'move an army section, which attacks. Pause. other side moves section, attacks. Pause while you think for as long as you like." style play.

I played the third incarnation, and really enjoyed it. Haven't played any of the others.

[ilumiari.livejournal.com]

Kingdom Hearts!

I wrote a long message and then my iPod crashed

[david adam &lt;zanchey&gt; (from livejournal.com)]

play through the Monkey Island games with a walkthrough.

[lizbyrd.livejournal.com]

I can lend you Okami if you want to give it a try? I haven't played enough of it to rate it on Final Fantasy similarity, but I want to finish FFXII before I get back to playing it.

I haven't played Kingdom Hearts 1 but I did thoroughly enjoy Kingdom Hearts 2.

[patternsofchaos.livejournal.com]

Suikoden II is old, but really awesome. My favourite game ever, and I think it fits all your requirements (especially ensemble cast - you have to recruit 107 allies, and can put at least half of them in your fighting party.)
And you should finish FF8 :P

[penchaft.livejournal.com]

If you like strategy RPG, Disgaea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgaea:_Hour_of_Darkness) is excellent, and is heaps of whacky fun. You can replay the old levels as much as you like, and be overpowered for the new levels.

You should get a DS so you can play FFXII: Revenant Wings. ;)

[greteldragon.livejournal.com]

Have you ever played Neverwinter nights?

I think its like what you're describing... its old, but that just means you can buy it cheap. Sadly it is PC though.. I myslf am pretty crap at consoles.

DISCLAIMER: I've never played final fantasy, so I could be barking up the wrong tree here :P

[maharetr.livejournal.com]

I'm totally with you on the 'fight and flight' and 'building up in safe places' things.

I found

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<a href"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/heroes_of_might_and_magic">') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

I'm totally with you on the 'fight and flight' and 'building up in safe places' things.

I found <a href"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic">Heroes of Might and Magic</a> fit the bill nicely for me: it's very turn based (you and the computer, you and friend). Even the battles (to my great relief) are 'move an army section, which attacks. Pause. other side moves section, attacks. Pause while you think for as long as you like." style play.

I played the third incarnation, and really enjoyed it. Haven't played any of the others.

[ilumiari.livejournal.com]

Kingdom Hearts!

I wrote a long message and then my iPod crashed

[david adam &lt;zanchey&gt; (from livejournal.com)]

play through the Monkey Island games with a walkthrough.

[lizbyrd.livejournal.com]

I can lend you Okami if you want to give it a try? I haven't played enough of it to rate it on Final Fantasy similarity, but I want to finish FFXII before I get back to playing it.

I haven't played Kingdom Hearts 1 but I did thoroughly enjoy Kingdom Hearts 2.

[patternsofchaos.livejournal.com]

Suikoden II is old, but really awesome. My favourite game ever, and I think it fits all your requirements (especially ensemble cast - you have to recruit 107 allies, and can put at least half of them in your fighting party.)
And you should finish FF8 :P