5) Chrono Trigger (DS) - This game is one of the best RPGs ever made, so when a DS version of the game comes out to give younger RPG fans a chance to try it I’m all for it. It even has all the anime cutscenes from the PS1 version without all the loading issues that version had. The new “additions” aren’t that great, but I still think this is the definitive version of a classic game that every RPG fan has to experience at least once.

4) Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (PS2) - Persona 3 was my first foray into this series (and its expansion, Persona 3: FES, almost made this list also) and boy was it a refreshing change of pace. What you get with Persona 4 is the same concepts, except polished to almost perfection. A great story, characters, art style, and battle system should help Persona 4 win over even the most jaded of RPG fans. Who said the PS2 was dead? Certainly not me…

3) Fallout 3 (X360, PS3, PC) - I was a huge fan of Oblivion (my first Elder Scrolls game) and the second I heard about Bethesda taking the reins of the Fallout franchise I was excited. I had never played a Fallout game before, but I had faith that Bethesda would do the series legacy justice while allowing newcomers to fully immerse themselves as well. They succeeded, and made one of the best RPGs so far this generation. If you haven’t tried this game yet, go try it.

2) Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) - Strategy RPGs are some of my favorite games ever (like Final Fantasy Tactics and all the Fire Emblem games) so when one as innovative and refreshing as Valkyria Chronicles comes along, I take notice. This is a fantastic game that is certainly the best RPG on the PS3. If you own a PS3 and like RPGs, there is no reason to not own this game. It certainly makes me glad I have a PS3.

1) Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP) - The story to this game is easily my favorite of the year. The ending was one of the most emotional moments I’ve witnessed in a game, period. I even knew it was coming because it’s in the original FFVII for PS1. Now THAT is a statement. It wasn’t just the story that won me over though. The graphics are spectacular and the soundtrack (which was partly remixed FFVII compositions) is one of my new favorites. The gameplay was also suited to gaming on the go with fast-paced battles and plenty of short side quests enjoyed in delicious spurts. Yeah, I loved this game.

Most Disappointing : Too Human - I was looking forward to some Norse mythology and dungeon crawling gameplay very much reminiscent of the Diablo games, but instead I got one of the weakest stories of the year and one of the most infuriating gameplay mechanics I’ve ever witnessed (Valkyrie death, anyone?). Not to mention the load of bugs in the coop mode, easily the best part of the game. This was one game that I was very much glad it was so short because I wanted to stop being so frustrated at the bad gameplay decisions by the developers. Hopefully that sequel they are planning fixes the huge amount of problems with this game.